2026 Ford
Explorer

The steadfast Explorer would never let down its devotees. The midsized SUV continues to offer the versatility and space that have been its signature for decades. Ford has expanded the trim range for 2026, with the model’s very first Tremor edition – a designation that until now was limited to Ford pickups. This rugged newcomer gets an off-road suspension, steel undercarriage protection, and trail lights to go off the beaten path. Plus, it’s available with the EcoBoost V6 engine, which adds an extra 100 ponies over the standard inline-4. For those seeking function over fashion, Ford returns the Explorer’s base grade, the Active 100A. This more utilitarian people mover comes in below the Active, forgoing its power-adjustable, heated front seats and power liftgate but remaining a comfortable and capable family vehicle with second-row captain’s chairs, tri-zone auto climate control, and several driver-assist technologies.

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Trims and Powertrains

The 2026 Explorer lineup contains six trims: the Active 100A, Active, ST-Line, Tremor, Platinum, and ST. A turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine comes standard on the five lower trims and puts out 300 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque. The ST upgrades to a twin-turbo 3-liter EcoBoost V6, which makes 400 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. of torque (optional for the Tremor). A 10-speed automatic transmission completes both powertrains and comes with paddle shifters on the ST.

The Active 100A, Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST come standard with a rear-wheel drivetrain (RWD), with the option for four-wheel drive (4WD), which is the Tremor’s exclusive drivetrain. Most Explorers with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine return an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with RWD. AWD city mileage matches RWD, but highway fuel economy drops to an estimated 27 mpg. The Tremor comes in at 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. The ST achieves an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 in either drivetrain. Both engines have automatic start/stop, and the drive mode selector offers Normal, Eco, Sport, Tow/Haul, Slippery, and Trail settings, joined by Off-Road mode on the Tremor. The minimum ground clearance is 7.6 inches, which the ST increases to 7.8, the Platinum to 8.3, and the Tremor to 8.7. The standard suspension package gets MacPherson front struts and a multi-link independent rear suspension—both with gas-pressurized hydraulic shocks—plus a non-limited-slip rear axle. The Tremor rides on off-road suspension with a Torsen limited-slip rear axle, while the ST’s suspension is sport-tuned. Every Explorer has a 5,000-pound tow limit and comes equipped with the Class III Trailer Tow Package, which includes a hitch and harness, along with trailer sway control, side-wind stabilization, and a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with trailer coverage.

Standard Furnishings

The Active 100A seats six with second-row captain’s chairs and a third-row 50/50-split folding bench seat. Its interior highlights are cloth seating surfaces, tri-zone electronic automatic temperature control, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, push-button start, a manual day/night rearview mirror, six USB ports (two front-mounted, two center console, two second row), three 12-volt powerpoints (first row, second row, cargo area), a center console with an armrest and storage bin, an overhead console with map lights and sunglasses storage, and cargo hooks. The exterior stands out with lower body cladding, 4-Door Intelligent Access heated side-view mirrors with power-adjustment, LED headlights with courtesy delay and auto on/off, LED taillights, a rear bumper step pad, door-sill scuff plates, rear privacy glass, an Easy Fuel capless fuel filler, and 18-inch Sparkle Silver-painted aluminum wheels. The Active adds heated front seats, a power liftgate, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, side-view mirror-mounted approach lights, dual third-row USB ports (eight total), dome lights in all three rows, and roof rails.

The ST-Line seats eight with a heated 35/30/35-split folding second-row bench seat, ActiveX leatherette upholstery with red stitching, an 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and rear auxiliary climate controls. It also gets a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, remote start, trim-specific blacked-out LED headlights and taillights, LED fog lights, front acoustic-laminate windows, and 20-inch Ebony Black-painted machined aluminum wheels. The Tremor returns to the second-row captain’s chairs – this time heated – along with heated and ventilated front seats, ActiveX upholstery with Miko seat inserts and Tremor branding and stitching, a flat-bottomed heated steering wheel, off-road auxiliary lights, front recovery hooks, front and rear steel undercarriage deflector plates, a 110-volt center console-mounted AC power outlet, two 12-volt powerpoints (first row, cargo area), floor liners, and 18-inch high-gloss Ebony Black-painted aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires.

The Platinum rises toward luxury territory with a micro-perforated leather interior, Multicontour front seats with Active Motion, heated and ventilated second-row seats, PowerFold third-row seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a universal garage door opener, interior ambient lighting, adaptive LED headlights, power-folding side-view mirrors with memory and driver’s-side auto-dimming, and 20-inch Luster Nickel-painted aluminum wheels. The ST returns to ActiveX upholstery with Miko seat inserts and red stitching, a heated sport steering wheel, paddle shifters, quad chrome exhaust tips, trim-exclusive badging, and 21-inch Magnetite-painted aluminum wheels.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is installed on every 2026 Explorer, providing a Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert and exit warning, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic braking, intersection assist, lane-keeping assist, lane-keeping alert, driver alert, rear parking sensors, post-collision braking, speed sign recognition, a rearview camera with backup assist grid lines, and automatic high beams. The ST-Line moves up to Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, which gives it adaptive cruise control with predictive speed assist, front parking sensors, road-edge detection, reverse brake assist, and a 360-degree camera with split-view. Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving technology is standard on the Platinum.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every 2026 Explorer receives the Ford Digital Experience infotainment suite, including a 13.2-inch touchscreen with Google built-in (Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play), wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth hands-free phone and streaming, a 4G/5G modem, and 911 Assist. The Active 100A has six speakers, which the Active complements with active noise cancellation. The ST-Line, Tremor, and ST upgrade to a 10-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system with a subwoofer and HD Radio, while the Platinum upgrades further to a 980-watt Bang and Olufsen setup with 14 speakers. All trims are compatible with the Ford Connectivity Package, which provides 5G access with a Wi-Fi hotspot, audio and video streaming, a web browser, and voice assistance.

May not represent actual vehicle. (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary)

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