New & Used 2026 Ford Explorer for Sale nearSan Diego, CA

Compare 2026 Ford Explorer Trims in San Diego, CA

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

• Starting at $34,688
• 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

ST-Line RWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV without the higher price of AWD options. It's the most budget-friendly trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $34,688 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 7 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View ST-Line RWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is the choice for those seeking all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag. It balances features and performance effectively.

• Avg. market price: $39,140 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 6 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View ST-Line AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is ideal for buyers wanting a sporty SUV with premium features and all-wheel drive capability. It offers a luxurious experience without going overboard.

• Avg. market price: $39,630 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 6 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Platinum AWD listings

ST AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST AWD is perfect for those who prioritize performance and capability in their SUV. With a powerful V6 engine, it stands out as the most popular trim.

• Avg. market price: $51,737 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 8 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View ST AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST AWD

With 8 active listings, the ST AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup, offering a blend of power and features.

Browse ST AWD listings

Best Budget Option — ST-Line RWD

At $34,688 avg market price — below the lineup median of $39,385 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse ST-Line RWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — ST-Line RWD

The ST-Line RWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 20/29 MPG/MPGe.

Browse ST-Line RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 5, 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 stays true to its role as a midsize three-row crossover with a comfortable ride and strong safety ratings, and it gives you an optional twin-turbo V6 if you want more power. For 2026, the Tremor model adds a more rugged, off-road-focused choice, while BlueCruise also gets an update. The trade-offs are that it can feel bland in styling and interior design, and it gets expensive once you start adding options.

That said, the Explorer still makes the most sense if you want space, comfort, and capability first, and 36.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

The Explorer’s core formula is built around practicality, comfort, and strong safety, which are all traits that usually matter in long-term ownership. Its powertrains are straightforward, with a standard turbo-four and an available twin-turbo V6, and the 10-speed automatic is described as quick and responsive. Ford also includes a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

If you buy used, the main long-term ownership risk is cost creep from higher trims and options rather than a lack of capability.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.9% — 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-trim or heavily optioned example. Focus on overall condition, because the Explorer can get expensive with options and the interior quality may vary depending on how it was equipped. If you’re considering a Tremor, pay extra attention to underbody and off-road-use wear.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Active is the base model, the Platinum is the most luxurious, and the ST-Line and ST are more road-focused. The base model misses some equipment, including the third-row USB-C ports and the upgraded audio system found on higher trims.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower, while the available twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 makes 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The V6 is the stronger choice if you want more passing power or plan to tow.
• 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 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway in rear-wheel-drive form, while the V6 is rated at 21 mpg combined, with 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway in rear-wheel-drive form.

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 space, comfort, and safety without paying for extras. It gets the standard turbo-four, the 13.2-inch touchscreen, the 12.3-inch digital cluster, and the full CoPilot 360+ safety suite, but it misses some of the nicer convenience and audio upgrades found higher up.
• ST-Line: This is the best fit if you want a more stylish road-oriented look without jumping to the performance model. It adds a more aggressive appearance than Active while staying focused on everyday use rather than off-road or track-style capability.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-leaning choice if you want the most upscale Explorer. It brings the most premium feel in the lineup, including leather upholstery, and suits you best if comfort and features matter more than price.
• ST: This is the performance-oriented trim, with the standard twin-turbo V6, sport-tuned suspension, and beefier brakes. Choose it if you want the strongest on-road performance and don’t mind paying more.
• Tremor: This is the best choice if you want the most capability for rougher terrain. It adds all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, off-road lights, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, an off-road drive mode, and steel skid plates, making it the most off-road-capable Explorer.

Higher trims also 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 looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find decent value.

• Deal availability: 36.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,724 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.9% 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 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 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.

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 updated for 2026 to version 1.5 with automated lane-change capability, though the system did not always initiate lane changes during testing.

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:

• 36.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The Tremor returns as the most off-road-capable Explorer, and BlueCruise gets an update.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It adds major infotainment, safety, and interior upgrades while feeling more modern and better priced.

The bottom line: If you want the newest Explorer with the Tremor and updated BlueCruise, the 2026 is the right target. If you’re shopping mainly for value, the 2025 is the smarter alternative because it already delivers the big refresh benefits and may cost less.

How does the 2026 Ford Explorer compare to the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2026 Ford Explorer:

• Pros: Comfortable, Optional twin-turbo V6, Impressive safety ratings.
• Cons: Bland styling, Nondescript interior, Gets expensive with options.

2026 Chevrolet Traverse:

• Pros: Spacious interior, Pleasant ride, Lots of safety equipment.
• Cons: Gruff engine, Too big to handle well, Mediocre power.

Our experts score the 2026 Ford Explorer 7.5/10 and the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse 7.3/10. The Explorer has the edge if you want stronger safety credentials and the option of a more powerful V6. The Traverse counters with a roomier-feeling cabin and a pleasant ride, but its engine and handling drawbacks make it less appealing overall. If you care most about comfort plus capability, the Explorer is the more balanced pick.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.