“I absolutely love my Ford Explorer. This vehicle has been perfect for our family. It is comfortable and has plenty of room for our on the go lifestyle.”
2018 Ford Explorer: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 13, 2026
The 2018 Ford Explorer is a light-update model, not a redesign. The main change is a lineup-wide equipment upgrade that adds standard power-heated side mirrors and a new rear bumper step pad.
About the 2018 Ford Explorer
5th generation (2011-2019), late-cycle year after the 2016 refresh
Ford positions the Explorer as a three-row family SUV for people who want room, towing ability, and everyday confidence in one vehicle. The brochure leans on adventure language, but the real appeal is broad usefulness: seating for up to seven, a roomy cargo area, available stronger engines, and available all-weather traction hardware. Compared with many family crossovers, the Explorer sells itself as the more rugged, road-trip-ready choice without giving up comfort or mainstream tech.
The 2018 Explorer remains a three-row family SUV, with XLT serving as the better-equipped mainstream version and Limited emphasizing leather, seat heating and cooling, and easier cargo access. Sport pairs a 365-hp twin-turbo V6 with four-wheel drive and a sport-tuned suspension, while Platinum adds massaging front seats, a digital instrument cluster, and premium Sony audio.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The Flexible Fuel option was dropped from the base and XLT trims. The core engine lineup otherwise carried over: a 3.5-liter V6, a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6.
Styling
A new rear bumper step pad became standard across the lineup. Sport also gained quad exhaust tips, while XLT fog lights changed from standard to optional.
Safety
Driver-assistance features expanded through upper-trim equipment and option packages, but there was no new safety feature made standard across the full lineup.
Tech
Power-heated side mirrors became standard on every trim. On XLT, USB ports changed from standard to optional, while connected features expanded through upper trims and option packages.
2018 Ford Explorer specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, 3.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, EcoBoost, 2.3T | V6, 3.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, EcoBoost, 2.3T | V6, EcoBoost, TT, 3.5L | V6, 3.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, EcoBoost, 2.3T | V6, EcoBoost, TT, 3.5L |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd SelectShift | Auto, 6-Spd SelectShift | Auto, 6-Spd SelectShift | Auto, 6-Spd SelectShift | Auto, 6-Spd SelectShift |
| Drivetrain | 4WD / FWD | FWD | 4WD | 4WD / FWD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 16–19 mpg | 17–19 mpg | 16 mpg | 16–19 mpg | 16 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 22–27 mpg | 24–27 mpg | 22 mpg | 22–27 mpg | 22 mpg |
| Horsepower | 280–290 hp | 280–290 hp | 365 hp | 280–290 hp | 365 hp |
| Torque | 255–310 lb-ft | 255–310 lb-ft | 350 lb-ft | 255–310 lb-ft | 350 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 81.7 cu-ft | 81.7 cu-ft | 81.7 cu-ft | 81.7 cu-ft | 81.7 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 33.3 in | 33.3 in | 33.3 in | 33.3 in | 33.3 in |
| Seats | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Hill Descent Control | |||||
| Inflatable Seat Belts | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Park Assist | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| 360 Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| Tow Hooks | |||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | |||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Cooled Seats | |||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Memory Pedals | |||||
| Power Adjustable Pedals | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Power Folding Rear Seat | |||||
| Power Folding Third Row Seat | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Third Row Seat | |||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2018 Ford Explorer redesigned?
No. The 2018 Ford Explorer is a late-cycle version of the fifth-generation SUV, with light equipment and trim updates rather than a new body, cabin, or chassis.
What became standard on every 2018 Ford Explorer?
Power-heated side mirrors and a new rear bumper step pad became standard across the 2018 Explorer lineup.
Did the 2018 Ford Explorer get new engines?
No. The main gas-engine lineup carried over for 2018, although the Flexible Fuel option was dropped from the base and XLT trims.
What changed on the 2018 Ford Explorer Sport?
The 2018 Explorer Sport gained quad exhaust tips and the lineup’s new rear bumper step pad. Its 365-hp twin-turbo V6, four-wheel drive, and sport-tuned suspension carried over.
What changed on the 2018 Ford Explorer XLT?
The 2018 Explorer XLT gained the lineup-wide power-heated mirrors and rear bumper step pad, while its fog lights and USB ports changed from standard to optional. Its Flexible Fuel option was also dropped.
2018 Ford Explorer Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Ford Explorer.
4.1
2018 Ford Explorer
(538 reviews)
“I highly recommend it. Our Ford products have been great. Device and dependable.”
“We love our Ford Explorer, love the color and the all terrain features (great for cleaning up kid messes). Also lots of storage and seating”