The 2008 Ford Explorer lineup comprises the XLT 2WD ($25,755), XLT 4WD ($28,050), Eddie Bauer 2WD ($28,100), Eddie Bauer 4WD ($30,395), Limited 2WD ($31,870), and Limited 4WD ($34,165). All are available with the standard 4.0-liter V6 and five-speed automatic transmission or an optional 4.6-liter V8 with a six-speed automatic ($1,295). The four-wheel drive is a full-time system that can be driven on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing.
Standard equipment on the XLT includes air conditioning; cloth low-back bucket seats with manual driver lumbar adjustment; 60/40-split folding second-row bench seat with back-rest recline; power windows with one-touch-down driver window; remote keyless entry; AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with auxiliary input jack; cargo management system; two 12-volt power points; trip computer with two-line message center; one-piece liftgate with flip-open rear window; fold-away power exterior mirrors; black roof side rails; fog lights; and painted aluminum wheels on P235/70R16 all-season tires.
XLT options include leather upholstery ($695), a Convenience Group with keyless entry keypad, automatic headlights and auto-dimming rearview mirror; a Sun and Sirius Package ($560) with a power moonroof and Sirius satellite radio with six-month subscription; Class III/IV trailer tow package ($275); power adjustable pedals ($150); rear air conditioning ($695); fixed running boards ($495); remote engine starting ($385); rear DVD entertainment ($1,295); voice-activated navigation system with Audiophile AM/FM audio with six-disc in-dash CD player and auto-dimming rearview mirror ($2505); 50/50 split folding third-row seat ($875); P245/65R17 tires with machined aluminum wheels ($200); and a heated windshield ($300). The Audiophile stereo ($510) and Sirius satellite radio ($195) with six-month subscription are available separately. The Ironman Package ($1,495) for XLT celebrates Ford's sponsorship of the Ironman World Championship with Ironman logos; machined-aluminum wheels with P235/65R18 tires; two-tone leather seats; heated front seats; 10-way power adjustable driver seat; roof rail crossbars; and exterior touches that include a chrome grille, unique body side cladding, and unique front and rear fascias.
Eddie Bauer adds leather upholstery; 10-way-power seat for the driver; wood-grain interior accents; overhead console; automatic headlights; trip computer with four-line message center; auto-dimming rearview mirror; illuminated visor vanity mirrors; keyless entry keypad; fixed running boards; and painted aluminum wheels with 245/65R17 all-season tires. Optional is a Luxury Package ($1,290) that includes leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, universal garage door opener, driver's seat memory, heated mirrors, power adjustable pedals, and six-way power adjustable front passenger seat.
Limited adds heated exterior mirrors; unique interior wood-grain accents; dual-zone electronic climate control; Audiophile AM/FM audio with six-disc in-dash CD changer, MP3 playback and subwoofer; rear air conditioning; unique floor console; heated seats; leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls; a third-row 50/50 split manual-folding seat; Homelink universal garage door opener; power-adjustable pedals; and machined-aluminum wheels with 245/65R18 all-season tires. Power retracting running boards are optional for Eddie Bauer and Limited ($695). Later in the model year, 20-inch wheels, capless fueling, and Ford Sync will be offered.
Seating choices include a manually folding third-row seat ($875) on XLT and Eddie Bauer, standard on Limited. A power-folding third row is available on Eddie Bauer ($1,370) and Limited ($495). A four-bucket-seat configuration, with second-row captain's chairs, is available ($795) on Eddie Bauer and Limited. The third-row seat comes standard on the Limited, but can be deleted for credit (-$375), providing a flatter cargo floor.
Safety features standard on all Explorers are dual-stage front airbags; seat-mounted, torso-protecting side-impact air bags; head-protecting curtain side air bags with a rollover sensor; antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution; tire-pressure monitor; traction control; and Ford's AdvanceTrac antiskid control with the same roll stability control system used by Volvo and Land Rover. It intervenes with throttle and brakes when the computer senses an impending tip over. Rear obstacle detection is standard on Limited, optional otherwise.