The 2026 Ford Explorer adds a Tremor and a new floor.
A new entry-point Active 100A, the brand-new Tremor off-road trim, and a Platinum that quietly lost its V6. The 2025 refresh carries forward. The trim ladder does not.
Video reviews from MikesCarInfo
Two videos on the tested Active 4WD. The full review covers the driving impressions, packages, and screens. The night review shows what the lighting actually looks like after dark, which is where this generation's refreshed taillamp lightbar earns its keep.
Every Explorer trim, ranked by how shoppers think
The 2025 refresh stayed, including the 12.3-inch productivity cluster, the 13.2-inch center touchscreen, the Ford Digital Experience with Google Built-in, and the new taillamp lightbar across the liftgate. Ford spent 2026 reshaping the ladder around it. Two new trims arrived. The Platinum quietly lost its V6 option.
Active 100A
The honest floor, new for 2026.
Ford pulled $1,700 out of the entry price for 2026 by adding a stripped trim below the regular Active. It still gets the new screens, the standard Class III tow, the full Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite, and the 5G modem. What it gives up is the Active Comfort Package content. The volume Active sits one step up at a meaningful price premium, and most shoppers will choose to walk up the ladder once they sit in both. The 100A exists so the headline starting price stays under $39K.
- 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 300 hp, 310 lb-ft, 10-speed automatic
- 12.3-inch productivity cluster standard, replaces the analog gauges of older XLTs
- 13.2-inch touchscreen with Ford Digital Experience, Google Built-in, Alexa Built-in
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ Adaptive Cruise with Stop-and-Go, Lane Centering, BLIS
- Class III Trailer Tow Package standard, 5,000-lb rating
- 5G modem + Wi-Fi hotspot 3-month/3GB AT&T trial
- 18-inch Sparkle Silver-painted aluminum wheels, 255/65R18 tires
Active
What most buyers actually drive home.
The Active over 100A buys you access to the Active Comfort Package, which is where almost every tester walks out of the dealer lot. The package adds the heated steering wheel, LED fog and signature lighting, ActiveX seating, an 8-way power passenger seat, remote start, second-row HVAC, and a universal garage door opener. On a 4WD Active with the Comfort Package, a Panoramic Vista Roof, 20-inch Luster Nickel wheels, and the SecuriCode keypad, the sticker lands around $51,000. That puts it within reach of ST-Line territory, and the trim-versus-trim decision matters.
- Active Comfort Package ($3,145) heated wheel, ActiveX, 8-way passenger, remote start, LED signature lighting, second-row HVAC, UGDO
- Second-row 35/30/35 bench (no charge) swap from standard captain's chairs, bumps seating to seven
- Panoramic Vista Roof $1,295 net of $400 discount on tested example, with remote front-window key-fob open
- 20-inch Luster Nickel-painted aluminum wheels Platinum's standard wheel as a $1,395 Active upgrade
- SecuriCode invisible keypad $455, driver-side B-pillar, no visible buttons until touched
- Ford Premium Connectivity (7-year prepaid) $745, unlocks Google Assistant, Maps with traffic, Play Store
ST-Line
ST exterior treatment, four-cylinder running gear.
ST-Line buys you the blackout exterior, red interior stitching, 20-inch Ebony machined wheels, BlueCruise 90-day trial, and the standard 10-speaker B&O audio. The 2.3L I-4 stays. The Premium Package adds heated second row, ambient lighting, wireless charging, power-folding mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and memory driver's seat. The Street Pack swaps to 21-inch Magnetite wheels with performance brakes and red calipers. ST-Line earns its premium over an Active with the Comfort Package primarily through BlueCruise access and the upgraded audio.
- BlueCruise 90-day trial hands-free highway driving on 130,000+ miles of mapped roads
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 adds 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, Reverse Brake Assist, Road Edge Detection
- B&O sound system 10 speakers with subwoofer, standard at this trim
- 20-inch Ebony machined aluminum wheels 255/55R20 all-season tires
- Blackout exterior treatment grille, cladding, skid plate accents, badging
- Premium Package available heated 2nd row, ambient lighting, wireless charging, rain-sensing wipers, power-fold mirrors
- Street Pack available 21-inch Magnetite wheels, performance brakes, red calipers
Tremor
The Timberline successor, with real teeth.
