New & Used 2026 Ford Explorer for Sale nearHigh River, AB

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 SUV with a long-standing family-friendly focus, comfortable road manners, and an optional twin-turbo V6 for buyers who want more punch. For 2026, the big change is the return of the Tremor model, which replaces the Timberline as the most off-road-capable Explorer, while BlueCruise also gets an update. The trade-offs are familiar: bland styling and a nondescript interior, and pricing can climb quickly with options.

That said, 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which 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’s appeal is built around being a comfortable, family-friendly SUV with mainstream mechanicals and a long-running place in Ford’s lineup. Its standard turbocharged four-cylinder and available twin-turbo V6 are paired with a 10-speed automatic, and the model’s overall setup is aimed at everyday usability rather than complexity. Ford also backs it with a three-year/60,000-kilometre bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty.

The performance notes also point to a drivetrain that feels well sorted in normal use, with the 10-speed automatic described as quick and decisive. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that higher-spec versions can become expensive to maintain and own once options and trim content pile up.

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, while the Tremor adds rugged hardware such as all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, off-road lights, and a more trail-ready look. The base Active is the one most likely to feel light on luxury features, with cloth seats and an unbranded six-speaker audio system.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 is available on Tremor and standard on ST, with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. 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 litres per 100 kilometres 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, Tremor.

Here's the short version:

• Active: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core Explorer experience with the standard safety suite, the 13.2-inch touchscreen, the 12.3-inch digital cluster, wireless smartphone integration, and the base turbo-four. It makes the most sense if you want the lowest starting price and can live without the richer audio and luxury touches.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a more style-focused look and upgrades the audio system to the 10-speaker B&O setup. It suits you if you want a nicer-feeling Explorer without jumping all the way to the pricier luxury or performance models.
• Platinum: This is the most luxurious version, with leather upholstery and the most upscale cabin presentation in the lineup. It’s the one to choose if comfort and premium feel matter more than value.
• ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, pairing the twin-turbo V6 with sport-tuned suspension and beefier brakes. It’s the right pick if you want the strongest on-road performance.
• Tremor: This is the best-value trim for buyers who want the most capability and equipment, especially if you like the off-road focus. It adds the V6, all-terrain hardware, off-road lights, skid plates, and the most ground clearance in the lineup.

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

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

This looks like a moderate, selective-buyer market, so it makes sense to shop carefully and compare condition, mileage, and equipment.

• Deal availability: 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 305 listings available.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer safe?

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

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

CoPilot 360+ on Active models 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. BlueCruise is also updated for 2026 with 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:

• 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The Tremor returns as the most off-road-capable Explorer, and BlueCruise gets an update.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It brings a broader set of updates, improved interior quality, and a simplified lineup.

The bottom line: If you want the newest Explorer with the Tremor and updated BlueCruise, the 2026 is the one to target. If you’re more price-sensitive, the 2025 is worth a look because it already introduced the major refresh and may offer better value depending on the listing.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.