2026 Ford Explorer: What's in stock, trim-level comparison, FAQ's.

    Updated 2026-06-05
    Quick Answer

    The Ford Explorer is a midsize three-row SUV refreshed for 2025 with a new interior, larger 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen, and available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. It comes with a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder (300 hp / 310 lb-ft, RWD or AWD) on most trims and a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (400 hp / 415 lb-ft, AWD-standard) on ST, Platinum, and King Ranch. A 10-speed automatic is standard on all powertrains. Tow rating up to 5,600 lb. Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 standard.

    Ford Explorer Gallery9 photos

    2026 Ford Explorer Active w/200A Pkg in CARBONIZED GRAY METALLIC
    Active w/200A PkgCARBONIZED GRAY METALLIC
    2026 Ford Explorer Active w/200A Pkg in CARBONIZED GRAY METALLIC
    Active w/200A PkgCARBONIZED GRAY METALLIC
    2026 Ford Explorer ST-Line in Vapor Blue Metallic
    ST-LineVapor Blue Metallic
    2026 Ford Explorer ST-Line in AGATE BLACK METALLIC
    ST-LineAGATE BLACK METALLIC
    2026 Ford Explorer Platinum in Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
    PlatinumRapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
    2026 Ford Explorer ST in MARSH GRAY
    STMARSH GRAY
    2026 Ford Explorer ST in MARSH GRAY
    STMARSH GRAY
    2026 Ford Explorer Tremor in AGATE BLACK METALLIC
    TremorAGATE BLACK METALLIC
    2026 Ford Explorer Tremor in CARBONIZED GRAY METALLIC
    TremorCARBONIZED GRAY METALLIC

    Highlights of the 2026 Ford Explorer

    7 highlights
    • Refreshed for 2025 with new interior, larger 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen, and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving
    • Two engines: 2.3L EcoBoost I4 (300 hp / 310 lb-ft) and 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (400 hp / 415 lb-ft on ST, Platinum, King Ranch)
    • RWD-standard architecture with AWD optional on most trims; AWD standard on ST, Platinum, and King Ranch
    • 10-speed automatic across the entire lineup
    • Three rows seating up to 7; second row can be bench or captain's chairs depending on trim
    • Up to 5,600 lb tow rating with the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 and trailer tow package
    • Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 standard; BlueCruise (hands-free highway driving) available on most trims

    Trim-Level Breakdown and Availability at Bob Swope Ford

    Compare available trim levels to find the right Ford Explorer for you. Pricing reflects current in-stock inventory.

    Compare trimsTrim5 trims · 11 in stockActive w/200A Pkg2 in stockST-Line3 in stockPlatinum1 in stockST3 in stockTremor2 in stock
    Pricing
    Starting price$50,124$50,649$60,194$60,394$64,464
    Top price$50,369$55,019$60,194$64,389$64,486
    Powertrain
    DrivetrainAWD4WD4WD4WD4WD
    Fuel optionsGasolineGasolineGasolineGasolineGasoline
    Engine4 Cyl, 2.3L4 Cyl, 2.3L4 Cyl, 2.3LV6, 3.0LV6, 3.0L
    MPG (city / hwy)20 / 2720 / 2720 / 2718 / 2517 / 22
    Standard equipment — safety & driver assistance
    Adaptive cruise control
    Auto high-beam headlights————
    Blind-spot & rear cross-traffic alert
    BlueCruise hands-free driving———
    Evasive steering assist
    Pedestrian & cyclist detection
    Surround-view 360° camera—
    Standard equipment — technology & infotainment
    Built-in navigation
    In-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot
    Premium audio (Bang & Olufsen)———
    Push-button start with proximity key
    Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
    Standard equipment — comfort & convenience
    Dual-zone climate control
    Hands-free smart power liftgate
    Heated 2nd-row seats——
    Heated front seats
    Heated steering wheel
    Memory driver seat & mirrors————
    Remote engine start
    Ventilated front seats——
    Standard equipment — interior & exterior
    All-terrain tires————
    Ambient interior lighting————
    Leather seating————

    Inside the Ford Explorer

    The 2025 refresh: cabin, screen, and BlueCruise

    The 2025 model year brought a substantial mid-cycle refresh. Inside, Ford redesigned the dashboard around a portrait-oriented 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, replacing the previous landscape unit. Materials and switchgear moved upmarket, particularly on Platinum and the new King Ranch trim with its western-themed Mesa leather. BlueCruise — Ford's hands-free highway driving system — is now available on most trims, allowing eyes-on, hands-off driving on more than 130,000 miles of pre-mapped North American highways. Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 (adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, lane centering, evasive steering assist) is standard.

