Used 2021 Ford Explorer for Sale near North Carolina

Compare 2021 Ford Explorer Trims

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 $15,592
• 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 a great value option in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $20,694 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,877 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 for good reason.

• Avg. market price: $23,079 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 7,767 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 fleet use without the frills. It's the most budget-friendly option.

• Avg. market price: $15,592 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 610 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. It offers a solid mix of features.

• Avg. market price: $21,644 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 607 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. It’s designed for adventure seekers.

• Avg. market price: $26,063 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 632 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. It’s a great choice for families needing space and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $23,747 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,717 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 sporty features. It’s perfect for those who prioritize power and handling.

• Avg. market price: $30,159 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,932 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. It’s loaded with features for those who desire the best.

• Avg. market price: $29,677 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,602 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,767 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 $15,592 avg market price — below the lineup median of $23,413 — 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 city / 28 hwy MPG.

Browse XLT RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 10.85% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 8,224 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping. If you find a listing below $24,065.20, 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 the balance of performance, comfort, and luxury features, and they also call out the spacious interior, powerful engine, and high-tech features. The trade-offs are the gas mileage and ride comfort, while the overview also points to a roomy third row and strong handling as key reasons you might want this SUV.

With 31.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have room to shop selectively and still find competitive pricing.

Is the 2021 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. The owner feedback also points to a dependable-feeling mix of performance, comfort, and luxury features, with many buyers highlighting the powerful engine and high-tech equipment.

The expert evaluation reinforces that sense of durability by describing the Explorer as a capable, well-rounded three-row SUV with multiple powertrain choices and strong towing ability. It also notes that the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house, which helps soften early ownership costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the vehicle has been maintained well, since higher-mileage examples may have more wear from family use and heavier-duty towing.

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 report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper history review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on vehicles that have seen family duty, towing, or lots of miles. Focus on interior wear, third-row condition, and signs that the vehicle has been used hard rather than just driven a lot.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model comes with cloth upholstery and a simpler equipment set, while higher trims add nicer finishes, a power front passenger seat, and leather upholstery.
• Powertrain: You get a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, plus a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift capability. Higher trims add a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, and the Limited Hybrid uses a V6 hybrid drivetrain.
• 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 to step up to at least the Limited trim for those features.
• Infotainment: The standard setup is an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford Sync 3 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, more speakers, and wireless charging.
• Fuel efficiency: The rear-wheel-drive 2.3-liter EcoBoost returns 21 mpg highway, 28 mpg city, and 24 mpg combined. With all-wheel drive, those figures drop by 1 mpg across the board. The Limited Hybrid delivers 27 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, while the ST returns 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 value entry point if you want the standard three-row layout, the 8-inch touchscreen, and the full Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suite without paying for extras. It is the most stripped-down version, so you should choose it only if price matters more than comfort upgrades.
• 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 while staying below the luxury-oriented trims. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the one to target.
• Limited: This is the trim to buy if you want a more upscale cabin, because it brings leather upholstery and unlocks the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ driver-assistance suite. It also adds a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and HD radio, making it the best choice if you want a more premium daily driver.
• Limited Hybrid: Choose this if fuel economy matters more than outright performance, since it delivers the best efficiency in the lineup while keeping the upscale Limited equipment set. It suits you best if you want a family SUV with lower running costs.
• Explorer ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, plus the most engaging driving experience in the lineup. It also gets a 110-volt AC power outlet as standard equipment, but you should buy it only if stronger acceleration matters to you.
• Platinum: This is the top luxury trim, with the richest finishes and the highest price in the lineup. It makes sense if you want the most upscale version of the Explorer and are willing to pay for it.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, but the more helpful driver-assistance features are reserved for the Limited and above.

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

This is a moderate buyer's market, so you can shop selectively without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,224 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.85% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $24,065.20, 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 $24,076 sits slightly below last year's $27,007.

That price movement suggests the Explorer has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. If you choose a well-kept example with strong equipment and a clean history, you may have a better chance of holding value than if you overpay for a higher-mileage vehicle. The current market also gives you a clearer path to buying near the lower end of the range, which matters when you eventually go 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 a five-star overall rating 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 adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering, evasive steering assist, a forward sensing system, rain-sensing front wipers, and speed sign recognition, you need to move up to at least the Limited trim for Co-Pilot360 Assist+.

The main caveat is that some of the more helpful advanced safety features are not standard on every trim, so you need to shop carefully if those systems 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:

• 31.6% 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 10.85% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines roomy three-row packaging with strong handling and multiple powertrain choices.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,141, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,076 average.
• It brings an all-new chassis, more technology, and hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $28,180, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $24,076 average.
• It broadens the lineup with ST-Line, Timberline, and King Ranch trims.

The bottom line: You should buy the 2021 if you want the best balance of price, safety, and owner satisfaction in this group. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want a broader trim mix and are willing to pay more, the 2022 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.