Used 2016 Ford Explorer for Sale near North Carolina

Compare 2016 Ford Explorer Trims

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 $8,820
• 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 solid choice for budget-conscious buyers.

• Avg. market price: $11,137 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 295 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 of other trims.

• Avg. market price: $8,820 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 690 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 practical choice for varied driving conditions.

• Avg. market price: $11,589 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 183 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 highest price. It's the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $11,544 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,512 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 capability and added features. It's ideal for those needing versatility.

• Avg. market price: $11,671 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 1,032 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 luxury SUV experience without the highest price tag. It offers a great balance of features and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $11,821 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 749 listings
• View Limited listings

Limited 4WD — "Who It's For"

The Limited 4WD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features combined with AWD capability. It's perfect for those who need both comfort and performance.

• Avg. market price: $12,357 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 580 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 ideal for those who prioritize driving dynamics.

• Avg. market price: $13,676 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 22 hwy
• Inventory: 491 listings
• View Sport 4WD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT

With 1,512 active listings, the XLT is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLT listings

Best Budget Option — Police Interceptor Utility AWD

At $8,820 avg market price — below the lineup median of $11,630 — 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 September 17, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 9.02% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,242 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2016 Ford Explorer a good car?

Generally — 4.26/5 from owners and 6.83/10 from expert testing points to a solid overall showing. The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

Owners repeatedly praise the spacious interior, smooth ride, strong performance, handling, and comfort. The review summary also points to the Sport model’s power and features as especially appealing, while the Explorer’s refreshed styling and broader equipment list make it a better fit if you want a more polished midsize SUV with family-friendly space.

With 31.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

The review summary also points to a generally dependable ownership experience for many drivers, even though some mention reliability and quality concerns. The expert commentary adds that historically, reliability has not been a standout strength for this nameplate, so you should treat a clean maintenance record as especially important.

If you’re buying used, the main long-term risk is ending up with a well-equipped example that looks good on paper but has been worn by inconsistent upkeep or unresolved quality issues.

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

At 63.6% 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 thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing has any accident history or incomplete service records. Pay close attention to body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the equipment on the vehicle matches the trim level you expect. Because this model’s safety story includes a notable crash-test weakness, condition and documentation matter even more than usual.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Explorer starts with the standard V6 and front-wheel drive, while higher trims add more equipment and the Sport and Platinum versions bring the twin-turbo V6, standard all-wheel drive, and a more upscale or performance-focused feel. The base trim is the one most likely to leave you wanting more convenience and luxury features.
• Powertrain: You can choose among a standard 3.5-liter V6, a turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder, and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 in Sport and Platinum models. The 2.3-liter is the efficiency play, while the twin-turbo V6 delivers the strongest output but uses more fuel and requires premium fuel for maximum performance.
• Safety package: Available driver assistance includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support, plus blind-spot warning. The source also notes 911 Assist and inflatable rear seat belts. The forward-collision system uses brake support rather than automatic emergency braking.
• Infotainment: The Explorer does not get Sync 3 for 2016, and it continues with MyFord Touch instead. The source does not provide a screen size, wireless smartphone integration, or over-the-air update capability.
• Fuel efficiency: The standard 3.5-liter V6 returns 20 mpg with front-wheel drive and 19 mpg with all-wheel drive. The turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder is expected to get 22 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive form, while the twin-turbo V6 is rated at 18 mpg combined.

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 gives you the core Explorer formula without the extra equipment that makes the higher trims feel more polished. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but it is also the trim most likely to feel sparse compared with the others.
• XLT: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it sits in the middle of the lineup and should give you a better balance of equipment and price than the base trim. If you want a practical family SUV without stretching into luxury pricing, this is the trim to focus on first.
• Limited: This trim is the better pick if you want a more upscale feel and more comfort-oriented equipment than the lower trims. It suits you if you plan to keep the Explorer for a while and want the cabin to feel more premium day to day.
• Sport: This is the one to choose if you care most about stronger performance and a more distinctive personality. The source describes it as especially memorable, with the twin-turbo V6 and a more aggressive setup that should appeal if you want the Explorer to feel quicker and more engaging.

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

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,242 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.02% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $12,027, 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 $12,029 sits slightly below last year's $13,221.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can be helpful if you’re buying now but less favorable if you’re planning to sell soon. If you own one, the softer pricing trend means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment. Well-kept examples with desirable trims and clean history should still draw attention, but the broader market is not rewarding average-condition vehicles as strongly as it did a year ago.

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 receives 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 equipment includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support, blind-spot warning, 911 Assist, and inflatable rear seat belts. The caution flag here is the Marginal small-overlap result, which is a meaningful weakness for a family-oriented SUV and a good reason to inspect crash history and safety equipment carefully before you buy.

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:

• 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 63.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.02% 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 and more efficient engine option, and a new Platinum luxury trim level.

The bottom line: The 2016 Explorer makes sense if you want the refreshed styling and broader feature set, especially at today’s softer prices. If you’re highly price-sensitive, you may still find better value by shopping carefully and prioritizing clean-history examples with the equipment you actually want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.