Used 2021 Ford Explorer for SaleNationwide

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 $16,043
• 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-rounded SUV without the added cost of AWD. It offers great value with a solid feature set.

• Avg. market price: $20,322 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,826 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 also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $22,804 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 7,619 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 of luxury features.

• Avg. market price: $16,043 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 651 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 the AWD premium. It offers a refined driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $21,492 (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. It combines ruggedness with modern features.

• Avg. market price: $25,168 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 621 listings
• View Timberline AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who desire luxury features with the added benefit of all-wheel drive. It’s perfect for families needing space and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $22,978 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,828 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. It’s ideal for those who prioritize speed and handling.

• Avg. market price: $29,830 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,819 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 offers premium features and a refined ride.

• Avg. market price: $28,907 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,580 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,619 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 $16,043 avg market price — below the lineup median of $22,891 — 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 October 1, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 10.99% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 8,019 listings available, you have a solid 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 and high-tech features. The Explorer also stands out for its multiple powertrain options and family-friendly three-row layout, which make it appealing if you want a versatile SUV with room to grow into.

The trade-offs are worth keeping in mind: interior materials can feel cheap, and advanced safety features are not standard. Even so, the Explorer’s broad capability and strong owner satisfaction make it a compelling choice if you want a three-row SUV that leans more upscale than basic.

With 33.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s meaningful market opportunity if you shop carefully.

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 praise centered on comfort, performance, and features that make the SUV easy to live with over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that the Explorer’s broad powertrain lineup and family-focused packaging give it the kind of everyday versatility buyers tend to count on.

If you’re shopping used, 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 80% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate, because accident-free listings are only part of the picture. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the drivetrain, electronics, and interior wear, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage family hauler. Focus on condition details that matter in a three-row SUV: seat wear, cargo-area abuse, and whether the tech and safety systems work as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model comes with cloth upholstery, 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 the ST, Platinum, Timberline, and King Ranch also include leather. The base trim is the most stripped-down version, so you’ll want to compare equipment carefully if you care about cabin materials and convenience features.
• Powertrain: The standard setup is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Higher trims add a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 with 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, while the ST increases output to 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Limited Hybrid uses a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque.
• Safety package: Every Explorer includes the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite 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 Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, evasive steering assist, a forward sensing system, rain-sensing front wipers, and speed sign recognition, and it requires stepping up to at least the Limited trim.
• Infotainment: The standard setup uses an 8-inch touchscreen with AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot for up to 10 devices, Ford’s Sync 3 system with 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: With the 2.3-liter EcoBoost and rear-wheel drive, the Explorer is rated at 21 mpg highway, 28 mpg city, and 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 delivers 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 least expensive way into the Explorer, and 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 entry price and can live without the nicer cabin materials and convenience upgrades found higher up.
• 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 without jumping into luxury pricing. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the one to target.
• Limited: This trim is the point where the Explorer starts to feel more upscale, thanks to leather upholstery, a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, HD radio, and the availability of the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite. It’s a strong choice if you want more comfort and tech.
• Limited Hybrid: Choose this if you want the hybrid drivetrain and its stronger fuel economy while still getting the Limited’s upscale equipment. It’s the efficiency-focused pick in the lineup.
• Explorer ST: This is the performance-oriented trim, with 400 horsepower, 415 pound-feet of torque, and the most engaging driving experience in the range. It’s the right choice if you care more about acceleration and driving feel than fuel economy.
• Platinum: This is the top luxury-oriented trim, with the highest-end presentation and the most expensive pricing in the lineup. It suits you if you want the most premium Explorer experience and are comfortable paying for it.

The safety package starts with Co-Pilot360 on every trim, while Co-Pilot360 Assist+ requires 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 with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,019 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.99% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,645, 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 $23,645 sits slightly below last year's $26,564.

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 purchase near the lower end of the current range, you reduce the risk of taking the steepest early hit. Strong demand for three-row SUVs can also help support used-market interest later on.

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 a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and it earns Good scores on all of its crash tests, plus 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. 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 driver-assistance features are not standard across the lineup, so you may need to shop carefully to get the safety equipment you want.

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% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.99% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines multiple powertrain choices with strong handling and a spacious third row.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,792, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $23,645 average.
• It brings an all-new chassis, more technology, and hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,734, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,645 average.
• It broadens trim choices and adds more family-focused packaging.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, satisfaction, and available inventory, the 2021 is the primary year to target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering the redesigned Explorer formula. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model-year spread of trims, the 2022 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.