Best Car Reviews - 1998 Ford Explorer 2WD

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Introduction

The 1998 Ford Explorer 2WD is a traditional body-on-frame midsize SUV aimed at families, recreational users, and drivers who wanted useful cargo space without the cost or complexity of four-wheel drive. This rear-wheel-drive version pairs a 4.0-litre V6 with a five-speed automatic transmission and regular gasoline. Its appeal lies in its upright SUV practicality, commanding seating position, available six-passenger layout, and familiar late-1990s Ford character.

Design and Exterior Features

The Explorer has a square-shouldered, durable-looking profile with a high beltline, broad front end, large glass area, and a rear liftgate. At roughly 4.8 metres long in four-door form, it is substantial without being as large as a full-size SUV. The 1998 model continued the second-generation Explorer’s more rounded and refined look, with an evolutionary update rather than a complete redesign. Rear-wheel drive gives this version a simpler underbody layout than four-wheel-drive models.

Traditional four-door SUV body with a practical rear liftgate.
Roof rack availability for extra carrying capacity.
Rear privacy glass and rear-window wiper/defroster were widely available features.
Four-wheel disc brakes contributed to a more modern appearance and function than earlier truck-based SUVs.

Interior and Comfort

The cabin is broad, upright, and designed around utility rather than premium minimalism. Controls are conventional and generally easy to understand, while the raised driving position gives a clear view ahead. Depending on trim and seating configuration, the four-door Explorer could accommodate up to six occupants. Higher trims added more convenience equipment and richer trim, while base models used durable, straightforward materials. Ride comfort is respectable for its era, though the body-on-frame design can feel less settled than a modern crossover.

Available front bench-style seating on some configurations for up to six passengers.
Air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, and tilt steering were common equipment.
Useful cargo area with a wide-opening liftgate.
Higher trims could add upgraded upholstery, a cargo cover, and additional comfort features.

Performance and Handling

This 1998 Ford Explorer 2WD specification uses Ford’s 4.0-litre SOHC V6, rated at 205 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque, with a five-speed 5R55E automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive gives it a familiar truck-like balance and avoids the added weight of a four-wheel-drive system. It has enough low- and mid-range power for everyday driving and light towing when properly equipped, but it is not a quick or especially agile SUV. The supplied fuel-consumption figure of 18.594375 mpg converts to approximately 12.7 L/100 km. Period fuel-economy listings for comparable 2WD V6 automatic Explorers are around 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway, so real consumption is heavily affected by traffic, load, maintenance, and driving style.

4.0-litre SOHC gasoline V6 with 205 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque.
Five-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive.
Regular unleaded gasoline recommended.
Approximate combined-style consumption: 12.7 L/100 km from the supplied figure.

Technology and Connectivity

Technology reflects the era. The Explorer used a conventional AM/FM stereo with cassette playback, while upgraded audio systems and a CD player were available on certain trims or packages. There was no factory smartphone integration, navigation system, Bluetooth streaming, or modern connected-services platform. Convenience technology focused instead on power accessories, keyless-entry availability, cruise control, and simple driver information functions.

AM/FM cassette stereo was standard on many models.
CD audio was available through selected packages.
Power accessories and cruise control improved daily usability.
No modern smartphone connectivity or advanced driver-assistance technology.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment included driver and front-passenger airbags, three-point safety belts, side-impact door beams, four-wheel disc brakes, and four-wheel ABS. These features were competitive for a late-1990s SUV, but the Explorer lacks modern equipment such as electronic stability control, rearview cameras, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and curtain airbags. A government frontal crash test exists for the 1998 Explorer, but a readily verifiable star rating specific to this exact 2WD configuration is not clear, so no rating is claimed here.

Driver and front-passenger airbags.
Four-wheel anti-lock braking system.
Four-wheel disc brakes.
Side-impact door beams and three-point safety belts.

Pricing and Variants

Original 1998 pricing started at $19,880 for the two-door Explorer Sport and at $21,560 for the four-door XL 2WD. The four-door XLT 2WD started at $24,740, while better-equipped Eddie Bauer and Limited models reached considerably higher prices. The range included Sport, XL, XLT, Eddie Bauer, and Limited trims, with two-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, and selected all-wheel-drive versions depending on trim and engine. Against rivals such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Blazer, Toyota 4Runner, and Nissan Pathfinder, the Explorer offered broad trim choice and familiar Ford serviceability, though its fuel use and age-related repair risk deserve close consideration today.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Spacious, practical SUV cabin with useful cargo capacity.
Strong 4.0-litre SOHC V6 output for its period.
Five-speed automatic provides more ratios than many contemporaries.
Rear-wheel-drive layout is simpler than a four-wheel-drive system.
Wide availability of parts, owner knowledge, and trim choices.

Cons

Fuel consumption is high by modern SUV standards.
Body-on-frame ride and handling feel dated beside modern crossovers.
No modern connectivity, camera, or active-safety features.
Automatic-transmission repairs can be expensive on neglected vehicles.
Rust, age-related electrical faults, and deferred maintenance are major buying concerns.

Maintenance and Common Issues

A reliable model-specific annual maintenance-cost average is not readily verifiable for a vehicle of this age; budgeting should be based on inspection results and held-back repair funds rather than a single published figure. Common owner-reported and generation-related concerns include automatic-transmission shift problems, timing-chain guide or tensioner wear on the 4.0-litre SOHC V6, HVAC blend-door failures, wheel-bearing or hub wear, and cooling-system or radiator-related leaks. A pre-purchase inspection should include a cold start, transmission road test, cooling-system check, underbody rust inspection, and verification of service records.

Rating

Overall rating: 6.4/10. Design: 7/10 for its purposeful classic SUV styling. Comfort: 6.5/10 for its roomy, useful cabin but truck-based ride. Performance: 6.5/10 for adequate V6 power and a capable automatic. Technology: 3.5/10 because it predates modern connectivity and driver assistance. Safety: 5.5/10 for useful period equipment but limited modern crash avoidance and occupant protection.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly values the Explorer’s space, driving position, utility, and ability to remain usable at high mileage when it has been maintained carefully. The overall pattern is more positive for well-documented examples than for inexpensive vehicles with unknown maintenance history.

Owners often appreciate the roomy cabin and easy cargo access.
The V6 is generally considered adequate for daily driving and light utility work.
Many drivers like the upright seating position and traditional SUV feel.
Transmission condition is frequently identified as a key factor in long-term satisfaction.
Buyers regularly stress the importance of checking timing-chain noise, rust, and maintenance records before purchase.

Best Cars in This Category

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1998 Chevrolet Blazer
1998 Toyota 4Runner
1998 Nissan Pathfinder
1998 Isuzu Rodeo

Summary

The 1998 Ford Explorer 2WD is best suited to buyers who want an inexpensive, old-school SUV with generous space, rear-wheel-drive simplicity, and a strong period-correct V6. It can offer good value when purchased with a thorough inspection and credible maintenance history, but it is not a low-risk choice. Fuel costs, rust, transmission behavior, and SOHC timing-chain condition should decide whether a particular example is worth owning.