Ford Explorer Enters the Crossover War

DETROIT (TheStreet) -- The introduction of the 2011 Ford(F) Explorer captured the public's imagination earlier this week.

In fact, a recent report by Edmunds.com indicates that consumer consideration of the Explorer has nearly doubled as consumers await the vehicle's arrival, which won't hit until December. The spike in interest came even before the 2011 Ford Explorer introduction, which was rolled out in nine cities including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington and Dearborn, Mich., as well in splashy campaigns on Facebook and YouTube.

(That's Frank Davis, head of product development for Ford North America, pictured above as he unveiled the new Explorer Monday in Venice Beach, Calif.)

Edmunds.com senior analyst Karl Brauer said the new Explorer continues the trend of automakers moving away from SUVs, which are built on truck platforms, to crossover vehicles, built on automobile platforms. While signaling big environmental and global themes, the switch to crossovers also insinuates savings in money spent on gas; the 2011 Explorer, while larger than previous models, will have as much as 30% better fuel mileage than earlier Explorers up to 2010.

But that's not to say that the vehicle will have a clear path to consumer's garages. Rather, the Explorer, which shows up in showrooms this fall, faces stiff competition from a number of vehicles. One competitor, the Edge, is also made by Ford.

Here is a look at the crossover competitors the Explorer will face.