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 powerful performance models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $36,004
• 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: $36,004 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 508 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: $41,482 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 934 listings
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line RWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a stylish SUV with standard features without stepping up to a higher trim.

• Avg. market price: $41,269 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 418 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: $42,877 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,673 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: $45,478 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 687 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 advanced features.

• Avg. market price: $52,539 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 189 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: $49,535 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,684 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 and technology.

• Avg. market price: $54,975 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 2,907 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST AWD

With 2,907 active listings, the ST AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Active RWD

At $36,004 avg market price — below the lineup median of $44,177 — 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 at 20/29 MPG.

Browse Active RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — your 5/5 user rating and the 7.5/10 expert rating point to a strong overall showing. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10. The 2026 Explorer stays focused on being a family-friendly midsize three-row crossover, so you get comfortable manners and broad usefulness rather than flashy styling or a dramatic cabin. The biggest change for 2026 is the return of the Tremor model, which replaces the Timberline as the most capable Explorer for rougher terrain, and the available BlueCruise driver-assist system also gets an update. The trade-offs are that it can feel bland in styling and nondescript inside, and it gets expensive with options. With 35.9% of listings priced as good or great deals, you have 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 is consistency: it keeps the same basic formula, and the available powertrains and 10-speed automatic are described as a confident, well-matched setup. The turbo-four can feel a little stressed when the Explorer is loaded up with passengers and cargo, or when towing, while the twin-turbo V6 brings quick passing power and strong performance. Ford also includes 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-spec versions can be costly to keep if you want the more powerful engine and extra equipment.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.5% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies. You should still run a vehicle history report, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, and focus on condition, especially if you’re looking at a higher-mileage or heavily optioned example. Pay close attention to how the cabin, electronics, and driver-assistance features work, since the Explorer’s value depends heavily on equipment level and trim.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Active is the base model, the Platinum is the most luxurious, and the ST-Line and ST have styling that’s more at home on the road than on the trail. The Tremor adds all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, off-road lights, and a more rugged look, while the ST adds sport-tuned suspension and beefier brakes. The base trim also misses some equipment found higher up, including active noise cancellation and the third-row USB-C ports.
• 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 AWD is standard on the Tremor.
• 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: All models get a 13.2-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 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 a 14-speaker version available.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbo-four returns 24 mpg combined with RWD, including 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. With AWD, it’s rated at 23 mpg combined, including 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. 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:

• Active: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core Explorer experience with the standard 2.3-liter turbo-four, the 13.2-inch touchscreen, the 12.3-inch digital cluster, wireless smartphone integration, and the full CoPilot 360+ safety suite. It’s the trim to choose if you want the lowest-cost path into the lineup.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a more road-focused look and sits above the base model, making it a better fit if you want a dressier appearance without jumping to the pricier luxury or performance versions.
• Platinum: This is the best choice if you want the most upscale Explorer, with leather upholstery and the most luxurious positioning in the lineup.
• ST: This is the performance-oriented pick, with the twin-turbo V6 standard plus sport-tuned suspension and beefier brakes. It’s the right choice if you want the strongest on-road performance.
• Tremor: This is the best fit if you want the most capability off pavement, with all-terrain tires, raised ride height, off-road lights, skid plates, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, and an off-road drive mode. It’s the best-value trim if your priority is rugged capability and you want the most distinctive Explorer.

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’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,617 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 94.5% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer safe?

The 2026 Ford Explorer is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ and earns five-star ratings 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 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:

• 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.5% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The Tremor returns for 2026, and BlueCruise gets an update.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It adds major updates, including more modern infotainment, improved interior quality, and bolder styling.

The bottom line: If you want the newest version with the Tremor and updated driver-assist tech, the 2026 is the cleaner pick. If you’re shopping on price and want a more modern-feeling Explorer without paying for the latest model year, the 2025 is the smart alternative.

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 standout safety credentials. The Traverse counters with more interior space and a pleasant ride, but its engine and overall size are less appealing. If you value power and safety more than cabin room, the Explorer is the better fit; if space is your top priority, the Traverse deserves a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.