Used 2016 Ford Explorer for Sale nearDes Moines, IA

Compare 2016 Ford Explorer Trims

The 2016 Ford Explorer offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to more luxurious models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $8,549
• Best MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Most Popular: XLT

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

Base — "Who It's For"

The Base is the pick for shoppers who want essential features without paying for extras. It's a great entry-level option.

• Avg. market price: $10,702 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 282 listings
• View Base listings

Police Interceptor Utility AWD — "Who It's For"

The Police Interceptor Utility AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a rugged vehicle with AWD capability without the higher price tag.

• Avg. market price: $8,549 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 645 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Base 4WD — "Who It's For"

The Base 4WD is the pick for shoppers who want AWD capability without stepping up to a more expensive trim. It's a solid choice for varied conditions.

• Avg. market price: $11,488 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 197 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Base 4WD listings

XLT — "Who It's For"

The XLT is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded SUV with popular features without going for the top-tier trims. It's the most popular choice.

• Avg. market price: $11,201 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,493 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLT listings

XLT 4WD — "Who It's For"

The XLT 4WD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty SUV with AWD capabilities and additional features. It's perfect for those needing versatility.

• Avg. market price: $11,649 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 1,015 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLT 4WD listings

Limited — "Who It's For"

The Limited is the pick for shoppers who want a luxurious experience with advanced features without going for the highest price. It's a great balance of comfort and value.

• Avg. market price: $12,063 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 738 listings
• View Limited listings

Limited 4WD — "Who It's For"

The Limited 4WD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury and AWD capability in one package. It's ideal for those who need both comfort and performance.

• Avg. market price: $12,166 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 540 listings
• View Limited 4WD listings

Sport 4WD — "Who It's For"

The Sport 4WD is the pick for shoppers who want a performance-oriented SUV with extra power and features. It's perfect for those who prioritize driving dynamics.

• Avg. market price: $13,559 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 22 hwy
• Inventory: 488 listings
• View Sport 4WD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT

With 1,493 active listings, the XLT is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLT listings

Best Budget Option — Police Interceptor Utility AWD

At $8,549 avg market price — below the lineup median of $11,568 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Base

The Base trim offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 17 MPG city and 24 MPG highway.

Browse Base listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 8.23% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,180 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2016 Ford Explorer a good car?

Generally — the 2016 Ford Explorer earns a 4.26/5 user rating and a 6.83/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

Drivers consistently praise the spacious interior, smooth ride, strong performance, comfort, and handling. The Explorer also fits well if you want a family-oriented midsize SUV with broad capability and available features, though some owners mention fuel-economy frustrations and missing conveniences such as navigation.

With 31.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 4.26/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a vehicle that many owners find dependable and comfortable over time, with repeated praise for its spacious cabin, smooth ride, and strong performance. The expert review also notes that the Explorer has historically not impressed owners in reliability questionnaires, so you should treat condition and maintenance history as especially important on the used market.

Ford’s refreshed 2016 model adds useful equipment and a more efficient engine option, but long-term ownership risk still depends heavily on how well each individual example was maintained.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Ford Explorer?

At 64.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle-history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage or heavily optioned example. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the features you care about are actually present and working as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Explorer is the least expensive entry point, while the Platinum trim sits at the top of the range with more luxury-oriented equipment. The Sport trim adds a blacked-out appearance and a more aggressive character, so you should compare feature content carefully if you want the best mix of value and equipment.
• Powertrain: You can choose from a standard 3.5-liter V6, an optional turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder, or a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 in the Sport and Platinum models. The turbocharged 2.3-liter brings more torque and better efficiency, while the twin-turbo V6 is the strongest performer but also the thirstiest.
• Safety package: Ford’s available driver-assistance setup includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support, plus blind-spot warning on better-equipped versions. The safety content also notes that the optional forward-collision warning system uses brake support rather than automatic emergency braking, so you should pay attention to how much protection you’re actually getting on the trim you’re considering.
• Infotainment: The Explorer does not get Sync 3 for 2016, and it continues to use MyFord Touch. The available tech list includes smart-charging USB ports, front and rear camera systems with washers, and a front camera with a 180-degree view.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA rates the twin-turbo V6 at 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. The standard 3.5-liter V6 returns 20 mpg with front-wheel drive and 19 mpg with all-wheel drive, while the turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder is expected to get 22 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive form.

Which 2016 Ford Explorer trim should I buy?

The 2016 Ford Explorer is offered in 4 trim levels: Explorer, XLT, Limited, Sport.

Here's the short version:

• Explorer: This is the entry point, and it makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and don’t need the extra equipment found higher up the range. It’s the trim to consider if you’re mainly shopping for space and core utility.
• XLT: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it sits above the base model without pushing you into luxury pricing. It should be your first stop if you want a more balanced mix of equipment and cost.
• Limited: Choose this if you want a more upscale feel and more convenience features without going all the way to the top-end model. It’s the trim to target if comfort and everyday amenities matter most.
• Sport: This is the pick if you want the strongest performance and a more aggressive personality. The content highlights its twin-turbo V6, sport-tuned suspension, quicker steering, and blacked-out appearance.

Ford also offers a new Enhanced Active Park Assist system, and the available safety tech includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support on better-equipped versions.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Ford Explorer?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it pays to compare listings carefully and move quickly on strong examples.

• Deal availability: 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,180 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.23% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 64.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,963, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Ford Explorer's resale value?

The current average of $11,963 sits slightly below last year's $13,036.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point if you plan to keep the vehicle for a while. For a future seller, the softer current pricing means there may be less upside than there was a year ago, especially if the vehicle has average mileage or visible wear.

Still, a well-kept Explorer with desirable equipment and clean history should remain easier to move than a rough example. Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.26/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Ford Explorer safe?

The 2016 Ford Explorer received a Marginal rating in the IIHS small-overlap frontal-impact test.

It earns a 5/10 safety score from our experts.

Ford’s available driver-assistance setup includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support, plus blind-spot warning on better-equipped versions. The safety content also notes that the optional forward-collision warning system uses brake support instead of automatic emergency braking, which is an important limitation to keep in mind.

The big caveat is the Marginal small-overlap result, which is the kind of shortcoming you should weigh carefully if safety is a top priority.

Should I buy a 2016 Ford Explorer or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 64.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.23% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.26/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• Ford refreshed the Explorer for 2016 with updated styling, upgraded available features, a new more efficient engine option, and a new Platinum luxury trim level.

The bottom line: The 2016 Explorer makes the most sense if you want the refreshed styling and feature upgrades, especially when you find a clean example with the equipment you want. If you’re more price-sensitive, the softer market and broad inventory make it worth shopping carefully for a well-kept listing rather than paying up for the newest-looking example.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.