Used 2016 Ford Explorer for Sale near South 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 $8,677
• 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: $10,998 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 285 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: $8,677 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 610 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: $11,646 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 179 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: $11,596 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,470 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 extra features. It's ideal for those needing versatility.

• Avg. market price: $11,649 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 1,056 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 premium experience with advanced features without going for the top-tier trim. It's well-equipped for comfort.

• Avg. market price: $11,950 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 682 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: $12,173 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 572 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: $13,818 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 22 hwy
• Inventory: 497 listings
• View Sport 4WD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT

With 1,470 active listings, the XLT is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLT listings

Best Budget Option — Police Interceptor Utility AWD

At $8,677 avg market price — below the lineup median of $11,647 — 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 MPG city and 24 MPG highway.

Browse Base listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 9.38% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 4,207 listings available, you have a solid amount of inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $12,132.66, 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 — 4.26/5 from owners suggests you’re looking at a model that many shoppers have been happy to live with. The expert score is 6.83/10, which points to a vehicle that is appealing but not class-leading.

The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the spacious interior, smooth ride, and strong performance, and they also call out the comfort and handling. In practical terms, that lines up well with the Explorer’s role as a roomy three-row SUV for families who want a polished daily driver with plenty of capability.

At the same time, the overview points to fuel-efficiency concerns and missing features such as navigation, so your best fit is if you value space, comfort, and power more than running costs or the latest tech. With 30.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

The owner summary also points to a generally dependable, trouble-free experience for many drivers, even though some mention reliability and quality concerns. The expert review adds that reliability has not historically impressed owners, which is a reminder that condition matters a lot on the used market.

Ford also notes that several companies consider this midsize crossover slightly better than average in ownership costs, and the standard 3.5-liter V6 is described as the most cost-effective engine choice. For used buyers, that means you should pay close attention to maintenance records and overall wear, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example.

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

At 62.8% 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 on body structure, alignment, and signs of prior repair. Focus on overall condition rather than just mileage, since accident history and maintenance quality can matter more than the odometer on a family SUV like this.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Explorer is the least expensive entry point, while the Sport and Platinum trims add a more upscale look and more equipment. The base trim is the one most likely to leave you wanting more if you care about convenience and premium features.
• Powertrain: You can choose from a standard 3.5-liter V6, a turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder, or a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 in the Sport and Platinum models. The turbo 4-cylinder is the efficiency play, while the twin-turbo V6 delivers the strongest output but also the highest fuel-cost burden.
• Safety package: Available driver aids include blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support, and parking-assist technology. Some of these features are tied to option packages rather than every trim, so verify exactly what the vehicle has.
• Infotainment: The Explorer can be fitted with a navigation system, smart-charging USB ports, and front and rear camera systems with washers. It does not get the newer Sync 3 system for this model year, so make sure the existing interface works well for you.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA estimates include 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined for the twin-turbo V6, 22 mpg combined for the turbo 2.3-liter 4-cylinder in front-wheel-drive form, and 20 mpg combined for the standard 3.5-liter V6 with front-wheel drive or 19 mpg combined with all-wheel drive.

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 core space and utility at the lowest price. It’s the trim to target if you’re shopping on budget and can live without the richer feature content found higher up.
• XLT: This is the best-value choice for most used buyers because it sits in the middle of the lineup and is the most likely place to balance price, equipment, and everyday usefulness. If you want a smarter buy than the base model without stretching into luxury pricing, this is the trim to focus on.
• Limited: This trim is the better pick if you want a more upscale feel and more comfort-oriented equipment. It suits you if you plan to keep the SUV for family duty and want a nicer cabin without jumping all the way to the top-end models.
• Sport: This is the choice if you want the strongest performance character and a more aggressive appearance. It adds the twin-turbo V6 and a sportier setup, so it makes the most sense if driving feel matters more to you than fuel economy.

Safety-package features such as blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning with brake support may depend on option content, so check each vehicle carefully before you buy.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient and compare condition closely.

• Deal availability: 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,207 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.38% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $12,132.66, 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 $12,121 sits slightly below last year's $13,375.

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 SUV for a while. For a future seller, it also means resale upside may be more limited unless the vehicle is especially clean, well maintained, and well equipped.

Because the Explorer still draws steady shopper interest, a well-kept example should remain easier to move than a neglected one. 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 content highlights adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support, blind-spot warning, and 911 Assist after airbag deployment. It also notes that the optional forward-collision warning system uses brake support rather than automatic emergency braking, and that the Explorer did not receive structural upgrades for this refresh to improve the small-overlap result.

That combination means you should pay close attention to the exact safety equipment on the vehicle you’re considering, but also remember that the crash-test shortcoming is a real caveat for this model year.

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 62.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.38% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.26/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 refresh brought updated styling, more available features, a new 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 when you can find a clean example at a strong price. If you’re more price-sensitive, you can still shop carefully and focus on condition, but the best move is to prioritize a well-documented vehicle with the equipment you actually want rather than chasing the cheapest listing.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.