Our Opinion - 2026 Ford Explorer Review 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 much-needed mid-cycle update that improved the quality of the materials used last year. The wayback seats can be folded down when not in use to make better use of the cargo area, and they are safe for kids. 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. But it’s not as appealing overall as cars like the more expensive, high-end Mazda CX-90 and Kia Telluride. 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. Pros and Cons Pros There is a strong V-6 available. A huge room. The new Tremor has an off-road package. Cons Lack of a mixed type. Average gas mileage. Not as much space as some of its rivals. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The base Active, ST-Line, and Platinum cars all have a 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The ST has a 3.0-liter V-6 turbocharged engine that makes 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Platinum can also have the same engine. (All powerful people want expensive fuel.) You can choose all-wheel drive, but rear-wheel drive with an automatic transmission is standard. During our test drive, we noticed the Explorer moved almost exactly like the previous generation. The Explorer ST is really fast thanks to its more powerful engine, but the ride and handling are still smooth and reliable. Safety Ford adds features like self-parking assist and gives all Explorers a range of driving assist technology as standard. 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 Internal and External Cargo Capacity 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. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG 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. Infotainment and Connectivity A 13.2-inch LCD touchscreen is standard. People who drive cars that are compatible with the Ford Digital Experience can use it to access Google and Amazon apps and services, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Folks can connect to the web, play games on Google Play, and watch movies from YouTube and other sites while their cars are parked. There are also eight USB ports and three 12-volt power sources, two of which are for people in the third row. Besides the base Active Explorer, all of them come with a Bang & Olufsen radio with 12 speakers. Range, Charging, and Battery Life The base 2.3-liter inline-four turbocharged engine in the Explorer has enough speed. Our test of the Explorer with the four-cylinder engine in the no longer available Timberline trim level took place in 2022. It took 6.0 seconds to reach 60 mph. People who drive quickly will choose the ST model, which has a 400-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine and went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds in our tests. Towing and Payload Capacity The maximum towing capacity of the 2026 Ford Explorer is 5,000 pounds. 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 turbo four-cylinder engine and the sporty look of the ST 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 $2000.
