The 2026 Ford Explorer Puts the Spotlight on Safety

The Ford Explorer’s spacious, three-row design and full suite of standard safety technology make the SUV a great option for those seeking a safe, reliable family vehicle, but you don’t have to take our word for it. The midsize model has racked up plenty of hardware over its 30-plus years on the market, and the current sixth-generation version of America’s all-time bestselling SUV is setting a new standard in the competitive segment. Just look at the 2025 Explorer. Last year’s model topped Consumer Reports’ list of the best midsize three-row options, and once again led the entire Ford SUV lineup with nearly 200,000 sales, but it’s the Explorer’s safety credentials that really up its appeal amongst families.

The 2025 Explorer not only logged yet another five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but it also extended its streak of Top Safety Pick+ awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with six consecutive nods to its name. The popular SUV was also named 2025’s “Best Family Car” by CarBuzz, with the digital publication singling out the Explorer’s performance, value, infotainment system, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving system. “It’s a family SUV with no weakness,” writes CarBuzz, and we’re inclined to agree.

The Explorer’s arsenal of ADAS—dubbed Ford Co-Pilot360—makes the Explorer a clear standout in today’s market, and allows families to hit the road with a new sense of confidence. From standard ADAS features to premium tech like an enhanced adaptive cruise control system, adaptive headlights, and more, there are plenty of good reasons for safety-minded drivers to seek out a Ford Explorer for sale near Snellville. The sixth-generation Explorer was just treated to a comprehensive refresh for the 2025 model year, and while 2026 doesn’t bring any major changes, it’s hard to fault Ford for sticking with such a successful formula. Let’s explore some of the highlights of the 2026 model and learn why the Explorer marks a welcome addition to any family.

Co-Pilot360 Assist+ Creates a Safer Road for All

Co-Pilot360 Assist+ marks the latest iteration of Ford’s comprehensive array of ADAS. It’s difficult to find a contemporary vehicle that doesn’t include some sort of ADAS package, but Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is notable for its impressive scope and functionality. Ford’s system allows every driver to enjoy a well-rounded arsenal of modern ADAS features, regardless of the trim they choose, marking it a welcome departure from other brands that often limit premium safety features to higher models and optional equipment packages.

From standard tech like forward collision warning with automatic braking, a lane centering system and rear parking sensors to advanced features like evasive steering assistance and intersection collision mitigation, Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is designed to give Snellville drivers some priceless peace of mind every time they step into the Explorer. The package also helps to address one of the most dreaded scenarios a driver can encounter: merging into another lane at highway speed only to discover that it’s already occupied by another vehicle.

Co-Pilot360 Assist+’s blind-spot warning system makes those moments of panic a thing of the past by continually monitoring your blind spot and providing a helpful, attention-grabbing warning when you’re trying to change lanes. The blind-spot warning system also includes a rear cross-traffic alert feature that serves a similar role when reversing the vehicle, alerting drivers to any pedestrians, vehicles, or other obstacles that might be lurking just outside of their view. Every 2026 Explorer is equipped with adaptive cruise control, but most trims also include an enhanced version that leverages the SUV’s cameras to automatically read and react to traffic signs to ensure you’re always on the right side of the law.

Five Trims, Endless Safety

Climb the Explorer’s trim ladder and you’ll find some additional features and optional equipment packages that further enhance the SUV’s already impressive safety credentials. We’ve mentioned the enhanced adaptive cruise control system that can be found on the ST-Line and above, but the performance-inspired trim also adds front and rear parking sensors to complement the base model’s rear sensors. You’ll never need to worry about scratching the paint job or making some unintended contact with a neighboring vehicle thanks to the network of sensors, but if you’re looking to further simplify the parking process, Ford has you covered.

Available Features to Consider

The 2026 Explorer can also be equipped with a surround-view camera system that gives drivers a unique bird’s-eye view of the area immediately surrounding the vehicle. This top-down POV offers a clear view of any obstacles, and can also come in handy when trying to take advantage of the crossover’s 5,000-lb maximum towing capacity. Need to make that hitch connection, back a bulky trailer into a tight space or guide it down a boat ramp? The surround-view camera system is here to help.

