2026 Ford Explorer: The Ford Explorer is very essential for the 2026 model year. The Explorer is the best-selling midsize SUV in the US right now, with over 104,000 units sold in the first half of 2025. This is a great start for the newly updated vehicle.
Now, the business is building on that success with a new pricing plan that might change the game in the market. CarsDirect got its hands on an order guide that says several trims of the 2026 Explorer are now cheaper than before. This includes a new rugged version that is perfect for people who want to travel off-road.
The all-new Ford Explorer Tremor was supposed to take the place of the Timberline trim, and now that its price is confirmed, it might be one of the best new deals in the three-row SUV market.
The Ford Explorer has long been a mainstay in its class, and it still offers a familiar mid-size option for families with three rows of seats. The Expedition’s cabin is modern and roomy in the first two rows, thanks to a much-needed mid-cycle makeover last year that improved the interior. The wayback seating is fine for kids, and when it’s not in use, it can be folded down to make room for more cargo.
The Explorer has a lot of options, such as a turbocharged four-cylinder or a twin-turbo V-6 engine, and it can have either rear- or all-wheel drive. But it doesn’t have the same broad appeal as competitors like the Mazda CX-90 and Kia Telluride, which are both more expensive and nicer.
2026 Ford Explorer Reviews
The Explorer is Ford’s medium three-row SUV that sits between the larger Expedition and the smaller Escape in the company’s SUV portfolio. The Explorer is better than other cars in its class because it has powerful engines and great technology. The 2026 Explorer will also be a little better at going off-road. The new Explorer Tremor model has all-terrain tires and a slightly higher ride height, which makes it easier for the Explorer to handle rough roads and rutted paths. It also has skid plates on the bottom to protect it and a limited-slip rear differential that helps the all-wheel-drive system send power where it’s most needed.
Last year, the Explorer got a makeover, and before that, it was behind many of its competitors in terms of technology. But a lot of tech improvements have made that not the case anymore. First, every model comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a big 13.2-inch touchscreen.
The touchscreen shows a new Android-based infotainment system that lets you connect to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay wirelessly and uses Google Maps to get you where you want to go. BlueCruise is available on all bar the base Active trim level. The length of the subscription trial term depends on whatever trim you buy. The Explorer also comes with a lot of innovative driver aids as standard equipment. It also has a surround-view camera system and a better B&O audio system.
- Powerful engines for fast acceleration
- Safe handling and a great set of tech and driver aid features
A family SUV that costs less
The base model of the 2026 Ford Explorer Active now costs $38,330, which is $1,720 less than last year. The top-of-the-line Platinum also drops by $1,695, starting at $50,830. The new Tremor variant starts at $48,330, which is more than $1,000 less than Honda’s Pilot TrailSport. That pricing is also $1,100 less than the 2024 Explorer Timberline, which is no longer available.
The Tremor might be the perfect SUV for anyone who want a cheap but capable one that can handle trails.
The 2026 Explorer Tremor picks up where the Timberline left off, but it’s more than simply a new look. The Tremor is made for light off-road use. It has 18-inch black alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, extra lights, and a raised suspension with retuned sway bars for better clearance and control. Ford also fitted skid plates to the bottom of the car and Electric Spice accents to the wheels and tow hooks to give it a tough look.
The Tremor is very comfortable inside, with massaging front seats, Ford’s latest multimedia system, and the option of BlueCruise hands-free driving.
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2026 Ford Explorer Interior
The Explorer’s interior design has largely focused on function over style, but the cabin got more comfy last year with fresh color schemes and more soft-touch materials on the center console, door panels, and dashboard. A button makes it easy to move the second-row seat out of the way so you can get into the usual third row. But once you get back there, taller kids and adults will find that the seat is too near to the floor to be comfortable.
Competitors like the Chevrolet Traverse and Volkswagen Atlas offer more comfort in the third row. We were able to place four carry-on bags behind the third row of the Ford. With both back rows folded down, we were able to store a total of 31 carry-ons.
