New & Used 2026 Ford Explorer for Sale near Niagara Falls, 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 SUV with a long-standing family-friendly reputation, and it is comfortable, offers an optional twin-turbo V6, and has impressive safety ratings. For 2026, the biggest change is the return of the Tremor model as the most off-road-capable Explorer, while BlueCruise also gets an update. The trade-offs are familiar: bland styling and a nondescript interior, plus pricing that can climb quickly with options.

With 31.2% of listings priced as good or great deals, you have 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 midsize three-row SUV, and the expert review backs up that everyday-use focus. Its powertrains and 10-speed automatic are described as well matched, and the available twin-turbo V6 gives you strong passing power without hesitation. Ford also says the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that higher-spec versions can become expensive to keep desirable once options and trim upgrades are added.

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 is the off-road-focused model, with all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, off-road lights, 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 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 has 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, Tremor.

Here's the short version:

• Active: This is the entry point, but it still gives you the core Explorer experience, including the standard touchscreen, digital cluster, wireless smartphone connectivity, and the full CoPilot 360+ safety suite. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting point and can live without the upgraded audio and extra luxury touches.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a more styled look and moves you into the 10-speaker B&O audio system. It is a good fit 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 more upscale equipment set. It suits you best if comfort and cabin finish matter more than ruggedness or performance.
• ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the twin-turbo V6, sport-tuned suspension, and beefier brakes. Choose it if you want the strongest on-road performance in the lineup.
• Tremor: This is the best-value trim if you want the Explorer’s most distinctive character, because it combines the off-road-focused hardware with the available V6 and a more rugged setup. It also gets the 360-degree camera system through CoPilot 360 2.0, which is especially useful off-road.

Higher trims get CoPilot 360 2.0, while Active models use 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 compare listings carefully and focus on the right trim and equipment.

• Deal availability: 31.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 317 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. 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:

• 31.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The Tremor returns for 2026, and BlueCruise gets an update.

Consider the 2025 if:

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

The bottom line: If you want the newest Explorer with the Tremor and updated driver-assist tech, the 2026 is the better target. If you are price-sensitive, the 2025 may deliver much of the same appeal with a broader value story.

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 stronger available power and top-tier safety ratings. The Traverse counters with a roomier-feeling cabin and a pleasant ride, but its engine and handling drawbacks are more noticeable. If you want the more polished all-rounder, the Explorer is the slightly stronger pick.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.