Used 2021 Ford Explorer for Sale near South 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 $15,488
• 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: $20,578 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,850 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 price point. It's the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $23,031 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 7,865 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.

• Avg. market price: $15,488 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 621 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 with premium features without the AWD price tag.

• Avg. market price: $21,692 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 635 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: $25,640 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 631 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 added versatility.

• Avg. market price: $23,513 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,764 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 in their SUV without compromise.

• Avg. market price: $30,033 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,890 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 all the bells and whistles.

• Avg. market price: $29,303 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,627 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,865 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 $15,488 avg market price — below the lineup median of $23,272 — 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 September 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 10.75% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 8,148 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing trims and prices.

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 choices, and high-tech features. The Explorer also fits buyers who want a family-focused three-row SUV with multiple powertrain options and strong handling.

The trade-offs are that gas mileage can be a concern, and ride comfort is not universally loved. The overview also points to cheap-feeling interior materials, so you should expect some compromises if you want a more upscale cabin.

With 33.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, there are still worthwhile opportunities 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 dependable, trouble-free ownership experience for many shoppers, with praise for comfort, performance, and features that make the SUV easy to live with over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that the Explorer is built around broad family use and practical capability, which supports its long-term appeal.

Ford also includes a helpful ownership perk in the efficiency and cost discussion: the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that higher-mileage examples may show wear in the cabin and on ride quality, so condition matters a lot.

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 run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the cabin, electronics, and overall wear, since the interior materials are a known weak point. It also makes sense to compare trims carefully, 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, cloth upholstery, and an 8-inch touchscreen, but the XLT adds a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen. The Limited brings leather upholstery, while the ST and Platinum also get leather; the Platinum sits at the top of the range.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, a Limited Hybrid with 310 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, or a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 with 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The ST raises output to 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.
• Safety package: Every Explorer gets Ford Co-Pilot360, including 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 Sync 3, voice recognition, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims add a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen system, HD radio, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, up to 14 speakers, and a wireless charging pad from the Limited trim up.
• Fuel efficiency: The rear-wheel-drive 2.3-liter turbo-four is rated at 21 mpg highway, 28 mpg city, and 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 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 value entry point if you want three rows, the standard 8-inch touchscreen, and Ford Co-Pilot360 without stretching your budget. It makes the most sense if you care more about core family utility than luxury features.
• XLT: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a larger instrument-panel display 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 choose if you want leather upholstery and access to more advanced driver-assistance features through Co-Pilot360 Assist+. It suits buyers who want a more polished daily driver and are willing to pay for it.
• Limited Hybrid: This is the right pick if fuel economy matters more than outright performance and you want the hybrid powertrain in the Explorer lineup. It also keeps the upscale Limited equipment set.
• Explorer ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, with 400 horsepower and the most engaging driving experience in the lineup. It makes sense if you want the strongest acceleration and are willing to accept the trade-offs in fuel economy.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-focused top trim, with leather and the highest-end presentation in the range. It is the right fit if you want the most upscale Explorer and are comfortable with the higher price.

You need to step up to at least the Limited trim to get the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ safety suite.

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 patiently but should move quickly on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,148 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.75% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $24,017, 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 $24,017 sits slightly below last year's $26,909.

That price decline suggests the Explorer has become easier to buy than it was a year ago, which can help you if you're shopping now. For future sellers, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on trim, condition, and mileage rather than on market momentum alone.

Because the model still draws strong owner satisfaction, demand should remain healthy for clean examples. Well-kept trims with desirable equipment are likely to hold value better than higher-mileage or poorly maintained ones.

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 achieved top “Good” scores on all of its crash tests, with an “Acceptable” rating for the availability of 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. 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 more helpful safety technology is not standard across the lineup, so you need to pay attention to trim level and equipment packages.

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:

• 33.0% 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 10.75% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines strong safety ratings with broad trim and powertrain choice.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,103, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,017 average.
• It brings an all-new chassis, more technology, and hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $28,098, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $24,017 average.
• It broadens trim choice and adds later updates like ST-Line, Timberline, and King Ranch.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and selection, the 2021 is the primary target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering much of the same core appeal. If you want to spend more for a newer example, the 2022 is the better path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.