How much does the 2021 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 10.87% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 8,195 listings available, which suggests solid inventory availability.

If you find a listing below $24,117.41, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Ford Explorer earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating.

The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the Explorer for its balance of performance, comfort, and luxury features, and they also like the spacious interior, powerful engine, and high-tech features. The trade-offs are familiar: gas mileage and ride comfort draw some criticism, and the interior materials are described as feeling cheap. For you, that means the Explorer makes the most sense if you want a roomy three-row SUV with broad family appeal and strong capability rather than the most polished cabin in the class.

The market also looks reasonably supportive, with 29.2% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

Owners’ feedback points to a dependable-feeling ownership experience, with repeated praise for the Explorer’s balance of performance, comfort, and luxury features. The review summary also highlights the powerful engine and high-tech features, which tends to reinforce confidence in day-to-day use. On the expert side, the Explorer’s performance content emphasizes that each trim uses the same 10-speed automatic transmission, which supports a consistent mechanical setup across the lineup.

Ford also includes a broad set of standard safety technology, which can help reduce stress in regular use. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright satisfaction and more about choosing a well-kept example, since higher-mileage SUVs can vary a lot in condition and maintenance history.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Ford Explorer?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status is only one part of the picture. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the cabin, electronics, and how the SUV drives over rough pavement. Since the Explorer’s appeal depends heavily on family usability, pay close attention to seat condition, third-row wear, and whether the features you want are actually present on the specific trim you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup ranges from a base trim to XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, Explorer ST, and Platinum. The base model uses cloth upholstery, while the XLT adds a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen. You’ll need to move up to the Limited trim for leather upholstery, so base-trim shoppers should expect a more basic cabin.
• Powertrain: The base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the Limited Hybrid uses a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft. Higher trims use a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 with 365 hp and 380 lb-ft, and the ST raises output to 400 hp and 415 lb-ft.
• Safety package: Every Explorer includes Ford Co-Pilot360 with auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist and alert, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. The more advanced Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite is reserved for at least the Limited trim and adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, evasive steering assist, a forward sensing system, rain-sensing front wipers, and speed sign recognition.
• Infotainment: The standard setup is an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford’s Sync 3 system with voice recognition, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 4G WiFi hotspot for up to 10 devices, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims add a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen system, HD radio, and eventually a 10.1-inch touchscreen with up to 14 speakers.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.3-liter EcoBoost with rear-wheel drive returns 21 mpg highway, 28 mpg city, and 24 mpg combined. With all-wheel drive, those figures drop by 1 mpg across the board. The ST posts 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined, while the Limited Hybrid delivers 27 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Ford Explorer trim should I buy?

The 2021 Ford Explorer is offered in 6 trim levels: base trim, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, Explorer ST, and Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• base trim: This is the least expensive way into the Explorer, and it still gives you three rows, an 8-inch touchscreen, wired smartphone integration, and the full Co-Pilot360 safety suite. It makes sense if you want the core family-SUV package and can live without the nicer cabin materials and extra convenience features found higher up.
• XLT: This is the volume choice, and it adds a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen. It looks like the best-value trim for many shoppers because it improves the day-to-day experience without pushing you into the pricier luxury-oriented models.
• Limited: This is the trim to target if you want a more upscale feel, since it brings leather upholstery and unlocks the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ safety suite. It also adds a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and HD radio, making it the sweet spot for buyers who want more comfort and tech.
• Limited Hybrid: Choose this if fuel economy matters more than outright performance, since it pairs the hybrid drivetrain with the Limited’s equipment level. It gives you the most efficient Explorer setup while keeping the more premium cabin and feature content.
• Explorer ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the strongest engine output and the most engaging driving experience in the lineup. It also gets leather upholstery and a 110-volt AC power outlet, so it suits you best if you want the quickest Explorer rather than the most efficient one.
• Platinum: This is the top-end luxury trim, and it’s the one for you if you want the most upscale look and feel in the lineup. It sits at the top of the price range, so it makes the most sense if you’re prioritizing equipment and presentation over value.

The safety-package step-up to Co-Pilot360 Assist+ starts at the Limited trim, so that’s the key cutoff if advanced driver assistance matters to you.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Ford Explorer?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find opportunities.

• Deal availability: 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,195 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.87% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $24,117.41, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Ford Explorer's resale value?

The current average of $24,120 sits slightly below last year's $27,062.

That price movement suggests the Explorer has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. If you choose a well-equipped trim with strong demand, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss when it’s time to sell. The broad family appeal, strong owner satisfaction, and steady market interest all help support demand over time.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Ford Explorer safe?

The Ford Explorer is rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and it achieved top “Good” scores on all of its crash tests, with an “Acceptable” rating for adaptive headlights.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Every Explorer comes with Ford Co-Pilot360, which includes auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist and alert, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. If you want the more advanced Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite, you need to move up to at least the Limited trim, where you also get adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering, evasive steering assist, a forward sensing system, rain-sensing front wipers, and speed sign recognition.

The main safety caveat is that some of the more helpful driver-assistance features are not standard on every trim, so you need to verify the exact equipment on the used example you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2021 Ford Explorer or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.87% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines multiple powertrains with strong handling and a roomy third row.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,283, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,120 average.
• It brings an all-new chassis, more technology, and hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $28,347, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $24,120 average.
• It broadens the lineup with ST-Line, Timberline, and King Ranch trims.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, satisfaction, and market availability, the 2021 is the sensible target. If you’re focused on saving money, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want a newer-feeling lineup with expanded trim choices, the 2022 is worth the extra spend.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.