Key Features of the 2026 Ford Explorer

2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Stop-Start Technology

The Explorer® foundation is strong and efficient thanks to its standard 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Stop-Start Technology. Turbocharging and direct injection help deliver quick, responsive torque for confident merging and passing, even with a full cabin. The engine pairs with a smooth-shifting automatic and rear-wheel drive by default for balanced handling and steering feel. Choose available Intelligent 4WD for enhanced traction on wet pavement, packed snow, or rutted gravel. With a properly equipped Class III Trailer Tow Package, the Explorer® can tow up to 5,000 lbs, giving you room to bring a small camper or watercraft. Selectable drive modes help you tailor throttle, shift mapping, and traction control for Normal, Sport, Tow/Haul, and more—so the Explorer® feels composed wherever you point it.

Available 3.0L EcoBoost® Performance

For drivers who want maximum punch, the Explorer® lineup offers a compelling step up. The available 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 brings serious power—up to a max available 400 horsepower when properly equipped—so acceleration is brisk and highway passing is nearly effortless. In the ST model, the sport-tuned suspension and performance brakes with red-painted calipers elevate confidence on winding roads, while the chassis tuning keeps the drive connected and fun. The Tremor® model can be equipped with the available 3.0L EcoBoost® as well, creating the most powerful off-road Explorer® ever. With off-road-tuned suspension, increased ride height, and a Torsen® limited-slip rear axle, the Tremor® uses that power to climb, claw, and traverse where other three-row crossovers hesitate.

Ford BlueCruise Hands-Free Highway Driving

BlueCruise is a hands-free highway driving assistance feature designed to help you accelerate, brake, and steer on compatible, pre-mapped highways while you keep your eyes on the road. On select trims, BlueCruise is equipped, and on models like Platinum™, it includes a 1-year + 90-day plan to get you started. When conditions are met, BlueCruise can help ease fatigue on long stretches of interstate, maintaining lane position and following distance while you supervise. Visual and audible cues keep you informed of system status, and the technology works in harmony with other Ford Co-Pilot360® features. The result is a calmer, more consistent highway drive that many owners appreciate on daily commutes or weekend escapes.

Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ with 360-Degree Camera

Confidence grows when your SUV can help you anticipate the road. Available Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ includes Adaptive Cruise Control, which helps maintain a set gap to the vehicle ahead, and lane-centering assistance to support smoother tracking in marked lanes. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross-Traffic Alert can help watch what you cannot see, especially in crowded parking lots. The 360-Degree Camera can provide an overhead view to assist with tight parking or boat-ramp positioning. Together, these systems help reduce the mental overhead of busy driving environments, making the Explorer® easier to maneuver on city streets, school lanes, or campgrounds.

Flexible Seating for up to Seven and 85.8 cu ft of Cargo Space

Inside, the Explorer® is designed to adapt quickly. An available seven-passenger configuration means you can bring the whole crew, while second-row options support easy access to the third row. With multiple seating configurations and up to 85.8 cu ft of cargo space available, you can load sports gear, home improvement materials, or luggage for an extended trip. Available amenities like heated and ventilated front-row seats, massaging front-row seats with leather inserts on Platinum™, and a panoramic fixed glass roof with power sunshade elevate comfort. For entertainment, the available B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® with 10 speakers including a subwoofer delivers immersive audio, and ambient lighting helps set the tone for every drive.