The 2018 Ford Explorer receives several minor changes, representing the eighth model year of the fifth-generation Explorer.
Changes, Updates, New Features
Following are the changes, new features, and updates to the 2018 Explorer:
- Slight updates to front and rear styling
- Five new wheel options
- New Safe and Smart Package that includes:
- Rain-sensing wipers, which turn on automatically upon sensing rain drops
- Auto high-beam headlamps, which automatically turn on the high beams when appropriate in order to help better illuminate the road ahead
- Blindspot information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert, which help drivers see what’s in their blind spot
- Lane-Keeping System, which helps detect and alert drivers when the vehicle begins to drift out of the lane
- Adaptive cruise control, which enables the vehicle to modulate its own speed when adaptive cruise control is enabled while braking the vehicle
- Forward collision warning with brake support, which helps notify the driver of an imminent object ahead and automatically apply the brakes when necessary
- Available SYNC Connect with 4G modem and Wi-Fi hotspot, which enables connecting up to 10 devices
The updates and changes described here are specific to the U.S. market and may be different for other markets.
Body Styles
The 2018 Ford Explorer is offered as a full-size, five-door crossover utility vehicle (CUV).
The vehicle is offered for police duty as the Ford Police Interceptor Utility.
Platform
Like all fifth-generation units of the Ford Explorer, the 2018 Explorer rides on the Ford D4 platform shared with the following vehicles:
- Ford Flex
- Lincoln MKT
Powertrain
The 2018 Explorer carries over the same powertrain (engines and transmissions) from the 2017 Explorer.
2018 Ford Explorer Powertrain
| Brand | Model | Trim Level | Engine | Engine Layout | Engine Aspiration | Compression Ratio | Fuel | Fuel Delivery | Valve Lifters | Engine Block Material | Cylinder Head Material | Wheel Drive | Transmission | Axle Ratio | Power (hp / kW @ RPM) | Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ RPM) | Fuel Economy FWD (City / Hwy / Comb) | Fuel Economy AWD (City / Hwy / Comb) | Curb Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | Explorer | XLT, Limited | 3.5L Duratec - Cyclone Ti-VCT | V6 DOHC | Atmospheric | 10.8: 1 | Gasoline | Sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection | Direct acting mechanical bucket | Cast aluminum | Cast aluminum | FWD / AWD | Ford 6-speed 6F auto with SelectShift | 3.39 (FWD) / 3.65 (AWD) | 290 / 216 @ 6500 | 255 / 346 @ 4000 | 17 / 24 / 20 | 16 / 23 / 19 | 4,443 FWD, 4,629 AWD |
| Ford | Explorer | XLT, Limited | 2.3L EcoBoost | I4 DOHC | Turbocharged | 10.0: 1 | Gasoline | Direct Injection | Direct acting mechanical bucket | Cast aluminum | Cast aluminum | FWD | Ford 6-speed 6F auto with overdrive | 3.36 (FWD) / 3.51 (AWD) | 280 / 209 @ 5600 | 310 / 420 @ 3000 | 19 / 27 / 22 | 18 / 25 / 21 | 4,385 FWD, 4,556 AWD |
| Ford | Explorer | Sport, Platinum | 3.5L EcoBoost | V6 DOHC | Twin Turbocharged | 10.0: 1 | Gasoline | Direct Injection | Direct acting mechanical bucket | Cast aluminum | Cast aluminum | AWD | Ford 6-speed 6F auto with paddle shifters | 3.16 (AWD) | 365 / 272 @ 5500 | 350 / 474 @ 3500 | N/A | 16 / 22 / 18 | 4,901 AWD |
| Ford | Explorer | Police Interceptor Utility | 3.7L Duratec-Cyclone Ti-VCT | V6 DOHC | Atmospheric | TBD | Gasoline | Sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection | Direct acting mechanical bucket | Cast aluminum | Cast aluminum | AWD | Ford 6-speed 6F | 3.65 (AWD) | 305 / 227 @ 6500 | 280 / 380 @ 4250 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Ford | Explorer | Police Interceptor Utility | 3.5L EcoBoost | V6 DOHC | Twin Turbocharged | 10.0: 1 | Gasoline | Direct Injection | Direct acting mechanical bucket | Cast aluminum | Cast aluminum | AWD | Ford 6-speed 6F | 3.16 (AWD) | 365 / 272 @ 5500 | 350 / 474 @ 3500 | N/A | 16 / 22 / 18 | TBD |
