Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa

2018 Ford Explorer

Now available at Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa in Mesa, AZ

  • Starting MSRP$32,140
  • Horsepower280–365 hp
  • EPA MPG17–19 city / 24–27 hwy
  • Max Towing5,000 lbs
Search Inventory
Common questions
2018 Ford Explorer Platinum
2018 Ford Explorer Platinum shown

The 2018 Ford Explorer is a seven-seat SUV for Mesa-area shoppers who need flexible passenger space, useful towing capacity, and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive configurations. At Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa, this page brings together the Explorer’s trim pricing, performance range, dimensions, efficiency figures, and key equipment considerations so you can compare the model with other Ford SUVs. The Explorer spans five trims, with power outputs from 280 to 365 horsepower and maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Shoppers can review current Ford options through the dealership’s live inventory, consider financing and trade-in steps, and contact the Mesa team before planning a visit.

Starting MSRP
$32,140
Horsepower
280–365 hp
EPA MPG
17–19 city / 24–27 hwy
Max Towing
5,000 lbs
Seating
7 seats
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive / All Wheel Drive
Fuel
Flex-Fuel (Unleaded/E85) / Regular Unleaded
Body Style
SUV

How the 2018 Ford Explorer Compares With Ford’s Lineup

The Explorer occupies a larger, more capable space than Ford’s smaller SUVs, with seven seats and up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity. Pricing depends on trim, powertrain, drivetrain, and equipment; the Explorer’s starting MSRP is $32,140, and MSRP excludes tax, title, registration and dealer fees.

2018 Ford Explorer compared with 2018 Ford Edge, 2018 Ford Escape, 2018 Ford EcoSport
Spec2018 Ford Explorer2018 Ford Edge2018 Ford Escape2018 Ford EcoSport
Starting MSRP$32,140$29,315$23,940$19,995
Horsepower280–365 hp245–315 hp168–245 hp123–166 hp
EPA MPG17–19 city / 24–27 hwy17–20 city / 24–29 hwy21–23 city / 28–30 hwy23–27 city / 29 hwy
Max Towing5,000 lbs—1,500–3,500 lbs1,400–2,000 lbs
Seating7 seats5 seats5 seats5 seats
DrivetrainFront Wheel Drive / All Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive / All Wheel Drive——
FuelFlex-Fuel (Unleaded/E85) / Regular UnleadedPremium Unleaded (Recommended) / Regular UnleadedRegular Unleaded / Premium Unleaded (Recommended)Regular Unleaded

Manufacturer figures for the model year shown; a range spans that model's trims. Starting MSRP excludes tax, title, registration, and dealer fees.

Compared with the 2018 Ford Edge, the Explorer starts at $32,140 versus $29,315, seats seven instead of five, and offers 280–365 horsepower versus 245–315 horsepower. The Edge returns 17–20 city and 24–29 highway MPG, while the Explorer range is 17–19 city and 24–27 highway MPG, favoring Edge shoppers focused on a smaller five-seat format and Explorer shoppers needing more seating.

Compared with the 2018 Ford Escape, the Explorer starts at $32,140 versus $23,940 and provides seven seats rather than five. The Escape produces 168–245 horsepower and can tow 1,500–3,500 pounds, while the Explorer reaches 280–365 horsepower and 5,000 pounds of towing, giving buyers a choice between a smaller, lower-priced SUV and a larger-capacity model.

Compared with the 2018 Ford EcoSport, the Explorer starts at $32,140 versus $19,995 and seats seven instead of five. The EcoSport produces 123–166 horsepower, returns 23–27 city and 29 highway MPG, and tows 1,400–2,000 pounds, while the Explorer emphasizes passenger room, power, and towing capacity.

Specifications and Configuration

The 2018 Ford Explorer uses an automatic six-speed transmission and is offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Across its five trims, engines range from a 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder to a 3.5-liter V6, with 280–365 horsepower and 255–350 lb-ft of torque.

