Learn More: Explorer
2026 Ford Explorer® Review | Colors, Performance, & Specs
Step into a new era of family-friendly fun behind the wheel of the 2026 Ford Explorer®. Dynamically equipped with modern technologies, two energetic engine options, and plenty of versatile features in its three-row interior, the Explorer mid-size SUV is packed with potential for your active lifestyle. Learn more about everything the Explorer has to offer using this model review created by the team at Imlay City Ford.
If you like what you see, check out our current selection of new Explorer SUVs for sale in Imlay City, MI, and schedule a test drive. Plan your trip to see us using our hours and directions — we’re proud to serve our friends and neighbors from Lapeer, Romeo, Oxford, and Port Huron, MI.
Have a question about the Explorer? Reach out to an Imlay City Ford representative online or by calling us at (810) 642-5900.
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2026 Ford Explorer Trims Available
- Active 100A $38,465*
- Active $40,585*
- ST-Line $45,155*
- Tremor® $48,465*
- Platinum® $50,965*
- ST $54,905*
2026 Ford Explorer Colors Available
- Star White Metallic Tri-Coat
- Vapor Blue Metallic
- Agate Black Metallic
- Space White Metallic
- Carbonized Gray Metallic
- Marsh Gray
- Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
2026 Ford Explorer Exterior Design
Enjoy both convenient features and stylish design with the 2026 Ford Explorer. For contemporary practicality, the Explorer features standard LED headlamps, Intelligent Access on all four doors, heated side view mirrors, and a Class III Trailer Tow Package. Upgraded exterior features in higher trim levels include a power liftgate, adaptive headlamps, and all-terrain tires for enhanced versatility. Options like a painted black roof and panoramic fixed glass moonroof lend a premium appearance to the Explorer.
Standard exterior features:
- 18-in. aluminum wheels
- LED headlamps with courtesy delay and Autolamp
- LED taillamps
- Heated, power side view mirrors
- Manual liftgate
- Rear privacy glass
- Intelligent Access on all four doors
- Class III Trailer Tow Package
Available exterior features:
- Power liftgate
- Roof rack side rails
- Power-folding side view mirrors with Autofold, security approach lamps, memory, and driver’s side auto-dimming
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- 20- or 21-in. aluminum wheels
- All-terrain tires
- Adaptive headlamps
- LED signature lighting
- Blackout treatment on headlamps and taillamps
- LED fog lamps
- Steel under-body protection
- Panoramic fixed glass moonroof with power shade
- Painted black roof
2026 Ford Explorer Engines & Performance
Turbocharged power awaits with either 2026 Ford Explorer EcoBoost® engine. The Active 100A, Active, ST-Line, Tremor, and Platinum are equipped with a standard 2.3L EcoBoost inline four-cylinder (I4) engine that makes 300 horsepower and gets up to 29 highway MPG. For 400 horsepower and 25 MPG on the highway, the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 is included on the ST and offered on the Tremor. Both Explorer engines can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Several Explorer trims offer unique performance components. The Explorer Tremor boosts off-road capability with a TORSEN® limited-slip differential, standard intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD), and an off-road-tuned suspension. Meanwhile, the ST trim includes a sport-tuned suspension and performance brakes.
See the Explorer engine specs in the following chart.
| Engine | 2.3L EcoBoost I4 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 400 HP |
| Torque | 310 lb.-ft. | 415 lb.-ft. |
| MPG (City/Hwy) | 20 / 29 | 18 / 25 |
| Max. Towing | 5,000 lbs. | |
| Drivetrain | RWD / intelligent 4WD | |
| Transmission | Ten-speed automatic | |
2026 Ford Explorer Interior Design & Technology
Premium comfort features and advanced technology surround you in the 2026 Ford Explorer. Standard interior features include cloth seat upholstery, a power driver’s seat, and tri-zone automatic climate control for personalized settings. Available interior features range from climate-controlled settings like heated and ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats, front-seat Active Motion® massage settings, and a number of seating materials, including leather and ActiveX® with Miko® inserts.
Among the standard Explorer technologies, you will find the Ford Digital Experience with a 13.2-inch center display, a 12.2-inch instrument cluster display, and wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Upgrades from the standard six-speaker sound system included a B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® with either ten or 14 speakers.
