New & Used 2026 Ford Explorer for Sale near New Jersey, NB

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 family-friendly crossover with a comfortable ride and mainstream appeal. Ford’s own assessment also points to the Explorer’s stronger personalities at the ST and Tremor ends of the lineup, while the standard model stays more conventional.

The trade-offs are clear: bland styling, a nondescript interior, and a tendency to get expensive with options. Even so, the Explorer’s combination of comfort, available twin-turbo V6 power, and strong safety credentials keeps it competitive.

27.7% 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 is presented as a familiar, mainstream SUV that has stayed largely unchanged for 2026, which can be reassuring if you want a proven formula rather than a major redesign. Its powertrains and core hardware are also described as unchanged, and the 10-speed automatic is portrayed as quick and well matched to both engines.

Ford’s three-year/60,000-kilometre bumper-to-bumper warranty and five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty support ownership confidence. The first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that higher-spec versions can be costly to keep if you choose one loaded with options.

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 styling, and the Tremor adds rugged hardware and off-road lighting. Base-model equipment is lighter, with cloth seats and fewer premium touches than higher trims.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the available twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 makes 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The turbo-four can feel stressed when the Explorer is loaded up or towing.
• 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 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.
• 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 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 value starting point if you want the Explorer’s core family-hauling ability and standard safety tech without paying for extras. It gets the full CoPilot 360+ suite, the 13.2-inch touchscreen, the 12.3-inch digital cluster, and wireless smartphone integration.
• ST-Line: This is the better-looking road-oriented choice if you want more style than the Active without jumping to the pricier luxury or performance trims. It adds a more upscale feel than the base model and sits in the middle of the range.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the most luxurious Explorer, with leather upholstery and the richest feature set in the lineup. It is the trim for buyers who care most about comfort and premium appointments.
• ST: This is the pick if you want the strongest on-road performance, thanks to the twin-turbo V6, sport-tuned suspension, and beefier brakes. It suits you best if driving enjoyment matters more than value.
• Tremor: This is the best-value trim if you want the Explorer’s most distinctive personality, because it combines the off-road-focused hardware with the available V6 and a more rugged look. It adds all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, off-road lights, skid plates, and the Torsen limited-slip rear differential.

Higher trim levels have 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 can shop carefully and still find worthwhile options.

• Deal availability: 27.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 336 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.

The standard CoPilot 360+ suite 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 for lane keep assist. Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system 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:

• 27.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The Tremor returns for 2026, adding the Explorer’s most off-road-capable setup and an updated BlueCruise system.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It brings a broader refresh with improved interior quality, bolder styling, and a simplified lineup.

The bottom line: If you want the newest Explorer with the Tremor’s added personality and updated driver-assist tech, the 2026 is the cleaner choice. If you are more price-sensitive, the 2025 can still make sense because it introduced the major updates that shaped this generation’s appeal.

How does the 2026 Ford Explorer compare to the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2026 Ford Explorer:

• Pros: Comfortable, Optional twin-turbo V6, Impressive safety ratings.
• Cons: Bland styling, Nondescript interior, Gets expensive with options.

2026 Chevrolet Traverse:

• Pros: Spacious interior, Pleasant ride, Lots of safety equipment.
• Cons: Gruff engine, Too big to handle well, Mediocre power.

Our experts score the 2026 Ford Explorer 7.5/10 and the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse 7.3/10. The Explorer has the edge if you value comfort, stronger available power, and better safety ratings. The Traverse counters with a roomier cabin and a pleasant ride, but its engine and handling drawbacks are harder to ignore.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.