2026 Ford Explorer
As a strong competitor in the three-row SUV segment, the Explorer is a name almost everyone recognizes. It’s a vehicle that can be a family car, an office carpooler, a thrill seeker, and an adventure steed rolled into one. After a refresh in 2025, the 2026 Ford Explorer offers further improvements to continue its proud legacy.
Perhaps no vehicle is more appropriately named than the Explorer. It’s made for people who have a lot to do in their daily lives, but also make time to get out there and see the world. Drop off the kids, get the groceries, pick up materials for DIY home tinkering, and climb your favorite mountain trail without skipping a beat.
The Explorer was already a segment leader with multiple powertrains, great driving manners, a versatile interior, and top-tier technology. With multiple new trim levels now in the lineup, there are even more ways to find what you’re looking for in an SUV. Whether you want an affordable daily SUV, a legitimate off-roader, or a motorsports-inspired ride, start your search with the 2026 Explorer.
Meet the Ford Explorer Trim Levels
Ford expands the Explorer trim family from four to six trims in 2026, offering many options based on your lifestyle. Here’s what each 2026 Explorer trim delivers and why it might be right for you.
Everyday Value From the Active 100A and Active
The Active 100A becomes the base-level Explorer trim, joining the existing Active. (internally the Active 200A). Both are budget-friendly ways to make this three-row Explorer part of your daily routine. The performance specs are nearly identical, with the base 2.3L engine, the same suspension and 18-inch wheels, and a choice of rear-wheel drive (RWD) or intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD).
The differences lie in the amenities and conveniences offered. Ford gives the 2026 Explorer Active 100 many great features, including LED headlamps and taillamps, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated side mirrors, a power driver’s seat, and three 12V power outlets. On the Active, you also receive a power lift gate, heated first-row seats, and active noise cancellation, among other goodies.
Sporty Performance and Style From the ST-Line and ST
The spirit of a muscle car takes SUV form in the 2026 Ford Explorer ST-Line and ST, two crossovers that earned the Sports Technologies moniker. The Explorer ST-Line delivers a combination of aesthetic and functional upgrades that add sporty style. These include LED fog lamps and signature lighting, 20-inch wheels, blackout accents, ActiveX-trimmed leather seats, remote start, and other technology enhancements.
With the 2026 Explorer ST, Ford gets serious about performance, adding a more powerful V6 engine, a sport-tuned suspension, 21-inch tires, and paddle shifters with manual mode. There are further amenities and style upgrades as well, such as power-folding rear seats, quad exhaust tips, ventilated front seats, second-row heated seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a heated steering wheel, and red upholstery stitching.
Off-Roading Prowess From the Tremor
Adventurers who leave the main roads behind will find the all-new 2026 Explorer Tremor to their liking. It carries on Ford’s off-road legacy with all-terrain tires, standard AWD, increased ride height, a limited-slip rear axle, underbody protection including skid plates, and front tow hooks. Other unique features include auxiliary lights in the front grille, all-weather floor liners, and a 150W power outlet.
Sophistication From the Platinum
On the other end of the spectrum, the 2026 Explorer Platinum offers the most bedazzled and bespoke on-road experience. It has every amenity you can think of, including genuine leather interior wrappings, multi-contour front seats, side mirror memory settings, and a universal garage door opener. The satin aluminum roof rails and accents emphasize the upscale vibe.
Powertrains and Performance
A large SUV still needs to drive well, whether for family errands and trips or a week in the mountains. The 2026 Ford Explorer is equipped to take your life to the next level with strong engines and a foundation of excellence.
Two Engines for Efficiency or Horsepower
The base engine in the 2026 Explorer is an ideal power plant as a daily driver or for long-distance commuting. This 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces a solid 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. With the help of a 10-speed automatic transmission, this engine gets an EPA-estimated 29 MPG on the highway with RWD and 27 MPG on the highway with AWD.
