Used 2021 Ford Explorer for Sale nearWilmington, NC

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 $16,336
• 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: $19,916 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,789 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: $22,420 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 7,678 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: $16,336 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 690 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Limited RWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a blend of luxury and practicality without going for the top-tier trims.

• Avg. market price: $21,248 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 642 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.

• Avg. market price: $25,211 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 645 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 capability.

• Avg. market price: $23,040 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,896 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.

• Avg. market price: $29,466 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,891 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.

• Avg. market price: $28,400 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,700 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,678 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 $16,336 avg market price — below the lineup median of $22,730 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Best for Fuel Economy — XLT RWD

The XLT RWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 21/28 MPG/MPGe.

Browse XLT RWD listings

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

How much does the 2021 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 11.43% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 8,055 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

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 and high-tech features. The Explorer’s family-friendly layout and roomy third row fit well if you want three-row utility without giving up driving enjoyment. On the downside, experts note that the interior materials feel cheap and advanced safety features are not standard, so the value proposition depends on how much equipment you want at the trim you choose. With 31.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s a decent amount of market flexibility.

Is the 2021 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with many shoppers highlighting the Explorer as a vehicle they can count on over the long term. The test-drive data also emphasizes its broad capability and everyday usefulness, which supports the idea that it’s built to handle regular family duty well. If you’re buying used, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about choosing a well-maintained example with the right equipment and condition.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection so you can check for wear, electronics issues, and signs of hard use. Focus on trim condition and equipment level, since the Explorer’s feature set changes meaningfully as you move up the lineup.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model comes with cloth upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen, while the XLT adds a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen. The Limited brings leather upholstery, and higher trims add more upscale materials and equipment.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, and the lineup also includes a V6 hybrid drivetrain plus a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 in higher trims.
• 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 it requires at least the Limited trim.
• Infotainment: The standard setup uses an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford’s Sync 3 system, voice recognition, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims can add a 10.1-inch touchscreen, up to 14 speakers, and wireless charging.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.3-liter EcoBoost with rear-wheel drive is rated at 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The Limited Hybrid returns 27 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, while the ST drops to 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.

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, 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-cost way into the Explorer without giving up core family features.
• XLT: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds a power front passenger seat, nicer finishes, and a larger instrument-panel screen while staying below the luxury-focused trims. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the one to focus on.
• Limited: This is the trim to target if you want leather upholstery and access to more advanced driver-assistance features through Co-Pilot360 Assist+. It suits buyers who want a more upscale feel and are willing to pay for it.
• Limited Hybrid: Choose this if you want the hybrid drivetrain and its stronger efficiency numbers while still moving into a more premium equipment set. It’s the right pick if fuel economy matters more than outright performance.
• Explorer ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the strongest engine output and the most engaging driving experience in the lineup. It fits you best if you want the Explorer to feel quicker and more athletic.
• Platinum: This is the top luxury-oriented trim, with the highest-end presentation and the most upscale look and feel. It makes sense if you want the most premium Explorer available.

Advanced safety features require at least the Limited trim.

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: 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,055 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.43% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,301, 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 $23,301 sits slightly below last year's $26,306.

That softer pricing suggests the Explorer has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right number. If you purchase near the lower end of the range, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss when it’s time to sell. Strong demand for roomy three-row SUVs can also help support resale, especially for well-equipped examples in good condition.

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)—the highest rating.

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

Every Explorer comes with 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. More advanced driver-assistance features are bundled into Co-Pilot360 Assist+, which 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 more helpful safety tech is 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:

• 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.43% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines multiple powertrain options with great handling and a spacious third row.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,481, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $23,301 average.
• It adds an all-new chassis and broader powertrain variety.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,248, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,301 average.
• It broadens trim choices and keeps the 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 especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering the Explorer’s core strengths.

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. The Traverse counters with a powerful engine and a comfortable, spacious cabin, but its poor handling and weaker value case hold it back. If you want the more well-rounded driver’s SUV, the Explorer has the edge.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.