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

Compare 2026 Ford Explorer Trims

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

• Starting at $36,190
• 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: $36,190 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 505 listings
• View Active RWD listings

Active AWD — "Who It's For"

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

• Avg. market price: $41,682 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 916 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 SUV experience with a few extra features without breaking the bank.

• Avg. market price: $41,508 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 435 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 good selection of features at a reasonable price.

• Avg. market price: $42,880 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,692 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 SUV with utility features for demanding tasks.

• Avg. market price: $45,505 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 690 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 and a stylish design.

• Avg. market price: $52,756 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 172 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 in their SUV.

• Avg. market price: $49,513 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,700 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 for comfort and convenience.

• Avg. market price: $55,224 (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 $36,190 avg market price — below the lineup median of $44,192 — 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 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — the 5/5 user rating and 7.5/10 expert rating point to a strong overall showing. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10. The 2026 Explorer is still a family-friendly midsize three-row crossover, so you’re getting a practical SUV with comfortable manners and broad usefulness rather than a flashy design or a dramatic cabin. The biggest 2026 change is the return of the Tremor model, which replaces the Timberline as the most capable Explorer for rougher terrain, and the available BlueCruise system also gets an update. The trade-offs are clear: styling is bland, the interior is nondescript, and options can push the price up quickly. Good and great deals account for 33.2% of listings, so there’s still 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 long-running family-SUV formula, comfortable ride, and broad usefulness support that impression, and the current generation has been on sale since the 2020 model year, which gives it a familiar, established feel. Its powertrains and 10-speed automatic are described as confident and effective, and the available twin-turbo V6 adds strong passing power without hesitation. Ford also includes useful ownership perks in the broader package, including 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 risk is that higher-mileage examples with lots of options may cost more to keep up than the simpler versions.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies. You should still run a history report, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, and focus on condition because the Explorer can vary a lot by trim and equipment level. Pay close attention to how the cabin and exterior wear match the asking price, especially on heavily optioned examples. If you’re considering a Tremor or another higher-spec model, make sure the added hardware and features are all present and functioning as expected.

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 Tremor adds the most rugged look and capability, while the base trim 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. Both engines use a 10-speed automatic, and the turbo-four can feel stressed when the Explorer 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 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 trim uses a 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, 20 mpg city, and 29 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive, or 23 mpg combined, 20 mpg city, and 27 mpg highway with all-wheel drive. V6 models are rated at 21 mpg combined, 18 mpg city, and 25 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive, and the Tremor is rated at 21 mpg combined, 19 mpg city, and 23 mpg highway with the inline-four or 19 mpg combined, 17 mpg city, and 22 mpg highway 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 full safety suite, and the big infotainment setup. It makes the most sense if you want the lowest starting price and don’t need the extra luxury or performance features.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a more aggressive appearance and moves you into the upgraded audio and equipment set. It’s a good fit if you want a nicer-feeling Explorer without jumping all the way to the pricier luxury or performance models.
• Platinum: This is the luxury choice, with the most upscale cabin treatment and leather upholstery. It’s the right pick if comfort and premium features matter more to you than ruggedness or sportiness.
• ST: This is the performance-oriented trim, with the twin-turbo V6 standard plus sport-tuned suspension and beefier brakes. Choose it if you want the strongest on-road performance in the lineup.
• Tremor: This is the best choice if you want the most off-road capability, with all-terrain tires, raised ride height, off-road lights, skid plates, and the V6 available. It’s the most distinctive Explorer and the best-value trim if you want rugged capability and extra equipment in one package.

Higher trims get CoPilot 360 2.0, while the Active uses CoPilot 360+.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it’s a reasonable time to shop if you’re willing to compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,604 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 94.7% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer safe?

The 2026 Ford Explorer is a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and earns five-star ratings from 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 the 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist, and road-edge detection. BlueCruise 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:

• 33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The Tremor returns for 2026, and BlueCruise gains automated lane-change capability.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It brings a more modern-feeling update with improved interior quality, bolder styling, and new infotainment and safety tech.

The bottom line: If you want the newest version with the Tremor and updated BlueCruise, the 2026 is the better target. If you’re shopping on price and want a more modern-feeling Explorer without paying for the latest model year, the 2025 is the smarter value play.

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 performance options and better safety credentials, while the Traverse leans harder into interior space. The Explorer’s drawbacks are its plain styling and pricey options, while the Traverse gives up some refinement and power.

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