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 $8,847
• 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: $10,120 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 270 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: $8,847 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 687 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Base 4WD — "Who It's For"

The Base 4WD is the pick for shoppers who want the benefits of AWD without the frills of higher trims. It's a practical choice for varied terrains.

• Avg. market price: $11,424 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 189 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 stepping up to the more expensive trims. It's the most popular choice.

• Avg. market price: $11,447 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,484 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: $11,498 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 1,007 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLT 4WD listings

Limited — "Who It's For"

The Limited is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and comfort without going for the highest-priced trims. It's a great balance of features and price.

• Avg. market price: $12,009 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 692 listings
• View Limited listings

Limited 4WD — "Who It's For"

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

• Avg. market price: $12,076 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 519 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 advanced features. It's ideal for those who prioritize driving dynamics.

• Avg. market price: $13,081 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 22 hwy
• Inventory: 489 listings
• View Sport 4WD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT

With 1,484 active listings, the XLT is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLT listings

Best Budget Option — Police Interceptor Utility AWD

At $8,847 avg market price — below the lineup median of $11,472 — 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 / 24 MPG highway.

Browse Base listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 9.30% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,965 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 4.3/5 user rating and a 6.8/10 expert rating, so you’re looking at a model that lands in the solid-but-not-class-leading range. The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

Drivers consistently praise the spacious interior, smooth ride, and strong performance, and they also call out the comfort and handling, especially in the Sport model. The refreshed styling and added features help it feel more upscale and more appealing for family use, while the overview also points to a roomy, practical crossover setup that fits everyday hauling needs.

At the same time, some owners still mention fuel economy concerns and missing features such as navigation, so the appeal is strongest if you value space, comfort, and performance more than efficiency or the latest tech. 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 4.3/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a vehicle that many drivers find dependable and trouble-free enough to recommend for everyday use, especially when you factor in the spacious cabin, smooth ride, and strong performance that owners repeatedly mention. The expert test-drive notes also describe the Explorer as a practical family hauler with comfortable and practical interior traits, which supports the idea that it can be a long-term companion if maintained well.

That said, some owners do raise reliability and quality concerns, so you should pay close attention to service history and overall condition before you commit. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is ending up with a well-worn example that has been neglected or has unresolved issues.

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

At 63.1% 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 or repair history. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, and signs of prior structural or cosmetic work, since those clues can tell you a lot about how the SUV was treated.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Explorer lineup spans from the base model to the Platinum trim, and the Sport model adds a blacked-out appearance, while the Platinum brings the luxury-oriented top-end treatment. Base versions are more stripped down, so you should compare equipment carefully if you want features like heated and ventilated front seats, navigation, or a hands-free power liftgate.
• Powertrain: You can find a standard 290-hp 3.5-liter V6, a new turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder with 280 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque in Sport and Platinum models. The 2.3-liter is the efficiency-minded option, while the standard V6 may be the more cost-effective choice because it avoids the premium-fuel requirement tied to the turbo engines.
• Safety package: Available driver-assistance equipment includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support, blind-spot warning, and Enhanced Active Park Assist with Park Out Assist. Some of these features are optional rather than standard, so you should confirm exactly what the specific vehicle has.
• Infotainment: The Explorer does not get Sync 3 for 2016, and it continues with MyFord Touch instead. Available tech includes smart-charging USB ports, front and rear camera systems with washers, and a front camera with a 180-degree view.
• 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 in combined driving in front-wheel-drive versions. The twin-turbo V6 is rated at 18 mpg combined and requires premium fuel.

Which 2016 Ford Explorer trim should I buy?

The 2016 Ford Explorer is offered in 5 trim levels: base Explorer, XLT, Limited, Sport, Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• base Explorer: This is the entry point, so it makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the Explorer lineup and are comfortable giving up some of the nicer convenience and luxury features found higher up.
• XLT: This is the trim to target if you want a better balance of equipment and value, since it sits above the base model without pushing you into the pricier luxury end of the range.
• Limited: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it moves you closer to the well-equipped side of the lineup without jumping all the way to the Sport or Platinum.
• Sport: Choose this if you want the more aggressive character, stronger performance feel, and blacked-out appearance that set it apart from the family-focused trims.
• Platinum: Pick this if you want the most upscale version of the Explorer, since it is the luxury-oriented top trim.

The safety content also notes that the optional forward-collision warning system uses brake support rather than automatic emergency braking, so you should verify which driver-assistance features are actually installed on the vehicle you’re considering.

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

This is a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,965 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.30% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,675, 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 $11,675 sits slightly below last year's $12,872.

That price movement suggests the Explorer has softened enough to create a more buyer-friendly entry point today, but it also means future sellers may face a market that is still adjusting downward. If you buy well and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you can help protect your position when it’s time to resell.

The Explorer’s broad appeal as a family SUV helps support demand, especially because shoppers still value its space, comfort, and performance. Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.3/5, 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 includes features such as 911 Assist, inflatable rear seat belts, and available forward-collision warning with brake support, but the safety story is weakened by the Marginal small-overlap result. That matters because the test-drive summary specifically calls out Ford’s failure to improve the structure during the refresh, and the optional forward-collision warning system does not add automatic emergency braking.

For used buyers, that means you should pay close attention to the exact safety equipment on the vehicle you’re considering and not assume every Explorer has the same protection or driver-assistance setup.

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:

• 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 63.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.30% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 refresh brought updated styling, more available features, a new and more efficient engine option, and a new Platinum luxury trim level.

The bottom line: The 2016 is the right pick if you want the refreshed styling and broader feature set while shopping in a softer used market. If you’re especially price-sensitive, a nearby year may still make sense, but the 2016 gives you the benefit of the update without moving too far up in cost.

How does the 2016 Ford Explorer compare to the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.