Standard interior features:
- Unique cloth seat upholstery
- Six-way power driver’s seat
- Four-way manual front passenger’s seat
- Second-row captain’s seats with E-Z Entry and armrests
- Third-row 50/50 split-fold bench seat
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
Standard technology features:
- 12.3-in. instrument cluster display
- Ford Digital Experience with 13.2-in. center display
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- SiriusXM® with 360L capability
- 4G/5G modem
- USB ports in first and second rows
- Six speakers
Available interior features:
- Ten-way power driver’s seat
- Eight-way power front passenger’s seat
- Multicontour front seats with Active Motion
- Second-row captain’s seats with E-Z Entry and armrests or 35/30/35-split second-row bench seat
- PowerFold® third-row seats
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated front and second-row seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Vinyl- or leather-wrapped steering wheel
- ActiveX and cloth, ActiveX and Miko, leather, or leather seat upholstery with tri-diamond micro-perforated inserts
- Ambient lighting
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Available technology features:
- B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen with ten or 14 speakers, including subwoofer
- HD Radio™
- Remote start system
- Active noise cancellation
- Third-row USB ports
- 110V/150W AC power outlet
2026 Ford Explorer Dimensions & Cargo Capacity
A three-row SUV, the 2026 Ford Explorer provides generous space for both passengers and cargo. Accommodate up to seven with a second-row bench seat or six with optional second-row captain’s seats. With the rear seats folded down, the Explorer can hold up to 85.8 cubic feet of cargo. Behind the third-row seats, maximum cargo space is 16.3 cubic feet.
See the Explorer dimensions in the following chart.
- Length / Height / Width (including mirrors): 198.7 / 69.6 / 89.3 in.
- Base Curb Weight: 4,312 lbs.
- Max. Seating: Seven
- Headroom (First/Second/Third Row): 40.7 / 40.5 / 38.9 in.
- Legroom (First/Second/Third Row): 43 / 37.5 / 31.8 in.
- Max. Cargo Volume: 85.8 cu.-ft.
- Cargo Volume Behind Second Row: 46 cu.-ft.
- Cargo Volume Behind Third Row: 16.3 cu.-ft.
2026 Ford Explorer Safety Features
Find an extensive suite of safety features in every 2026 Ford Explorer. The Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ suite is standard with the Active 100A and Active trims, including features like adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic braking, a lane keeping system, and automatic emergency braking with Pre-Collision Assist®. The ST-Line trim and above features the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 collection, which adds a 360-degree camera and front parking sensors to the list of standard features. Select trims offer BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability.
Standard safety features:
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering
- Auto high-beam headlights
- BLIS® (blind spot information system) with cross-traffic alert, exit warning, and trailer coverage
- Intersection assist
- Lane keeping system
- Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking
- Rear cross-traffic braking
- Rearview camera
- Rear parking sensors
- Post-collision braking
- Speed sign recognition
- Rear parking sensors
- SecuriLock® passive anti-theft system
- Perimeter alarm
Available safety features:
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ features
- 360-degree camera with split view
- Front parking sensors
- BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability
2025 Ford Explorer® Review | Colors, Engines, & Models Available in Imlay City, MI
Upgrade your weekend excursions, workday commutes, and weeknight errands with the 2025 Ford Explorer®. Built with family-friendly proportions, modern tech, and potent engine options, this three-row SUV is ready for whatever your active lifestyle has in store for it. Learn more about the key features, exterior colors, and engine specs available for the 2025 Explorer with this model review from the team at Imlay City Ford.
Like what you see? Browse our inventory and schedule a test drive with your favorite new Explorer for sale in Imlay City, MI. Consider whether the monthly rate with our Explorer lease offer makes it an ideal choice for you.
For more information, contact us online or speak with an Imlay City Ford representative on the phone at (810) 724-5900.
2025 Ford Explorer Color Options Offered
- Agate Black Metallic
- Star White Metallic Tri-Coat
- Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
- Vapor Blue Metallic
- Carbonized Gray Metallic
- Iconic Silver Metallic
2025 Ford Explorer Model Options
- Active – $39,755*
- ST-Line – $44,515*
- Platinum® – $51,655*
- ST – $55,505*
2025 Ford Explorer Engine Options & Towing Capacity
Turbocharged power awaits your command in the 2025 Ford Explorer. With availability dependent on the trim level you select, the Explorer offers a 2.3L EcoBoost® inline four-cylinder (I4) engine that makes 300 horsepower or a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 that wows with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. With the ST trim, this powerhouse adds the engaging fun of SelectShift® paddle shifters and a responsive sport-tuned suspension. Family vacations are better with all your toys or camping trailer along for the ride. That’s why both 2025 Explorer engines are built to tow up to 5,000 pounds.
When your sense of adventure takes you over slick roads or past the end of the pavement, the Explorer comes with available four-wheel drive (4WD) and a Terrain Management System™ with up to seven selectable modes to help you thrive. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard and both engines deliver their power via a ten-speed automatic transmission.
