2026 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer has been a trusted name in midsize SUVs for decades. It was just redesigned for the 2025 model year with a refreshed look, an updated interior, and modernized tech, including the available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system. Now, for 2026, the new Tremor model enters the lineup, which brings rugged capabilities and aesthetics to the practical Explorer. This SUV’s family-friendly 3-row interior makes it good for daily errand running and long-distance road-tripping alike. Meanwhile, it has one of our favorite engine lineups in this segment, which includes an eager and efficient turbo 4-cylinder and a more muscular turbo V6. The Ford Explorer remains a safe and sensible choice in midsize SUVs.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize SUVs, including the Ford Explorer.

The big update to the Ford Explorer for 2026 is the addition of the off-road-ready Tremor model, which replaces the Timberline trim that was discontinued last year.

Before buying an Explorer, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Ford Explorer resale value is about average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2026 Ford Explorer is propelled by a 300-horsepower turbo 4-cylinder engine matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). We like this engine’s blend of peppy performance and good fuel economy, but some rivals have more refined power delivery. Rear-wheel drive is uncommon in this class, and it lends a decidedly sporty driving experience to the Explorer for a family SUV. Even when it’s equipped with all-wheel drive, the rear-bias is noticeable and welcome.

The Explorer’s base engine makes the most sense for most drivers, but the enthusiast in us loves the optional 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 – it’s simply one of our favorite engines in this class. It’s optional in the Platinum and Tremor trims and standard in the ST. The ST model brings more performance upgrades like a sport-tuned suspension system and upgraded brakes, but we’ve found its steering to be less-than-sporty for what is supposed to be a performance vehicle.

But let’s remember that the Ford Explorer is a 3-row family SUV, so how does it do in eating up miles on the highway? Long-distance highway comfort is a strong suit of the Explorer. Its suspension is compliant and comfortable, and noise levels are reasonably quiet. One of our favorite features of the Explorer is BlueCruise, a hands-free highway driving system that’s standard in all but the base Active trim. With BlueCruise, you can keep your hands off the wheel and your eyes on the road on more than 130,000 miles of North American highways. It feels natural and is one of our favorite hands-free systems of its kind.

Fuel Economy

The Ford Explorer’s 24 mpg in combined city-and-highway driving is near the top of its class for gas-only models. That’s with rear-wheel drive. Opting for all-wheel drive will drop that combined figure to 23 mpg. The available turbo V6 returns up to 21 combined mpg and still runs on regular-grade gas, keeping fuel costs reasonable. Premium isn’t required, but recommended for maximum performance in the ST.

The Ford Explorer has a 3-row configuration and seating for up to seven. Upper trims offer second-row captain’s chairs that reduce seating capacity to six but improve second-row comfort and open up easier access to the third row. Front-row occupants have more breathing room because Ford pushed the dashboard forward with last year’s redesign. Ford added a tray beneath the 13.2-inch touchscreen for storage or to house the available wireless smartphone charger. Next to the touchscreen and directly behind the steering wheel is a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and driver-information display.

Ford made a welcome upgrade to the Explorer’s overall interior quality for the 2025 model, but there are still parts that feel subpar compared to similarly priced rivals. This is forgivable in the more affordable trims, but even the pricey upper trims have an unwelcome amount of hard plastics in the cabin. This interior has the practicality and toughness for daily family use, but some competitors are just nicer inside.

The Explorer provides a generous 39 inches of second-row legroom, about average for this class. Life in the third row is somewhat less comfortable. Low-set cushions and 32.2 inches of legroom make this area better suited for younger and smaller family members. The Explorer’s third-row legroom is near the bottom of the 3-row pack. If you’ll use that third row regularly, passengers will appreciate it if you shop around for something a little roomier.

Behind the third row is a luggage area of 16.3 cubic feet. With rows two and three folded, the maximum cargo space is 85.8 cubic feet. Both measurements are roughly average for the class.

Ford beefed up the Explorer’s exterior styling last year with a larger grille (each trim has a unique grille), new LED headlights, and lower, wider air curtains. An updated liftgate, sporting new LED taillights, highlights the changes to the tail. Pick the ST-Line, ST, or Platinum grades, and you can opt for a black-painted roof. For a more rugged aesthetic, go for the new Tremor model.

13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
This impressive touchscreen, included on every trim, commands the Ford Digital Experience infotainment interface. Powered by Google, it allows you to surf the web, stream music and video, play games, and generally stay connected — great for passing time while parked.

12.3-inch digital driver information display
Also standard on every trim, the driver can customize this large screen to display whatever information is most essential at the time. Moreover, it has a minimal Mindful mode, cutting down on any info that might be distracting.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Wireless smartphone integration is standard in every new Explorer, making it easy to bring your maps, music, and more from your phone to the screen in the car.

Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+
This comprehensive array of advanced safety and driver-aid technologies includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more.

Tremor
The Ford Explorer Tremor is new for 2026. The most capable Explorer ever boasts standard all-wheel drive, an extra inch of ride height, improved approach and departure angles, a Torsen limited-slip differential, extra underbody protection, and a rugged appearance package that includes 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.

BlueCruise
Optional on the ST-Line and higher trims, this semi-autonomous driving system is advanced enough that a driver may remove their hands from the steering wheel when in a predetermined hands-free stretch of divided highway (Hands-Free Blue Zones). It can brake, steer, accelerate, and even change lanes on its own. We’re big fans.

The base powertrain in the 2026 Ford Explorer is a 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Its output is a healthy 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Enthusiasts will be interested in the optional 3.0-liter turbo V6, which also links to the 10-speed auto, making 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. We love this engine – it’s the one to get for anyone who wants an exciting driving experience in their practical family SUV. With both engines, rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional, but all-wheel drive is standard with the Tremor. The Explorer boasts a maximum to rating of up to 5,000 pounds, which is about average its class.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Ford follows most mainstream carmakers, issuing the industry-standard bumper-to-bumper limited warranty coverage of three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Likewise, the Explorer’s limited powertrain warranty is the usual five years or 60,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the current-generation Explorer its 5-Star overall safety rating. Moreover, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Explorer with its top score of Good in every one of its crash tests. The Ford Explorer’s bundle of advanced safety and driver-assist tech includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, high-beam assist, rear-park assist, and more.