2026 Ford Explorer
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-four. 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.
How we describe this model: spacious, useful, ideal for adventuring
Shop this vehicle against: Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride
Explorer Highlights
- standard tri-zone automatic climate control
- 13.2-inch Ford Digital Experience infotainment system with Google built-in
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ safety technology suite
- available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving
- available Bang & Olufsen audio
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Explorer Powertrain
- standard 300 hp (310 lb.-ft. of torque) turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine
- available 400 hp (415 lb.-ft. of torque) twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- standard rear-wheel drive (RWD), optional four-wheel drive (4WD)
- 2.3 liter EcoBoost EPA-estimated fuel efficiency: 19–20 mpg city/23–29 mpg highway
- 3.0-liter EcoBoost EPA-estimated fuel efficiency: 17–18 mpg city/22–25 mpg highway
- drive mode selector (settings: Normal, Eco, Sport, Tow/Haul, Slippery, and Trail; Tremor adds Off-Road)
- towing capacity: up to 5,000 pounds
Active 100A Interior
Seven-passenger layout with middle-row captain’s chairs (with E-Z Entry) and 50/50-split folding third-row bench seat, fabric upholstery, six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, automatic climate control with three zones, 12.3-inch driver information display, four USB ports, manual day/night rearview mirror, three 12V outlets (first row, second row, cargo area), automatic-up/down front windows
Active 100A Exterior
Proximity keyless entry, LED lighting (automatic-on/off headlights, taillights), heated power-adjustable side mirrors, manual liftgate, rear privacy glass, black mesh-style grille, lower body cladding, rear bumper step pad, skid plate elements, capless fuel filler, scuff plates on doorsills, 18-inch Sparkle Silver-painted aluminum wheels, Class III Trailer Tow Package (hitch and harness, trailer sway control, side-wind stabilization, and Blind Spot Information System with trailer coverage)
Active 100A Safety
Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite (adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, dynamic brake support, forward collision warning, pedestrian braking, automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, post-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert and trailer coverage, intersection assist, lane keeping assist, lane keeping alert, rear cross-traffic braking, speed-sign recognition, driver alert, exit warning, rearview camera with backup-assist grid lines), AdvanceTrac with roll stability control, auto hold, SOS post-crash alert
Active 100A Infotainment
13.2-inch Ford Digital Experience touchscreen, Google built-in (Maps, Assistant, Play), wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six speakers, SiriusXM satellite radio, 911 Assist, Ford Connectivity Package (5G connectivity, Wi-Fi hotspot, voice assistant, audio/video streaming, web browser access)
Active 100A Major Options
4WD, middle-row 35/30/35 bench seat with E-Z Entry and armrest
Active
Contents of Active 100A plus:
- 10-way power driver’s seat
- heated front seats
- power liftgate
- active noise cancellation
- side mirror-mounted security approach lights
- vinyl-wrapped steering wheel
- dual third-row USB ports (six total)
- black rooftop rails
- chrome-look bodyside cladding
- eligible for Active Comfort Package (ActiveX upholstery, eight-way power front passenger seat, heated steering wheel, second-row HVAC controls, signature LED lighting, LED fog lights, silver-painted skid plate elements, remote start), panoramic fixed-glass roof with power shade, 4WD
ST-Line
Contents of Active plus:
- remote start
- LED fog lights
- upgraded LED exterior lighting
- ActiveX upholstery with fabric inserts and red stitching
- eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
- leather-wrapped heated steering wheel
- second-row bench (seats seven occupants) with heated outboard seats
- Bang & Olufsen sound system with ten speakers and subwoofer
- rear auxiliary climate control
- adjustable head restraints
- sound-reducing front-door glass
- black-themed exterior treatments
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 (360-degree surround-view monitor, adaptive cruise control with predictive speed assist, road edge detection, front parking sensors)
- 20-inch machined aluminum wheels (painted Ebony)
- eligible for BlueCruise hands-free highway driving (equipment + one-time purchase), Premium Package (driver’s seat memory, middle-row heated outboard seats, ambient interior lighting, auto-dimming rearview mirror, driver’s-side auto-dimming side mirror with memory and LED turn indicators, rain-sensing wipers), ST-Line Street Pack (performance brakes, front and rear performance brake calipers painted red, 21-inch Magnetite-painted aluminum wheels), black-painted roof, panoramic fixed-glass roof with power shade, 4WD
Tremor
Contents of ST-Line plus:
- Intelligent 4WD with Hill Descent Control
- Torsen limited slip differential
- off-road suspension with lift (ground clearance: 8.7 inches)
- off-road auxiliary grille lights
- steel skid plates – front and rear underbody
- front tow hooks
- ActiveX upholstery with Miko inserts
- heated and ventilated front seats
- trim-exclusive styling elements and badging
- black bodyside cladding
- stainless-steel pedal caps
- black rooftop rails
- 110-volt AC power outlet (rear center console)
- 18-inch High-Gloss Ebony Black-painted aluminum wheels with Tremor Orange accents
- eligible for twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6, Tremor Ultimate Package (BlueCruise hands-free highway driving, panoramic fixed-glass roof with power sunshade, driver’s seat memory, multi-contour Active Motion massaging front seats, power-folding third-row bench, power-folding memory side-view mirrors with driver’s-side auto-dimming, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bang & Olufsen audio with 14 speakers and subwoofer, rain-sensing wipers), Tremor Convenience Package (ambient interior lighting, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing windshield wipers, driver’s seat memory, third-row PowerFold flat-folding bench seat, and power heated side mirrors with LED turn indicators, security approach lamps, driver’s side auto-dimming, position memory, and gloss-black caps), Blue Cruise (one-time purchase)
Platinum
Contents of ST-Line plus:
- leather upholstery with perforated inserts
- multi-contour Active Motion massaging front seats
- eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory
- six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
- power-folding third-row bench
- BlueCruise hands-free highway driving
- auto-dimming rearview mirror
- interior ambient lighting
- leather-wrapped door rollovers
- Bang & Olufsen audio with 14 speakers and subwoofer
- HD Radio
- power-folding side mirrors with driver’s-side auto-dimming
- adaptive headlights
- rain-sensing wipers
- 20-inch Luster aluminum wheels (painted Nickel)
- eligible for Lux Leather Package (premium leather upholstery and interior trim, quilting and stitching on seats and door panels, Platinum seat badges), Blue Cruise one-time purchase, panoramic fixed-glass roof with power shade, 4WD
ST
Contents of ST-Line plus:
- twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6
- heated flat-bottomed sport steering wheel
- sport-tuned suspension (ground clearance: 7.8 inches)
- performance brakes
- front and rear performance brake calipers (painted red)
- quad-tipped chrome exhaust outlets
- 21-inch Magnetite-painted aluminum wheels
- eligible for Sun and Sound Package (multi-contour Active Motion massaging front seats, Bang & Olufsen audio with 14 speakers, panoramic fixed-glass roof with power sunshade), black-painted roof, Blue Cruise one-time purchase, panoramic fixed-glass roof with power shade, 4WD
May not represent actual vehicle. (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary)
MSRP is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of the vehicle. Dealer sets final price. Sales tax, title, and registration fees are not included in vehicle prices or manufacturer offers that appear on this site and must be paid by the purchaser. $784 doc & title prep fees apply to all vehicle sales, including manufacturer offers that may appear on this website. MPG ratings are EPA estimates. Actual results may vary for many reasons, including driving conditions and how you drive and maintain your vehicle. See full site disclosure here.