New & Used 2026 Ford Explorer for Sale nearDakota, IL

Compare 2026 Ford Explorer Trims

The Explorer lineup offers a range of options from budget-friendly trims to powerful performance models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $36,320
• Best MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Most Popular: ST 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

Active RWD — "Who It's For"

The Active RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option with essential features without paying for luxury upgrades.

• Avg. market price: $36,320 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 484 listings
• View Active RWD listings

Active AWD — "Who It's For"

The Active AWD is the choice for those seeking all-wheel drive capabilities without a significant price increase, making it a practical option.

• Avg. market price: $41,670 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 919 listings
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line RWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line RWD is ideal for shoppers who want a well-rounded vehicle with modern features without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $41,693 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 419 listings
• View ST-Line RWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is perfect for those who desire the benefits of all-wheel drive along with a comprehensive set of features at a reasonable price.

• Avg. market price: $43,037 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,724 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST-Line AWD listings

Police Interceptor Utility AWD — "Who It's For"

The Police Interceptor Utility AWD is suited for buyers looking for a rugged vehicle with enhanced safety features, often used in law enforcement.

• Avg. market price: $45,758 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 662 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Tremor AWD — "Who It's For"

The Tremor AWD is for those who want a sportier experience with off-road capabilities, though availability may be limited.

• Avg. market price: $53,302 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 160 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Tremor AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is the choice for luxury seekers who want a high-end experience with advanced features and a spacious interior.

• Avg. market price: $51,361 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,640 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

ST AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a powerful engine and a full suite of features for a thrilling driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $55,242 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 2,899 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST AWD

With 2,899 active listings, the ST AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Active RWD

At $36,320 avg market price — below the lineup median of $44,397 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Active RWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Active RWD

The Active RWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 20/29 MPG.

Browse Active RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — 5/5 from users and 7.5/10 from experts. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

The 2026 Ford Explorer stays in its familiar lane as a family-friendly midsize three-row crossover, which makes it a practical pick if you want comfortable manners and strong safety credentials rather than a flashy design or a dramatic cabin. Ford also keeps the formula broad and useful, with an optional twin-turbo V6 and an updated BlueCruise system for 2026.

The trade-offs are clear: it can feel bland in styling, and the interior is nondescript. It also gets expensive with options.

With 35.4% of listings priced as good or great deals, you have a decent amount of market flexibility if you shop carefully.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

The Explorer’s reliability case is built around its familiar, carryover nature for 2026 and its established family-SUV mission. The available powertrains and 10-speed automatic are described as confident and well-matched, and the SUV’s ride and handling are presented as composed and comfortable for everyday use. Ford also includes a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The turbo-four is described as capable, though it can feel a little stressed when the Explorer is loaded up with passengers and cargo or when towing. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that higher-spec examples can become costly to keep if you want the more powerful engine and extra equipment.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Ford Explorer?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re looking at a higher-mileage example or one with the V6 and more equipment. Pay close attention to overall condition, because the Explorer can get pricey with options and the interior quality may vary depending on how the vehicle was used and maintained.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Active is the base model, the Platinum is the most luxurious, and the ST-Line and ST lean more toward on-road styling. The base Active misses some equipment found higher up, including the third-row USB-C ports and the upgraded audio system.
• Powertrain: The standard turbocharged four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the available twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 makes 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The V6 is standard on the ST and available on the Tremor, while the 10-speed automatic is shared across the lineup.
• Safety package: CoPilot 360+ on Active models includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage and safety-exit assist, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic braking, post-collision braking, and traffic sign recognition. Higher trims add CoPilot 360 2.0, which brings the 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist, and road-edge detection.
• Infotainment: A 13.2-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster are standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Google Maps, Google Play Store, and SiriusXM with 360L. The base Active uses an unbranded six-speaker audio system, while other trims get a 10-speaker B&O system with an available 14-speaker upgrade.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbo-four is rated at 24 mpg combined with RWD and 23 mpg combined with AWD. V6 models are rated at 21 mpg combined with RWD and 20 mpg combined with AWD. The Tremor is rated at 21 mpg combined with the inline-four and 19 mpg combined with the V6.

Which 2026 Ford Explorer trim should I buy?

The 2026 Ford Explorer is offered in 5 trim levels: Active, ST-Line, Platinum, ST, Tremor.

Here's the short version:

• Active: This is the value starting point if you want the Explorer’s core family-SUV strengths without paying for extras. It gives you the standard touchscreen, digital cluster, wireless smartphone integration, and the full CoPilot 360+ safety suite, making it the best-value trim for most shoppers.
• ST-Line: Choose this if you want a more styled look than the Active without jumping all the way to the luxury or performance trims. It adds a more road-focused appearance while keeping the Explorer’s everyday usefulness intact.
• Platinum: This is the trim to target if you want the most luxurious Explorer. It brings the leather-upholstered, upscale feel mentioned in the cabin description and suits buyers who care most about comfort and premium presentation.
• ST: Pick this if you want the strongest on-road performance. It gets the standard twin-turbo V6, sport-tuned suspension, and beefier brakes, so it’s the right choice if driving enjoyment matters most.
• Tremor: This is the one to buy if you want the most off-road-capable Explorer. It adds all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, off-road lights, skid plates, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, and an off-road drive mode.

Higher trims get CoPilot 360 2.0, which adds the 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist, and road-edge detection.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Ford Explorer?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it makes sense to shop carefully and compare examples.

• Deal availability: 35.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,494 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 94.9% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer safe?

The 2026 Ford Explorer is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ and earns five-star ratings from NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash testing and four stars in rollover testing.

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

The standard CoPilot 360+ package on Active models includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage and safety-exit assist, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic braking, post-collision braking, and traffic sign recognition. Higher trims add CoPilot 360 2.0, which brings the 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist, and road-edge detection.

BlueCruise is also updated for 2026 to version 1.5, adding automated lane-change capability.

Should I buy a 2026 Ford Explorer or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 35.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2026 adds the Tremor off-road model and an updated BlueCruise system.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It brings a more appealing, more modern-feeling Explorer with broader updates and a simplified lineup.

The bottom line: If you want the newest version with the Tremor and updated driver assistance, the 2026 is the cleaner choice. If you’re shopping on price and want the strongest value play, the 2025 is worth a close look because it delivers many of the Explorer’s biggest improvements while potentially costing less.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.