The 1996 Ford Explorer model year brought the engine up to the standard set by the previous year's exterior redesign. An optional new 4.9 liter V-8 engine put out 210 horsepower, which brought the SUV well into the high-performance class; buyers could also choose the older 4.0 liter V6, 160-horsepower engine.

Trims available included the two-door Sport model, the two-door and four-door XL and XLT models, the four-door Eddie Bauer, and the four-door Limited edition. All trims, except the Limited, were available in a choice of four-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive.

The '96 Ford Explorer continued to appeal to families looking for a roomy, comfortable sport-utility vehicle. Cargo space was a big selling point: the 1996 Explorer provided 42.6 cubic feet with its rear seats up, and a whopping 81 cubic feet with rear seats folded down.

Once again, the '96 Explorer was the sales champion for its market niche, with more than 300,000 vehicles shipped. Drivers love their Explorers' durability and space a lot more than they love their gas mileage; the new engine offered even less fuel efficiency than before, yielding just 14 mpg city, 18 mpg highway, while the old engine continued to provide 15-18 mpg city, 20-23 mpg highway, depending on model.