Used 2016 Ford Explorer for Sale near South Carolina

Compare 2016 Ford Explorer Trims

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

• Starting at $8,638
• 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: $10,313 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 293 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.

• Avg. market price: $8,638 (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 the versatility of AWD without stepping up to a higher trim level.

• Avg. market price: $11,436 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 192 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 and a good selection of options.

• Avg. market price: $11,931 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,494 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's features with the added benefit of all-wheel drive for better handling.

• Avg. market price: $11,573 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 1,014 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 more luxurious experience with advanced features and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $11,947 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 712 listings
• View Limited listings

Limited 4WD — "Who It's For"

The Limited 4WD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features combined with all-wheel drive for enhanced performance.

• Avg. market price: $12,023 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 509 listings
• View Limited 4WD listings

Sport 4WD — "Who It's For"

The Sport 4WD is the pick for shoppers who want a powerful engine and sporty features for a more dynamic driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $13,157 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 22 hwy
• Inventory: 494 listings
• View Sport 4WD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT

With 1,494 active listings, the XLT is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLT listings

Best Budget Option — Police Interceptor Utility AWD

At $8,638 avg market price — below the lineup median of $11,752 — 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 October 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 8.82% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,125 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of used Explorers to compare.

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

Drivers consistently praise the spacious interior, smooth ride, strong performance, comfort, and handling. The overview also points to a roomy family layout and upgraded features, which helps explain why this model year appeals to shoppers who want a practical midsize SUV with a more polished feel. At the same time, some owners mention fuel-economy frustrations and missing features such as navigation.

With 30.1% of listings priced as good or great deals, you have room to shop selectively and still find competitive pricing.

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 enough for family use, with repeated praise for comfort, space, and everyday usability. The expert review also notes that Ford’s refresh improved the Explorer’s appeal without fully fixing one of its core weaknesses, and it specifically says reliability has not historically impressed owners. The cost-effectiveness discussion adds that ownership costs are viewed as slightly better than average, but that reliability has been a concern in owner surveys.

If you’re buying used, that means you should pay close attention to maintenance history and overall condition, because long-term ownership risk is more about individual vehicle care than the model’s broad appeal.

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

At 64% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle-history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection matters here, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with a long option list. Focus on body condition, signs of uneven wear, and whether the equipment you want is actually present and functioning.

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 strongest power and standard all-wheel drive. The base setup is the one most likely to leave you wanting more features, so compare equipment carefully before you buy.
• Powertrain: You can choose from a standard 290-hp 3.5-liter V6, a turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder with better efficiency, or a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 in the Sport and Platinum models. The standard V6 is the most cost-conscious choice, while the turbo engines trade more power for higher fuel and ownership costs.
• Safety package: Ford offers adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support, plus blind-spot warning on better-equipped versions. The safety content also notes a small-overlap frontal-impact weakness, so trim and equipment choices do not erase the need to check crash history and condition carefully.
• Infotainment: The Explorer uses the older MyFord Touch system rather than Sync 3, so you should test the screen responsiveness and button layout before buying. Available tech includes smart-charging USB ports, front and rear camera systems, 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 combined in front-wheel-drive versions. The twin-turbo V6 in the Sport 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: Explorer, XLT, Limited, Sport, Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• Explorer: This is the entry point, and it makes sense if you want the Explorer’s space and core capability at the lowest price. It’s the trim to target if you care more about value than extras.
• XLT: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds more everyday convenience without pushing you into the pricier luxury or performance versions. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, start here.
• Limited: Choose this if you want a more upscale feel and more comfort-focused equipment than the lower trims provide. It suits you if you plan to keep the SUV for family duty and want a nicer cabin.
• Sport: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the strongest attitude and the most engaging powertrain setup in the lineup. It makes sense if you care more about acceleration and road feel than fuel economy.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-oriented top trim, and it’s the one to consider if you want the most premium version of the Explorer. It’s the right pick if you want the richest feature set and are willing to pay for it.

The safety content also makes clear that the Explorer’s small-overlap frontal-impact weakness remains a concern across the lineup, so trim choice should not replace a careful inspection and history check.

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

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient and compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,125 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.82% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 64.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,797, 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 $11,797 sits slightly below last year's $12,938.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer but may limit upside if you’re thinking like a seller. If you own one now, the softer pricing means your resale value depends more on condition, mileage, and equipment than on broad market momentum. Well-kept examples with desirable features should still draw attention, but average-condition vehicles may need sharper pricing to move.

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 receives a Marginal rating in the IIHS small-overlap frontal-impact test.

It earns a 5/10 safety score from our experts.

Ford includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and brake support on equipped versions, along with blind-spot warning, 911 Assist, and inflatable rear seat belts. The problem is that the safety content also highlights the Explorer’s unchanged structural weakness in the small-overlap test, and the forward-collision system uses brake support rather than automatic emergency braking. That means you should not assume a loaded trim fully solves the model’s safety shortcomings.

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 64% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.82% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — 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: 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 discounted price. If you’re more price-sensitive, a nearby model year may still work, but the 2016 is the better pick when you want the updated look and equipment without paying new-car money.

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

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