Used 2021 Ford Explorer for Sale near Iowa

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 $16,166
• 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 also the best value in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $19,815 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,823 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 without stepping up to a higher trim. It's the most popular choice among buyers.

• Avg. market price: $22,574 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 7,585 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 utility purposes without the frills of luxury trims.

• Avg. market price: $16,166 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 687 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 added cost of AWD.

• Avg. market price: $21,065 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 622 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 without sacrificing comfort.

• Avg. market price: $25,044 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 644 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-weather capability without going for the highest trim.

• Avg. market price: $22,956 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,888 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 compromising on space and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $29,263 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,907 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 without sacrificing performance.

• Avg. market price: $28,170 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,684 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,585 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 $16,166 avg market price — below the lineup median of $22,765 — 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 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 11.16% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 7,963 listings available, which suggests you should have a healthy set of options 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 spacious interior, powerful engine, and high-tech features. The Explorer also fits buyers who want a three-row SUV with family-friendly space and a more engaging driving feel than many rivals.

The trade-offs are the cheap-feeling interior materials and the fact that advanced safety features are not standard. That means you may need to shop carefully if you want the best-equipped version.

At 34.6% good or great deals, the market still offers some room to find a strong value if you compare listings closely.

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, with praise for its balance of performance, comfort, and luxury features. Reviewers also highlight the spacious interior and high-tech equipment, which supports the sense that this is a model you can count on over time.

The expert test-drive notes reinforce that impression by emphasizing the Explorer’s broad capability and everyday usefulness. It also mentions that the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure you choose a well-kept example, since higher-mileage three-row SUVs can vary a lot in wear.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any listing you like, even if it appears clean at first glance. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important on a three-row SUV, where interior wear, electronics, and suspension condition can vary widely. Focus on how the cabin, tech, and seating surfaces have held up, since those are the areas you’ll live with every day.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model comes with cloth upholstery, while the XLT adds better equipment like a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen. You need to move up to the Limited trim for leather upholstery, so base-trim shoppers should expect a more basic cabin.
• Powertrain: The Explorer offers a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, plus a 10-speed automatic transmission. Higher trims add a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, and the ST delivers 400 hp and 415 lb-ft 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. The Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite 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, but you need to step up to at least the Limited trim to get it.
• Infotainment: The standard setup includes an 8-inch touchscreen, 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 10.1-inch touchscreen and up to 14 speakers.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder with rear-wheel drive returns 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, while the Limited Hybrid delivers 27 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. The ST drops to 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 least expensive way into the Explorer, and it already gives you three rows, an 8-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the full Ford 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 adds a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen. If you want a more polished daily driver without jumping too far up the price ladder, this is the trim to target.
• Limited: This is the trim to choose if you want leather upholstery and the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite. It’s the right step up if you value more comfort and want the added driver-assistance features.
• Limited Hybrid: This is the efficiency-focused choice, pairing the hybrid drivetrain with the Limited’s equipment level. It suits you if you want better fuel economy without giving up the upscale feel of the Limited.
• Explorer ST: This is the performance-oriented trim, with the strongest engine output and the most engaging driving experience in the lineup. It’s the one to buy if driving enjoyment matters more than fuel economy.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-leaning top trim, with the highest-end presentation and the most premium feel in the range. It makes sense if you want the most upscale Explorer and are willing to pay for it.

You’ll need to step up to at least the Limited trim to get the more helpful Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ features.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it rewards comparison shopping rather than impulse buying.

• Deal availability: 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 7,963 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.16% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,218, 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 $23,218 sits slightly below last year's $26,133.

That price movement suggests the Explorer has already absorbed some of its recent depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stabilizes. If you buy at the current average or below, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss when it’s time to sell. Strong demand for three-row SUVs can also help keep the Explorer relevant with used buyers.

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, along with an “Acceptable” rating for adaptive headlights.

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

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. You need to move up to at least the Limited trim to get Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+, which 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.

The main safety caveat is that some of the more helpful driver-assistance features are not standard on every trim.

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:

• 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.16% 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 $21,399, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $23,218 average.
• It brings an all-new chassis, upgraded tech, and hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,086, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,218 average.
• It broadens trim choices and adds more family-focused packaging.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, satisfaction, and available inventory, the 2021 is the strongest starting point. If you’re more price-sensitive, the 2020 is the value play; if you want to spend more for a newer-year alternative, the 2022 is the next step up.

How does the 2021 Ford Explorer compare to the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Ford Explorer:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Great handling, Spacious third row.
• Cons: Interior materials feel cheap, Advanced safety features are not standard.

2021 Chevrolet Traverse:

• Pros: Powerful engine, Comfortable, Spacious.
• Cons: Poor handling, Interior materials feel cheap, Poor value for money.

Our experts score the 2021 Ford Explorer 7.5/10 and the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse 6.7/10. The Explorer is the better choice if you want more engaging handling and multiple powertrain options. The Traverse counters with a powerful engine and a comfortable ride, but its poor handling and weaker value hurt it in this matchup.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.