Competitors
The 2018 Explorer competes against other full-size mainstream crossovers, including:
- Chevrolet Traverse
- Dodge Durango
- Honda Pilot
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Toyota Highlander
- Hyundai Santa-Fe (long version)
- Mazda CX-9
- Volkswagen Atlas
Standard Features
- Interior:
- 12-volt powerpoints (four)
- Audio – AM/FM stereo/ single-CD player with MP3 capability and six speakers
- Automatic headlamps
- Auxiliary rear climate controls
- Power windows and door locks with one-touch-down front window feature
- Seat – 8-way power driver’s
- Seats – first-row buckets with two-way adjustable head restraints
- Seats – second-row 60/40 split fold-flat; third-row 50/50 split fold-flat
- Steering wheel-mounted cruise, audio and five-way controls (two)
- SYNC with 4.2-inch color LCD screen in center stack, and media hub with smart-charging USB port
- Powertrain:
- Engine – 3.5L Ti-VCT V6
- Front-wheel drive
- Hill start assist
- Transmission – 6-speed SelectShift automatic
- Exterior:
- Configurable daytime running lamps
- LED headlamps with halogen reflector high beams
- Mirrors – power, heated sideview with integrated blind spot mirrors
- Roof-rack side rails
- Safety & Security:
- Trailer sway control
- AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control and Curve Control
- Airbags – front-passenger knee, front-seat side, and three-row Safety Canopy System with side curtain airbags and rollover sensor
- Anti-Lock Brake System
- Battery saver with headlamps-off delay
- Brakes – four-wheel disc with Illuminated Entry System
- LATCH – Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children
- Personal Safety System for driver and front passenger with dualstage front airbags
- Rearview camera
- SecuriLock Passive
- Anti-Theft System
- SOS Post-Crash Alert System
- Tire pressure monitoring system (excludes spare)
- MyKey
- Remote Keyless Entry System
Available Features
- Airbags in second-row console airbags
- Airbags in Second-row outboard inflatable safety belts
- Adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support
- Ambient lighting
- Audio – audio system from Sony with Clear Phase and Live Acoustics, HD Radio and 12 speakers
- Audio – Premium system with nine speakers
- Audio – SiriusXM Radio with six-month trial subscription
- Dual Headrest DVD by INVISION
- Dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control
- Engine – 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 with six-speed automatic transmission
- Engine – 3.5L EcoBoost V6 with six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission and paddle shifters
- Enhanced active park assist
- Front 180-degree camera with washer
- Hands-free foot-activated liftgate
- Heated steering wheel
- Intelligent four-wheeldrive with
- Terrain Management System and Hill Descent Control
- Intelligent Access with push-button start
- Lane-keeping system with lanekeeping aid and lane-keeping alert
- Power-tilt/telescoping steering column
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Reverse sensing system
- Seats – second-row bucket
- Seats – Multicontour front
- SYNC 3 with eight-inch color
- LCD capacitive touch screen with AppLink, 911 Assist and two smart-charging USB ports
- Twin-panel moonroof
- Voice-activated navigation system
- Wheels – 20″ polished aluminum
Available Packages
- Class II Trailer Tow Prep Package – $395:
- Available on Explorer Base, XLT, and Limited
- For trailers over 2,000 pounds and under 3,000 pounds with 2.3L EcoBoost engine
- Class III Trailer Tow Package – $570
- Required for towing with the Explorer, enabling a towing capacity up to 5,000 pounds, when properly equipped, includes:
- For trailers over 2,000 pounds and under 5,000 pounds with 3.5L and 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engines