Tremor is the headline news for 2026. It replaces the dropped Timberline as the off-road Explorer and brings standard intelligent 4WD, a Torsen limited-slip rear axle, 8.7 inches of ground clearance (up from 7.6 standard), an inch of suspension lift, Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires on unique 18-inch wheels, steel skid plates, off-road auxiliary lights, and yellow-accented exterior trim. Inside, you get heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, ActiveX with Miko inserts, and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel. The Tremor Ultimate Package ($11,850) adds the V6, BlueCruise, panoramic roof, 14-speaker B&O, multicontour seats, and a power-folding third row. With the V6 ticked, 0-60 lands around 5.5 seconds. Approach and departure angles improve over the standard Explorer. Tow rating stays at 5,000 lb.
- Intelligent 4WD standard with Torsen limited-slip rear axle
- 8.7-inch ground clearance 1.1 inches more than the standard Explorer
- Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires on unique 18-inch Tremor wheels with yellow accents
- Steel underbody skid plates protect engine, transmission, fuel tank
- Off-road auxiliary lights mounted in the front fascia, factory-wired
- 360-degree camera with off-road view standard, part of Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0
- Trail/Off-Road drive modes via Terrain Management System
- Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats ActiveX with Miko inserts and Tremor logos
- Tremor Ultimate Package ($11,850) V6, BlueCruise, pano roof, 14-speaker B&O, multicontour seats, power-fold 3rd row
Platinum
The loaded family hauler, now four-cylinder only.
Ford dropped the V6 option from Platinum for 2026. The trim is now 2.3L I-4 only, which is the biggest functional change in the lineup. What you still get is the loaded equipment list: panoramic roof standard, 14-speaker 980-watt B&O audio, multicontour seats with Active Motion massage, ActiveX with leather diamond perforated inserts, satin exterior trim, adaptive headlights, BlueCruise one-year plan, and 20-inch Luster Nickel wheels. The Lux Leather Package adds Premium Sanctuary leather with quilting and Platinum badges on the front seats. Shoppers who want the V6 and the luxury equipment now have to either go to the Tremor Ultimate Package or buy an ST and option it up.
- 2.3L I-4 only for 2026 V6 option deleted, available only on ST and Tremor Ultimate
- Panoramic Vista Roof standard with power shade, key-fob remote front-window open
- B&O 14-speaker 980-watt audio with HD Radio
- Multicontour front seats with Active Motion massage standard
- Adaptive headlights Platinum-exclusive, Dynamic Bending Light system
- BlueCruise one-year plan included with vehicle (90-day trial on ST-Line and ST)
- 20-inch Luster Nickel-painted aluminum wheels standard, 21-inch available
- Lux Leather Package Premium Sanctuary leather, diamond perforation, quilting, Platinum front-seat badges
ST
The only Explorer with real performance hardware.
ST is the only Explorer with the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 as standard equipment. The engine made 400 hp and 415 lb-ft on early 2026 builds, then dropped to 385 hp on vehicles built on or after April 13, 2026, per Ford's documentation. Either rating clears 0-60 in the low fives. ST adds sport-tuned suspension, performance brakes with red calipers, paddle shifters, quad chrome exhaust tips, 21-inch Magnetite wheels, Sport captain's chairs with Miko inserts, third-row PowerFold, and Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 with the 360-degree camera. The Sun and Sound Package upgrades to 14-speaker 980-watt B&O, multicontour seats with Active Motion, and the panoramic roof. Every ST and ST-Line buyer also gets a complimentary day at the Ford Performance Racing School in either Utah or North Carolina.
- 3.0L EcoBoost V6 standard 400 hp / 415 lb-ft (385 hp on builds 4/13/26 or later)
- Sport-tuned suspension stiffer dampers, lower ride height, sport EPAS
- Performance brakes with red calipers standard
- SelectShift with paddle shifters 10-speed automatic
- 21-inch Magnetite-painted wheels, quad chrome exhaust
- Sport Captain's Chairs Miko inserts, heated and ventilated, third-row PowerFold standard
- Sun and Sound Package available 14-speaker 980W B&O, multicontour seats with Active Motion, panoramic roof
- Ford Performance Racing School day included Park City UT or Asheville NC
The 2025-2026 Explorer is covered by several active NHTSA recalls. The most relevant ones for 2026 buyers: Recall 26C18 covers 2020-2026 Explorers for improperly secured second-row outer seat belt anchor bolts (dealer inspect and tighten or replace). Recall 25SA3 covers 2024-2026 Explorers and Aviators for trailer hitch assembly bolts that may not have been properly tightened (dealer inspects and tightens, free of charge).
