The Ford Explorer was well-represented at the 2018 Texas State Fair after Ford brought a pair of special edition versions, including the Explorer Desert Copper Edition. Created to diversify its Explorer lineup, the Desert Copper Edition is based on the XLT trim of the SUV. The special edition Explorer comes with a number of upgrades in the exterior and interior. The automaker hasn’t said if the Explorer Desert Copper is going to be available to the public, but with the popularity of SUVs these days, don’t be surprised if the Explorer Desert Copper Edition arrives in a dealership near you sooner than later.

What Makes The Ford Explorer Desert Copper Edition Special

Items like LED low-beam headlamps, body-color door handles, and a body-color liftgate spoiler all come standard on the Explorer XLT. The SUV also receives a steady amount of chrome in this specific trim level.

The upgrades Ford included in the Explorer Desert Copper Edition play well with the standard equipment that the SUV already has. The chrome mirror caps, for example, add another chromed-up section to complement the accents on the bodyside cladding, liftgate appliqué, and the bars that go with the silver-painted mesh inserts. The special edition Explorer also gets a new set of 20-inch polished aluminum wheels. The set is a bigger alternative to the 18-inch five-spoke sparkle silver-painted aluminum wheels that come standard on the Explorer XLT.

The layout of the cabin is still the same and all the standard equipment in the trim are present and available. To distinguish the special edition Explorer, Ford dressed the first- and second-row seats and door trim panel in Ebony Black leather. Even the third-row seats receive the Ebony Black treatment, though not necessarily in leather. Instead, this section features Ebony Black vinyl with matching copper accents. Speaking of the copper accents, the Explorer Desert Copper Edition also benefits from the multitude of copper highlights and stitching that’s spread throughout the cabin.

That’s the extent of the Explorer Desert Copper Edition’s special edition worthiness. A 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V-6 engine comes standard on the XLT trim. It produces 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, and it returns 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg in the highway.

There’s no word on how much the Ford Explorer Desert Copper Edition costs, but for those who are looking for an estimate, the standard Explorer XLT trim starts at $34,400. Throw in the Desert Copper Package and you’re looking at costs that could go up to around $36,000 to $37,000.

Further Reading

Read our driven review on the 2017 Ford Explorer.

Read our full review on the 2018 Ford Expedition Texas Edition.