Key Points
- The 2026 Ford Explorer is priced from $40,160 (all prices include $1,695 destination charge).
- New base trim ditches a few features for a lower starting price
- Off-road-oriented Tremor trim debuts
Updated for the 2025 model year with a modernized interior and more standard equipment, the Ford Explorer enters 2026 with a new base trim level and its own Tremor variant for buyers looking to wander farther off pavement (or looking to look like they wander farther off pavement). The powerful twin-turbocharged V-6 engine remains available, but it’s no longer in the range-topping Explorer Platinum. The ST can now be had with a second-row bench seat, and regardless of which trim level they choose, every 2026 Explorer buyer can add an optional fixed panoramic moonroof. Otherwise, Ford’s three-row mid-size SUV carries over largely unchanged.
Related: 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor: More Capability, More Survivability
Release Date and Pricing
The 2026 Ford Explorer is on sale now. Full pricing is as follows:
- Base: $40,160
- Active: $42,280
- ST-Line: $46,850
- Tremor: $50,160
- Platinum: $52,660
- ST: $56,600
Trim Levels and Safety Features
The Explorer’s new entry-level trim, which Ford refers to as Active 100A for its internal package code, ditches the (just plain) Active’s power liftgate, roof rails and heated front seats for a lower sticker price. However, it retains the keyless entry and start, 18-inch wheels and LED exterior lighting. Inside are cloth seats (six-way power-adjustable for the driver), second-row captain’s chairs, tri-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, six speakers, and a 13.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The step-up Active gains back the power liftgate, roof rails and heated front seats, as well as a 10-way power driver’s seat.
Ford’s Co-Pilot360 Assist+ safety suite is standard on every 2026 Explorer. It includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, emergency steering assist, lane-centering steering, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver-attention monitor, road-sign recognition, rear parking sensors and automatic high beams.
The ST-Line gets some of the visual upgrades of the sporty ST trim level but stickers for nearly $10,000 less. It rides on 20-inch wheels and wears upgraded trim outside and in; the latter includes black upholstery with red contrast stitching. The ST-Line also includes a heated steering wheel, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, and Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, which adds front and side parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system and rear automatic braking.
New for 2026, the Tremor sits an inch higher than other Explorers on 18-inch wheels shod in 31-inch all-terrain tires. It also gets a limited-slip rear differential, tweaked suspension, front and rear skid plates, and unique front and rear bumpers for improved clearance off-road. Additional luxury equipment includes ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats.
At the opposite end of the enthusiast spectrum is the full-bore Explorer ST. It gets a sportier suspension tune, upgraded brakes with red calipers, quad exhaust outlets, 21-inch wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power-folding third row, and unique interior trim with ambient lighting.
Atop the Explorer lineup, the Platinum trim boasts seats trimmed in a mix of premium leather and synthetic leather, Ford’s tremendously adjustable and comfortable Multicontour front seats, and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
BlueCruise, Ford’s hands-free semi-autonomous highway-driving system, is optional on the ST-Line and Tremor; it’s standard on the ST and Platinum.
Read More About the Ford Explorer on Cars.com:
- 2025 Ford Explorer Review: Still Fun, Still Flawed
- Auto Show Faceoff: 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Vs. 2025 Ford Explorer
- Is the 2025 Ford Explorer a Good 3-Row SUV? 4 Pros, 3 Cons
- 2025 Ford Explorer: A Sexier, Techier SUV
- Research the Ford Explorer
Powertrain Specs and MPG
The 2026 Ford Explorer’s base engine is a 300-horsepower, turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 310 pounds-feet of torque; it’s mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. A 400-hp, twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 with 415 pounds-feet is optional on the Tremor and standard on the ST; it, too, is backed by a 10-speed automatic.
Rear-wheel drive is standard on every trim level except the Tremor, which includes four-wheel drive. 4WD is a $2,000 option on the rest of the lineup except the ST-Line, where it also includes the Street Pack (21-inch wheels and upgraded brakes with red calipers) for $3,450.
With the 2.3-liter, the 2026 Explorer returns an EPA-rated 20/29/24 mpg city/highway/combined with RWD and 20/27/23 mpg with 4WD. The thirstier twin-turbo V-6 is rated at 18/25/21 mpg with RWD and 18/25/20 with 4WD. With its standard 4WD, taller stance and all-terrain tires, the Tremor returns 19/23/21 mpg with the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and 17/22/19 mpg with the V-6.
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