If you need some excitement, the 3.0L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 provides it. Output increases to 385 hp and 415 lb-ft, so you can feel the acceleration and enjoy open roads. This engine is standard on the Explorer ST and available as an upgrade on the Explorer Tremor.
Capability That Adapts to You
The regular RWD system on the 2026 Explorer has the Ford Terrain Management System with six selectable drive modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Off-Road, which meaningfully alter the performance parameters for all conditions you encounter. Intelligent AWD adds hill descent control.
Capability for Adventure
Even if you never venture off pavement, the 2026 Ford Explorer does plenty to fuel your passions. It has a 5,000 lbs towing capacity with a standard Class III Trailer Tow Package, trailer sway control, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control that goes beyond your standard traction control. The blind-spot monitoring system also includes trailer coverage.
There is plenty of storage, too. The Explorer can hold up to 85.8 cu.ft. of cargo behind the front row for your luggage, camping gear, and more. All trims except the Active 100A have roof rails, and you can add a cargo management system and a soft-sided organizer.
Interior and Technology
You can do more than just carry stuff in the 2026 Explorer, though. It’s the ideal “traveling home” for people with everything you need for 10 minutes or 10 hours.
Three Rows of Spacious Seating
With room for up to seven people, all your family and friends can join the ride. The ST-Line has a flat-folding second-row bench seat, while all other upper-level trims come with captain’s chairs. Looking at the Active trim’s dimensions, you can expect 43 inches of legroom in row one and 37.5 inches in row two, which keeps adults comfortable, and the 31.8-inch third row is good for kids and young teens.
A variety of features are available to customize the interior layout. The driver’s seat offers six-way, eight-way, or 10-way adjustments; the second-row captain’s chairs have E-Z Entry; and there are several consoles and pockets. The third-row seat folds directly into the floor, and the Platinum has a power-folding third row. Most trims also come with acoustic-laminated front windows to reduce road noise.
Premier Infotainment
The Ford Explorer has an impressive technology layout to keep you connected to a fast-paced world. The dual 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen and 12.3-inch driver’s center display everything you need to know. Thanks to the Ford Digital Experience, drivers receive Google integration with onboard navigation, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and SiriusXM with 360L subscription trial.
The Explorer comes with one year of the Ford Connectivity Package, which activates the 5G Wi-Fi hotspot and enables video streaming when the vehicle is in park. Take advantage of up to numerous USB ports to charge devices in all three rows. The Explorer ST-Line and up also have HD Radio, and there are two Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems with up to 14 speakers for audiophiles.
Confident Driver Assistance
Even with all its other great aspects, driver assistance is one of the best things about the 2026 Explorer. The standard Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system contains a host of advanced systems, including:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Front and Rear Emergency Braking
- Lane-Keeping Assistance
- Rear Parking Sensors
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
- Driver Attention Alerts
Starting with the ST-Line, Ford switches to Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0. This adds a whole host of more advanced safety features to its already equipped arsenal. Ford BlueCruise highway driving assistance is standard on the ST and Platinum with options for a 90-day trial, a 15-month subscription, or a seven-year plan.
Loganville Ford Is Your Trusted Explorer Dealer
Deciding on the right SUV is only the beginning of your shopping and ownership journey. Where do you go to find a 2026 Ford Explorer? Who can you turn to when you have a question about this vehicle? What happens when it needs maintenance and care?
The answer is Loganville Ford, where we serve customers in the Atlanta metro area with the excellence they deserve. Make buying a 2026 Ford Explorer exciting and rewarding rather than stressful and worrisome. Our friendly sales staff, knowledgeable financing team, and certified technicians are on a mission to get you in the right Ford Explorer and keep it running great for years to come.
Stop by or browse our inventory of 2026 Ford Explorers online. We’re here for the long haul, just like this famous SUV, making a promise to establish a relationship built on trust. Our team here at Loganville Ford can’t wait to help you along your car-buying journey and get you behind the wheel of your own Ford Explorer!