Who doesn’t like a little adventure? Nowadays, plenty of brands and nameplates try to entice customers with a number of “adventurous” features and capabilities. At the end of the day, these various amenities prove to be rather unamusing and ineffective.
However, one nameplate has managed to back up their promise of the optimal adventuring vehicle, and this is partly confirmed in the vehicle’s name. The 2018 Ford Explorer is so much more than an SUV. Rather, it’s the perfect companion for any random excursion or adventure, as the nameplate provides a number of attributes that will accommodate your trip off the beaten path. Whether you’re seeking optimal performance, an abundance of cargo space, safety features, or technological amenities, you’ll find them included under the hood of the 2018 Ford Explorer.
Below, we explained why this nameplate is truly the ultimate option for those seeking the ultimate adventure. Continue reading to see why the 2018 Ford Explorer should be on your list of targets, and you’ll be ready to start searching for this particular Ford in Cincinnati…
Performance
An adventure requires optimal performance, and the 2018 Ford Explorer more than delivers in this regard. The brand’s engineers did an admirable job of including three different engine options under the hood of the SUV, allowing drivers to pick the system that best fits their adventuring needs.
The 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine is one of the most popular offerings in the entire segment thanks to some best-in-class specs. Drivers can ultimately expect the V6 engine to deliver 365 horsepower and more than 350 pound-feet of torque, which is more than enough muscle to overcome any odd terrain. These numbers play an important role in the vehicle delivering an impressive 5,000-pound towing capacity. The unit is also equipped with the Terrain Management System and Hill Descent Control, a pair of technologies that will play a significant role in helping you get to your final destination.
Alternatively, drivers can opt for the rugged 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. Despite being smaller than the previously-mentioned option, this particular unit still manages to deliver a whole lot of power. Drivers can ultimately anticipate an impressive 280 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, a pair of equally impressive numbers. Finally, there’s the 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine, which manages to crank out 290 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque.
Interior Space
If you’re planning your next adventure, you’ll probably be requiring a whole lot of interior space. Whether you’re looking to fit your passengers or all of your cargo, you’ll never have a problem squeezing it all into the 2018 Ford Explorer.
For starters, the SUV is capable of fitting your entire family, as the nameplate delivers seating for up to seven passengers. When all of these seats are in place, the driver can still capitalize on the roomy 21-cubic-feet of space. This number is predictably boosted to 43.8-cubic-feet of space when the third-row seats are hidden, and drivers can capitalize on 81.7-cubic-feet of space when all of the seats are stowed. In other words, you’ll never have a problem fitting any of your luggage or adventuring equipment.
Best of all, the brand’s engineers did an excellent job of providing drivers with optimal convenience. For instance, the PowerFold third-row seat can easily be manipulated or moved, while the 50/50 split-folding seat can easily be folded, allowing drivers to quickly and easily fit a combination of passengers and cargo. The brand even included their hands-free, foot-activated lift gate. That way, if your hands are full of groceries, you won’t have to fumble for your keys as you’re attempting to load all of your cargo.
Technology
If you’re itching for the ultimate adventure, we’re sure you don’t want that excursion to be boring. Fortunately, that won’t be the case in the 2018 Ford Explorer, as engineers included a number of technological amenities that will improve the entire driving experience.
It starts with the brand’s SYNC 3 system, which allows drivers to quickly and easily access an assortment of notable applications, including radio and an intuitive navigation system. If you’re planning on jamming out to your favorite tunes during the upcoming adventure, then you’ll appreciate the inclusion of the Sony Premium Audio system. The SUV is automatically equipped with the 12-speaker sound system, but customers can also opt for the Premium 500-Watt Sound from Sony, which includes the Clear Phase and Live Acoustics. Thanks to this system, occupants can expect the ultimate listening experience.
If you or your passengers are looking to stay connected while you’re on the adventure, you’ll also appreciate the inclusion of the USB/Charging outlet. Including four smart-charging USB ports and a 110-volt outlet, you can assure that all of your gadgets are constantly remaining fully juiced.
Safety
Of course, you want to remain safe while you’re on your adventure. Fortunately, there are a number of notable safety functions included in the 2018 Ford Explorer. These features aren’t only intended to keep occupants safe in the event of an emergency, but they’re intended to prevent those emergencies from occurring in the first place.
For instance, the Terrain Management System will adapt your vehicle’s mechanics to accommodate the impending terrain, thus allowing the driver to constantly remain in control. The Hill Descent Control system plays a similar role, assuring that the SUV’s traction is always optimized when traveling on a decline. Engineers even included a clever Adaptive Cruise Control system, which allows the operator to take a brief break without compromising safety. The unit will recognize the flow of traffic and adapt accordingly, allowing you to take a brief mental break during your long adventure.
Finally, the Ford Safe & Smart Package provides a number of features that are intended to allow drivers to remain fully focused on the road. Inclusions like the Rain-Sensing Wipers, auto high-beam headlamps, Blind Spot Information System (with cross-traffic alert), and Lane-Keeping System are all features that will take unnecessary responsibilities away from the driver. Instead of having to dedicate your focus on these functions, the Ford Explorer will have your back, allowing you to dedicate all of your focus to the road.