Compared to cars like the Kia Telluride and Volkswagen Atlas, the Explorer’s cabin is much smaller in the second and third rows. The third row is especially bad when it comes to space because it doesn’t have enough legroom or headroom, and it’s also hard to get in. There’s not a lot of room between the back of the second-row seats and the body of the car for you to go through.
Most of the Explorer’s climatic controls are on the touchscreen. They are usually straightforward to get to and don’t take up too much space on the screen. Also, the whole system works quite quickly. The Explorer’s available surround-view camera is quite beneficial for parking since it gives you a very clear picture that fills almost the whole screen. The SUV has good outward visibility for a three-row vehicle.
Tech
The Explorer’s new infotainment system is a major improvement. There are two screens: a 12.3-inch instrument cluster display and a 13.2-inch center touchscreen. Both are standard. It also works with Google. For example, Google Maps is now the default navigation system, and Google Assistant takes care of the speech controls. The new technology is quick and easy to use. If you still want to, you can connect your Android Auto or Apple CarPlay phone wirelessly. There are a lot of USB connections in the cabin so that families may charge their devices.
Most of the time, the Explorer’s driver aids operate without being too noticeable. Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving system is available with a subscription. The newest version works well and lets you take your hands off the wheel when certain conditions are fulfilled on the highway.
Comfort
How cozy is the Explorer? The Explorer’s comfort level depends a lot on whatever row you’re on. If you get one of the front seats, you’ll probably be happy with how comfortable and supportive they are. Both the heating and cooling systems work well, and the seat coolers feel just as sturdy as the ones we adore in Ford vehicles. Some trims include front seats that massage, however they are incredibly loud and don’t do a good job of it.
If you’re in the second or third row, though, it’s not as nice. The captain’s chairs in the ST don’t have any padding or bolstering, so people will slide around. They are also too thin for anyone except a child to sit in comfortably. The third row is too close to the floor, which makes your legs go up a lot. The seats don’t have any padding, and the headrests are uncomfortable.
The ride quality changes depending on the trim level. The ST, which is made for performance, rides more stiffly than most SUVs. You will feel more bumps and ruts in the road. For everyone in the car, the non-ST trims make the ride more stable and comfortable.
Storage
The space behind the third row is only 16.3 cubic feet, which is less than most of its competitors. There are some good features in the cargo area that make it more practical. For example, there is a large storage bin under the floor and a cover that can be flipped over to reveal a non-carpeted side if you need to carry dirty or muddy things. When both rows are folded down, the maximum load space is 85.3 cubic feet.
The storage for small things is okay. There are a lot of cubbies and bins hidden in the doors and other places for people in the front row, but not nearly as many for people in the second and third rows. It’s not too hard to put car seats in the second row because the doors are spacious and the top and bottom LATCH anchors are easy to reach. However, the third row doesn’t have much space, so it won’t be easy to use it for a child seat.
2026 Ford Explorer Engine
The base Active, ST-Line, and Platinum grades all have a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The ST has a turbocharged 3.humor V-6 that makes 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This V-6 is also an option for the Platinum. (All power numbers are based on premium fuel.) The standard features are a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is also an option. We noticed that driving the Explorer was almost the same as driving the old one when we took it for a test drive. The Explorer ST’s increased power makes it really fast, yet the ride and handling are calm and predictable.
How well it works
What kind of driving does the Explorer do? The Explorer is the best three-row SUV for people who want to be active. It has better steering, handling, and acceleration than the rest of the bunch, especially the ST variant. The ST and Platinum models both come with a turbocharged V6 engine that makes 400 horsepower. Our Explorer ST test car went from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.6 seconds. The base engine, a turbo four-cylinder, is also really good and works better than the V6s in the Kia Telluride and the Honda Pilot.
When you turn the Explorer, it moves very quickly. This Ford SUV turns quickly and feels athletic and stable. The Explorer is very smooth to drive every day, but the engine’s auto stop-start function is always annoying at stoplights since it takes too long to start up again when you raise your foot off the brake pedal. The feature is on by default every time you get in to drive, which is bothersome, but you can turn it off.
