2026 Ford Explorer

The Explorer Active 100A opens the lineup with a clean, measured design. Standard 18-inch Sparkle Silver-painted aluminum wheels, all-season tires, a black mesh grille with chrome bars and LED headlamps and taillamps create an exterior that is contemporary without being ostentatious. Its proportions remain substantial: the 2026 Explorer measures 198.7 inches long, 78.9 inches wide without mirrors and rides on a 119.1-inch wheelbase. Explorer Active adds practical refinements that become useful during daily ownership. A power liftgate simplifies loading when hands are occupied, while black roof-rack side rails provide additional carrying possibilities. Active badging and chrome lower bodyside accents give the model a more polished countenance. Available 20-inch Carbonized Gray or Luster Nickel-painted wheels can further alter its stance. The ST-Line borrows visual bravado from the high-performance ST while retaining the efficient 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. Its 20-inch Ebony-painted machined aluminum wheels, black exterior accents, black mesh grille, model-specific badging and Explorer lettering across the hood produce a darker, tauter appearance. Available 21-inch Magnetite-painted wheels intensify that aesthetic. The ST-Line looks swift even while stationary. New for 2026, the Explorer Tremor transforms the familiar three-row SUV into a more adventurous conveyance. Standard Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive, 18-inch high-gloss Ebony Black-painted wheels, all-terrain tires and orange accents immediately separate it from the pavement-oriented models. Accent-colored tow hooks, a Tremor-specific grille, exclusive badging and off-road auxiliary lights add function as well as theater. The Tremor also stands taller. Its 8.7 inches of minimum running ground clearance exceed the 7.6 inches provided by Active and ST-Line models, while front and rear steel deflector plates protect vital underbody components. Increased ride height and specialized suspension tuning give it a palpably more rugged posture. It is not an appearance package masquerading as an off-road vehicle. Explorer Platinum presents a more patrician interpretation. Standard 20-inch Luster Nickel-painted aluminum wheels, satin-aluminum exterior accents and adaptive headlamps establish an elegant facade. Available 21-inch bright-machined aluminum wheels with Tarnish Dark pockets add further distinction, while the available panoramic fixed-glass roof creates a lighter, airier cabin without disturbing the Explorer’s cohesive roofline. The Explorer ST is unapologetically performance-oriented. It wears standard 21-inch Magnetite-painted aluminum wheels, performance brakes with red-painted calipers, hood lettering and a quad-tipped exhaust. The details are purposeful and conspicuous. Its lower 7.8-inch ground clearance, sport-tuned suspension and more assertive body treatment communicate a very different intent from the trail-bred Tremor. Across the lineup, LED headlamps and sculpted taillamps create an unmistakable nighttime signature. Available finishes include Space White Metallic, Carbonized Gray Metallic, Agate Black Metallic, Vapor Blue Metallic, Marsh Gray, Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat and Star White Metallic Tri-Coat, although color availability differs by model. Complete equipment distinctions are available through Ford’s official 2026 Explorer model overview.

The 2026 Ford Explorer offers two turbocharged EcoBoost engines, each connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The standard powertrain is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-four producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It is standard on Active 100A, Active, ST-Line, Tremor and Platinum models. Turbocharging and direct fuel injection allow the 2.3-liter engine to deliver muscular response without the mass or thirst of a larger naturally aspirated powertrain. Its 310 pound-feet of torque is particularly germane during low-speed acceleration, highway merging and moderate trailering. The engine does not need to be incessantly prodded to move the Explorer with authority. For greater potency, Ford offers a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6. It produces 385 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque for the 2026 model year. This engine is standard on the Explorer ST and available on the Tremor, creating two markedly different expressions of the same powertrain. In the ST, the V6 serves quick acceleration and road-focused performance. The Tremor uses that output differently, combining it with standard Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive, an off-road suspension and additional ground clearance. One powertrain, two temperaments. Both engines support a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when the vehicle is properly equipped. Unlike SUVs that reserve meaningful towing hardware for an optional package, every 2026 Explorer includes the Class III Trailer Tow Package. Ford specifies a Class III hitch receiver, seven-wire harness and four- and seven-pin trailer connectors as part of the standard equipment.

Rear-wheel drive is standard on Active 100A, Active, ST-Line, Platinum and ST models. This architecture gives the Explorer a more balanced dynamic character than a conventional front-wheel-drive crossover, especially when accelerating, cornering or towing. Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive is available across those models and standard on the Tremor. The Terrain Management System provides as many as six selectable drive modes. Depending on the model, drivers can choose from Normal, Eco, Sport, Tow/Haul, Slippery and either Trail or Off-Road settings. These modes adjust throttle response, transmission behavior, steering feel and traction-management parameters to suit the conditions. For daily driving around Newnan, Normal mode provides a well-rounded calibration, while Eco mode tempers responses in favor of efficiency. Sport mode sharpens the powertrain’s reactions. Tow/Haul changes transmission operation to better manage weight behind the vehicle, and Slippery mode helps modulate wheelspin when rain or loose surfaces diminish grip. The Explorer ST goes further through its sport-tuned suspension and performance brakes. Red-painted brake calipers are visually expressive, but their purpose is more elemental: controlled braking during vigorous driving. The 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine’s 415 pound-feet of torque gives the ST a strong midrange surge, making highway passing feel immediate rather than labored. Tremor performance follows a different path. Its off-road-tuned suspension, increased ride height and standard Torsen limited-slip rear axle help distribute traction on uneven terrain. Standard all-terrain tires provide additional purchase, while steel deflector plates protect the front and rear underbody. The available 385-horsepower V6 makes the Tremor the most powerful off-road Explorer Ford has offered for the 2026 model year. Towing capability is consistent across the range. Every properly equipped Explorer can tow up to 5,000 pounds, whether powered by the 2.3-liter four-cylinder or 3.0-liter V6. Standard Trailer Sway Control works with AdvanceTrac and Roll Stability Control to help counteract unwanted trailer movement. Side-Wind Stabilization can help the SUV maintain its intended path when strong crosswinds intervene, while BLIS with Trailer Coverage can monitor blind-spot areas alongside a compatible trailer. These systems are valuable, but configuration remains important. Passenger weight, cargo, accessories and trailer tongue weight affect real-world capacity. At Mike Fitzpatrick Ford, we can review the equipment and certification information on an individual Explorer before customers select a trailer or finalize a towing setup.

