Used 2021 Ford Explorer for Sale nearKnoxville, TN

Compare 2021 Ford Explorer Trims in Knoxville, TN

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

• Starting at $16,999
• 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 the higher price of AWD options.

• Avg. market price: $19,848 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 179 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 sporty features and all-weather capability without stepping up to a higher trim.

• Avg. market price: $24,902 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 432 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 want a rugged vehicle with essential features at a lower price.

• Avg. market price: $24,579 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 46 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Limited RWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a standard SUV experience with a touch of luxury without going all out.

• Avg. market price: $24,579 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 65 listings
• View Limited RWD listings

Timberline AWD — "Who It's For"

The Timberline AWD is the pick for shoppers who want off-road capability and modern features without a hefty price tag.

• Avg. market price: $23,699 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 47 listings
• View Timberline AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded SUV with luxury features at a competitive price.

• Avg. market price: $16,999 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 114 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 performance-oriented SUV with a powerful engine and sporty features.

• Avg. market price: $28,758 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 237 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 a luxury SUV experience with top-tier features and performance.

• Avg. market price: $27,900 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 140 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 432 active listings, the XLT AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLT AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Limited AWD

At $16,999 avg market price — below the lineup median of $24,579 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Limited 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 September 24, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

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.

With 8,124 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, powerful engine, and high-tech features. In use, that lines up well with the Explorer’s family-focused role as a three-row SUV with multiple powertrain choices and a roomy third row.

The trade-offs are worth keeping in mind: the interior materials can feel cheap, and gas mileage and ride comfort are recurring concerns. Even so, the Explorer’s broad capability and family-friendly packaging make it appealing if you want a midsize SUV that does a lot of things well.

With 34.0% of listings priced as good or great deals, there are still opportunities to find value if you shop carefully.

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 people feel good about living with over time, especially because it is described as balanced, comfortable, and feature-rich. That kind of feedback matters when you’re evaluating a used SUV that’s likely to see family duty, commuting, and road-trip miles.

The expert evaluation also supports that impression by emphasizing the Explorer’s broad capability and practical three-row layout. If you’re shopping used, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the specific vehicle you choose 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 80.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status is only a starting point. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the interior, electronics, and safety equipment, since this SUV’s value depends heavily on how well its features still work. Focus especially on trim-specific equipment, because some of the most useful driver-assistance features are not standard on every version.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model gives you three rows, an 8-inch touchscreen, and cloth upholstery, but the XLT adds better equipment like a power front passenger seat and nicer finishes. The Limited is the key step up if you want leather upholstery, while the ST and Platinum bring leather as standard and add more upscale presentation.
• 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 hp and 331 lb-ft, and higher trims with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 making 365 hp and 380 lb-ft. The ST raises output to 400 hp and 415 lb-ft, and every trim uses a 10-speed automatic transmission.
• 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, but you need at least the Limited trim for that suite.
• Infotainment: The standard setup is an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Ford’s Sync 3 system 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, and later upgrades bring a 10.1-inch touchscreen and up to 14 speakers.
• Fuel efficiency: With the 2.3-liter EcoBoost and rear-wheel drive, the Explorer is rated at 21 mpg highway and 28 mpg city, with 24 mpg combined. 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 posts 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 entry point, but 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 lowest-cost way into the Explorer without giving up core safety and tech.
• XLT: This is the volume choice and the best-value trim for most shoppers. It adds a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen, making it the smart middle ground if you want more comfort without jumping too far in price.
• Limited: This is the trim to target if you want leather upholstery and more advanced driver assistance. It also unlocks Co-Pilot360 Assist+ features, so it’s the best fit if you want a more premium and better-equipped family SUV.
• Limited Hybrid: Choose this if fuel economy matters more than outright performance. It combines the Limited’s upscale equipment with the best efficiency in the lineup.
• Explorer ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the strongest engine output and the most engaging driving experience in the lineup. It suits you best if you want the quickest Explorer and are willing to accept worse fuel economy.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-focused top trim, with leather standard and the most upscale presentation. It’s the right pick if you want the most premium Explorer and are comfortable paying for it.

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

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 with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 34.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,124 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.87% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,766, 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 $23,766 sits slightly below last year's $26,665.

That price movement suggests the Explorer has become more buyer-friendly in the near term, which can make it easier for you to buy at a reasonable entry point. For a future seller, though, softer pricing means you may need to be more careful about purchase price and condition if you want to protect your exit value.

The good news is that the Explorer still has broad appeal thanks to its family-friendly layout, multiple powertrain choices, and strong owner satisfaction. 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 2021 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+ features, you need to move up to at least the Limited trim.

The main caveat is that some of the most helpful safety tech is not standard on every version, so trim choice matters if safety equipment 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:

• 34.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.3% — 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 pairs strong safety with multiple powertrain choices and a roomy third row.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,932, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $23,766 average.
• It brings an all-new chassis and more technology.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,878, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,766 average.
• It broadens trim and powertrain choices while refining the package.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and family utility, the 2021 is the strongest all-around pick. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 makes sense if you want to spend more for a newer-year alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.