Used 2021 Ford Explorer for Sale nearDurham, NC

Compare 2021 Ford Explorer Trims in Durham, NC

The 2021 Ford Explorer offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to fully loaded models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $18,998
• 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 spacious SUV with great value without paying for all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $23,018 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 132 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 price point.

• Avg. market price: $23,017 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 376 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 designed for law enforcement without the luxury features.

• Avg. market price: $23,966 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 45 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Limited RWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV without the AWD price premium.

• Avg. market price: $18,998 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 42 listings
• View Limited RWD listings

Timberline AWD — "Who It's For"

The Timberline AWD is the pick for shoppers who want off-road capability without going for the highest trims.

• Avg. market price: $23,966 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 38 listings
• View Timberline AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty SUV with luxury features and all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $24,844 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 110 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 high performance and sporty features without sacrificing space.

• Avg. market price: $27,298 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 227 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 most luxurious features and comfort in the Explorer lineup.

• Avg. market price: $25,337 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 128 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 376 active listings, the XLT AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLT AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Limited RWD

At $18,998 avg market price — below the lineup median of $23,966 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Limited RWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — XLT RWD

The XLT RWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup at 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 11.36% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 8,013 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

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’s balance of performance, comfort, and luxury features, along with its spacious interior, powerful engine, and high-tech features. That lines up well with its use-case as a three-row SUV for families who want room without giving up driving enjoyment.

The main trade-offs are its cheap-feeling interior materials and the fact that advanced safety features are not standard. Even so, the Explorer’s broad appeal comes from its mix of capability, space, and everyday usability.

Good and great deals account for 34.8% of listings, so there is still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable in daily use, with praise centered on comfort, performance, and features that make it easy to live with over time. That kind of response usually suggests you can count on the Explorer to deliver the ownership experience buyers expect from a family SUV.

The expert evaluation also emphasizes that the Explorer is built around practical capability and broad usefulness, which supports confidence in long-term ownership. For used buyers, the main risk is less about the concept and more about finding one that has been maintained well and not worn hard.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any specific listing, because accident-free inventory is a market-wide percentage, not a guarantee for the vehicle you’re considering. A pre-purchase inspection should focus on interior condition, electronics, and signs of heavy family use, since those are the areas most likely to show wear in a three-row SUV. It also makes sense to compare trims carefully, because the Explorer’s equipment changes meaningfully as you move up the lineup.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model comes with cloth upholstery, 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 base-trim shoppers should pay close attention to comfort and finish differences.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the Limited Hybrid increases output to 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 that 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. 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, a 4G WiFi hotspot for up to 10 devices, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims add a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen system, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and up to 14 speakers.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.3-liter EcoBoost with rear-wheel drive is rated at 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, or 24 mpg combined. With all-wheel drive, those figures drop 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 value entry point, and it already 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 lowest-cost way into the Explorer and can live without the nicer cabin materials and extra convenience features.
• XLT: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen without jumping too far up the price ladder. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the one to focus on.
• Limited: This is the trim to target if you want leather upholstery and access to the more advanced Co-Pilot360 Assist+ safety features. It also brings a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and HD radio, making it a strong choice for buyers who want a more upscale daily driver.
• Limited Hybrid: Choose this if fuel economy matters more than outright performance, since it delivers the best efficiency in the lineup. It keeps the Explorer formula intact while giving you the hybrid drivetrain option.
• Explorer ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. It suits you best if you want the most engaging driving experience in the lineup and are willing to accept the worst fuel economy.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-leaning top trim, with leather standard and the most premium feel in the lineup. It makes sense if you want the most upscale Explorer and are comfortable paying for it.

The safety package starts with Co-Pilot360 on every trim, but Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is reserved for at least the Limited.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it pays to compare listings carefully and move quickly on strong examples.

• Deal availability: 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,013 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.36% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,475, 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 $23,475 sits slightly below last year's $26,483.

That price movement suggests the Explorer has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price today. If you shop carefully now, you may have less downside left than a buyer who paid closer to last year’s average.

The Explorer’s broad appeal and strong owner satisfaction can help support demand when it’s time to sell. 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 five-star ratings from NHTSA.

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 step up to at least the Limited trim.

The main caveat is that some of the more helpful driver-assistance features are not standard across the lineup, so you need to shop carefully if safety tech 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:

• 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.36% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines multiple powertrains, strong handling, and a spacious third row.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,615, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $23,475 average.
• It brings an all-new chassis, upgraded tech, and hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,505, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,475 average.
• It broadens trim choices with ST-Line, Timberline, and King Ranch.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, inventory, and owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the primary path to consider. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering the redesigned Explorer formula. If you want more trim variety and are willing to pay more, the 2022 is the better step up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.