Is the 2026 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — you rate it 5/5, and our experts give it 7.5/10. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

The 2026 Explorer stays focused on being a practical midsize three-row crossover, and Ford keeps the formula largely intact for this year. It’s described as comfortable, and it still gives you an optional twin-turbo V6 if you want more power. The trade-offs are that the styling is bland and the interior is nondescript, and it can get expensive with options.

For shoppers who want a familiar, well-rounded family SUV and value comfort and capability over flash, it still makes sense. Good and great deals account for 33.7% of listings, which gives you some room to 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 helped by its straightforward role as a family SUV and by the fact that Ford hasn’t made major mechanical changes for 2026. The available powertrains are paired with a 10-speed automatic, and the turbo-four and twin-turbo V6 are both described as capable in 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 performance notes also point to a drivetrain that feels well sorted, with the 10-speed transmission helping keep the engine in its power band. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that higher-spec versions can become costly to maintain and repair if they’ve been heavily optioned or used hard.

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’re looking at a higher-mileage example or one with the V6 and more equipment. Focus on overall condition, because the Explorer can get pricey once options pile on, and you’ll want to make sure the features you’re paying for are working as intended.

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 base Active misses some equipment found higher up, 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. 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. The 10-speed automatic is standard, and the turbo-four can feel stressed when the SUV is loaded or towing.
• 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 returns 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:

• Base trim: The Active is the value play, but it’s the one most likely to leave you wanting more equipment. It uses the unbranded six-speaker audio system and skips some of the extra convenience and safety-adjacent hardware found higher up.
• Sweet-spot trim: The ST-Line is the best middle ground if you want a more upscale look without jumping to the pricier luxury or performance models. It keeps the lineup’s core strengths while adding more visual appeal than the base trim.
• Premium/top trim: The Platinum is the most luxurious choice, with leather upholstery and the richest overall presentation in the lineup.
• Off-road trim: The Tremor is the one to choose if you want the most capability. It adds all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, off-road lights, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, off-road drive mode, and steel skid plates.

CoPilot 360+ is standard on Active models, while higher trims get CoPilot 360 2.0.

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

This is a moderate market for shoppers who can be selective and compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,091 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 95.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $45,876.33, 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 (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+, and it also received the highest five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (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 a 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist, and road-edge detection.

BlueCruise is also available and gets version 1.5 for 2026, 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:

• 33.7% 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 model gives the lineup a more capable off-road option.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It brought major updates that improved infotainment, safety tech, and interior quality.

The bottom line: The 2026 Explorer is the better pick if you want the latest version of Ford’s family SUV with the new Tremor and updated BlueCruise. If you’re shopping mainly on value, the 2025 is worth a look because it already picked up the big refresh and may be priced more attractively.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.