Ford Doesn’t Miss a Beat With The 2026 Explorer

It can be tough to maintain your position atop the market in today’s ultra-competitive auto industry, but the Ford Explorer makes it look easy. The three-row SUV has earned a loyal following over the last 30-plus years, and while there are certainly plenty of models vying for the crown, none have been able to dethrone the popular Explorer.

Take a seat and come along for the ride as we uncover all the standout features of the 2026 Ford Explorer.

Technology, Comfort, and Power: The New 2026 Explorer

The midsize Explorer received a comprehensive refresh in 2025. While it included a revised front fascia, a new infotainment platform dubbed the Ford Digital Experience, improved materials and soft-touch surfaces throughout the cabin, it’s the SUV’s arsenal of new safety technology that really marks the biggest upgrade.

The three-row SUV added Ford’s critically acclaimed BlueCruise hands-free driving technology, allowing drivers to enjoy a fully automated experience on over 130,000 miles of pre-mapped roads. This advanced driving assistance was made standard on ST-Line and above trims.

The average automaker might be tempted to phone it in after such a successful refresh, but Ford hasn’t become one of America’s most popular brands by taking the easy way out. The 2026 Explorer packs its fair share of surprises, but the highlight would have to be the arrival of a new off-road-ready Tremor trim.

Equipped with a raised suspension, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, and a 400-hp V6 engine, the Explorer Tremor is here to help drivers shake up their time behind the wheel. There are plenty more surprises in store for the new model year, including a spacious, well-equipped cabin that’s ready to serve as a home away from home for busy families.

Superior SUV Safety

Safety can never be treated as an afterthought when designing any vehicle, but it’s especially important when it comes to a family-focused three-row model like the Explorer. Ford has long been a leader in automotive safety, pioneering several important advancements in providing a safer driving experience.

The automaker has never wavered in its quest to build a safer vehicle. It has continued to raise the bar with the latest advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which have allowed both the 2024 and 2025 Explorers to earn a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Advanced Driver-Assistance

The Explorer includes all the modern ADAS that drivers have come to expect from today’s vehicles, as well as a few cutting-edge features designed to address some of the most stressful aspects of the daily driving experience. Forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist are among the Explorer’s standard features as part of the Ford Co-Pilot360 package.

Still, the SUV even boasts an enhanced adaptive cruise control system that can automatically react to traffic signs, as well as adaptive headlights that turn in time with the steering wheel to better illuminate curves in the road.

The best example of the Explorer’s trailblazing safety package is a self-parking assist feature called Active Park Assist 2.0. The advanced self-parking system can take the wheel at the touch of a button, commandeering all braking, steering, and shifting duties to nestle the Explorer into both parallel and perpendicular parking spots.

Hands-Free Driving With BlueCruise

If Active Park Assist 2.0 isn’t quite futuristic enough for your taste, Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving tech is sure to seal the deal. Consistently ranked as the industry’s best hands-free offering, BlueCruise allows drivers to let the Explorer handle all the heavy lifting on over 130,000 miles of pre-mapped BlueZones roads across the U.S. and Canada.

BlueCruise first made its way into the Explorer back in 2025 and is available on most of the SUV’s high-end trims. It has been recognized for its capabilities and performance, driver engagement tech, and clarity.

The hands-free system earned a stellar 84/100 rating to top the market, leaving rivals like GM (75/100), Toyota (65/100), Nissan (63/100), and Hyundai/Kia (59/100) firmly in the rearview mirror.

The Evolution of the Tremor

Ford’s Tremor off-road package has gone through an interesting evolution over the years. While modern Tremor trims are known for their off-road prowess, the original trim was designed to deliver an earth-shaking experience with a premium Pioneer sound system and an upgraded alternator.

Limited to the compact Ranger pickup, the Tremor package was designed to cater to the street truck craze of the late 90s and early 2000s, but the next iteration would shift its focus to off-road as Ford rolled out the Super Duty Tremor in 2019.

The success of the off-road Super Duty would see Ford expand the Tremor lineup to include the 2021 Ranger pickup, with the Maverick and Bronco SUVs joining the fun in 2023. Now it’s the Explorer’s turn to venture off the beaten path with a new Tremor trim that turns the SUV into a legitimate adventure rig.

This isn’t the first time that Explorer has upped its off-road ability with a robust off-road trim. Ford offered a lighter-duty Timberline off-road package from 2021 to 2024, but the new Tremor offers distinct advantages over that option.

Off-road Performance Enhancements

While the Timberline certainly looked every bit the off-road model with its exclusive exterior and interior styling and all-terrain tires, it lacked some of the more serious gear needed to ensure success on the road less traveled.

