New & Used 2026 Ford Explorer for Sale nearThunder Bay, 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 giving the lineup a more distinctive option in the Tremor and updating BlueCruise for added modern appeal.

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

For buyers who value comfort and strong safety credentials, it still makes a capable and familiar family SUV. 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there’s 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 described as a straightforward, family-friendly SUV that continues to do the basics well, and the expert assessment backs that up with a solid overall result. Its powertrains and 10-speed automatic are presented as well-matched, and the turbo-four is noted as making the most of its available power through that transmission.

Ford also includes a three-year/60,000-kilometre bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty, which helps support ownership confidence. If you’re buying used, the main long-term risk is that higher-spec versions can become costly to maintain and repair once options and complexity 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, and the ST adds sport-tuned suspension and beefier brakes. The Tremor is the most off-road-capable version, with all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, off-road lights in the grille, and 22 centimetres of ground clearance. The base Active is the one most likely to feel stripped back, especially compared with higher trims that add more equipment and a richer cabin.
• 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 all-wheel drive in Canada. The turbo-four can feel stressed when the Explorer is loaded up or towing, while the V6 brings much stronger passing power.
• 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 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, and it gives you the core Explorer experience with the standard safety suite, the 13.2-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, and the 2.3-litre turbo-four. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting point and can live without the extra polish and audio upgrades found higher up.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a more styled look and gets the upgraded B&O audio system, making it a better fit if you want a nicer-feeling daily driver without jumping all the way to the luxury or performance models.
• Platinum: This is the most luxurious version, and it’s the one to consider if you want the richest cabin and the most upscale feel in the lineup.
• ST: This is the choice if you want the strongest on-road performance, since it pairs the twin-turbo V6 with sport-tuned suspension and beefier brakes.
• Tremor: This is the best-value trim for buyers who want the Explorer’s most distinctive character, because it combines the V6 option, off-road hardware, and the most rugged setup in the lineup.

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 it’s worth shopping carefully rather than rushing.

• Deal availability: 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 302 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 in frontal and side crash testing, plus a four-star rating 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 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:

• 36.8% 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 brought major updates, including improved infotainment, safety tech, and interior quality.

The bottom line: If you want the newest Explorer with the updated Tremor and BlueCruise changes, the 2026 is the cleaner pick. If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, the 2025 may deliver much of the same appeal with a lower asking price, especially if you value the big refresh more than the latest-year tweaks.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.