New & Used 2026 Ford Explorer for Sale nearSanta Maria, 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 — 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 remains a family-friendly midsize three-row crossover, and Ford’s own positioning still treats it as a straightforward, practical choice rather than a flashy one. The current-generation Explorer has been around since the 2020 model year, and for 2026 the big change is the return of the Tremor, which replaces the Timberline as the most off-road-capable version. The available BlueCruise driver-assist system also gets an update.

The trade-offs are clear: the Explorer can feel bland in styling, the interior is nondescript, and options can push pricing up quickly.

With 35.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s 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 core appeal is that it stays familiar and easy to live with: it’s a mainstream family SUV with a long production run, a conventional powertrain lineup, and a design that prioritizes everyday usability. The available turbocharged engines and 10-speed automatic are described as confident and effective, and the ride and handling are praised for being comfortable and composed.

Ford also includes useful ownership-friendly touches, including a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. That said, the long-term ownership risk for used buyers is mostly about choosing the right configuration and avoiding overpaying for options that don’t add lasting value.

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 considering a higher-priced trim or a heavily optioned example. Focus on condition, equipment operation, and whether the features you want are actually present on the specific vehicle you’re looking at.

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 ST adds sport-tuned suspension and beefier brakes. The Tremor is the rugged choice, with all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, and off-road lighting.
• 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. Both pair with a 10-speed automatic.
• 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 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 are also standard. The base Active uses a six-speaker audio system, while other trims get a 10-speaker B&O system, with a 14-speaker upgrade available.
• 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 gives you the core Explorer experience with the standard turbo-four, the full infotainment setup, and the CoPilot 360+ safety package. It’s the trim to consider if you want the lowest starting price and don’t need extra luxury or performance features.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a more road-focused appearance and sits above the base model without jumping all the way to luxury or performance territory. It’s a good fit if you want a dressier look and more equipment than Active, but don’t need the extra cost of the upper trims.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-leaning choice, with leather upholstery and the most upscale feel in the lineup. If comfort and cabin finish matter most, this is the trim to target.
• ST: This is the performance-oriented road model, with the twin-turbo V6, sport-tuned suspension, and beefier brakes. Choose it if you want the strongest on-road performance in the lineup.
• Tremor: This is the best-value trim for buyers who want the most capability and the most distinctive character. It adds the twin-turbo V6, all-wheel drive, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, off-road drive mode, steel skid plates, all-terrain tires, raised suspension, and off-road lighting.

Higher trim levels 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 opportunities.

• Deal availability: 35.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,174 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 95.2% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer safe?

The 2026 Ford Explorer is a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS 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.

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, and road-edge detection for lane-keep assist. BlueCruise is also updated 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:

• 35.6% 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 update brings a Tremor model and an upgraded BlueCruise system.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It adds modern infotainment and safety tech, improved interior quality, and a more appealing overall package.

The bottom line: If you want the newest version with the Tremor and updated driver-assist tech, the 2026 is the cleaner target. If you’re more price-sensitive, the 2025 can make sense because it already brought major improvements and may be easier to justify on value.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.