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 familiar midsize three-row SUV that prioritises practicality, comfort, and mainstream family use over flash. Ford’s own assessment also points to a more personality-filled choice if you move up to the ST or Tremor models, while the standard setup still serves buyers who want a comfortable, everyday crossover.

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

With 32.8% of listings priced as good or great deals, the market offers a moderate amount of value-oriented inventory.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Explorer’s overall pitch is still centred on familiar, mainstream SUV duty, and Ford backs it with a three-year/60,000-kilometre bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty. Its powertrains are conventional and well established, and the 10-speed automatic is described as quick and confident in use.

Ford also says the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is cost creep if you chase higher trims and 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 road style, and the base Active misses some of the richer equipment found higher up the range.
• Powertrain: You get a standard 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and an available twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The V6 is standard on the ST and available on the Tremor, while the 10-speed automatic and standard AWD in Canada are part of the package.
• 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 with a 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 an available 14-speaker upgrade.
• 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-friendly packaging, standard safety tech, and the full infotainment setup without paying for the more expensive trims.
• ST-Line: Choose this if you want a dressier look and more equipment than the Active, but you do not need the full performance focus of the ST.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-leaning choice, with the most upscale feel in the lineup and leather upholstery.
• ST: Pick this if you want the strongest on-road performance character, including the twin-turbo V6, sport-tuned suspension, and beefier brakes.
• Tremor: This is the best fit if you want the most off-road capability in the range, plus the twin-turbo V6, raised ride height, all-terrain tyres, skid plates, and off-road lighting.

The safety package is strongest on higher trims, which add CoPilot 360 2.0 with 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 is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have some room to shop carefully rather than rush.

• Deal availability: 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 348 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, and four stars 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 a 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:

• 32.8% 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 brought major updates, including improved interior quality, bolder styling, and new infotainment and safety tech.

The bottom line: If you want the newest Explorer with the Tremor’s added capability and the updated BlueCruise system, the 2026 is the better target. If you are shopping mainly on value, the 2025 remains appealing because it introduced the big refresh and may be priced more attractively.

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 looks like the more polished all-rounder if you value comfort, 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 harder to ignore. If you want the better-balanced choice, the Explorer has the edge; if space matters most, the Traverse is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.