New & Used 2026 Ford Explorer for Sale nearHinton, 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 for you if you want a comfortable, family-friendly hauler with room for the whole family. The available twin-turbo V6 adds serious punch, and the 2026 Tremor gives the lineup a more capable off-road angle. The trade-offs are familiar: bland styling and a nondescript interior, plus pricing that can climb quickly with options.

34.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there is still 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 long-running role as a family-focused SUV supports its reputation for everyday dependability, and the expert assessment points to a vehicle that continues to do its job well. The powertrain lineup is straightforward, with a standard turbo-four and an available twin-turbo V6, and both are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The performance notes also describe the gearbox as quick and decisive, which is a good sign for smooth day-to-day use.

Ford’s three-year/60,000-kilometre bumper-to-bumper warranty and five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty match those of most other mainstream brands. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that higher-spec versions can become expensive to maintain and repair if they are heavily optioned.

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 ST adds sport-tuned suspension and beefier brakes. The Tremor stands out with all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, off-road lights in the grille, and a more rugged look.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 is available on the Tremor and standard on the ST, with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Both engines use a 10-speed automatic and standard AWD in Canada.
• Safety package: 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.
• 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 inline-four 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, but it still gives you the core Explorer experience with the standard turbo-four, the full infotainment setup, and the CoPilot 360+ safety suite. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and can live without the extra luxury and audio upgrades.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value pick if you want a more upscale look without jumping to the pricier trims. It adds the 10-speaker B&O audio system and keeps the Explorer’s standard tech and safety content intact.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the most luxurious Explorer, with leather upholstery and the most premium feel in the lineup.
• 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 acceleration and handling focus.
• Tremor: This is the one to buy if you want the most off-road-capable Explorer. It adds the V6, all-terrain tires, raised suspension, 22 centimetres of ground clearance, skid plates, and off-road lighting.

Higher trim levels get CoPilot 360 2.0, which adds the 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist, and road-edge detection.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you should shop carefully and compare listings before committing.

• Deal availability: 34.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 307 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 to version 1.5 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:

• 34.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2026 adds a Tremor model and an updated BlueCruise system.

Consider the 2025 if:

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

The bottom line: If you want the latest Explorer with the Tremor and updated driver-assist tech, the 2026 is the better target. If you’re focused on value, the 2025 can be the smarter buy because it already delivered the big refresh and may cost less on the used market.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.