    Two engines, the right one for most buyers

    The 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder makes 300 hp and 310 lb-ft and is the default engine across most of the lineup — Active, ST-Line, and Limited. It's offered in RWD or AWD, returns up to ~24 mpg combined, and is well-matched to the 10-speed automatic. The 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (400 hp / 415 lb-ft) is the performance and tow choice — standard on ST, Platinum, and King Ranch, AWD-standard. Both engines pull the Explorer with authority; the V6 is the right pick if you regularly tow above 4,000 lb or simply want quicker passing power. Ford no longer offers an Explorer hybrid in the 2025+ lineup.

    Trim strategy: from value family-hauler to performance to flagship

    Active is the affordable 3-row entry. ST-Line and Limited are the loaded family daily-drivers — leather, panoramic vista roof, B&O audio, the 13.2-inch screen, and Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0. ST is the performance trim: 3.0L EcoBoost V6 standard, AWD-standard, sport-tuned suspension, 21-inch wheels, sport seats with leather and Miko suede inserts, paddle shifters, unique exterior styling. Platinum and King Ranch are the flagship trims — the V6, AWD, twin-panel moonroof, premium leather (Mesa-themed on King Ranch), massaging front seats on top trims, and the 14-speaker B&O Unleashed audio system.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • 2025 refresh modernizes the cabin and brings BlueCruise hands-free driving to the lineup
    • Two strong engines: efficient 2.3L EcoBoost or punchy 400-hp 3.0L EcoBoost V6
    • Up to 5,600 lb tow rating handles boats, small campers, and utility trailers comfortably
    • Three rows with usable second-row room and standard adult-friendly captain's chairs option
    • Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 standard — adaptive cruise with stop-and-go and lane centering on every trim
    • ST trim offers genuine sport-SUV performance without crossing into Lincoln pricing
    • King Ranch trim brings premium Mesa-themed leather and a flagship cabin feel
    Cons
    • Third row is best for kids and short adult trips — not as roomy as some Asian-brand rivals
    • No hybrid option in the 2025+ lineup; competitors offer hybrid or plug-in hybrid 3-row SUVs
    • Fuel economy with the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 is on the lower end of the class
    • ST and Platinum / King Ranch trims push pricing into territory shared with Lincoln Aviator
    • Cargo space behind the third row is modest until you fold the back row down

    Who is the 2026 Ford Explorer best for?

    Value 3-row family (Active)

    The 2026 Explorer Active is the affordable 3-row entry — 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder making 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft, paired with a 10-speed automatic and your choice of RWD or AWD. EPA returns up to about 24 mpg combined. You get the refreshed cabin, the 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen, and Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 standard — adaptive cruise with stop-and-go and lane centering on every trim. For Elizabethtown / Hardin County families that need three rows without paying flagship money, this is where the lineup starts.

    Loaded family daily (ST-Line / Limited)

    ST-Line and Limited are the loaded daily-driver Explorers. The 2.3L EcoBoost is standard; both trims add leather seating, panoramic vista roof, B&O premium audio, the 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen, and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving on supported routes — including most of I-65 and I-64 around central Kentucky. ST-Line layers on sport-styled exterior accents and sport seats; Limited focuses on luxury features. For families that want a premium-feeling 3-row without crossing into Lincoln Aviator pricing, this is the sweet spot of the lineup.

    Performance (ST)

    The 2026 Explorer ST is the sport trim — 3.0L EcoBoost V6 making 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft, AWD-standard, sport-tuned suspension, 21-inch wheels, sport seats with leather and Miko suede inserts, paddle shifters, and a more aggressive exhaust note. It also gets the unique ST exterior styling and red brake calipers. For central-Kentucky families that want the practicality of three rows but resent the minivan label — the kind that still wants to enjoy a back-road run from Elizabethtown to Bardstown — ST is the answer.

    Flagship luxury (Platinum / King Ranch)

    Platinum and King Ranch sit at the top of the lineup. Both get the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (400 hp / 415 lb-ft) and AWD as standard, plus a twin-panel moonroof, premium leather, massaging front seats on top configurations, and the 14-speaker B&O Unleashed audio system. King Ranch adds its signature western-themed Mesa leather and unique exterior trim — the rolling-living-room top trim for Elizabethtown buyers who want a flagship 3-row that's still recognizably a Ford. Tow rating up to 5,600 lb with the V6 and tow package.