- Class III frame-mounted hitch
- Four- and seven-pin trailer connectors
- Engine oil cooler
- Cold Weather Package ($650):
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Forward Sensing System
- Comfort Package:
- Leather Seating Surfaces
- Heated Front Seats
- Driver-Connect Package:
- SYNC 3 – Enhanced Voice Recognition Communications and Entertainment System
- 8″ LCD Capacitive Touchscreen in Center Stack
- Applink
- 911 Assist
- Apple CarPlay compatibility and Android Auto compatibility
- Two Smart-Charging Multimedia USB Ports
- SYNC Connect:
- Remotely start, lock and unlock vehicle
- Schedule specific times to remotely start vehicle
- Locate parked vehicle
- Check vehicle status
- Wi-Fi hotspot connects up to 10 devices
- Two driver configurable 4.2″ color LCD displays in instrument cluster
- Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
- Safe and Smart Package
- Rain-sensing wipers, which turn on automatically upon sensing rain drops
- Auto high-beam headlamps, which automatically turn on the high beams when appropriate in order to help better illuminate the road ahead
- Blindspot information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert, which help drivers see what’s in their blind spot
- Lane-Keeping System, which helps detect and alert drivers when the vehicle begins to drift out of the lane
- Adaptive cruise control, which enables the vehicle to modulate its own speed when adaptive cruise control is enabled while braking the vehicle
- Forward collision warning with brake support, which helps notify the driver of an imminent object ahead and automatically apply the brakes when necessary
- XLT Sport Appearance Package ($1,595):
- Metallic-painted grille bars, sideview mirror caps and exterior accent trim
- Explorer badge on the hood
- Black roof-rack side rails
- 20-inch magnetic metallic-painted 10-spoke wheels
- XLT Technology Feature Bundle:
- Voice-Activated Touchscreen Navigation System with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link
- Single-CD Player
- Universal Garage Door Opener (UGDO)
Trim Levels & Price
The 2018 Explorer is available in the following trim levels:
- Explorer (base)
- XLT
- Limited
- Sport
- Platinum
2018 Ford Explorer Price, Models, Trim Levels
| Trim Level | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
| Explorer (base) | $32,140 |
| XLT | $34,175 |
| Limited | $42,090 |
| Sport | $45,950 |
| Platinum | $53,940 |
Production
The 2018 Explorer is assembled at the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Availability
The 2018 Ford Explorer follows the regular Ford model year rollover sequence, and launched in the third quarter of the 2017 calendar year. See more on the 2020 Ford Explorer.
Beyond 2018
We expect that the fifth-generation Explorer will live on for the 2018 and 2019 model years, and that an all-new, future Ford Explorer will launch for the 2020 model year.
Sales Numbers
See our running Ford Explorer sales tracker.
Discussion
Discuss the 2018 Ford Explorer in our Ford forum.
News
Follow our coverage of Ford Explorer news.
Specs
2018 Ford Explorer Overview
| Model: | 2018 Ford Explorer |
| Body style: | 6 or 7 passenger, five-door crossover utility vehicle |
| Driveline placement: | front-engine, transverse placement |
| Drive wheels: | front wheel-drive or all wheel-drive |
| Vehicle class: | full-size crossover utility vehicle (CUV) |
| Assembly: | Chicago Assembly, Chicago, Illinois, USA |
2018 Ford Explorer Chassis & Suspension
| Front suspension: | MacPherson strut front suspension with 32mm front stabilizer bar |
| Front shocks: | Gas-pressurized twin tube |
| Rear suspension: | Multi-link independent rear suspension with 22mm rear stabilizer bar |
| Rear shocks: | Gas-pressurized twin tube |
| Brakes: | Power 4-wheel disc with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) |
| Steering: | Electronic Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) |