The off-road-ready Tremor trim also includes a few important features that are sure to up your chances of success when venturing off of paved surfaces, from all-terrain tires and a limited-slip rear differential that maximize traction in slippery situations to a raised suspension that’ll allow you to easily clear rocks, logs and other off-road debris. Steel skid plates protect vital underbody components from incurring any serious damage, and a set of grille-mounted auxiliary lights can illuminate the darkest trail or rural road.

There Are Also Packages to Choose From

The Tremor Ultimate package allows drivers to access BlueCruise, and the Tremor Convenience package sees the SUV gain an auto-dimming rearview mirror that’ll go a long way towards preventing the temporary loss of night vision that can result from being tailgated by an inconsiderate driver who’s a little too fond of their high beams. The ST or “Sport Technologies” trim lives up to its name with a brawny 400-hp V6 engine, and keeps that power in check with a set of upgraded front brakes. Finally, the luxurious, range-topping Platinum trim adds a set of adaptive headlights that turn in time with the wheel to better illuminate the twists and turns that present a problem when navigating Snellville at night.

Go Hands- and Worry-Free With BlueCruise

First introduced on the 2021 Mustang Mach-E and F-150, BlueCruise offers a new, stress-free way to experience life behind the wheel of a Ford vehicle. The Level 2 hands-free system automates many of the more mundane aspects of the daily driving experience, keeping the Explorer firmly in its lane while maintaining a steady speed and a safe distance from other vehicles. BlueCruise can be used on over 130,000 miles of Hands-Free Blue Zones, which includes 97% of controlled access highways across the U.S. and Canada.

Award-Winning Hands-Free Driving

The BlueCruise system was already one of the most critically-acclaimed hands-free driving systems on the market, and it’s only improving with age. Consumer Reports named BlueCruise the industry’s best hands-free driving system with a stellar 84/100 score that saw it top the second-place finisher—GM’s Super Cruise technology—by nearly 10 points. The trusted nonprofit awarded BlueCruise with a 9/10 score for both driver engagement and clarity, making it the only system to earn more than eight points in either category. While BlueCruise was also lauded for its capabilities and performance with a strong 9/10 showing, the latest version includes a new feature that only strengthens its safety resume.

The Automatic Lane Change Feature

Exclusive to the 2026 Explorer and Mustang Mach-E SUV, BlueCruise 1.5 can now deliver a truly seamless hands-free experience with the ability to complete automatic lane changes. No one likes being stuck behind a pokey driver as they head into Snellville on the Stone Mountain Freeway, but BlueCruise has you covered. When the system is active, BlueCruise can automatically initiate a lane change to pass slower cars, trucks, and SUVs or guide the Explorer back into the right lane if it detects a fast-approaching vehicle behind you.

An Improved Driving Experience

BlueCruise can also detect potential hazards, avoid merging into faster traffic, and provide clear audio and visual clues whenever an automatic lane change is about to be performed, meaning you’ll never be surprised when the SUV takes the wheel. Other additions to BlueCruise 1.5 include a refreshed user interface designed to provide additional context for various hands-free functions, an improved lane-centering system and a faster processor with new sensors and cameras. The new BlueCruise 1.5 system is available on many of the Explorer’s top trims, including the ST-Line, ST, Platinum, and Tremor models.

Experience the 2026 Explorer With Us Today

Younger drivers might be able to get away with choosing a new car, truck, or SUV based solely on appearance, performance, or off-road tech, but that checklist can change pretty suddenly when you start building a family. The Ford Explorer allows drivers to enjoy some of the more exciting aspects of the driving experience, especially when opting for the sporty ST or adventure-ready Tremor trims, but also boasts all of the safety tech you’ll need to protect your most precious cargo. Between the feature-packed Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite, the industry’s best-rated hands-free driving system in BlueCruise, and all of the optional safety tech available on upper trims, the Explorer will always have your back no matter what the road might throw at you.

Loganville Ford has become the go-to source for Snellville drivers who are in the market for a quality new or used vehicle, and it’s not hard to see why. We do things a little differently here at the dealership, embracing a friendly, no-pressure sales approach that’s focused on connecting buyers with a vehicle that will meet their needs for years to come. We stock a generous selection of both new and used Ford models, including new EV and hybrid options and the iconic F-150 pickup, but if you’re looking for a versatile family vehicle that’s both fun and family friendly, the 2026 Ford Explorer is a tough option to ignore.