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 $25,798, and its year-round low is $24,627.69. That gives you a useful snapshot of where this model sits right now in its own used inventory. 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, and shoppers consistently respond to its roomy cabin, comfort, and versatile family-friendly layout. The all-generations owner rating is 4.35/5 across every model year in the data.

Owners repeatedly praise the Explorer for its spacious interior, strong performance, and practical cargo room. Across the model years, the most common positives center on comfort, power, and the way it works well for families and everyday use.

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

The main trade-offs that show up in recent expert coverage are bland styling, a nondescript interior, and pricing that can climb quickly with options. 28.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Ford Explorer models reliable?

Owners and experts consistently point to the Explorer’s comfort, space, and strong performance as core strengths. The model also earns praise for its practicality and family-friendly versatility, which helps explain why it remains a popular used SUV.

• 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 choosing a well-kept example with a clean history and service records, especially on older model years.

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

Across all model years, accident-free inventory is solid at 80.6% — 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; CoPilot 360 2.0 on higher trim levels
• Infotainment: 13.2-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity
• 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 these trims:

• Active: The base model starts the lineup with the standard 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, rear-wheel drive, the CoPilot 360+ safety suite, and the 13.2-inch touchscreen with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It’s the best-value choice if you want the core Explorer experience at the lowest starting price.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a more road-focused look with blacked-out exterior trim and larger wheels, while keeping the Explorer’s standard tech and safety features.
• Tremor: The Tremor is the off-road-focused trim, adding all-terrain tires, 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: This is the most luxurious trim, with leather upholstery and a more upscale cabin presentation.
• ST: The ST adds the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, sport-tuned suspension, and beefier brakes for buyers who want the strongest performance.

What Ford Explorer do most buyers choose?

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

These higher-volume years tend to be popular because they give you more inventory to compare, more pricing competition, and a broader mix of trims and equipment. That usually makes it easier to find the right combination of features, mileage, and price.

What is the Ford Explorer's resale value?

Most model years in the table are down year over year, which creates opportunities for used buyers looking for better value. A few newer years are moving less sharply, and one recent year is slightly up, so the pattern is not uniform across the lineup. 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
• 2016: 5/10

The 2026 Explorer includes the CoPilot 360+ safety suite on Active models, with higher trim levels adding CoPilot 360 2.0. 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 −9.64% versus a year ago, and the 2023 model is at −4.9%.
• Deal availability: The 2025 model has 29.8% good and great deals, and the 2023 model has 29.7%.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2024 model has the most listings at a current average price of $35,078. The Ford Explorer offers roomy three-row practicality and a versatile cabin that works well for families.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: Powertrain options are unchanged for 2026. The standard 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 is available on the Tremor grade, and standard on the Explorer ST, producing 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Both engines comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard on the Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST trim levels.
• 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, but 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 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.