Ford Explorer Engines by Year

Ford's Explorer replaced the Bronco II for 1991 and has been the best-selling SUV in America for much of its life. The two-door Explorer Sport and the Explorer Sport Trac pickup are included; Police Interceptor Utility engines are marked, and hybrid ratings are for engine and motor combined.

Pick a year to see every engine offered that model year, with its code, rated horsepower and the trims it came in. Each engine links to its full specs.

Jump to a year

First generation: 1991 · 1992 · 1993 · 1994

Second generation: 1995 · 1996 · 1997 · 1998 · 1999 · 2000 · 2001

Third generation: 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005

Fourth generation: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010

Fifth generation: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019

Sixth generation: 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026

First generation (1991–1994)

The 4.0 Cologne OHV V6.

1991 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 Cologne 4.0 OHV	155 hp net	Explorer 4-door and 2-door Sport; 2WD and 4WD

1992 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 Cologne 4.0 OHV	—	Explorer 4-door and 2-door Sport; 2WD and 4WD

1993 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 Cologne 4.0 OHV	160 hp net	Explorer 4-door and 2-door Sport; 2WD and 4WD

1994 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 Cologne 4.0 OHV	160 hp net	Explorer 4-door and 2-door Sport; 2WD and 4WD

Second generation (1995–2001)

The 4.0 OHV and, from 1997, the 4.0 SOHC V6, plus the 5.0 Windsor V8.

1995 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 Cologne 4.0 OHV	160 hp net	4-door and 2-door Sport; 2WD and 4WD

1996 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 Cologne 4.0 OHV	160 hp net	4-door and 2-door Sport; 2WD and 4WD
5.0L / 302 V8 Windsor 5.0	210 hp net	4-door, 4-speed automatic; 2WD XLT at launch

1997 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 Cologne 4.0 OHV	160 hp net	Base engine (XL/XLS, 2-door Sport); only engine with the manual transmission
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	205 hp net	Optional, 5-speed automatic only; 4-door
5.0L / 302 V8 Windsor 5.0	215 hp net	4-door only, 4-speed automatic; 2WD and AWD

1998 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 Cologne 4.0 OHV	160 hp net	Base engine (XL/XLS, 2-door Sport); only engine with the manual transmission
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	205 hp net	Optional, 5-speed automatic only; 4-door
5.0L / 302 V8 Windsor 5.0	215 hp net	4-door only, 4-speed automatic; 2WD and AWD

1999 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 Cologne 4.0 OHV	160 hp net	Base engine (XL/XLS, 2-door Sport); only engine with the manual transmission
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	205 hp net	Optional, 5-speed automatic only; 4-door
5.0L / 302 V8 Windsor 5.0	215 hp net	4-door only, 4-speed automatic; 2WD and AWD

2000 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 Cologne 4.0 OHV	160 hp net	Base engine (XL/XLS, 2-door Sport); only engine with the manual transmission
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	205 hp net	Optional, 5-speed automatic only; 4-door
5.0L / 302 V8 Windsor 5.0	215 hp net	4-door only, 4-speed automatic; 2WD and AWD

2001 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	—	Standard in 4-door Explorer (OHV dropped), 2-door Explorer Sport and new Explorer Sport Trac
5.0L / 302 V8 Windsor 5.0	215 hp net	4-door only, 4-speed automatic; 2WD and AWD

Third generation (2002–2005)

The 4.0 SOHC V6 and the 4.6 Modular V8.

2002 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	—	2-door Explorer Sport (carryover 2nd-gen body)
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	210 hp net	Explorer Sport Trac (carryover 2nd-gen platform), 4-door Explorer, standard
4.6L / 281 V8 Modular 4.6 SOHC	239 hp net	4-door Explorer, optional

2003 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	—	2-door Explorer Sport (carryover 2nd-gen body)
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	210 hp net	Explorer Sport Trac (carryover 2nd-gen platform), 4-door Explorer, standard
4.6L / 281 V8 Modular 4.6 SOHC	239 hp net	4-door Explorer, optional

2004 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	210 hp net	Explorer Sport Trac (carryover 2nd-gen platform), 4-door Explorer, standard
4.6L / 281 V8 Modular 4.6 SOHC	239 hp net	4-door Explorer, optional

2005 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	—	Explorer Sport Trac (carryover 2nd-gen platform), FFV
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	210 hp net	4-door Explorer, standard
4.6L / 281 V8 Modular 4.6 SOHC	239 hp net	4-door Explorer, optional

Fourth generation (2006–2010)

The 4.0 SOHC V6 and the 4.6 three-valve V8.