See the performance specs for both Explorer engine options in the accompanying chart.
| Engine | 2.3L EcoBoost I4 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Ten-speed automatic | Ten-speed automatic w/ available SelectShift |
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 400 HP |
| Torque | 310 lb.-ft. | 415 lb.-ft. |
| Max. Towing | 5,000 lbs. | 5,000 lbs. |
2025 Ford Explorer Interior Cargo Space & Specs
Load up your friends, family, and friends who are basically family in the spacious and practical 2025 Ford Explorer. The three-row interior seats either seven or six, depending on whether you opt for a second-row bench seat or second-row captain’s chairs. Stretch out with 43 inches of front legroom, load up tall passengers with 40.5 inches of legroom in the second-row seats, and put your younger riders in the third row with over 32 inches of legroom. Need maximum cargo capacity instead of seating? Fold down the rear two rows and create up to 85.8 cubic feet of cargo space. With both rows upright, the Explorer offers 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space.
See the full range of interior and cargo space specs for the Explorer in the accompanying chart.
- Seating: Six/Seven
- Passenger Volume: 152.9 cu.-ft.
- Headroom (First/Second/Third Row): 40.7 / 40.5 / 38.9 in.
- Legroom (First/Second/Third Row): 43 / 39 / 32.2 in.
- Cargo Space Behind Third Row: 16.3 cu.-ft.
- Cargo Space Behind Second Row: 46 cu.-ft.
- Max. Cargo Space: 85.8 cu.-ft.
2025 Ford Explorer Technology & Driver Assistance Safety Features
Premium technology is a hallmark of the 2025 Ford Explorer. Every trim features a standard 13.2-inch touchscreen along with a 12.3-inch color productivity screen. Within the center touchscreen, you can interact with familiar apps from your phone using wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Furthermore, the 2025 Explorer supports your entire drive with the standard Ford Digital Experience. The intelligent services featured with this include Amazon Alexa Built-in and Google built-in capabilities — utilize the Google Play™ store, Google Maps™, and Google Assistant™.
Other available technology features include:
- SiriusXM® with 360L
- B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® with ten or 14 speakers
- FordPass® Connect with 5G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot capability
- Wireless charging pad
- 110V AC power outlet
Begin every drive with confidence as your constant companion with the excellent selection of driver assistance technology in the 2025 Ford Explorer. Every trim level comes equipped with a version of the Ford Co-Pilot360® suite — Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ in the Active trim and Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 in the other three. The 2.0 version adds to the base equipment with a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and the Intersection Assist 2.2 system. In select trims, you can also enjoy the Ford BlueCruise hands-free highway driving technology.
Standard Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ technology includes:
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go and lane centering
- Auto high-beam headlamps
- BLIS® (blind spot information system) with cross-traffic alert, exit warning, and trailer coverage
- Evasive steering assist
- Intersection Assist 2.0
- Lane-keeping system
- Pre-Collision Assist® with automatic emergency braking
- Rear cross-traffic braking
- Rearview camera
- Reverse parking assist
- Post-collision braking
2023 Ford Explorer® Information | Imlay City, MI
Flexible, connected, and fun, the 2023 Ford Explorer® SUV is built to support your active lifestyle. Whether on weekend trips to the lake or routine errands, the Explorer offers three rows of seating, seriously capable engine options, and a wide range of interior and exterior design options to suit your particular shopping criteria. Read more about what the Explorer has to offer with this model review created by the team at Imlay City Ford, then schedule a test drive with your favorite new Explorer for sale at our dealership in Imlay City, MI, to form a first-hand impression.
See whether our Explorer lease offer has an appealing monthly rate for your budget. If you have any questions, contact us online or by calling (810) 724-5900.
2023 Ford Explorer Engines & Performance
Find strength for every adventure under the hood of the 2023 Ford Explorer. Available with three unique engine options, the Explorer offers an ultra-efficient hybrid, muscular V6 for driving thrills, and a standard turbocharged four-cylinder. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard, and intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD) is available. The Explorer sends its power through a ten-speed automatic transmission with every engine, and the Timberline® and ST trims provide paddle shifters with SelectShift® capability.
If your family vacation or weekend to-do list includes hauling the trailer, the Ford Explorer has your back with a 5,600-pound maximum towing capacity.
2.3L EcoBoost® I4
Horsepower: 300 HP
Torque: 310 lb.-ft.
MPG: 21 city / 28 hwy
Max. Towing: 5,300 lbs.
3.0L EcoBoost V6
Horsepower: 400 HP
Torque: 415 lb.-ft.