Explorer dimensions include a 198.7-inch length, 78.9-inch width, 70-inch height, and 112.8-inch wheelbase. It has a 4,453-pound curb weight, an 18.6-gallon fuel capacity, and 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.

Fuel choices include regular unleaded and flex-fuel using unleaded or E85, depending on configuration. Across the model’s trims, city fuel economy ranges from 17 to 19 MPG and highway fuel economy ranges from 24 to 27 MPG.

Buying a 2018 Ford Explorer in Mesa

Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa serves shoppers in Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, and the greater Phoenix area. The dealership receives vehicles on a rolling basis, so the most direct way to check current options is to search inventory.

Online tools can also help organize the purchase process before visiting 460 East Auto Center Drive in Mesa. Shoppers can review financing options, arrange a trade appraisal, and speak with the dealership team at (480) 690-1279.

What to Weigh Before Buying

Start by matching the Explorer’s seating and towing capacity to daily needs. Its seven-seat layout and 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity distinguish it from smaller Ford SUVs, while the range of front- and all-wheel-drive configurations allows shoppers to prioritize drivetrain preference.

Trim selection also changes the engine, fuel type, drivetrain, and efficiency figures. Buyers comparing configurations should consider whether they value the 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder’s available 19 city and 27 highway MPG figures or the higher-output 3.5-liter V6 configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions

7 common questions answered

How many people can the 2018 Ford Explorer seat?The 2018 Ford Explorer seats seven people.

Its three-row SUV layout gives it more passenger capacity than the five-seat Ford Edge, Escape, and EcoSport comparisons. That seating capacity makes the Explorer relevant for larger households and group transportation.

  • Seven-seat configuration
  • SUV body style
  • 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats
What is the starting price of the 2018 Ford Explorer?The 2018 Ford Explorer starts at $32,140 MSRP.

Across the five trims, starting MSRP ranges from $32,140 to $53,940. MSRP excludes tax, title, registration and dealer fees.

  • Five trims are offered
  • XLT starts at $34,175
  • Platinum starts at $53,940
What engine choices does the 2018 Ford Explorer offer?The 2018 Ford Explorer offers 2.3-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter six-cylinder engines.

Engine layout varies between inline and V configurations, with horsepower ranging from 280 to 365. Torque ranges from 255 to 350 lb-ft across the model’s trims.

  • 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder
  • 3.5-liter V6
  • Six-speed automatic transmission
How much can the 2018 Ford Explorer tow?The 2018 Ford Explorer can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

That maximum gives the Explorer a higher towing ceiling than the 2018 Ford Escape’s 1,500–3,500-pound range and the 2018 Ford EcoSport’s 1,400–2,000-pound range. Actual configuration choice remains important when comparing capability.

  • Maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds
  • Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations
  • 280–365 horsepower across trims
How does the Explorer compare with the Ford Edge?The Explorer seats seven, while the 2018 Ford Edge seats five.

The Explorer starts at $32,140 and produces 280–365 horsepower, compared with the Edge’s $29,315 starting MSRP and 245–315 horsepower. The Edge has 17–20 city and 24–29 highway MPG, while the Explorer has 17–19 city and 24–27 highway MPG.

  • Explorer seating: seven
  • Edge seating: five
  • Both offer front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
What fuel economy does the 2018 Ford Explorer get?The 2018 Ford Explorer returns 17–19 city MPG and 24–27 highway MPG across its trims.

Fuel economy varies by engine and trim. The model uses regular unleaded or flex-fuel using unleaded or E85, depending on configuration.

  • City range: 17–19 MPG
  • Highway range: 24–27 MPG
  • Fuel capacity: 18.6 gallons
How can I see a 2018 Ford Explorer in person?Contact Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa and review its live inventory before visiting.

The dealership is located in Mesa and serves shoppers throughout the East Valley and greater Phoenix area. Use the online inventory tools or call (480) 690-1279 to plan the next step.