The Tremor corrects this oversight with a well-rounded array of legitimate off-road components, including an improved approach angle and steel skid plates that protect crucial underbody components from any bumps and bruises.

The new Explorer Tremor also comes with a raised suspension and a unique set of grille-mounted auxiliary lights that’ll illuminate even the darkest stretches of the trail. Still, it’s the available V6 engine that really demonstrates the SUV’s improved off-road capabilities.

While the Timberline was saddled with the same 300-hp inline-four that powered much of the lineup, the new Tremor can be equipped with a turbocharged EcoBoost V6 that delivers up to 400 hp and 415 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s a substantial improvement by any measure, and while pure speed isn’t typically the main selling point for an off-road model, it’s hard to ignore the fact that the 2026 Explorer Tremor can offer some serious horsepower under the hood.

Interior Comfort Meets Adventure

Ford has also spent plenty of time crafting the SUV’s interior, which includes sporty orange stitching on the steering wheel and dashboard and much-appreciated comfort upgrades like heated and ventilated front seats and a heated second row.

A Cabin Fit for the Whole Family

With seating for up to seven passengers, the Explorer is ready to shepherd your crew through another busy week of grocery runs, sports practices, and family events. The three-row SUV can comfortably seat up to seven passengers, but if you’re trying to accommodate growing teens or adult riders, a set of second-row captain’s chairs can also be added to the mix.

These seats reduce the SUV’s capacity to six passengers, but they can make all the difference on longer rides. Second-row riders will even have the opportunity to dial in their desired temperature courtesy of a tri-zone automatic climate control system.

Cargo Capacity Made Easy

The Explorer also excels in cargo capacity, with a rear storage area measuring 16.3 cu.ft. Every 2026 Explorer is designed with a power liftgate that makes it easy to access the trunk, but what if you’re in the market for a little extra space? Simply fold down the third row, and the SUV can fit up to 46 cu.ft. of cargo. Add the second row, and now you’ve got 85.8 cu.ft. of storage, which should be more than enough for even the most active family.

Comfort and Luxury Across Trims

You won’t just arrive in style when you choose the Ford Explorer; you’ll also arrive refreshed and ready to take on whatever the day has in store, thanks to the SUV’s comfort-focused interior. Every trim includes an impressive number of standard comfort features, but the ST-Line really ups the ante with its available Premium package.

The Premium package adds a driver memory seat, heated second-row seats, and a power-folding third row, not to mention ambient lighting and second-row sunshades that’ll help protect passengers from UV rays and promote nap time.

The full-strength ST adds ventilated front seats to complete the trifecta, and even warms the second row with heated seats. The Explorer achieves its most luxurious form in the Platinum trim, which should be clear from the moment you catch a glimpse of its leather upholstery, massaging front-row seats, and an airy cabin made possible by an available panoramic fixed-glass roof.

Tech-Forward Interior

The refreshed 6th-generation Explorer also offers a tech-forward cabin that’s sure to satisfy even the most digitally dependent driver. Ford recently replaced the SUV’s standard 8-inch infotainment screen with a drastically improved 13.2-inch display, making it easier to appreciate the full power of the new Ford Digital Experience infotainment software.

While the upsized screen allows users to easily navigate through the system’s various features, owners can also opt for a more hands-off approach with the Explorer’s Google built-in technology. This feature lets drivers control various functions and features—including GPS navigation, media, calls, texts, and even connected smart home devices—all while keeping their hands on the wheel.

The Explorer also offers plenty of charging and connectivity options, including ample USB ports and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Want to enjoy your favorite tunes when you’re on the go? Available 10- or 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound systems turn the SUV into a three-row music venue.

Meet the Legend at Kings Ford

No matter what you’re looking for in your next ride, you’ll find it here at Kings Ford. From new and used Ford SUV options and the undisputed leader of the pickup segment in the iconic Ford F-150, we offer a wide selection of quality vehicles that’ll put you on the road to a brighter driving future.

We’ve mentioned a few benefits of Ford’s bestselling SUV, including the impressive off-road ability of the new Tremor trim and the premium potential of the Platinum model, but those who are in the market for a more thrilling experience should consider taking a lap in the performance-inspired ST.

Ford has outfitted the sporty trim with the 400-hp V6 and all of the equipment you’ll need to take advantage of the engine’s considerable power, including a tuned suspension and performance brakes that give owners a little more control when it comes to choosing their preferred gear.

It’s a compelling package, and one that deserves to be experienced in person, so stop by today and see why the Explorer continues to set the standard in the SUV segment.