2026 FORD EXPLORER

TRADITION-RICH EXPLORER LEADS THE WAY WHEN IT COMES TO MID-SIZE SUVS

Tracing the history of the SUV to find the vehicle that started it all depends on how you define the segment.

If you’re talking about a vehicle that combines a truck chassis with an enclosed body that accommodates both passengers and cargo, the 1935 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall stakes a claim as the original ancestor.

if you’re looking for a forerunner to today’s more modern SUV, you’d go with the 1963 Jeep Wagoneer that featured more car-like styling and features and offered 4-wheel drive capability as opposed to the Suburban’s rear-wheel configuration.

But though it was late to the party compared to those earlier vehicles, the Ford Explorer might be the first that comes to my mind at least among today’s younger generations when it comes to the lineage of the modern-day SUV.

There certainly is a strong case as there is little doubt about the Explorer’s impact when it was introduced as a 1991 model to replace the Ford Bronco II. Throughout the 1990s, Ford Explorer sales averaged nearly 370,000 a year for the decade with a high of over 431,000 in 1998.

The Explorer reached its current all-time yearly high of 445,157 vehicles to kick off 2000 as the SUV began gobbling up the sedan as American families’ auto transportaion of choice.

Those sales numbers have tailed off in recent years not because of anything Ford has done wrong with the Explorer but because of an explosion in the number of SUVs in today’s market.

After a slump in sales earlier this decade that saw the Explorer dip to under 187,000 in 2023 and just over 194,000 in 2024, sales were back to nearly 223,000 in 2025 and are over 189, 000 through September of this year, an increase of 17.6 percent over the same period a year ago. At that pace it should top the 200,000 mark when October’s numbers are in.

The 2026 Ford Explorer is offered in six trims with a new Tremor version being introduced. My test vehicle was the 2026 Ford Explorer ST which, along with the new Tremor, gets a 3.0-liter Ecoboost (Ford language for turbocharged) V6 engine as standard instead of the 2.3L Ecoboost 4-cylinder engine standard in other trims.

Ford introduced the ST trim with 2020 models that kicked off the Explorer’s sixth generation. Its twin-turbocharged V6 generates 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, resulting in a zero-to-60 mph clocking of just over 5 seconds, not bad for an SUV. 

A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard with either engine. With the 4-banger, fuel economy numbers are 20 mpg city, 29 highway and 24 combined. AWD models lower them to 20/27/23. The V6 is a bit thirstier with 18/21/25 for RWD models. 

My 2026 Ford Explorer ST with with AWD drank regular octane fuel at the rate of 18/25/20 mpg, according to the government, though I guess my driving style was not the most economical and drove those numbers down a bit.

The Explorer’s various trims don’t just distinguish themselves with alpha-numeric codes but equipped for specific purposes. The Platinum has more upscale features, the new Tremor has tweaks like all-terrain tires for off-road ventures, and with its robust engine the ST is more performance-oriented. The base model is the Active trim and the ST-Line is a step up from the Active with upgraded upholstery and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system.

Standard features on my test 2026 Ford Explorer ST included 21-inch wheels, power rear lift gate, heated and ventilated front seats, second-row heated seats, power-fold third-row seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 13.3-inch touchscreen for tech features, 360-degree camera, performance brakes, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six selectable drive modes (normal, sport, eco, slippery, tow/haul and trail for light off-roading).

Standard safety features include the suite of features in Ford’s Co-Pilot Assist 2.0 system (adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping, and pre-collision assist) and Ford’s Personal Safety System that adds extra protection for front passengers in frontal crashes.

All that was included in my test vechile’s starting MSRP of $56,770.  Options, including $2,995 for a Sun and Sound package and an outrageous $4,895 for the black painted roof, ran the final total to $68,350 including the $1,695 destination and delivery charge.

The base Active trim starts at $40,260. ST-Line models start at $46,950. and Tremor and Platinum versions carry starting MSRPs in the low $50,000 range.

What I liked about the 2026 Ford Explorer ST: The V6 engine provides plenty of punch and the roomy interior is packed with plenty of user-friendly tech features. There’s even a knob to adjust volume levels for the radio and handy buttons to turn off the auto Stop/Start and activate Auto Hold. A tray in the center stack serves as a handy shelf for other items like cell phones, sun glasses, coins, keys, etc.

What I didn’t like about the 2026 Ford Explorer ST: Third-row seating is on the cramped side. It also cuts cargo space down to a sedan-like 16.4 cubic feet. A phone charging pad does not come standard.

Would I buy the 2026 Ford Explorer ST? Unless you want the extra performance of the ST models, other less expensive trims like the ST-Line and even the base Active are good choices.