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2018 Ford Explorer

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$32,140

starting MSRP

Key specs

Base trim shown

SUV

Body style

20

Combined MPG

7

Seating capacity

198.3” x 70”

Dimensions

Front-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

(268 reviews)

5 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2018 Ford Explorer trim comparison will help you decide.

See also: Find the best SUVs for 2024

2018 Ford Explorer review: Our expert's take


Two years after it underwent a major redo, the Ford Explorer gets some minor updates for 2018. The revised SUV goes on sale this fall.


 

Exterior
Not much changes on the outside. There are four new paint colors, five new wheel designs, new grilles and foglights. Out back, the Explorer Sport and Platinum get a quad exhaust when paired with the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 engine for a racier look. 
 
Interior
Not much changes inside either, with the big news coming in the “things-you-can’t-see” department. A new optional embedded hot spot can support up to 10 devices at once, and users can connect to the system from up to 50 feet outside the vehicle. The new Sync Connect function is also present, allowing people to operate the vehicle’s systems using the FordPass smartphone app that can lock, unlock, start and locate the car via data connection.
 
Safety
For 2018, Ford is bundling some of the more popular safety features into a new Safe and Smart Package. The new package includes adaptive cruise control with collision warning and brake support, blind spot warning, cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, automatic high beams and rain-sensing automatic wipers.

Consumer reviews

(268 reviews)
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.9
  • Interior 4.8
  • Performance 4.8
  • Value 4.6
  • Exterior 4.8
  • Reliability 4.8
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Most recent consumer reviews

No lo recomiendo tengo uno el xlt con 70 mil millas lo he

No lo recomiendo tengo uno el xlt con 70 mil millas lo he tenido 2 veces en el taller la bomba de agua a la 60 mil después el alternador y ahora el compresor cuando pongo el aire hace bulla sin contar q he tenido q llevarlo al dealer por los plásticos del parabrisas q hace una bulla enorme y no los tienen en inventario,mala compra no.lo recomiendo a nadie,lo único qces un carro grande nada más lo demás es trabajar para pagar mecánicos mala compra.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 2.0
  • Performance 1.0
  • Value 1.0
  • Exterior 1.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Does not recommend this car
1 person out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Highly recommend buying a used 2018 Explorer

This is my fourth Explorer. I decided in 2018 to order the top-of-the-line Platinum. This vehicle has all the bells and whistles for a person that wants the luxury of one of Fords top models. It has Platinum leather seats that are very comfortable. If you can find today, buy it. It has the 3.5L V6 that has great power on acceleration. You can only buy a V6 now on the 2025 Explorer ST which is a 3.0L. The cost is around $60,000 Loaded.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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3rd row seat folding mechanism

Love this car overall but I have only one complaint. I was putting some boxes in the rear of the car and one of the boxes must have touched the the rear seat folding mechanism as all of a sudden it tried to unfold the seats. If my grandchildren had been sitting there strapped in I hate to think what may have happened!! Wish you had coverage over the mechanism so this wouldn’t happen.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 3.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
22 people out of 25 found this review helpful. Did you?
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See all 268 consumer reviews

Safety

Based on the 2018 Ford Explorer base trim.
Combined side rating front seat
5
Combined side rating rear seat
5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
4
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
5
Overall rating
5
Overall side crash rating
5
Risk of rollover
16.4%
Rollover rating
5
Side barrier rating
5
Side barrier rating driver
5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Ford Blue Advantage Blue
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
36 months/36,000 miles
Corrosion
60 months/unlimited distance
Powertrain
60 months/60,000 miles
Roadside assistance
60 months/60,000 miles
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
Fords and many non-Ford vehicles up to 10 years old with less than 150,000 miles
Basic warranty terms
90-Day/4,000-Mile (whichever comes first) Comprehensive Limited Warranty
Powertrain
Available
Dealer certification required
139-point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

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