Ford Explorer Review 2026: The Best Three-Row Choice?

from the experts at Invoice Pricing

2026

Ford

Explorer

Enhanced | Ford | SUV

In this Ford Explorer Review, we break down why the 2026 Ford Explorer still makes sense for families who want three rows, strong available power, and a lower entry price than many rivals. The formula stays familiar, but the new Tremor gives the lineup a more adventurous edge for buyers who want something tougher than the usual family-hauler look.

The Ford Explorer has been a market mainstay for a long time, offering a dependable mid-size car with three rows of seats for families. The Explorer’s front two rows have a modern, roomy space thanks to a mid-cycle update that improved the quality of the materials used last year. When not in use, the wayback seats fold down to make better use of the cargo area, and they are safe for kids. In real-world driving, the Explorer feels comfortable and composed on highways, with smooth power delivery when merging or passing at speed.

What's New?

The Explorer line will get a new Tremor trim this year. All-terrain tires, a limited-slip rear differential, and unique 18-inch wheels are on the off-road type. There is also a higher suspension on it. Thanks to last year’s mid-cycle refresh, which included minor exterior and interior updates and a new tech suite, the remaining Explorer models will remain unchanged for 2026.

Infotainment and Connectivity

A 13.2-inch LCD touchscreen is standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. You can connect to the web, play games on Google Play, and watch YouTube while parked. There are also eight USB ports and three 12-volt power sources, two of which are for people in the third row. All trims come with a Bang & Olufsen radio with 12 speakers.

Engine and Performance

During our test loop, the Explorer excelled in city driving with responsive acceleration at stoplights and easy maneuvering in tight parking lots. However, when climbing a steep mountain grade with a full load, the four-cylinder engine felt strained, while the V-6 maintained a steady pace with less effort. These impressions help illustrate how the Explorer fits the needs of families handling a mix of daily errands and longer road trips.

You can get the Explorer with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and it comes with a twin-turbo V-6 engine or a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. However, it isn’t as appealing overall as more refined options like the Mazda CX-90 and Kia Telluride, despite its lower starting price, which can offer some savings on purchase costs and insurance for families who need space without the premium badge.

The base trims (Active, ST-Line, and Platinum) share a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The ST and Platinum can also be upgraded to a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Both engines come standard with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is optional. In our test, the Explorer accelerated much like the previous generation, with the ST feeling quick while retaining a smooth, reliable ride.

The base four-cylinder turbo offers more than enough speed. In our 2022 test, a four-cylinder Explorer in Timberline trim reached 60 mph in 6.0 seconds. The ST model, with its 400-hp V-6, did 0–60 mph in 5.1 seconds in our tests. For comparison, the Mazda CX-90 with its inline-six reaches 60 mph in about 6.3 seconds, while the Kia Telluride completes the same run in around 6.2 seconds. This makes the Explorer ST among the quickest in its class.

Ownership costs benefit from competitive maintenance intervals, and Ford’s warranty coverage is in line with this class, so buyers can expect solid value for the price.

Fuel Economy

The EPA has not yet released the 2026 Explorer’s fuel economy numbers, but if there are no major changes, the new Explorer should perform similarly to the previous year’s model. With rear-wheel drive and a turbo four-cylinder engine, the most fuel-efficient 2025 model got 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive cuts the highway number by 2 mpg. The 2025 Explorer’s twin-turbo V-6 engine got 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. It could be paired with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. An Explorer ST with 400 hp got 25 mpg on our 75 mph highway route. We also tried a four-cylinder Explorer with all-wheel drive on our highway fuel-economy route at 75 mph. It got 28 mpg, which is one mpg more than the EPA’s estimate.

Safety Features

Ford adds features like self-parking assist and equips all Explorers with a range of driving-assist technology as standard. The 2026 Explorer has not yet been fully rated, but the previous model earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These independent safety ratings validate the list of driver-assist features. The following are important safety features:

Emergency brakes that work automatically and a regular forward crash warning.
Blind-spot detection and back cross-traffic alert are standard.
Normal lane exit warning and help staying in your lane

Cargo and Towing Capacity

Transitioning from safety to everyday practicality, the Explorer’s cargo and towing abilities stand out as key strengths for families and adventurers alike.

Cargo:

The Explorer’s interior has always put function over style. Still, last year’s addition of more soft-touch materials to the dashboard, door panels, and center console, along with some new color schemes, made the cabin more comfortable. With the push of a button, a device moves the second-row seat out of the way, making it easy to get into the third row. On the other hand, taller adults and kids will not be able to sit comfortably because the seat is too close to the floor.

There is more space in the third row of competitors like the Volkswagen Atlas and Chevrolet Traverse. If you fold down both back rows, there’s room for 31 carry-on bags, plus four more behind the Ford’s third seat. To put this into perspective, you could pack a large stroller, a week’s worth of luggage for two adults and three kids, a folding playpen, camping chairs, and still have room for several grocery bags.

For families making a run to the home improvement store, the Explorer can handle multiple 2×4 boards, paint cans, and garden supplies with ease. These scenarios turn the numbers into real-life flexibility, making it easier to see how the Explorer can fit busy family life.

Towing:

The maximum towing capacity of the 2026 Ford Explorer is 5,000 pounds. This means it can comfortably handle popular weekend toys like a 21-foot boat, a midsize camper trailer, or a pair of jet skis with their trailer, covering the typical needs of a family headed to the lake or campsite. A trailer wire harness, sway control system, and hitch are all part of the Class III Towing equipment that comes with all models.

Price and How to Choose

We think that the ST-Line makes the most sense. The basic 300-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine and the ST’s sporty look are still there, but it costs a lot less. It can pull the same 5,000 pounds as Explorers with V-6 engines, comes with 20-inch painted metal wheels (the Active has 18s), and lets you get the optional Black-painted roof and BlueCruise, which you can’t get on the base Active. It has a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, heated second-row seats, power-folding mirrors, and an ST steering wheel with a flat bottom. We would add all-wheel drive for an extra $2,000.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Strong engine lineup, with the turbo four covering everyday needs well and the available twin-turbo V6 giving the Explorer ST real straight-line punch.
Rear-wheel drive is standard, which is still unusual in this class and helps the Explorer feel more balanced than many front-drive-based rivals.
The updated cabin tech is a real step up, with the large 13.2-inch screen and access to Google and Amazon-based apps through Ford Digital Experience.
Strong towing for a family-focused midsize SUV, with up to 5,000 pounds on the 2026 Explorer lineup.
New Tremor trim adds a more rugged option for buyers who want actual off-road hardware, not just styling.

Cons

Third-row space is still a weak point versus roomier rivals, especially for adults on longer drives.
The turbo-four can feel strained when the SUV is heavily loaded, and the V6 is limited to pricier trims.
Fuel economy is only average for the segment, especially once you move to AWD or the stronger V6.
Tremor is a useful addition, but it gets expensive fast once you add the V6 and options.