MPG: 18 city / 26 hwy
Max. Towing: 5,600 lbs.
3.3L hybrid
Horsepower: 318 HP
Torque: 322 lb.-ft.
MPG: 27 city / 28 hwy
Max. Towing: 5,000 lbs.
2023 Ford Explorer Exterior Design
Ruggedly good looks and practical exterior features help the 2023 Ford Explorer stand out whether on backwoods roads or city streets. Light the road home with standard automatic LED low- and high-beam headlamps. Access the rear cargo area with ease through the power liftgate. For unique styling and enhanced off-road design, pick the Explorer Timberline. Steel skid plates help protect the underside of your vehicle, all-terrain tires give you added traction over slick surfaces, and a unique blackout treatment for your lights provides a distinctive look.
Other available exterior features include:
- LED signature lighting
- LED fog lamps
- Heated, power, manual-folding side view mirrors
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Twin-panel moonroof
2023 Ford Explorer Interior Design & Technology
Find modern tech and a comfortable, convenient space inside the 2023 Ford Explorer. Sink into available tri-diamond perforated leather seating or let the available Active Motion® feature with five upper or lower back massage patterns help ease the aches of a long day at work. Each Explorer trim offers unique interior design cues — including Southwest-inspired Sapele wood accents and Mesa Del Rio leather upholstery in the King Ranch® or sporty leather and Miko® seats with City Silver stitching in the ST.
For easy connections on the go, the 2023 Explorer includes the SYNC® 3 infotainment as standard equipment with an 8-inch touchscreen or an available 10.1-inch portrait touchscreen. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ smartphone compatibility are standard as well.
Available interior features include:
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Power tilt and telescoping steering column
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row seats
- Ten-way power driver’s seat
Available technology features include:
- SiriusXM® Satellite Radio
- Wireless charging pad
- 12-speaker B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen®, including subwoofer
- 12.3-in. instrument cluster
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot
- HD Radio™
2023 Ford Explorer Seating & Cargo Capacity
Pack it all with the 2023 Ford Explorer. The three-row interior is easily adaptable to meet your particular passenger or cargo-carrying needs. Seat up to seven people in the 2023 Ford Explorer with a second-row 35/30/35 split bench seat, or six with the available captain’s chairs with E-Z entry. Accommodate up to 87.8 cubic feet of cargo in the Explorer — and make adjusting the rear seat easier with the available PowerFold® third-row seat.
Another unique optional feature in the Explorer is the cargo management system, which provides a rubber mat for the cargo well, a cargo net, and a reversible load floor with carpet on one side and an easy-clean plastic surface on the other.
| Max. Seating | Seven |
|---|---|
| Headroom (first/second/third row) | Up to 40.7 / 40.5 / 38.9 in. |
| Legroom (first/second/third row) | 43 / 39 / 32.2 in. |
| Cargo Capacity (max./behind second row/behind third row) | 87.8 / 47.9 / 18.2 in. |
2023 Ford Explorer Safety Features
With your friends and family on board, it’s important your next SUV comes with plenty of safety features. That’s why every 2023 Ford Explorer includes Ford Co-Pilot360™ technology, including features like a lane keeping system, Pre-Collision Assist® with automatic emergency braking, and BLIS® (blind spot information system) with cross traffic alert. Supplement this system with available safety features like the 360-degree camera with split-view display or adaptive cruise control.
Other available safety features include:
- Post-collision braking
- Rear parking sensors
- Rear view camera
- Auto high-beam headlamps
- Adaptive cruise control
- Active park assist 2.0
2023 Ford Explorer Colors Available
Exterior Colors
- Agate Black
- Carbonized Gray
- Forged Green
- Atlas Blue
- Iconic Silver
- Star White
- Stone Blue
- Jewel Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
- Rapid Red
2023 Ford Explorer Trims Available
SUV
$36,760
Starting MSRP
XLT
$38,570
Starting MSRP
ST-Line
$46,355
Starting MSRP
Limited
$47,420
Starting MSRP
Timberline
$49,330
Starting MSRP
ST
$50,005
Starting MSRP
Platinum
$54,270
Starting MSRP
King Ranch
$54,525
Starting MSRP
2026 Ford Explorer Learn More About the Ford Explorer
Continue researching what the Ford Explorer has to offer using the focused research guides created by the SUV professionals at Imlay City Ford. Compare lists of standard features with our Explorer trims page. Take a closer look at performance options and specifications using our Explorer engines page. See how the Explorer fits your desired monthly budget with our current Explorer lease offer.
May not represent actual vehicle. (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary)