New & Used 2026 Ford Explorer for Sale nearKnightdale, NC

Compare 2026 Ford Explorer Trims

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

• Starting at $36,669
• 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 SUV with essential features without paying for extras.

• Avg. market price: $36,669 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 466 listings
• View Active RWD listings

Active AWD — "Who It's For"

The Active AWD is the choice for those seeking all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag, making it a practical option for varied conditions.

• Avg. market price: $42,189 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 887 listings
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line RWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line RWD is ideal for shoppers wanting a well-rounded SUV with standard features and a stylish design without going over budget.

• Avg. market price: $42,091 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 408 listings
• View ST-Line RWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is perfect for those who want the benefits of all-wheel drive along with a comprehensive set of features for everyday use.

• Avg. market price: $43,713 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,736 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 needing a robust vehicle with advanced safety features and utility capabilities.

• Avg. market price: $45,229 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 645 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Tremor AWD — "Who It's For"

The Tremor AWD is for those who desire a sporty SUV with off-road capabilities, though availability may limit options.

• Avg. market price: $53,526 (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 buyers seeking luxury and advanced features in their SUV, providing a premium driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $51,925 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,632 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

ST AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST AWD is ideal for performance enthusiasts who want a powerful engine and a full suite of features for an exhilarating drive.

• Avg. market price: $55,666 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 2,873 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST AWD

With 2,873 active listings, the ST AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Active RWD

At $36,669 avg market price — below the lineup median of $44,471 — 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 8, 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 our 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 comfort, usefulness, and strong safety credentials rather than a flashy design or a dramatic cabin. Ford’s biggest change for 2026 is the return of the Tremor model, which replaces the Timberline as the most off-road-capable Explorer, and the available BlueCruise system also gets an update.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling can feel bland, the interior is nondescript, and options can push the price up quickly. Even so, the Explorer’s broad usefulness and available twin-turbo V6 give it real appeal for shoppers who want a capable all-rounder.

Good and great deals account for 37.8% of listings, which gives you a decent amount of market leverage.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. The 2026 Ford Explorer is built around a familiar formula, and Ford has kept the core package largely unchanged, which can be reassuring if you want a proven setup rather than a major redesign.

Its performance story also supports that impression: the standard turbo-four and available twin-turbo V6 are paired with a 10-speed automatic, and the Explorer’s on-road manners are described as confident and comfortable. 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 can feel a little stressed when the SUV is loaded up or towing, so long-term ownership risk is more about choosing the right powertrain and condition than worrying about a fundamentally shaky platform.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re looking at a higher-mileage example or one with lots of options. Focus on overall condition, because the Explorer can get expensive with equipment, and you want to make sure the features you’re paying for are working as intended. If you’re considering a Tremor, pay extra attention to the off-road hardware and tire wear.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes the Active, ST-Line, Platinum, ST, and Tremor. The Active is the base model, while the Platinum is the most luxurious. The ST-Line and ST lean more toward road style than trail use, and the base Active misses some equipment found higher up, including the third-row USB-C ports and the upgraded audio system.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 is available on the Tremor and standard on the ST, with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Both engines use a 10-speed automatic, and the V6 is the one to seek if you want stronger passing power.
• Safety package: CoPilot 360+ is standard on Active models and 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 get CoPilot 360 2.0, which adds 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 lose 1 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 formula without paying for extras. It gets the standard safety suite and the main tech features, but it’s also the trim where you’ll notice some of the lineup’s simpler equipment, including the basic audio setup.
• ST-Line: This is the style-focused step up if you want a more dressed-up look without jumping to the luxury or performance trims. It keeps the Explorer’s everyday usefulness while adding a more road-oriented appearance.
• Platinum: This is the best choice if you want the most upscale Explorer experience. It’s the most luxurious trim and is the one to target if interior comfort and richer materials matter most to you.
• ST: This is the trim for you if you want the strongest on-road performance. It gets the twin-turbo V6 standard, plus sport-tuned suspension and beefier brakes.
• Tremor: This is the one to buy if you want the most off-road capability. It adds the twin-turbo V6, AWD, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, off-road drive mode, steel skid plates, raised ride height, and all-terrain tires.

The safety package starts with CoPilot 360+ on Active models, while higher trims add CoPilot 360 2.0 with the 360-degree camera system and related upgrades.

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

The market looks moderately favorable if you’re a selective buyer, with enough deal activity to make comparison shopping worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 37.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,438 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 95.0% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer safe?

The 2026 Ford Explorer is a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and earns five-star ratings from NHTSA, with five-star ratings in frontal and side crash testing and four-star ratings in rollover testing.

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

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.

BlueCruise is also available, and for 2026 it gains automated lane-change capability. The main caveat is that the system didn’t always initiate lane changes as expected during testing, so it’s best viewed as a helpful highway aid rather than a fully hands-off solution.

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:

• 37.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The Tremor returns for 2026, adding the Explorer’s most off-road-capable setup.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It brings a more modern-feeling cabin and a broader set of updates.

The bottom line: If you want the newest Explorer with the Tremor and updated BlueCruise, the 2026 is the cleaner choice. If you’re shopping mainly on value, the 2025 is worth a look because it already delivers the big refresh and may be easier to justify on price.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.