2006 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	210 hp net	Explorer, standard (XLS V6-only), 5-speed auto
4.6L / 281 V8 Modular 4.6 SOHC	292 hp net	Explorer, optional (not XLS), 6-speed auto

2007 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	210 hp net	Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac, standard
4.6L / 281 V8 Modular 4.6 SOHC	292 hp net	Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac (Sport Trac: optional; Limited only in 2010 per Autoblog)

2008 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	210 hp net	Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac, standard
4.6L / 281 V8 Modular 4.6 SOHC	292 hp net	Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac (Sport Trac: optional; Limited only in 2010 per Autoblog)

2009 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	210 hp net	Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac, standard
4.6L / 281 V8 Modular 4.6 SOHC	292 hp net	Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac (Sport Trac: optional; Limited only in 2010 per Autoblog)

2010 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.0L / 245 V6 4.0 SOHC	210 hp net	Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac, standard
4.6L / 281 V8 Modular 4.6 SOHC	292 hp net	Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac (Sport Trac: optional; Limited only in 2010 per Autoblog)

Fifth generation (2011–2019)

The 3.5 V6, the 2.0 and 2.3 EcoBoost fours, the 3.5 EcoBoost, and the Police Interceptor's 3.7.

2011 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.5L / 213 V6 Duratec 3.5	290 hp net	Standard (base/XLT/Limited); FWD and 4WD/AWD; FFV from 2013

2012 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.0L / 122 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.0	240 hp net	Optional, FWD only
3.5L / 213 V6 Duratec 3.5	290 hp net	Standard (base/XLT/Limited); FWD and 4WD/AWD; FFV from 2013

2013 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.0L / 122 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.0	240 hp net	Optional, FWD only
3.5L / 213 V6 Duratec 3.5	290 hp net	Standard (base/XLT/Limited); FWD and 4WD/AWD; FFV from 2013
3.5L / 213 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.5	365 hp net	Explorer Sport (2013+), Platinum (2016+); AWD only
3.7L / 227 V6 Duratec 3.7	304 hp net	Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

2014 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.0L / 122 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.0	240 hp net	Optional, FWD only
3.5L / 213 V6 Duratec 3.5	290 hp net	Standard (base/XLT/Limited); FWD and 4WD/AWD; FFV from 2013
3.5L / 213 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.5	365 hp net	Explorer Sport (2013+), Platinum (2016+); AWD only, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD
3.7L / 227 V6 Duratec 3.7	304 hp net	Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

2015 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.0L / 122 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.0	240 hp net	Optional, FWD only
3.5L / 213 V6 Duratec 3.5	290 hp net	Standard (base/XLT/Limited); FWD and 4WD/AWD; FFV from 2013
3.5L / 213 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.5	365 hp net	Explorer Sport (2013+), Platinum (2016+); AWD only, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD
3.7L / 227 V6 Duratec 3.7	304 hp net	Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

2016 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.3L / 140 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.3	280 hp net	Optional on base/XLT/Limited; FWD and AWD
3.5L / 213 V6 Duratec 3.5	290 hp net	Standard (base/XLT/Limited); FWD and 4WD/AWD; FFV from 2013
3.5L / 213 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.5	365 hp net	Explorer Sport (2013+), Platinum (2016+); AWD only, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD
3.7L / 227 V6 Duratec 3.7	304 hp net	Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

2017 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.3L / 140 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.3	280 hp net	Optional on base/XLT/Limited; FWD and AWD
3.5L / 213 V6 Duratec 3.5	290 hp net	Standard (base/XLT/Limited); FWD and 4WD/AWD; FFV from 2013
3.5L / 213 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.5	365 hp net	Explorer Sport (2013+), Platinum (2016+); AWD only, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD
3.7L / 227 V6 Duratec 3.7	304 hp net	Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

2018 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.3L / 140 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.3	280 hp net	Optional on base/XLT/Limited; FWD and AWD
3.5L / 213 V6 Duratec 3.5	290 hp net	Standard (base/XLT/Limited); FWD and 4WD/AWD; FFV from 2013
3.5L / 213 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.5	365 hp net	Explorer Sport (2013+), Platinum (2016+); AWD only, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD
3.7L / 227 V6 Duratec 3.7	304 hp net	Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

2019 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.3L / 140 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.3	280 hp net	Optional on base/XLT/Limited; FWD and AWD
3.5L / 213 V6 Duratec 3.5	290 hp net	Standard (base/XLT/Limited); FWD and 4WD/AWD; FFV from 2013
3.5L / 213 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.5	365 hp net	Explorer Sport (2013+), Platinum (2016+); AWD only, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD
3.7L / 227 V6 Duratec 3.7	304 hp net	Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

Sixth generation (2020–2026)

The 2.3 EcoBoost, the 3.0 EcoBoost V6 in the ST and top trims, and the 3.3 hybrid.

