Used 2021 Ford Explorer for Sale nearMadison, WI

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 $16,202
• 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 AWD price premium. It's also the best value in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $19,842 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,796 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. It's the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $21,968 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 7,482 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 utility features at a budget-friendly price.

• Avg. market price: $16,202 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 688 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 going for the top-tier trims.

• Avg. market price: $20,649 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 609 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 and modern features.

• Avg. market price: $25,074 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 658 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 for enhanced performance.

• Avg. market price: $22,412 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,869 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 powerful engine options and sporty features.

• Avg. market price: $28,309 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,955 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 with top-tier features.

• Avg. market price: $27,491 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,696 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,482 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 $16,202 avg market price — below the lineup median of $22,190 — 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 November 5, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 11.44% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 7,872 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 spacious interior, powerful engine, and high-tech features. The Explorer’s three-row layout and flexible powertrain lineup also fit buyers who want a roomy SUV with a range of driving personalities.

The trade-offs are that the interior materials feel cheap and advanced safety features are not standard. That means you may like it most if you want space, capability, and strong driving manners more than a luxury-grade cabin.

Good and great deals account for 34.6% of listings, which gives you 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 dependable-feeling SUV with strong performance, comfort, and luxury features, plus a reputation for being trouble-free enough to earn enthusiastic long-term praise. The expert review also emphasizes that the Explorer’s broad powertrain lineup and solid overall execution make it feel like a well-rounded family vehicle.

Ford’s maintenance and ownership story is helped by the fact that the Explorer is positioned as a mainstream SUV with broad parts and service support. For used buyers, the main long-term 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 78.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the SUV has higher mileage or signs of heavy family hauling. Focus on cabin wear, electronics, and how the drivetrain feels under load, since those are the kinds of issues that can matter most in a used three-row SUV.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim comes with cloth upholstery, while the XLT adds better equipment like a power front passenger seat and nicer finishes. The Limited brings leather upholstery, and the higher trims add more upscale materials and features.
• Powertrain: The base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while higher trims move to a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 with 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The Explorer ST delivers 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, and the Limited Hybrid uses a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 horsepower and 331 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. The more advanced Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite is reserved for at least the Limited trim and 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.
• Infotainment: The standard setup is an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford Sync 3, 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 the Limited gets a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen system.
• Fuel efficiency: With the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder and rear-wheel drive, the Explorer is rated at 28 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. The Limited Hybrid is the efficiency standout at 27 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, while 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 smartphone integration, and the full Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suite. It makes sense if you want the core space and safety features without paying for extras.
• XLT: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds better equipment like a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen. If you want the sweet spot between price and comfort, this is the one to focus on.
• Limited: This is the trim to target if you want a more upscale cabin, since it adds leather upholstery and more advanced driver-assistance features through Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+. It also brings a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and HD radio.
• Limited Hybrid: Choose this if you want the hybrid drivetrain and the best fuel economy in the lineup. It suits buyers who want efficiency without giving up the Explorer’s three-row layout.
• Explorer ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the strongest output in the lineup and the most engaging driving experience. It also adds a 110-volt AC power outlet as standard equipment.
• Platinum: This is the top luxury-oriented trim, with the most upscale presentation and the highest price in the lineup. It fits you best if you want the most premium Explorer experience.

The safety package starts standard on every trim, but the more advanced Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ features require stepping up to at least the Limited.

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 carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 7,872 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.44% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,929, 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 $22,929 sits slightly below last year's $25,892.

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. If you purchase near the current average or below, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss when it’s time to sell.

The model’s broad appeal, three-row layout, and strong owner satisfaction should help keep demand steady. 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 top “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. The more advanced Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite is reserved for at least the Limited trim and 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.

The main caveat is that some of the most helpful driver-assistance features are not standard on every trim, so you may need to shop higher in the lineup to get the full safety package.

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 78.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.44% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 combines multiple powertrain choices with strong safety and a roomy third row.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,168, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,929 average.
• It brings an all-new chassis, more technology, and hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $26,931, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,929 average.
• It broadens trim choices and adds useful strengths like plenty of cargo space and great safety ratings.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the best all-around pick if you want a well-rated Explorer with strong safety, broad inventory, and a softer price than last year. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is worth a look for a lower entry cost, while the 2022 makes sense if you want to spend more for a newer-year alternative.

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 care more about handling and powertrain variety, while the Traverse leans into comfort and a strong engine. Both have interior-material drawbacks, but the Explorer’s stronger overall score and spacious third row give it the edge.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.