New & Used 2026 Ford Explorer for Sale nearLeola, SD

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 $37,165
• 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.

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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 extras.

• Avg. market price: $37,165 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 437 listings
• View Active RWD listings

Active AWD — "Who It's For"

The Active AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag.

• Avg. market price: $42,465 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 829 listings
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line RWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a standard trim with a good mix of features without going for the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $42,313 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 413 listings
• View ST-Line RWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive with a solid feature set at a reasonable price.

• Avg. market price: $43,950 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,718 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 the pick for shoppers who want a rugged vehicle with utility features, ideal for demanding environments.

• Avg. market price: $45,505 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 651 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Tremor AWD — "Who It's For"

The Tremor AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty SUV with off-road capabilities, though availability may be limited.

• Avg. market price: $53,238 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 149 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Tremor AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and a sporty edge without compromising on performance.

• Avg. market price: $51,539 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,580 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 performance SUV with ample features and a sporty design.

• Avg. market price: $55,457 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 2,818 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST AWD

With 2,818 active listings, the ST AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Active RWD

At $37,165 avg market price — below the lineup median of $44,727 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Active RWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Active RWD

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

Browse Active RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 1, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — the 2026 Ford Explorer earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

It’s a family-friendly midsize three-row crossover that prioritizes everyday usefulness over flash, and Ford’s own take is that it still gets the job done. The test-drive notes point to comfortable driving manners, an optional twin-turbo V6, and impressive safety ratings as the main strengths, while bland styling and a nondescript interior are the biggest trade-offs.

If you want a straightforward three-row SUV with strong safety credentials and a broad trim range, it fits that brief well. Good and great deals account for 33.6% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

The 2026 Explorer is built around a familiar current-generation platform that has been on sale since the 2020 model year, and Ford’s test-drive notes emphasize comfortable road manners and a powertrain lineup that remains unchanged for 2026. The standard 10-speed automatic is described as quick and decisive, and the turbo-four is said to make the most of its available power, though it can feel stressed when the SUV is loaded up or towing.

Ford also includes a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that higher-mileage examples with more options may bring more complexity and higher repair exposure over time.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.2% — 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-trim or heavily optioned example. Focus on overall condition, tire wear, brake wear, and whether the vehicle’s equipment matches the trim you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Active is the base model, while the Platinum is the most luxurious. The ST-Line and ST lean more toward on-road style, and the ST adds sport-tuned suspension and beefier brakes. The Tremor is the off-road-focused model with all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, and off-road lights in the grille.
• 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. Both engines use a 10-speed automatic, and AWD is standard on the Tremor.
• Safety package: Active models get CoPilot 360+, which 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 with a 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist, and road-edge detection.
• Infotainment: All models get a 13.2-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Google Maps, Google Play Store, and SiriusXM with 360L. Third-row USB-C ports are standard on all but the base Active, and the Active uses a six-speaker audio system while other trims get a 10-speaker B&O system.
• 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 four-cylinder 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 entry point, and it gives you the core Explorer formula with the standard turbo-four, CoPilot 360+, wireless smartphone integration, and the 13.2-inch touchscreen. It’s the trim to choose if you want the lowest starting point and can live without the extra audio and camera features found higher up.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value pick for many shoppers because it adds a more upscale look and more equipment than the Active without jumping all the way to luxury or performance pricing. It suits you if you want a nicer-feeling Explorer without chasing the highest sticker.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the most luxurious Explorer, with the richest trim positioning in the lineup and the most premium cabin presentation. It’s the right fit if comfort and upscale features matter more than price.
• ST: This is the road-focused performance trim, with the twin-turbo V6 standard plus sport-tuned suspension and beefier brakes. It makes sense if you want the strongest on-road punch in the lineup.
• Tremor: This is the off-road-focused choice, with all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, off-road lights, AWD standard, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, an off-road drive mode, and steel skid plates. It’s the one to buy if you want the most capability and don’t mind paying for it.

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 compare condition and equipment carefully before you commit.

• Deal availability: 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,295 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 95.2% 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 in frontal and side crash testing, and four-star ratings in rollover testing from NHTSA.

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 with a 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist, and road-edge detection.

BlueCruise is also upgraded for 2026 to version 1.5 with automated lane-change capability. One caveat from testing is that the system did not always initiate lane changes as expected, and braking approaching stopped traffic could be more gradual.

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:

• 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2026 adds a Tremor model and an updated BlueCruise system.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It brought major updates, including new infotainment, improved interior quality, and a simplified trim lineup.

The bottom line: You should lean toward the 2026 if you want the newest version with the Tremor and updated driver-assist tech. If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, the 2025 is the smarter value play because it already introduced the big modernization changes and may cost less on the used market.

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