Used 2016 Ford Explorer for Sale nearDurham, NC

Compare 2016 Ford Explorer Trims in Durham, NC

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

• Starting at $7,000
• 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: $9,397 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 27 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 a high price tag.

• Avg. market price: $7,000 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 45 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Base 4WD — "Who It's For"

The Base 4WD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty feel with all-wheel drive without stepping up to a higher trim.

• Avg. market price: $11,099 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 14 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 at a reasonable price. It's the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $8,896 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 112 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 the XLT features with added all-wheel drive capability at a competitive price.

• Avg. market price: $8,514 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 54 listings
• View XLT 4WD listings

Limited — "Who It's For"

The Limited is the pick for shoppers who want a luxurious SUV experience with advanced features without going for the highest trim.

• Avg. market price: $7,900 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 67 listings
• View Limited listings

Limited 4WD — "Who It's For"

The Limited 4WD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury and all-wheel drive capability in a well-equipped SUV.

• Avg. market price: $12,049 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 38 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 capability for adventurous driving.

• Avg. market price: $12,061 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 22 hwy
• Inventory: 40 listings
• View Sport 4WD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT

With 112 active listings, the XLT is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLT listings

Best Budget Option — Police Interceptor Utility AWD

At $7,000 avg market price — below the lineup median of $9,146 — 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 efficiency in the lineup with 17 city / 24 hwy MPG.

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 8.71% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,169 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

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-size SUV with broad capability and available features, especially if you’re drawn to the Sport model’s stronger power and more engaging feel.

At the same time, the overview and owner feedback point to some tradeoffs, including fuel-efficiency complaints and missing features such as navigation. Even so, the model’s mix of space, comfort, and performance keeps it appealing for shoppers who want a roomy midsize SUV.

Only 31.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market is somewhat selective rather than deeply discounted.

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. At the same time, some drivers mention reliability and quality concerns, so the ownership picture is not spotless.

The expert review also notes that reliability has not historically impressed owners in broader questionnaire data, which reinforces the need to shop carefully. If you’re buying used, a thorough inspection and service-history review matter because long-term ownership risk is still part of the equation.

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 example or one with a lot of equipment. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the features you care about actually work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Explorer starts with the core family-SUV formula, while the Sport adds a blacked-out appearance, stronger performance, and a more aggressive character. The Platinum trim brings the luxury-oriented end of the lineup, so you should compare equipment carefully if you want the best mix of comfort and value.
• Powertrain: You can choose from a standard 3.5-liter V6, a more efficient turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder, or a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 in the Sport and Platinum models. The standard V6 is the most cost-effective choice in the expert review, while the twin-turbo setup delivers the strongest performance but uses more fuel.
• Safety package: The Explorer can be equipped with adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support, blind-spot warning, and a front camera system. The expert review also mentions that the forward-collision warning uses brake support rather than automatic emergency braking, which is an important distinction to keep in mind.
• Infotainment: The 2016 Explorer does not get Sync 3, and the review says it continues with MyFord Touch instead. If you want the most modern-feeling interface, this is a key area to test during your drive.
• Fuel efficiency: 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. The twin-turbo V6 is rated at 18 mpg combined, and the review notes that real-world fuel economy can be worse than the EPA estimate.

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 Explorer’s space and utility without paying for extras you may not use. It’s the trim to consider if value matters most and you’re willing to skip the more upscale or performance-focused equipment.
• XLT: This is the trim most shoppers should start with because it should give you a better balance of equipment and price than the base model. If you want the best value in the lineup, this is the one to focus on first.
• Limited: Choose this if you want a more upscale feel and more comfort-oriented equipment without jumping all the way to the Sport’s performance focus. It’s the better pick if you care more about everyday refinement than extra power.
• Sport: This is the enthusiast choice, with the twin-turbo V6, sport-tuned suspension, quicker steering, and a more aggressive appearance. It suits you best if performance matters more than fuel economy.

The safety content also notes that the Explorer’s structure was not upgraded for 2016, and the IIHS small-overlap frontal result remained Marginal, so that’s an important caution no matter which trim you choose.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you should shop carefully and be ready to move when you find a strong example.

• Deal availability: 31.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,169 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.71% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 64.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,868, 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 $11,868 sits slightly below last year's $13,000.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you can reduce the impact of that depreciation trend.

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 offers an available driver-assistance setup that includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support, plus blind-spot warning and a front camera system. The review also mentions 911 Assist and inflatable rear seat belts as additional safety-related features.

The main caveat is the unchanged small-overlap result, which the expert review treats as a meaningful weakness. That makes crash-history checks and a careful inspection especially important if safety is a top priority for you.

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:

• 31.7% 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 8.71% 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: If you want the refreshed 2016 Explorer’s updated styling, broader feature set, and strong owner satisfaction, this is the year to target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you may still want to compare nearby years and focus on the cleanest, best-maintained example rather than chasing the newest badge alone.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.