New & Used 2026 Ford Explorer for Sale nearSan Luis Obispo, CA

Compare 2026 Ford Explorer Trims

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

• Starting at $37,998
• 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: $37,998 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 414 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, offering solid features for the price.

• Avg. market price: $42,730 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 769 listings
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line RWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line RWD is ideal for buyers wanting a well-rounded SUV with a good mix of features and value without going for the top trims.

• Avg. market price: $42,510 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 405 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 at a reasonable price.

• Avg. market price: $44,942 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,694 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 rugged vehicle with utility features, ideal for demanding environments.

• Avg. market price: $47,965 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 621 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Tremor AWD — "Who It's For"

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

• Avg. market price: $53,893 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 139 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Tremor AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is the choice for shoppers seeking luxury and advanced features in their SUV, providing a premium experience.

• Avg. market price: $51,245 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,627 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

ST AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST AWD is for performance enthusiasts who want a powerful SUV with high-end features, making it the most popular choice.

• Avg. market price: $56,281 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 2,890 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST AWD

With 2,890 active listings, the ST AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Active RWD

At $37,998 avg market price — below the lineup median of $46,453 — 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 September 12, 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 experts. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

The 2026 Ford Explorer is a family-friendly midsize three-row crossover that keeps doing the job without trying too hard to be flashy. Ford’s own take is that it remains a straightforward choice, and the test-drive notes back that up with comfortable driving manners, an optional twin-turbo V6, and strong safety performance.

The trade-offs are clear: bland styling and a nondescript interior keep it from feeling special, and options can push the price up quickly.

For shoppers who want a practical three-row SUV with strong safety credentials and available performance, it fits the brief well. 34.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals, 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 Explorer’s appeal here starts with its mainstream, family-focused mission: it’s built to be a comfortable, easy-to-live-with midsize three-row SUV rather than a complicated specialty vehicle. The expert notes also point to confident handling, a comfortable ride, and a powertrain lineup that includes a proven turbo-four and an available twin-turbo V6.

The performance notes also emphasize that the 10-speed automatic is quick and responsive, which is a good sign for everyday drivability over the long haul. Ford’s warranty coverage is in line with most rivals, so used buyers should still pay close attention to maintenance records, tire wear, and how the vehicle was optioned, since higher-spec versions can be expensive to keep up.

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 vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re looking at a higher-mileage example or one with the available V6. Pay close attention to interior condition, tire wear, and whether the features you want were actually included on the trim you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup ranges from the Active base model to the Platinum, with ST-Line and ST aimed more at on-road style and the Tremor adding the most rugged hardware. The base Active is the most stripped-down version, while the Platinum brings the most luxury-oriented feel.
• 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.
• 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 and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and 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 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 makes the most sense if you want the Explorer’s core family-SUV formula without paying for extras. It gets the standard infotainment setup and the full CoPilot 360+ safety package, but it’s also the most basic version in terms of comfort and audio equipment.
• ST-Line: This is the better-looking road-oriented choice if you want a more styled Explorer without jumping to the performance-focused ST. It adds a more aggressive appearance than the Active and sits in the middle of the lineup for shoppers who care about looks and everyday use.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-leaning pick if you want the most upscale version of the Explorer. It’s the trim to consider if you care most about comfort and a more premium feel.
• ST: This is the choice if you want the strongest on-road performance. It pairs the twin-turbo V6 with sport-tuned suspension and beefier brakes, so it’s the trim for buyers who want the Explorer to feel quicker and sharper.
• Tremor: This is the best-value trim if you want the Explorer’s most distinctive personality. It adds the off-road-focused hardware, including all-terrain tires, raised ride height, off-road lights, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, off-road drive mode, and steel skid plates.

Higher trim levels add CoPilot 360 2.0, which brings 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 can shop carefully and still find decent opportunities.

• Deal availability: 34.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,159 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 from NHTSA in frontal and side crash testing, with four-star ratings in rollover testing.

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, which brings a 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist for adaptive cruise control, and road-edge detection for lane-keep assist. Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system is also updated for 2026 with 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:

• 34.5% 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 brings a more appealing lineup with updated infotainment, improved interior quality, and bolder styling.

The bottom line: If you want the newest Explorer with the Tremor and updated driver-assist tech, the 2026 is the cleaner target. If you’re shopping on value and want a more appealing-feeling Explorer for less money, the 2025 is the smarter place to look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.