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 Explorer stays in its lane as a midsize three-row crossover built for family use, and that practical mission still comes through in the way it balances comfort and capability. Ford keeps the formula largely unchanged for 2026, but the new Tremor gives you a clearer off-road-focused option if you want more than the standard family-hauler setup. At the same time, the SUV is described as comfortable and available with an optional twin-turbo V6, so you can choose between everyday ease and stronger performance.

The trade-offs are just as clear: the styling is bland, the interior is nondescript, and options can push the price up quickly. Even so, the Explorer remains appealing if you want a familiar, well-rounded three-row SUV rather than something flashy.

29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there is still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

The Explorer’s reliability case leans on its familiar, carryover formula and its role as a mainstream family SUV rather than a complicated niche model. Ford has kept the 2026 changes limited, which can be a plus if you prefer a proven setup over a redesign. The available powertrains and the 10-speed automatic are described as working well together, and the SUV’s comfortable ride and confident handling suggest a well-sorted package.

The performance notes also point to a drivetrain that feels composed in daily use, with the V6 delivering quick passing power and the transmission snapping through shifts cleanly. On the cost side, Ford’s three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty are in line with the segment.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that higher-spec versions can become expensive to maintain and repair if you buy one that was heavily optioned or poorly kept.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are looking at a higher-trim or heavily optioned example. Focus on overall condition, because the Explorer can get expensive with options and the interior quality may not match the sticker on some loaded versions. If you want the Tremor or another higher-spec model, make sure the equipment and wear items match the way the vehicle was used.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Active is the base model, the Platinum is the most luxurious, and the ST-Line and ST have styling that is more road-focused than trail-focused. The base Active also misses some equipment found on higher trims, including the third-row USB-C ports and the upgraded audio system.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.3-liter 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 Tremor and ST, and the turbo-four can feel stressed when the SUV is loaded or towing.
• 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 with a 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist, and road-edge detection.
• Infotainment: You get a 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, plus 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 entry point, and it gives you the core Explorer experience with the standard turbo-four, the 13.2-inch touchscreen, the 12.3-inch digital cluster, and the full CoPilot 360+ safety suite. It makes the most sense if you want the lowest starting price and do not need the extra luxury or performance hardware.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it adds a more upscale look and more equipment without jumping all the way to the luxury or performance trims. It is a good fit if you want a nicer-feeling Explorer without paying for the top-end models.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the most luxurious Explorer, with leather upholstery and the most premium presentation in the lineup. It is the trim to target if comfort and upscale features matter more than price.
• ST: This is the performance-oriented road model, with the twin-turbo V6, sport-tuned suspension, and beefier brakes. It suits you if you want the strongest on-road performance in the lineup.
• Tremor: This is the most off-road-capable Explorer, with all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, off-road lights, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, off-road drive mode, and steel skid plates. It is the right pick if you want the Explorer’s most adventurous setup and can live with the higher price.

Higher trims also bring 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 looks like a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you should shop carefully and be ready to move when you find the right listing.

• Deal availability: 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,209 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 95.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $45,748.77, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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, plus four-star ratings in rollover testing from NHTSA.

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

Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system is also upgraded for 2026 to version 1.5, adding automated lane-change capability. One caveat is that the system did not always initiate lane changes during testing, and braking toward 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:

• 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The new Tremor adds the most off-road-capable Explorer yet, while BlueCruise gets an update.

Consider the 2025 if:

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

The bottom line: If you want the newest version with the Tremor and updated driver-assist tech, the 2026 is the cleaner pick. If you are shopping on price and want the core Explorer formula with last year’s major refresh already baked in, the 2025 is the smarter value play.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.