If you recall Ford gave its Explorer a mid-cycle update in 2014 for 2016 MY, and as it seems now the company isn’t ready just yet to totally replace the Explorer. Although all the posts and rumors lately suggested that a replacement is “ready” and waiting it seems that Blue Oval has decided to introduce their very lightly updated Ford Explorer at the NY Auto Show, with tweaks such as new colors and packages, and improved technology features.
Exterior Design
You actually have to be an expert in this to notice any differences between the ongoing 2017 MY and this one. You have to look very hard for the exterior changes, and only then you will recognize the updates in the form of a new grille and fog lamps, different details on the front and rear bumper, and quad pipes for the 3.5L EcoBoost models. To subtly round up the outside changes Ford now offers new color options called Burgundy Velvet Tinted Clearcoat, Cinnamon Glaze, Platinum Dune Tricoat and Blue Metallic, as well as five new wheel designs.
2018 Ford Explorer Interior
Since exterior changes are pretty much minimal, the interior has to be a lot better, and that is the case here. Ford equipped its 2018 Explorer with a 4G embedded modem with a Wi-Fi hotspot that supports as many as 10 devices at once and all that up to 50 feet away from the vehicle. The same connection allows users to pair with the Explorer remotely using FordPass to start, lock, unlock and locate their vehicle from almost anywhere. Ford also offers a newly available Safe and Smart Package that brings a number of driver-assist features for a better price (at least according to Ford).
These include following:
Adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support that uses radar to detect moving vehicles directly ahead, and changes cruising speed if necessary.
Blind Spot Information System uses radar to trigger a warning when another motorist is in the driver’s blind spot.
Cross-traffic alert uses radar to help alert drivers to oncoming traffic when backing out of a parking space.
Lane-keeping system automatically detects left- and right-hand road lane markings using front camera system. A vibration in the steering wheel alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane. This system can also provide steering torque to help guide the vehicle back into the lane if needed.
Automatic high beams use windshield-mounted cameras to automatically switch between high and low beam settings when oncoming traffic is detected.
Rain-sensing wipers
There is also one part of Explorer that actually remained the same, and that is the engine compartment. It will still offer the 2.3 L turbocharged-four EcoBoost with 280 HP and 310 lb-ft of torque for the base variant while the Sport and Platinum Edition models bring 3.5 L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 pumping out 365 HP and 350 lb-ft of torque. Ford, unfortunately, hasn’t announced pricing for the 2018 Explorer, but what we know is that it will reach the US and Canadian dealerships in the fall.
