In 2026 the Ford Explorer continues its consistent pattern of being a reliable and comfortable mid-size SUV. Its power and performance will smoothly take you and your family from work to play and from city to highway and beyond. The exciting new entry in the Explorer family is the off-road worthy Tremor trim. With its modern technology and reasonable price the Explorer continues to be an excellent choice for your next vehicle.
Key Takeaways
- A new off-road trim joins the Explorer family in 2026. Welcome to the Tremor!
- Powerful or more powerful are the Explorer engine options, with great towing capacity and reasonable fuel economy to boot.
- Inside the Explorer is plenty of seating and a lot of cargo space so you can haul your family and friends with all their stuff wherever you need to go.
- The Explorer has updated tech, two screens, and plenty of power ports to go around.
- As in years past, in 2026 the Explorer is a reasonably priced SUV.
A new trim is the big news in 2026!
In 2026 the Explorer is getting a new off-road trim, the Tremor. Made for light off-roading this new trim brings a new level of fun to the tried and true family SUV. This new addition to the Explorer family comes with a 2.3 L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but has the option for the 3.0 L V6.
The Tremor gets an extra inch of ground clearance along with unique springs and a limited-slip differential to round out the off-road ride experience. Its unique 18-inch wheels will have all-terrain tires. To protect the underbody while tackling tricky terrain, it has front and rear skid plates. And like any good all-terrain vehicle it will also have recovery hooks in case you need to get pulled out after getting stuck…or even better, help someone else who is stuck.
Performance and power to get your family where you need to go.
The Explorer has long been a staple in the SUV world. Its reliable reputation is in no small part due to the power under its hood. The Active, ST-Line, and Platinum all will come standard with a 2.3 L four-cylinder engine rated for 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
The Platinum also has the option for the 3.0 L V6 that comes standard on the ST trim. It is rated at 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are partnered with a ten-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, though all-wheel drive is available.
The Explorer can tow up to 5,000 pounds and comes with a Class III Towing package, including a hitch, trailer wiring harness, and trailer sway control system. Though the EPA hasn’t released the fuel economy ratings for 2026 yet, the 2025 Explorer was rated for 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. All-wheel drive lowered those ratings by 2 mpg.
How roomy is it inside?
Inside the Explorer, you’ll find plenty of room, especially in the first and second rows (the smaller third row is best suited for children or short trips. The driver and front passenger get 43 inches of leg room, while the second row with either a bench or captains chairs, gets 39 inches of legroom. The back row only gets 32.2 inches of legroom.
For cargo space you will have 18.2 cubic feet behind the back row. The second and third row fold down to give you up to cubic feet.
The Explorer has gotten more tech savvy.
The 2026 Explorer has a 12.3 inch digital gauge display and a 13.2 inch infotainment touchscreen. It will come equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It will also be equipped with Ford’s newest standard software, the Ford Digital Experience so you can access apps and services. While parked, you can watch videos or play games. A variety of sound systems are available, depending on the trim, such as the 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo.
You’ll stay connected in the Explorer with eight USB ports, including two in the third row and three 12-volt power sockets.
A reasonable price for a reasonable SUV.
Depending on the trim, the 2026 is expected to range in price from $40,000 up to $56,465, with the price depending on options and packages. The new Tremor trim is expected to start around $50,000. This reasonable price makes the Explorer a great family car option.
Summary
As in years past, the Explorer is a great option for a mid-size SUV. It has the power and features to handle you and your family’s day-to-day life as well as some more fun and adventurous excursions.
The exciting new Tremor trim will have you adventuring where you could never go before. You’ll have the performance and power to handle your work and play. With a roomy interior and up-to-date technology, long trips will be a pleasure. And you can’t go wrong with the price. Visit Jarrett Ford of Dade City today to find the perfect Explorer for you!