- Key Features That Still Impress in 2025
- Where It Shows Its Age
- 2025 Buyer's Perspective
- FAQ
Looking for a family SUV with power and space? Our honest 2018 Ford Explorer Sport review dives into why this potent SUV might still be a smart buy today, blending performance with practicality.
Key Features That Still Impress in 2025
Strong Turbocharged Performance
The heart of the 2018 Ford Explorer Sport is its turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine. This powerful engine delivers an impressive 365 horsepower, making it truly competitive even years later. When you need to quickly get up to speed on the highway, merging into traffic feels confident and effortless. This robust drivetrain also provides excellent towing capacity. Properly equipped, the Explorer Sport can handle over 5,000 pounds, which is enough for many boats, utility trailers, or even smaller campers. The engine pairs smoothly with a 6-speed automatic transmission, offering fluid and responsive gear changes whether you are driving in the city or on long open roads. It truly makes driving this SUV a pleasure.
Smart Cabin Choices
Inside, the 2018 Explorer Sport offers a very practical and comfortable cabin. It boasts seating for 7 people, making it an excellent choice for larger families or for carpooling. You will find supportive seats, and many models come with optional leather upholstery, adding a touch of premium comfort. The third-row seating is a notable feature; it is surprisingly easy to access, especially for children or for occasional adult use on shorter trips. Beyond passenger comfort, the Explorer Sport provides above-average cargo space. This means you have plenty of room for groceries, sports gear, or luggage for weekend getaways. The ability to fold down the second and third rows creates a large, flat cargo area, making it very versatile for moving bigger items.
Seats Up | Max Cargo Space |
|---|---|
3rd row | 21.0 cu.ft |
All down | 81.7 cu.ft |
Tech That Aged Well
Even at several years old, the technology in the 2018 Explorer Sport holds up well. A key feature is the SYNC 3 infotainment system, which comes with a responsive touchscreen. This system includes important features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. This allows you to easily connect your smartphone to access navigation, music, and messaging right on the car's screen. Other convenient tech features include keyless entry and push-button start, which make getting into and starting the vehicle quick and simple. For audiophiles, some models offer an impressive 12-speaker Sony audio system, delivering rich sound quality on every drive.
Where It Shows Its Age
Fuel Efficiency Considerations
While the Explorer Sport offers great power, its fuel economy might be a point of concern for some buyers today. The EPA estimated fuel consumption figures are around 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway. This is typical for a powerful, weighty SUV from that era. However, compared to newer SUVs on the market now, which often come with more efficient smaller engines or even hybrid options, the 2018 Explorer Sport can feel a bit thirsty. If fuel efficiency is your top priority, especially for daily commutes, it is wise to factor in these consumption rates.
Ride Quality Trade-offs
As a Sport model, the 2018 Explorer Sport features a sport-tuned suspension. This means it offers a firmer ride compared to non-Sport Explorer models. While this helps with handling and provides a more connected feel to the road, it can also lead to a less comfortable experience over rough surfaces or potholes. You might feel more firm bumps than you would in a softer-sprung SUV. Additionally, some drivers notice increased road noise inside the cabin, particularly when traveling at higher speeds, such as 70 miles per hour and above on the highway. This might require you to turn up the radio or speak a bit louder during long drives.
Missing Modern Safety
One area where the 2018 Explorer Sport shows its age is in its standard safety features, especially on base models. Many modern vehicles come with advanced driver-assistance systems as standard. However, the 2018 Explorer Sport's base trims often lack key features like automatic emergency braking, which can help prevent frontal collisions. It also typically does not have lane-keeping assist, a system that helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane. Adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts your speed to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, was also not standard and often only available on much higher trim levels or as a costly add-on. Buyers looking for the latest safety technology will need to consider this.
2025 Buyer's Perspective
Why It Still Works
Despite its age, the 2018 Ford Explorer Sport still represents a solid choice for many buyers in 2025. It has a proven reliability record, meaning owners generally report good long-term performance and fewer unexpected issues compared to some other SUVs. This contributes to its value as a used vehicle. Currently, you can find the 2018 Explorer Sport at affordable used pricing, which typically ranges from around AED 45,000 to AED 75,000 (or SAR 46,000 to SAR 77,000) depending on its condition, mileage, and specific features. Another big benefit is the low-cost parts availability. Since it is a Ford, parts are widely available and generally less expensive to replace than for luxury or less common brands, which helps keep maintenance costs down. This also applies to general servicing and 2018 Explorer Sport reliability as many mechanics are familiar with this model.
Who Should Consider It
This SUV is an excellent fit for specific types of buyers:
Growing families needing space: With its spacious cabin and third-row seating, it serves as a practical family hauler. It offers ample seating and cargo volume for kids, sports gear, and even pets.
Towable recreation enthusiasts: Thanks to its powerful EcoBoost engine and strong towing capacity, it is ideal for those who frequently tow things like small boats, jet skis, or utility trailers for outdoor adventures.
Tech-light traditionalists: For drivers who prefer straightforward controls and reliable mechanicals over an overwhelming array of cutting-edge, complex driver-assist systems, the 2018 Explorer Sport offers a balance of modern connectivity without being overly complicated. It’s familiar and functional.
Compare Alternatives
If certain modern features are high on your priority list, you might want to look at newer SUV models. For instance, if you prioritize the latest advanced driver aids like full-speed adaptive cruise control or more sophisticated lane-keeping systems, a newer vehicle might be a better fit. Similarly, if hybrid fuel savings are crucial for your budget and environmental goals, there are many new hybrid SUVs that offer significantly better fuel economy. Lastly, if a silent cabin experience on long trips is paramount, newer designs often come with better sound insulation, which the Explorer Sport may lack at higher speeds.
FAQ
Q:Is the 2018 Explorer Sport good for long trips?
A: Yes, the 2018 Explorer Sport can be quite good for long trips primarily due to its spacious comfort for passengers across all three rows. The seats are generally comfortable, and there is ample room to stretch out. However, as noted before, you might want to pack headphones because road noise increases at highway speeds, especially above 70 miles per hour. On the positive side, its robust V6 engine makes handling varying terrains, like mountain roads or steep inclines, feel confident and easy. It has plenty of power to maintain speed even with a full load.
Q:How expensive is maintenance?
A: The maintenance costs for the 2018 Ford Explorer Sport are generally considered average for midsize SUVs. Routine services are quite manageable. For example, a standard oil change typically costs between AED 250-370 (or SAR 260-380). Replacing the brakes, which includes new pads and rotors, might range from AED 1,100-1,650 (or SAR 1,130-1,700) for one axle, depending on the parts and labor. A positive aspect contributing to the 2018 Explorer Sport reliability and lower long-term costs is its timing chain design, which usually means less frequent and expensive maintenance compared to engines with timing belts that need regular replacement.
Q:Can it tow a camper?
A: Yes, absolutely! Properly equipped models of the 2018 Ford Explorer Sport are well-suited to tow a camper or other recreational vehicles. It can confidently handle 5,000 pounds, making it capable of towing many small to medium-sized travel trailers, boat trailers, or utility trailers. For enhanced stability and safety, especially when towing trailers that weigh over 3,500 pounds, it is highly recommended to use a weight distribution hitch. This helps balance the load across all axles. It is always crucial to check original tow package details on the specific vehicle you are considering to confirm its exact towing capabilities and any factory-installed towing accessories.
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