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Times from 0 to 60 mph
The base turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four gives the Explorer a fair amount of power. We tested the Explorer with the four-cylinder engine in the Timberline trim, which is no longer available, in 2022. It went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds. Our tests showed that the ST variant, which has a 400-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine, can travel from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. This is the vehicle that lead-footed drivers will like best.
2026 Ford Explorer Towing
The 2026 Ford Explorer can haul up to 5,000 pounds at most. The Class III Towing kit, which comes with all models, contains a hitch, a trailer wiring harness, and a device to control trailer wobble.
2026 Ford Explorer MPG
The EPA hasn’t said anything about the 2026 Explorer’s fuel economy yet, but if nothing major changes, it should get around the same mileage as last year’s model. The most fuel-efficient 2025 model had rear-wheel drive with a turbo four engine, which gave it ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the interstate. Adding all-wheel drive lowers the highway figure by 2 mpg. The 2025 Explorer got 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with rear- or all-wheel drive and a twin-turbo V-6 engine. A 400-hp Explorer ST got 25 mpg on our 75-mph interstate route. We also tested a four-cylinder Explorer with all-wheel drive on our highway fuel-economy route, where it got 28 mpg, which was 1 percent better than what the EPA said it would get.
Competitors
The new Explorer has a lot going for it, but it has to compete with some tough competitors. Since they came out in 2020, we’ve loved the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. We know that the Palisade will be completely redesigned for 2026, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the Telluride receives one too.
The Toyota Grand Highlander is another strong competitor to the Explorer. It has a bigger third row and two hybrid engines. If you enjoy how quickly the Explorer goes and how well it handles, you might want to look into the Mazda CX-90. Not only does it have such attributes, but it also looks and feels more expensive.
2026 Ford Explorer Price
The 2026 Ford Explorer costs between $40,025 and $56,465, depending on the model and options. We believe the ST-Line is the best choice. It boasts the ST’s athletic looks and the same 300-hp turbo four-cylinder engine, but it’s a lot cheaper.
It has standard 20-inch painted alloy wheels (the Active has 18s), can tow the same 5000 pounds as the V-6-equipped Explorers, and comes with the option of a BlueCruise and black painted roof, which the base Active doesn’t have. It also has a Bang & Olufsen music system with 12 speakers, a flat-bottom ST steering wheel, heated second-row seats, and mirrors that fold up automatically. We could also install all-wheel drive for $2000.
| Models | Price |
| Active | $40,025 |
| ST-Line | $46,715 |
| Tremor | $50,025 |
| Platinum | $52,525 |
| ST | $56,465 |
2026 Ford Release Date
The 2026 Ford Explorer should be in stores between late summer and early fall of 2025. This is true for both the regular Explorer models and the new Explorer Tremor.
- Starting around $42,000
Verdict
There are a lot of wonderful things about the 2026 Ford Explorer, especially after it was updated last year. It features strong engines and a driving experience that is much better than what you would expect from a huge three-row SUV. It also offers outstanding infotainment technology, a hands-free driver aid system, and a wide range of trim levels to choose from. But it isn’t as family-friendly as some other SUVs because there isn’t enough room for passengers, especially in the third row. We’ll be back soon with more on the 2026 Ford Explorer, so bookmark our website to stay updated with the latest Lightning Ford News, 2025 Explorer news, and information on other Ford models on the road.
FAQs: People also ask about the Ford Explorer 2026
Q: What is the price of a Ford Explorer in 2026?
A: The base Active trim of the 2026 Ford Explorer will cost $38,330, which is less than the beginning price of the 2025 model. The Platinum variant, which is the most expensive, will start at $50,830, which is also less than the 2025 pricing. Yahoo! Autos says that there will also be a new Tremor trim that starts at $48,330.
Q: Is the Honda Pilot or the Ford Explorer better?
A: Which is "better" between a Honda Pilot and a Ford Explorer depends on what is most important to each person. The Pilot usually has greater room for passengers and goods, a smoother ride, and maybe even superior reliability. The Explorer frequently has more powerful engine options, a larger towing capacity, and an infotainment system with more features (but it may be harder to use).