Additional 2025 campaigns may apply by build date and equipment: 26C12 for Dynamic Bending Light direction (Platinum's adaptive headlamps), 26S21 for Image Processing Module A resets affecting rearview camera and ADAS, and a PCM software recall covering certain 2025 Explorers with the 2.3L I-4. Run the VIN through NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing.
Complete specifications
Two powertrains. The 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 carries most of the lineup. The 3.0L EcoBoost V6 is standard on ST and optional on Tremor through the Ultimate Package.
How the Explorer stacks up
Three-row midsize SUV is the deepest field in the market. The Explorer goes head-to-head with the volume Asian players and the upmarket Stellantis entries. Numbers below reflect 2025-2026 model year info from manufacturer sources.
| Spec | Ford Explorer | Honda Pilot | Toyota Grand Highlander | Kia Telluride | Jeep Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (with destination) | $38,465 | $41,150 | $43,710 | $38,985 | $41,310 |
| Top trim MSRP | $54,770 (ST) | $54,610 (Black Ed.) | $59,160 (Hybrid Max) | $55,485 (X-Pro Prestige) | $66,030 (Summit Reserve) |
| Base engine | 300 hp 2.3L I-4 turbo | 285 hp 3.5L V6 | 265 hp 2.4L turbo | 291 hp 3.8L V6 | 293 hp 3.6L V6 |
| Top engine | 400 hp V6 (ST) | 285 hp V6 | 362 hp Hybrid Max | 291 hp V6 | 357 hp 5.7L V8 |
| Hybrid available | No | No | Yes (2 options) | No (Hybrid is the Sorento) | No |
| EPA combined (base) | 23 mpg | 21 mpg | 24 mpg | 21 mpg | 21 mpg |
| Max tow | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | 5,500 lb | 7,200 lb (V8) |
| Cargo behind 3rd row | 16.3 cu ft | 22.4 cu ft | 20.6 cu ft | 21.0 cu ft | 17.2 cu ft |
| Off-road trim | Tremor (new 2026) | TrailSport | None | X-Pro | Trailhawk |
| Hands-free highway | BlueCruise (ST-Line up) | No | No | Highway Driving Assist 2 (limited) | No |
| Architecture | Rear-wheel-drive based | Front-wheel-drive based | Front-wheel-drive based | Front-wheel-drive based | Rear-wheel-drive based |
| Assembly | Chicago, IL | Lincoln, AL | Princeton, IN | West Point, GA | Detroit, MI |
| Powertrain warranty | 5yr / 60,000 mi | 5yr / 60,000 mi | 5yr / 60,000 mi | 10yr / 100,000 mi | 5yr / 60,000 mi |
Explorer leads the field on starting price, headline horsepower (with the ST V6), and is the only volume entry with factory hands-free highway driving below $50K. It loses on third-row cargo (Pilot wins by a wide margin), powertrain warranty (Telluride doubles it), and tow capacity (Grand Cherokee L with the V8 doubles it). The Tremor brings off-road credibility back to a Ford three-row after the Timberline gap.
What the Explorer does well, and what it doesn't
Six trims means six different value propositions. These strengths and weaknesses apply to the lineup as a whole.
- Standard 12.3-inch productivity cluster and 13.2-inch center touchscreen across every trim, including the entry Active 100A
- Native Google Built-in (Maps, Assistant, Play Store) plus Alexa Built-in plus wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, no phone tether needed
- BlueCruise hands-free highway driving available below $50K, which the Asian competitors cannot match at this price
- Rear-wheel-drive based architecture gives a longer hood, better weight distribution, and a 400-hp V6 option that front-driver competitors cannot package
- Class III Trailer Tow Package standard on every 2026 trim with a 5,000-lb rating
- USB-C ports in all three rows, a real differentiator for families with kids in the back two rows
- Tremor brings credible off-road hardware with the Torsen LSD, 8.7-inch ground clearance, and all-terrain tires from the factory
- Ford Power-Up over-the-air updates standard, which means the screens and ADAS get better after you buy
- Third-row cargo (16.3 cu ft) trails the Pilot by six cubic feet, which adds up fast on a Costco run
- Active trim cabin has no ambient lighting and no wireless charging, both of which are standard on similarly-priced Telluride EX and Pilot EX-L
- 2.3L I-4 needs premium fuel for the rated 300 hp, even though regular is approved
- Platinum lost its V6 option for 2026, so buyers who want the V6 with luxury content have to walk to the ST or the Tremor Ultimate Package
- ST V6 drops from 400 hp to 385 hp on units built on or after April 13, 2026, with no price reduction
- Powertrain warranty (5yr/60k) trails Kia/Hyundai (10yr/100k) by a meaningful margin
- BlueCruise requires a subscription after the trial, recurring cost that ages poorly versus a one-time Honda Sensing or Toyota Safety Sense package
- Multiple active NHTSA recalls covering 2024-2026 build years, including seat belt anchors and trailer hitch bolts
Which Explorer should you buy?
