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2018 Ford Explorer Powertrain

The 2018 Ford Explorer powertrain consists of three gasoline engines mated to three variants of a six-speed automatic transmission, depending on model. The police-duty Police Interceptor Utility, which is the Explorer sold to police units for police duty, also offers another gasoline engine that is not available on the civilian Explorer.

2018 Ford Explorer Engines

The 2018 Explorer is offered with the following gasoline engines:

  • Naturally-aspirated 3.5L Duratec-Cyclone Ti-VCT V6 rated at 290 horsepower (216 kW) and 310 pound-feet (420 Nm) of torque
  • Turbocharged 2.3L EcoBoost inline four-cylinder rated at 280 horsepower (209 kW) and 310 pound-feet (420 Nm) of torque
  • Twin-turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6 rated at 365 horsepower (272 kW) and 350 pound-feet (474 Nm) of torque
  • Naturally-aspirated 3.7L Duratec-Cyclone Ti-VCT V6 rated at 365 horsepower (272 kW) and 350 pound-feet (474 Nm) of torque (exclusive to Police Interceptor Utility)

2018 Ford Explorer Transmissions

Both of the 2018 Explorer engines are paired with variants of the Ford 6-speed automatic transmission:

  • 3.5L Duratec-Cyclone V6: Ford 6-speed 6F automatic with SelectShift
  • 2.3L EcoBoost I4: Ford 6-speed 6F automatic with overdrive
  • 3.5L EcoBoost V6: Ford 6-speed 6F automatic with paddle shifters
  • 3.7L Duratec-Cyclone V6: Ford 6-speed 6F automatic (Police Interceptor Utility)

2018 Ford Explorer Drive Wheels

On the 2018 Explorer, front-wheel-drive (FWD) is standard and all-wheel-drive (AWD) is optional.

2018 Ford Explorer Axle

The 2018 Ford Explorer is equipped with five axles / final drive ratios:

  • 3.36
  • 3.51
  • 3.39
  • 3.65
  • 3.16

2018 Ford Explorer Powertrain Orientation

The 2018 Explorer powertrain is positioned transversely, a characteristic shared by all models on the D4 platform.

2018 Ford Explorer Powertrain

BrandModelTrim LevelEngineEngine LayoutEngine AspirationCompression RatioFuelFuel DeliveryValve LiftersEngine Block MaterialCylinder Head MaterialWheel DriveTransmissionAxle RatioPower (hp / kW @ RPM)Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ RPM)Fuel Economy FWD (City / Hwy / Comb)Fuel Economy AWD (City / Hwy / Comb)Curb Weight (lbs)
FordExplorerXLT, Limited3.5L Duratec - Cyclone Ti-VCTV6 DOHCAtmospheric10.8: 1GasolineSequential multi-port electronic fuel injectionDirect acting mechanical bucketCast aluminumCast aluminumFWD / AWDFord 6-speed 6F auto with SelectShift3.39 (FWD) / 3.65 (AWD)290 / 216 @ 6500255 / 346 @ 400017 / 24 / 2016 / 23 / 194,443 FWD, 4,629 AWD
FordExplorerXLT, Limited2.3L EcoBoostI4 DOHCTurbocharged10.0: 1GasolineDirect InjectionDirect acting mechanical bucketCast aluminumCast aluminumFWDFord 6-speed 6F auto with overdrive3.36 (FWD) / 3.51 (AWD)280 / 209 @ 5600310 / 420 @ 300019 / 27 / 2218 / 25 / 214,385 FWD, 4,556 AWD
FordExplorerSport, Platinum3.5L EcoBoostV6 DOHCTwin Turbocharged10.0: 1GasolineDirect InjectionDirect acting mechanical bucketCast aluminumCast aluminumAWDFord 6-speed 6F auto with paddle shifters3.16 (AWD)365 / 272 @ 5500350 / 474 @ 3500N/A16 / 22 / 184,901 AWD
FordExplorerPolice Interceptor Utility3.7L Duratec-Cyclone Ti-VCTV6 DOHCAtmosphericTBDGasolineSequential multi-port electronic fuel injectionDirect acting mechanical bucketCast aluminumCast aluminumAWDFord 6-speed 6F3.65 (AWD)305 / 227 @ 6500280 / 380 @ 4250TBDTBDTBD
FordExplorerPolice Interceptor Utility3.5L EcoBoostV6 DOHCTwin Turbocharged10.0: 1GasolineDirect InjectionDirect acting mechanical bucketCast aluminumCast aluminumAWDFord 6-speed 6F3.16 (AWD)365 / 272 @ 5500350 / 474 @ 3500N/A16 / 22 / 18TBD
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2018 Ford Explorer Powertrain Pages

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