2020 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.3L / 140 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.3	300 hp net	Standard on most trims (Base/XLT/Limited/ST-Line/Timberline; Active/ST-Line/Platinum/Tremor from 2025); RWD and AWD
3.0L / 183 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.0	365 hp net	Platinum (2020-2021), King Ranch (2021); AWD
3.0L / 183 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.0	400 hp net	ST (2020+, RWD from 2022); Platinum and King Ranch 2022-2024; Platinum option 2025+; Tremor option 2026, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 Ti-VCT	285 hp net	Fleet-only civilian Explorer (FFV, AWD); same engine as PIU, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD; FFV
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 hybrid	318 hp net	Limited Hybrid, Platinum Hybrid, King Ranch (2021); RWD and AWD, Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

2021 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.3L / 140 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.3	300 hp net	Standard on most trims (Base/XLT/Limited/ST-Line/Timberline; Active/ST-Line/Platinum/Tremor from 2025); RWD and AWD
3.0L / 183 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.0	365 hp net	Platinum (2020-2021), King Ranch (2021); AWD
3.0L / 183 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.0	400 hp net	ST (2020+, RWD from 2022); Platinum and King Ranch 2022-2024; Platinum option 2025+; Tremor option 2026, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 Ti-VCT	285 hp net	Fleet-only civilian Explorer (FFV, AWD); same engine as PIU, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD; FFV
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 hybrid	318 hp net	Limited Hybrid, Platinum Hybrid, King Ranch (2021); RWD and AWD, Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

2022 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.3L / 140 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.3	300 hp net	Standard on most trims (Base/XLT/Limited/ST-Line/Timberline; Active/ST-Line/Platinum/Tremor from 2025); RWD and AWD
3.0L / 183 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.0	400 hp net	ST (2020+, RWD from 2022); Platinum and King Ranch 2022-2024; Platinum option 2025+; Tremor option 2026, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 Ti-VCT	285 hp net	Fleet-only civilian Explorer (FFV, AWD); same engine as PIU, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD; FFV
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 hybrid	318 hp net	Limited Hybrid, Platinum Hybrid, King Ranch (2021); RWD and AWD, Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

2023 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.3L / 140 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.3	300 hp net	Standard on most trims (Base/XLT/Limited/ST-Line/Timberline; Active/ST-Line/Platinum/Tremor from 2025); RWD and AWD
3.0L / 183 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.0	400 hp net	ST (2020+, RWD from 2022); Platinum and King Ranch 2022-2024; Platinum option 2025+; Tremor option 2026, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 Ti-VCT	285 hp net	Fleet-only civilian Explorer (FFV, AWD); same engine as PIU, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD; FFV
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 hybrid	318 hp net	Limited Hybrid, Platinum Hybrid, King Ranch (2021); RWD and AWD, Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

2024 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.3L / 140 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.3	300 hp net	Standard on most trims (Base/XLT/Limited/ST-Line/Timberline; Active/ST-Line/Platinum/Tremor from 2025); RWD and AWD
3.0L / 183 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.0	400 hp net	ST (2020+, RWD from 2022); Platinum and King Ranch 2022-2024; Platinum option 2025+; Tremor option 2026, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 Ti-VCT	285 hp net	Fleet-only civilian Explorer (FFV, AWD); same engine as PIU, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD; FFV
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 hybrid	318 hp net	Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

2025 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.3L / 140 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.3	300 hp net	Standard on most trims (Base/XLT/Limited/ST-Line/Timberline; Active/ST-Line/Platinum/Tremor from 2025); RWD and AWD
3.0L / 183 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.0	400 hp net	ST (2020+, RWD from 2022); Platinum and King Ranch 2022-2024; Platinum option 2025+; Tremor option 2026, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 Ti-VCT	285 hp net	Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD; FFV
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 hybrid	318 hp net	Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

2026 Explorer engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.3L / 140 inline-four turbo EcoBoost 2.3	300 hp net	Standard on most trims (Base/XLT/Limited/ST-Line/Timberline; Active/ST-Line/Platinum/Tremor from 2025); RWD and AWD
3.0L / 183 V6 turbo EcoBoost 3.0	400 hp net	ST (2020+, RWD from 2022); Platinum and King Ranch 2022-2024; Platinum option 2025+; Tremor option 2026, Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 Ti-VCT	285 hp net	Police Interceptor Utility, optional; AWD; FFV
3.3L / 204 V6 3.3 hybrid	318 hp net	Police Interceptor Utility, standard; AWD

Working on one of these engines?

• Engine displacement from bore and stroke
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• Which camshaft for your build
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