Used 2021 Ford Explorer for Sale near California

Compare 2021 Ford Explorer Trims

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

• Starting at $15,879
• Best MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Most Popular: XLT AWD

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

XLT RWD — "Who It's For"

The XLT RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV without paying for AWD. It's a great value option in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $20,295 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,826 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLT RWD listings

XLT AWD — "Who It's For"

The XLT AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive capability without stepping up to a higher trim. It's the most popular choice in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $22,586 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 7,728 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLT AWD listings

Police Interceptor Utility AWD — "Who It's For"

The Police Interceptor Utility AWD is the pick for shoppers who need a rugged vehicle for fleet use without the frills. It's the most budget-friendly option.

• Avg. market price: $15,879 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 645 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Limited RWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a balance of luxury and practicality without the AWD price premium.

• Avg. market price: $21,329 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 641 listings
• View Limited RWD listings

Timberline AWD — "Who It's For"

The Timberline AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty SUV with off-road capabilities.

• Avg. market price: $24,989 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 632 listings
• View Timberline AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features combined with all-wheel drive capability.

• Avg. market price: $22,995 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,859 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Limited AWD listings

ST AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a high-performance SUV with sporty features.

• Avg. market price: $29,714 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,873 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the ultimate luxury experience in an SUV.

• Avg. market price: $28,799 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,632 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,728 active listings, the XLT AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLT AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Police Interceptor Utility AWD

At $15,879 avg market price — below the lineup median of $22,790 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — XLT RWD

The XLT RWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 21/28 MPG.

Browse XLT RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 11.12% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 8,022 listings available, you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

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 its balance of performance, comfort, and luxury features, along with the spacious interior and high-tech features. The Explorer’s practical appeal is strongest if you want family-friendly space without giving up driving enjoyment, and the broad powertrain lineup adds to that flexibility.

The trade-offs are worth keeping in mind: the interior materials feel cheap, and gas mileage and ride comfort come up as concerns. The Explorer also faces plenty of competition, so its value depends on whether you prioritize room, capability, and road manners over a more polished cabin.

At 35.4% good or great deals, there’s enough market softness to make shopping selective rather than rushed.

Is the 2021 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

Owners describe it as dependable and trouble-free in the ways that matter most for everyday use, with praise centered on its performance, comfort, and long-term appeal. The expert evaluation also points to a solid, well-rounded package that should feel familiar and easy to live with over time.

Ford’s maintenance and ownership costs are part of the equation, so you should still pay close attention to service history and wear items on any used example. For long-term ownership, the biggest risk is buying one that has been neglected or heavily used without proper documentation.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the vehicle has higher mileage or incomplete service records. Focus on cabin condition, tire wear, brake feel, and any signs that the vehicle has been used hard or poorly maintained.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model comes with cloth upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen, while the XLT adds a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen. The Limited brings leather upholstery, and the ST and Platinum also get leather, so the lower trims are where you’ll feel the biggest feature gap.
• Powertrain: You get a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, a Limited Hybrid with 310 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, or a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 with 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The ST raises output to 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.
• 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. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ 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, SiriusXM satellite radio, Ford Sync 3 with voice recognition, and a 4G WiFi hotspot for up to 10 devices. Higher trims move to a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and the Limited adds a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.3-liter EcoBoost with rear-wheel drive is rated at 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, while all-wheel drive drops those figures by 1 mpg across the board. The ST returns 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined, while the Limited Hybrid is rated at 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 already gives you three rows, an 8-inch touchscreen, and the full Co-Pilot360 safety suite. It makes sense if you want the lowest entry price and can live without the nicer cabin materials and extra convenience features.
• XLT: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it’s the volume seller and adds a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the one to target.
• Limited: This is the trim to choose if you want a more upscale feel, since it adds leather upholstery and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. It also unlocks the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ safety features, which makes it a strong pick if you want more comfort and more driver assistance.
• Limited Hybrid: Choose this if fuel economy matters more than outright performance, since it delivers the best efficiency in the lineup. It suits buyers who want Explorer space and flexibility with lower fuel use.
• Explorer ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, plus the most engaging driving experience in the lineup. It’s the right pick if you want the strongest acceleration and don’t mind the worst fuel economy.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-leaning top trim, and it’s the one to buy if you want the most premium version of the Explorer. It sits at the top of the range, so it’s best for shoppers who care most about features and finish rather than value.

The safety-package note to keep in mind is that the more helpful Co-Pilot360 Assist+ features start at the Limited trim, so lower trims miss some of the best driver-assistance tech.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find room to negotiate.

• Deal availability: 35.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,022 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.12% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,573, 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 $23,573 sits slightly below last year's $26,523.

That price movement suggests the Explorer has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stabilizes. If you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss when it’s time to sell.

The flip side is that a softer market can also cap resale upside if competition stays strong. Well-kept examples with desirable equipment should still draw interest, but condition and trim will matter a lot.

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 earns 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+ features, you need to move up to at least the Limited trim.

The main caveat is that some of the more helpful safety tech is not standard on every trim, so you need to shop carefully if driver assistance is a priority.

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:

• 35.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.12% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines multiple powertrain options, great handling, and a spacious third row.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,687, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $23,573 average.
• It adds hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,612, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,573 average.
• It broadens the trim lineup with ST-Line, Timberline, and King Ranch.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right pick if you want the strongest mix of price, safety, and family-friendly versatility. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 makes sense only if you want to pay more for the expanded trim strategy and newer-market positioning.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.