How much does the 2021 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 11.28% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 8,250 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare. If you find a listing below $24,111.38, 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 its balance of performance, comfort, and luxury features, along with the spacious interior and high-tech features. The Explorer also stands out for its multiple powertrain options and great handling, which help it feel more versatile than many three-row SUVs.

The trade-offs are worth keeping in mind: the interior materials are described as feeling cheap, and advanced safety features are not standard. For you, that means the Explorer makes the most sense if you want a roomy family hauler with broad appeal and can live with some material-quality compromises.

With 32.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, there are still some attractive opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

Owners also describe it as a vehicle they appreciate for its balance of performance, comfort, and luxury features, which points to a generally dependable ownership experience. The Explorer’s broad appeal and strong owner enthusiasm suggest you can count on it to satisfy family-duty expectations over time.

Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite adds to the sense of everyday confidence, and the model’s overall package is built to serve as a long-term family SUV. For used buyers, the main ownership risk is less about outright durability and more about making sure the specific vehicle has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by heavy family use.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper vehicle-by-vehicle review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on interior wear, electronics, and any signs of hard use, since the cabin materials are a known weak point. It also makes sense to compare trims closely, because some of the most helpful safety and convenience features are not standard on every version.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model comes with cloth upholstery and a simpler equipment set, while higher trims add nicer finishes and more comfort features. The base trim also misses some of the more helpful driver-assistance equipment that appears on higher trims.
• Powertrain: You can choose from multiple powertrain options, including a turbocharged four-cylinder, a hybrid V6, and a twin-turbo V6. The lineup ranges from efficient to much more powerful, so your choice should depend on whether you care more about fuel economy, towing, or stronger acceleration.
• 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+ adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering, evasive steering assist, a forward sensing system, rain-sensing front wipers, and speed sign recognition, and it requires at least the Limited trim.
• Infotainment: The standard setup uses an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford’s Sync 3 system, voice recognition, SiriusXM, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims add a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen, more speakers, and wireless charging.
• Fuel efficiency: The rear-wheel-drive turbo-four returns 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, while all-wheel drive drops those figures by 1 mpg across the board. The Limited Hybrid is the efficiency leader at 27 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, while the ST is the least efficient at 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 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 most stripped-down version, with cloth upholstery and fewer comfort upgrades than the higher trims. It still gets the core safety suite, but you miss some of the more helpful driver-assistance features reserved for higher trims.
• Sweet-spot trim: The XLT is the volume choice and adds better equipment like a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen. It looks like the best balance of value and everyday usability.
• Premium/top trim: The Platinum brings the most upscale feel, with leather standard and the richest feature set in the lineup. It is the trim to target if you want the most luxury-oriented Explorer.
• Off-road trim: The Timberline is not the best fit if you mainly want a daily driver, since the lineup already has plenty of road-focused alternatives.

The safety package is strongest once you move up to at least the Limited trim, where Co-Pilot360 Assist+ becomes available.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,250 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.28% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $24,111.38, 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 $24,109 sits slightly below last year's $27,174.

That price decline suggests the Explorer has become more buyer-friendly in the used market, which can help you if you’re shopping now. For a future seller, it also means you should expect more competition when it’s time to list, especially if your vehicle is not especially well equipped or well maintained.

The good news is that strong owner satisfaction can help support demand over time. A model year with a 5/5 owner rating tends to stay appealing to shoppers who want a proven family SUV.

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.

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 most helpful safety technology is not standard on every trim, so you need to shop carefully if those features matter to you.

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:

• 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.28% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines multiple powertrain choices with strong handling and a roomy third row.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,389, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,109 average.
• It brings an all-new chassis, added technology, and hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $28,488, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $24,109 average.
• It broadens the lineup with more trim choices and a wider appeal.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of price, safety, and family-friendly versatility, the 2021 is the primary path to consider. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering the Explorer’s core strengths.

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