How much does the Ford Explorer cost in today's market?

Used Ford Explorer prices span a wide range depending on model year. Here's what the market looks like right now:

The Ford Explorer's current nationwide average price is $25,839, and its year-round low is $24,622.13. That puts the model in a broad price band that shifts meaningfully by generation and trim. Recently, prices have come down for the 2023 and 2025 models, making now a good time to shop recent model years.

Is the Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — the Ford Explorer earns a strong all-generations owner rating of 4.35/5 across every model year in the data. The all-generations owner rating is 4.35/5 across every model year in the data.

Owners consistently praise the Explorer for its spacious interior, comfort, and strong performance, and they also value its versatility for family use. Across the model years, the cabin space and cargo room come up often as major strengths, along with the available power and everyday practicality. Recent expert coverage also reinforces the Explorer’s comfortable ride and broad capability.

Expert reviews rate the 2025 and 2026 models among the highest across all years.

The trade-offs that show up most often are the bland styling, nondescript interior, and the way higher-optioned versions can get expensive.

32.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Ford Explorer models reliable?

Owners and experts repeatedly point to the Explorer’s comfort, space, and practical versatility as core strengths, and those qualities help explain why it remains a popular used SUV. The newest expert coverage also highlights a comfortable ride and confident handling, which support its reputation as a well-rounded family vehicle.

• Owners rate the Ford Explorer between 3.0 and 5.0 out of 5 stars across all model years in the data.

For used buyers, long-term ownership risk is best managed by checking condition carefully, since reliability has varied by generation and some older examples have more wear-related concerns than later ones.

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

Across all model years, accident-free inventory is solid at 80.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

Older model years carry meaningfully higher accident rates, so always verify the vehicle history report on pre-2020 models.

Key things to evaluate:

• Safety package: CoPilot 360+ on Active models, with adaptive cruise control, lane centering, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic braking, post-collision braking, and traffic sign recognition.
• Infotainment: A 13.2-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Google Maps, Google Play Store, and SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbo-four engine returns an EPA-rated 24 mpg combined (20 mpg city; 29 mpg highway) with RWD and 23 mpg combined (20 mpg city; 27 mpg highway) with AWD. V6 models are rated at 21 mpg combined (18 mpg city; 25 mpg highway) with RWD and lose 1 mpg combined with AWD. Thanks to its all-terrain tires, the Tremor is rated at a lower 21 mpg combined (19 mpg city; 23 mpg highway) with the inline-four engine and 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city; 22 mpg highway) with the V6.

Which Ford Explorer trim should I buy?

The 2026 Ford Explorer offers...

• Active: The base model brings the standard 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, CoPilot 360+ safety tech, a 13.2-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a practical starting point for shoppers who want the essentials.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a more road-focused appearance and sits above the Active, making it a good fit if you want a sportier look with the same core family-SUV formula.
• Tremor: The Tremor is the off-road-focused choice, with all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels, a raised ride height, off-road lights in the grille, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, off-road drive mode, and steel skid plates.
• Platinum: The Platinum is the most luxurious trim, adding leather upholstery and the most upscale cabin presentation.
• ST: The ST adds the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, sport-tuned suspension, and beefier brakes for the strongest performance-oriented setup.

What Ford Explorer do most buyers choose?

The Ford Explorer years with the most listings are 2024, 2023, and 2022.

Those high-volume years tend to be popular because they combine broad availability with strong deal percentages, giving you more choices without giving up much in terms of value. They also sit in the sweet spot where newer features and more manageable pricing overlap.

What is the Ford Explorer's resale value?

Most Explorer model years are down year over year, which can work in your favor if you’re shopping used. The biggest drops are concentrated in older and mid-cycle years, while a few newer examples are holding closer to flat. That makes the market especially attractive if you want a recent model without paying new-car pricing.

The 2024 model year is holding steady, with prices close to flat year-over-year.

The 2024, 2023, and 2014 model years have held their value best, with the smallest year-over-year price changes.

Is the Ford Explorer safe?

• 2026: 10/10
• 2025: 9/10
• 2022: 10/10
• 2021: 9/10
• 2020: 8/10

The 2026 Explorer includes CoPilot 360+ on Active models, and higher trims add CoPilot 360 2.0 with a 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist, and road-edge detection. For the safest used buy, the 2022 and 2026 models both post the highest confirmed score of 10/10.

Should I buy a used Ford Explorer now or wait for the next model?

Buy now if:

• Price trend: The 2025 model is at −9.39% versus a year ago, and the 2023 model is at −4.4%.
• Deal availability: The 2023 model has 33.1% good and great deals.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2024 model has the most listings at a current average price of $35,158. The Ford Explorer offers roomy three-row practicality and a versatile cabin that works well for families.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: The standard 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 produces 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque.
• Tech: A 13.2-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster are standard on all models, along with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Google Maps, Google Play Store, and SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio.
• Safety: Ford brought its BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system to the Explorer for the 2025 model year, and for 2026 it’s upgraded from version 1.2 to version 1.5, adding automated lane-change capability.
• Starting price: Pricing starts at $40,160 for the most basic Active 100A spec.

If you're buying used today, the 2024 model year offers the best mix of value and availability. If you want the latest tech and features, it may be worth waiting for 2028 inventory to mature.

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