Ford's Explorer Largely Unchanged for 2018, Probably Won't Affect Sales
When Ford updated the Explorer for 2016, many wondered if the mid-cycle refresh was extensive enough. If those voices were on the fence two years ago, then the 2018 update must have them fuming. Where the 2016 model year saw observable styling changes, an improved digital interface, and a brand new engine option, the 2018 model year will receive next to nothing.
While Ford did upgrade the visuals, distinguishing it from the 2017 MY is exceptionally difficult. Ford altered the Explorer’s front clip and grille slightly to make it look 2 percent more like something built by Land Rover, and changes to the rest of the bodywork are far too subtle to notice.
Unless you have a strong affinity toward quad exhaust ports or wifi access, there really isn’t any reason to rush out and buy one.
The major upgrades on the 2018 are all about connectivity, further solidifying Ford’s mobility first mindset. The refreshed SUV receives a 4G wireless modem that can simultaneously support up to 10 devices. It also has the latest incarnation of SYNC with FordPass, which allows owners to remotely lock, start, or just keep tabs on the vehicle using their smartphone.
Ford also options the new Explorer with a safety suite that includes improved automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot alerts, cross-traffic warnings, and lane-keeping with assist. The vehicle remains mechanically unchanged, though. Base model Explorers will continue with the 3.5-liter Ti-VTC V6 while the more powerful 2.3- and 3.5-liter EcoBoosts can be had on higher trim levels. Only the Sport and Platinum trims equipped with the turbo V6 come with the four port exhaust.
Ford knows it can continue to sell the Explorer with or without any major mechanical enhancements. Annual deliveries in North America have held above 260,000 units for the last two years and look poised to stay there for 2017. Ford even admits its own projections for the SUV segment show continued growth, and it expects SUV sales to account for over 45 percent of the non-premium U.S. retail industry in the next five to seven years. The Blue Oval is set to introduce five new models and take advantage of this fact by 2020. Hopefully, one of those is a successor to the current generation Explorer, because the D4 platform is starting to get a little long in the tooth.
[Images: Ford Motor Co.]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Love the quad exhaust tips, but they should've been slightly larger in diameter.
Did Ford ever find out what was letting exhaust in to the cabin area on these?