    Why this matters around Elizabethtown

    Bob Swope Ford in Elizabethtown, Kentucky stocks the 2026 Ford Explorer across Active, ST-Line, Limited, ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims when available — both the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder and the 3.0L EcoBoost V6, RWD and AWD. Three rows make the Explorer the right tool for central-Kentucky family duty: weekday school runs and weekend road trips to Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati, and Nashville, plus up to 5,600 lb of tow capacity for boats and small campers. Bob Swope Ford serves drivers across Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Louisville, and Bardstown.

    New 2026 Ford Explorer Inventory at Bob Swope FordLive

    Current in-stock units at Bob Swope Ford in Elizabethtown, KY with full specifications, pricing, and direct links to each vehicle's detail page.

    Total in stock11vehicles
    Price range$50,124 – $64,486
    Available powertrainsGasoline
    Last syncedJun 5, 2026 · 1:50 AM
    Showing 11 of 11 vehicles.
    VINStock #YearMakeModelTrimBodyPriceVDPMileageExteriorInteriorEngineDriveTransmissionFuelNew/UsedCPOMPG CityMPG HwyCarfax 1-OwnerOptions
    1FMUK8DH9TGB72903F267014802026FordExplorerActive w/200A PkgSport Utility$50,124VDP3CARBONIZED GRAY METALLICSpace Gray4 Cyl, 2.3LAWD10-speed automaticGasolineNewNo2027No
    69 features
    Active Comfort Package: Second Row Hvac ControlsHeated Steering WheelHeated ActiveX Seating Material Captain's ChairsFront Fascia
    1FMUK8DHXTGB43040F267015402026FordExplorerActive w/200A PkgSport Utility$50,369VDP2,471CARBONIZED GRAY METALLICDark Space Gray4 Cyl, 2.3LAWD10-speed automaticGasolineNewNo2027No
    72 features
    Active Comfort Package: Second Row Hvac ControlsHeated Steering WheelHeated ActiveX Seating Material Captain's ChairsFront Fascia
    1FMUK8KH3TGB61527F267015202026FordExplorerST-LineSport Utility$50,649VDP15AGATE BLACK METALLICOnyx4 Cyl, 2.3L4WD10-speed automaticGasolineNewNo2027No
    67 features
    Equipment Group 300A Standard Package: 20" Ebony-Painted Machined Aluminum Wheels10-Speed Automatic TransmissionHeated Unique Cloth Captain's Chairs2.3L EcoBoost I-4 Engine
    1FMUK8KH7TGB63894F267014902026FordExplorerST-LineSport Utility$51,144VDP3Vapor Blue MetallicOnyx4 Cyl, 2.3L4WD10-speed automaticGasolineNewNo2027No
    68 features
    Equipment Group 300A Standard Package: 20" Ebony-Painted Machined Aluminum Wheels10-Speed Automatic TransmissionHeated Unique Cloth Captain's Chairs2.3L EcoBoost I-4 Engine
    1FMUK8KH8TGB34999F267014402026FordExplorerST-LineSport Utility$55,019VDP15MARSH GRAYOnyx4 Cyl, 2.3L4WD10-speed automaticGasolineNewNo2027No
    77 features
    Premium Package: 110V/150W AC Power OutletAuto-Dimming Interior Rearview MirrorMemory Driver's SeatManual-Folding Sideview Mirrors
    1FMUK8HH3TGB62846F267015002026FordExplorerPlatinumSport Utility$60,194VDP3Rapid Red Metallic Tinted ClearcoatSalt Crystal/Onyx4 Cyl, 2.3L4WD10-speed automaticGasolineNewNo2027No
    69 features
    Lux Leather Package: Quilting and Stitching on Door PanelsPlatinum Badges on Front Row SeatsPremium Leather Seating Surfaces Captain's ChairsQuilting and Stitching on Seats
    1FMWK8GC6TGB67845F267015102026FordExplorerSTSport Utility$60,394VDP16MARSH GRAYOnyxV6, 3.0L4WD10-speed automaticGasolineNewNo1825No
    68 features
    Equipment Group 400A Standard Package: 21" Magnetite-Painted Aluminum WheelsHeated/ventilated Miko Suede Captain's ChairsEngine: 3.0L EcoBoost V610-Speed Automatic Transmission
    1FMWK8GC5TGB44315F267014602026FordExplorerSTSport Utility$63,894VDP15CARBONIZED GRAY METALLICOnyxV6, 3.0L4WD10-speed automaticGasolineNewNo1825No
    72 features
    Sun and Sound Package: Panoramic Fixed Glass Roof with Power ShadeRemote Control Front WindowsMulticontour Seats with Front Active MotionB&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen Radio
    1FMWK8GC1TGB49169F267013502026FordExplorerSTSport Utility$64,389VDP15MARSH GRAYOnyxV6, 3.0L4WD10-speed automaticGasolineNewNo1825No
    73 features
    Sun and Sound Package: Panoramic Fixed Glass Roof with Power ShadeRemote Control Front WindowsMulticontour Seats with Front Active MotionB&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen Radio
    1FMWK8JC3TGB54091F267014502026FordExplorerTremorSport Utility$64,464VDP15AGATE BLACK METALLICOnyxV6, 3.0L4WD10-speed automaticGasolineNewNo1722No
    78 features
    Tremor Ultimate Package: Power-Folding with Autofold Side MirrorsMemory Driver's SeatRain-Sensing Wipers (front Only)Panoramic Fixed Glass Roof with Power Shade
    1FMWK8JC9TGB52040F267014702026FordExplorerTremorSport Utility$64,486VDP15CARBONIZED GRAY METALLICOnyxV6, 3.0L4WD10-speed automaticGasolineNewNo1722No
    78 features
    Tremor Ultimate Package: Power-Folding with Autofold Side MirrorsMemory Driver's SeatRain-Sensing Wipers (front Only)Panoramic Fixed Glass Roof with Power Shade

    Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 Ford Explorer

    A mid-cycle refresh: redesigned interior, new 13.2-inch portrait-oriented SYNC 4 touchscreen, available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving, updated grille and front-end styling, and the new King Ranch trim. Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 became standard.
    Two: a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder (300 hp / 310 lb-ft, RWD or AWD) on Active, ST-Line, and Limited; and a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (400 hp / 415 lb-ft, AWD-standard) on ST, Platinum, and King Ranch. Both pair with a 10-speed automatic.
    Not in the 2025+ lineup. Ford previously offered a 3.3L hybrid Explorer but it is no longer in the current lineup. If you want a Ford hybrid SUV, the Escape Hybrid and Escape PHEV are the closest options.
    Up to 5,600 lb when properly equipped with the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 and the factory trailer tow package. Lower with the 2.3L EcoBoost. Always confirm the tow rating on the door-jamb sticker of the specific vehicle.
    ST is the performance trim — 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (400 hp / 415 lb-ft) standard, AWD-standard, sport-tuned suspension, 21-inch wheels, sport seats, paddle shifters, unique exterior styling, and an aggressive exhaust tune. The standard Explorer focuses on family hauling; ST adds genuine performance hardware.
    AWD is optional on Active, ST-Line, and Limited (which are RWD-standard). AWD is standard on ST, Platinum, and King Ranch.
    Ford's hands-free highway driving system. It uses cameras, radar, and a driver-monitoring camera to allow eyes-on, hands-off driving on more than 130,000 miles of pre-mapped North American divided highways. It's available on most 2025+ Explorer trims.
    Up to seven with a second-row bench or up to six with second-row captain's chairs (available depending on trim). All Explorers have three rows.
    A portrait-oriented 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen across the lineup as part of the 2025 refresh, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard.
    Yes — across the lineup. It includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering, evasive steering assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera.
    See the live inventory section on this page for the current count and trim mix. Stock changes daily as units arrive and sell.
    Pricing varies by trim and powertrain — Active is the value entry, ST-Line and Limited sit in the middle, and ST, Platinum, and King Ranch sit at the top of the lineup. See the live inventory section on this page for current pricing on every unit on the lot.
    Bob Swope Ford is in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, off I-65 in Hardin County. We serve Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Louisville, Bardstown, and the surrounding central-Kentucky region.
    Yes. Use the contact form on this page or call the dealership and we'll set you up — Active, ST, or King Ranch. We can usually accommodate same-day or next-day appointments.
    Yes. Our service department has factory-trained Ford technicians who handle the full Explorer lineup — both the 2.3L and 3.0L EcoBoost engines, the 10-speed automatic, and the AWD system. Standard powertrain coverage is 5 years / 60,000 miles, bumper-to-bumper coverage is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and we use Motorcraft parts.