Six trims is a lot. Most shoppers fall into one of these patterns.
The price-driven shopper
You want a new three-row at the lowest possible price, and you do not need a heated steering wheel, remote start, or ActiveX upholstery. You do need the screens, the ADAS suite, and a real warranty. The 100A delivers all of that at $38K.
The pragmatic family
You compared an Active 100A, an Active with the Comfort Package, and an ST-Line in the dealer lot. You decided the heated wheel, remote start, ActiveX seats, and 8-way passenger seat were worth $3,145. You skipped ST-Line because you do not need the blackout look or the B&O.
The tech-first buyer
You want BlueCruise hands-free, ambient lighting, wireless charging, the 360-degree camera, and the B&O sound system. You can live with the I-4. The ST-Line Premium Package is the sweet spot.
The weekend adventurer
You want a three-row that can handle a forest road, a snowy driveway, or a beach access road without flinching. The Tremor is the first Explorer since the Timberline to take that seriously, and the Torsen LSD is the proof.
The Lincoln cross-shopper
You looked at a Lincoln Aviator and decided the badge tax was not worth it. The Platinum delivers most of the equipment for thousands less. You accept that Ford removed the V6 from Platinum for 2026.
The enthusiast
You want a three-row family hauler that runs to 60 in the low fives. The ST is the only Explorer with the V6 as standard equipment, sport-tuned suspension, and performance brakes. Check the build date for the 400-hp vs 385-hp split.
FAQ
Is the 2026 Explorer all-new or a carryover?
It carries the 2025 refresh forward (new fascia, new screens, Ford Digital Experience), and the trim ladder changed materially. Ford added the Active 100A entry trim and the Tremor off-road trim, removed the V6 option from Platinum, and detuned the V6 to 385 hp on builds dated 4/13/26 or later.
Is there a hybrid Explorer?
No. Ford dropped the Explorer Hybrid after the 2024 model year. If you want a hybrid three-row Ford, the lineup does not offer one. The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is the closest direct competitor with an electrified powertrain.
What is the difference between Active 100A and Active?
The 100A is a stripped entry trim. The regular Active is the same trim with access to the Active Comfort Package, which adds the heated wheel, ActiveX seats, LED signature lighting, 8-way power passenger, remote start, second-row HVAC, and UGDO for $3,145.
How much can the Explorer tow?
5,000 pounds with either engine. Class III Trailer Tow is standard on every 2026 trim, including the Active 100A. The Grand Cherokee L with the V8 tows more (7,200 lb), the Telluride tows slightly more (5,500 lb), and the Pilot, Grand Highlander, and Ascent all match Explorer at 5,000 lb.
Where is the 2026 Explorer built?
Chicago Assembly Plant. The 2.3L I-4 engine is built at the Cleveland Engine Plant in Ohio. The 3.0L V6 is built at the Lima Engine Plant in Ohio.
Does BlueCruise cost extra after the trial?
Yes. ST-Line and ST come with a 90-day complimentary trial. Platinum comes with a 1-year plan included. After that, customers buy a subscription (annual or monthly) through Ford. Pricing is available at ford.com/bluecruise. The hardware is in the vehicle either way.
What replaced the Timberline trim?
The new 2026 Tremor. It uses the same off-road playbook (lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, skid plates, Torsen limited-slip rear axle) and adds yellow accent trim, off-road auxiliary lights, and a Tremor-specific interior treatment.
Can I still get a V6 in the Platinum?
No, not for 2026. The Platinum is 2.3L I-4 only this model year. To get the 3.0L V6 with luxury content, the option is the Tremor Ultimate Package ($11,850 over base Tremor) or the ST.
Are there active recalls on the 2026 Explorer?
Yes. Notable ones for 2026: recall 26C18 (second-row seat belt anchors, 2020-2026 Explorers) and recall 25SA3 (trailer hitch bolts, 2024-2026 Explorers and Aviators). Both have free dealer remedies. Always run the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls before purchase.
Does the Explorer get over-the-air software updates?
Yes. Ford Power-Up software updates are standard on every 2025-2026 Explorer. The cluster and the center stack both get updates, and Ford has used OTA to deliver multiple recall remedies (including the IPMA module reset issue) without a dealer visit.
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