New & Used 2026 Ford Explorer for Sale nearElk Lake, ON

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — the 2026 Ford Explorer earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

It remains a practical midsize three-row crossover that’s aimed squarely at families who want space and everyday usefulness. Ford has kept most of it unchanged for 2026, while the updated BlueCruise system and the return of the Tremor trim give it a bit more modern appeal and a more distinctive option if you want something beyond the basic family-SUV formula.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling is bland, the interior is nondescript, and it can get expensive with options.

With 35.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Explorer is presented as a straightforward, family-focused SUV, and the expert assessment backs up that impression with a strong overall score and a practical, mainstream mission. Its powertrains and 10-speed automatic are described as confident and well matched, and the cabin tech is modern enough to keep the vehicle feeling current.

Ford also includes a three-year/60,000-kilometre bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty, which helps reduce early ownership risk.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that higher-spec versions can become costly to own if you want the more powerful engine and extra convenience equipment.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Ford Explorer?

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Active is the base model, while the Platinum is the most luxurious. The ST-Line and ST lean more toward on-road style, and the Tremor adds the most rugged appearance with all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, off-road lights, and 22 centimetres of ground clearance. The base Active is the one most likely to feel stripped back, with cloth seats and the simpler audio setup.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The available twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 makes 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, and it’s standard on the ST and available on the Tremor. Both engines use a 10-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive in Canada.
• Safety package: CoPilot 360+ is standard on Active models and includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centring, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage and safe exit assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic braking, post-collision braking, and traffic sign recognition. Higher trims get CoPilot 360 2.0, which adds the 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist, and road-edge detection.
• Infotainment: All models get a 13.2-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Maps, Google Play Store, and SiriusXM with 360L. The base Active uses an unbranded six-speaker audio system, while other trims get a 10-speaker B&O system, with a 14-speaker version available.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbo-four is rated at 10.4 L/100 km combined, while V6 models are rated at 11.6 L/100 km combined. The Tremor is rated at 11.2 L/100 km combined with the four-cylinder and 12.4 L/100 km combined with the V6.

Which 2026 Ford Explorer trim should I buy?

The 2026 Ford Explorer is offered in 5 trim levels: Active, ST-Line, Platinum, ST, and Tremor.

Here's the short version:

• Active: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core Explorer experience with the standard 2.3-litre turbo-four, the 13.2-inch touchscreen, the 12.3-inch digital cluster, and the full CoPilot 360+ safety suite. It’s the trim to choose if you want the lowest starting price and can live without the richer audio and luxury touches.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value pick if you want a more upscale look without jumping to the pricier performance or luxury trims. It adds a more styled appearance and moves you into the better-equipped part of the lineup, including the upgraded audio system.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the most luxurious Explorer. It’s the trim that leans hardest into comfort and premium features, including leather upholstery.
• ST: This is the performance-oriented road model, with the twin-turbo V6, sport-tuned suspension, and beefier brakes. It suits you if you want the strongest on-road punch in the lineup.
• Tremor: This is the most off-road-capable Explorer, with the twin-turbo V6 available, raised suspension, all-terrain tires, skid plates, and off-road-focused hardware. It’s the one to buy if you want the most distinctive Explorer and actually plan to use its trail capability.

Higher trims get CoPilot 360 2.0, while the Active starts with CoPilot 360+.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Ford Explorer?

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you should shop carefully and compare listings rather than rushing into the first decent example you find.

• Deal availability: 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 306 listings available.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer safe?

The 2026 Ford Explorer is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ and earns five-star ratings from NHTSA, with five-star ratings in frontal and side crash testing and four stars in rollover testing.

It earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

CoPilot 360+ is standard on Active models and includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centring, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage and safe exit assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic braking, post-collision braking, and traffic sign recognition. Higher trims add CoPilot 360 2.0, which brings the 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist, and road-edge detection.

Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system is also updated for 2026, adding automated lane change capability.

Should I buy a 2026 Ford Explorer or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2026 adds an updated BlueCruise system and brings back the Tremor as the most off-road-capable Explorer.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It brought major updates, including new infotainment and safety tech, improved interior quality, and bolder styling.

The bottom line: If you want the newest version with the Tremor and updated driver-assist tech, the 2026 is the cleaner choice. If you’re shopping on value, the 2025 may be the smarter buy because it already introduced the big refresh and could cost less on the used market.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.