How much does the 2016 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 9.71% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,198 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping. If you find a listing below $12,255.71, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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, and strong performance, and many also like the comfort and handling. The refreshed styling and upgraded features make this model year especially appealing if you want a more polished, better-equipped three-row SUV. The Explorer’s broad appeal fits buyers who want family space and available power, but the market still reflects that it isn’t a standout bargain across the board, with 30.1% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2016 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 4.26/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction. User feedback also points to a generally dependable, trouble-free experience for many owners, with comfort and everyday usability standing out as recurring positives.

The expert review also describes the Explorer as a practical family SUV with comfortable and useful traits, which supports the idea that it can serve well over the long term when maintained properly. Ford’s maintenance-friendly ownership story is helped by the model’s mainstream serviceability, but used buyers should still watch for the reliability and quality concerns some owners mention, since those issues can affect long-term ownership risk.

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

At 63.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should run a vehicle history report before you get too far into the process, then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if the listing has any accident history or incomplete service records. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, and signs of prior repair, since those can reveal how well the SUV was restored after damage. It also makes sense to verify that the features you care about are actually present, because this model year’s equipment can vary a lot by trim and option package.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base setup lacks some of the more desirable convenience and safety upgrades, while higher trims add features such as a navigation system, blind-spot warning, heated and ventilated front seats, and a hands-free power liftgate.
• 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 Sport and Platinum models; the turbocharged engines bring more torque, but fuel costs can rise.
• Safety package: Available driver aids include adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support, plus blind-spot warning; the safety content also notes that the forward-collision system uses brake support rather than automatic emergency braking.
• Infotainment: The Explorer does not get Sync 3 for this model year, and the existing system is described as less than ideal in button size, responsiveness, and overall feel.
• Fuel efficiency: The twin-turbo V6 is rated at 18 mpg combined, the turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder is expected to return 22 mpg combined in FWD form, and the standard 3.5-liter V6 returns 20 mpg with FWD and 19 mpg with AWD.

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:

• Base trim: The Explorer trim is the most basic choice, so you give up some of the convenience and safety upgrades that show up higher in the lineup.
• Sweet-spot trim: The XLT is the best value if you want a more balanced mix of equipment and price without jumping into the pricier luxury or performance versions.
• Premium/top trim: The Platinum is the most upscale choice, adding the luxury-oriented features and polish that make this model year feel more premium.
• Off-road trim: The Sport is the performance-focused choice, but its thirstier powertrain and premium-fuel requirement make it less appealing for typical daily driving.

The safety package note to keep in mind is that the available forward-collision warning system includes brake support rather than automatic emergency braking.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and pricing softness to make comparison shopping worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,198 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.71% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $12,255.71, 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 $12,254 sits slightly below last year's $13,571.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point today. For a future seller, that also means resale upside may be more limited unless the vehicle is especially clean, well-equipped, and well maintained. Strong condition and desirable features should matter more than ever if you want to protect value later.

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 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 safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support, blind-spot warning, free 911 Assist when paired with Bluetooth, and inflatable rear seat belts. The main caveat is the Marginal small-overlap result, which is a meaningful weakness for a family SUV and a reminder to pay close attention to crash history and structural condition when shopping used.

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:

• 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 63.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.71% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.26/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• For 2016, Ford refreshed the Explorer with updated styling, upgraded features, a more efficient engine option, and a new Platinum trim, but the model still carries the same key safety weakness.

The bottom line: The 2016 Explorer makes sense if you want the refreshed styling and feature upgrades at a lower used price than newer examples. If you’re especially price-sensitive, this year’s softer market and broad inventory make it worth shopping carefully; if safety performance is your top priority, you may want to compare it against other years before deciding.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.