2018 Ford Explorer Powertrain
| Brand | Model | Trim Level | Engine | Engine Layout | Engine Aspiration | Compression Ratio | Fuel | Fuel Delivery | Valve Lifters | Engine Block Material | Cylinder Head Material | Wheel Drive | Transmission | Axle Ratio | Power (hp / kW @ RPM) | Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ RPM) | Fuel Economy FWD (City / Hwy / Comb) | Fuel Economy AWD (City / Hwy / Comb) | Curb Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | Explorer | XLT, Limited | 3.5L Duratec - Cyclone Ti-VCT | V6 DOHC | Atmospheric | 10.8: 1 | Gasoline | Sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection | Direct acting mechanical bucket | Cast aluminum | Cast aluminum | FWD / AWD | Ford 6-speed 6F auto with SelectShift | 3.39 (FWD) / 3.65 (AWD) | 290 / 216 @ 6500 | 255 / 346 @ 4000 | 17 / 24 / 20 | 16 / 23 / 19 | 4,443 FWD, 4,629 AWD |
| Ford | Explorer | XLT, Limited | 2.3L EcoBoost | I4 DOHC | Turbocharged | 10.0: 1 | Gasoline | Direct Injection | Direct acting mechanical bucket | Cast aluminum | Cast aluminum | FWD | Ford 6-speed 6F auto with overdrive | 3.36 (FWD) / 3.51 (AWD) | 280 / 209 @ 5600 | 310 / 420 @ 3000 | 19 / 27 / 22 | 18 / 25 / 21 | 4,385 FWD, 4,556 AWD |
| Ford | Explorer | Sport, Platinum | 3.5L EcoBoost | V6 DOHC | Twin Turbocharged | 10.0: 1 | Gasoline | Direct Injection | Direct acting mechanical bucket | Cast aluminum | Cast aluminum | AWD | Ford 6-speed 6F auto with paddle shifters | 3.16 (AWD) | 365 / 272 @ 5500 | 350 / 474 @ 3500 | N/A | 16 / 22 / 18 | 4,901 AWD |
| Ford | Explorer | Police Interceptor Utility | 3.7L Duratec-Cyclone Ti-VCT | V6 DOHC | Atmospheric | TBD | Gasoline | Sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection | Direct acting mechanical bucket | Cast aluminum | Cast aluminum | AWD | Ford 6-speed 6F | 3.65 (AWD) | 305 / 227 @ 6500 | 280 / 380 @ 4250 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Ford | Explorer | Police Interceptor Utility | 3.5L EcoBoost | V6 DOHC | Twin Turbocharged | 10.0: 1 | Gasoline | Direct Injection | Direct acting mechanical bucket | Cast aluminum | Cast aluminum | AWD | Ford 6-speed 6F | 3.16 (AWD) | 365 / 272 @ 5500 | 350 / 474 @ 3500 | N/A | 16 / 22 / 18 | TBD |
2018 Ford Explorer Exterior Dimensions
| Wheelbase: | 112.8 inches |
| Length: | 198.3 inches |
| Height: | 70 inches |
| Width - Excluding Mirrors: | 78.9 inches |
| Width - Including Mirrors: | 90.2 inches |
| Width - Mirrors Folded: | 82.5 inches |
| Front Track: | 67 inches |
| Rear Track: | 67 inches |
| Front Overhang: | 38.8 inches |
| Rear Overhang: | 46.7 inches |
| Approach Angle (degrees): | 15.6 degrees |
| Departure Angle (degrees): | 20.9 degrees |
| Ramp Breakover Angle (degrees): | 16.9 degrees |
| Minimum Running Ground Clearance: | 7.8 inches |
2018 Ford Explorer Interior Dimensions
| Measurement | First Row (in) | Second Row (in) | Third Row (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Room: | 41.4 | 40.6 | 37.8 |
| Leg Room: | 42.9 | 39.5 | 33.3 |
| Hip Room: | 57.3 | 56.8 | 40.7 |
| Shoulder Room: | 61.5 | 61 | 50.8 |
2018 Ford Explorer Capacities
| Maximum Seating Capacity: | 7 |
| Seating Configuration: | 2/3/2 |
| Passenger Volume: | 151.5 cu. ft. |
| Cargo Volume behind first row: | 81.7 cu. ft. |
| Cargo Volume behind second row: | 43.9 cu. ft. |
| Cargo Volume behind third row: | 21 cu. ft. |
| Fuel capacity: | 18.6 gal. |
| Base 3.5L V6 engine Curb Weight: | 4,453 lbs. |
2018 Ford Explorer Towing
| Configuration | Axle Ratio | GCWR (lbs) | Max Loaded Trailer Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L TiVCT Duratec V6 FWD | 3.39 | 9980 | 5000 |
| 3.5L TiVCT Duratec V6 AWD | 3.65 | 10160 | 5000 |
| 2.3L TiVCT EcoBoost I4 FWD | 3.36 | 6880 | 2000 |
| 2.3L TiVCT EcoBoost I4 AWD | 3.51 | 6880 | 2000 |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 AWD | 3.16 | 10400 | 5000 |