The 2026 Explorer cabin is designed around three genuine seating rows. Depending on the model and configuration, it accommodates six or seven occupants. Second-row captain’s chairs are standard on most models, creating a convenient passage to the third row, while ST-Line employs a second-row bench as standard. Tremor is configured for six occupants; other models can offer seven-passenger arrangements where available. Passenger space is generous. Active 100A, Active and ST-Line models provide up to 150.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, with 43 inches of front legroom, 37.5 inches in the second row and 31.8 inches in the third. Even with all three rows occupied, 16.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity remains behind the rear seats. Folding the rear seating expands cargo volume to as much as 85.8 cubic feet in Active 100A, Active and ST-Line models. Tremor, Platinum and ST provide up to 85.3 cubic feet. That flexibility allows the Explorer to alternate between people carrying and cargo transport without requiring an oversized exterior footprint. PowerFold third-row seats are standard on ST and Platinum and available on Tremor. Technology begins with a 13.2-inch center display and the Ford Digital Experience. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility allow supported smartphones to connect without a cable. Active 100A also includes six USB ports, three 12-volt power outlets, tri-zone automatic climate control and ten beverage holders. The details are prosaic, perhaps, but indispensable when several people are traveling together. Explorer Active introduces heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 10-way power driver’s seat and active noise cancellation. ST-Line shifts the mood with Onyx cloth seating, red stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 10-speaker B&O sound system that includes a subwoofer. Heated second-row seats are available. Tremor receives Miko micro-perforated seating surfaces, model-specific stitching, heated first- and second-row seats and protective floor liners. The materials are chosen to withstand more adventurous use without rendering the cabin coarse. Platinum is the most sumptuous. Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats with leather inserts, heated second-row seating, multicolor ambient lighting and a 14-speaker B&O sound system create a tranquil environment for long journeys. An available Lux Leather Package introduces Salt Crystal Gray leather seating surfaces, while the panoramic fixed-glass roof with power sunshade opens the cabin to sunlight without requiring a conventional sliding panel. The ST balances performance with comfort. Heated and ventilated front seats, red accent stitching, ambient lighting and a 10-speaker B&O system accompany its more aggressive mechanical equipment. It remains a practical three-row SUV. It simply refuses to be an anodyne one.

Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assistance technology is integrated throughout the 2026 Explorer range. Active 100A and Active include Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ with Adaptive Cruise Control, while ST-Line, Tremor, Platinum and ST receive Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 with a 360-Degree Camera. Adaptive Cruise Control helps maintain a selected following distance from traffic ahead, reducing the repetitive braking and acceleration associated with longer highway journeys. The 360-Degree Camera assembles multiple exterior views to improve perspective when maneuvering through confined parking areas, positioning the SUV near obstacles or aligning a trailer. BLIS with Trailer Coverage extends blind-spot monitoring beyond the sides of the Explorer and along a properly configured trailer. Trailer Sway Control, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control and Side-Wind Stabilization contribute additional support when the vehicle encounters crosswinds, evasive maneuvers or unwanted trailer movement. Available Ford BlueCruise brings hands-free highway-driving capability to compatible divided roads designated as Blue Zones. For 2026, the system adds Automatic Lane Change functionality. It can monitor surrounding traffic, help maintain speed and complete an appropriate lane change without requiring the driver to activate the turn signal. A driver-facing camera tracks eye gaze and head position to confirm that the motorist remains attentive and prepared to resume control. BlueCruise is available on ST-Line and Tremor. It is equipped on Platinum and ST, although included plan periods and continuing subscription requirements vary. Ford’s cameras, radar sensors and mapping technology work in concert, but these features remain supplemental. The driver is responsible for controlling the vehicle. Adaptive LED headlamps on Platinum improve illumination as the road changes direction, while standard LED lighting throughout the lineup contributes to nighttime visibility. The Explorer’s suite of towing, stability and driver-assistance systems gives families useful support without making the cabin feel saturated with intrusive warnings.

At Mike Fitzpatrick Ford, we help customers distinguish between trims that may appear similar at first glance but serve very different purposes. Active is a pragmatic family SUV. ST-Line supplies performance-inspired style without requiring the more powerful engine. Tremor favors off-road traction and durability. Platinum emphasizes comfort, while ST delivers the strongest road-performance character. Drivers can begin by browsing our new Ford inventory, where available Explorer models, colors and configurations are updated as inventory changes. Our team can confirm current availability, review vehicle-specific equipment and arrange a test drive. We are located at 238 Bullsboro Drive in Newnan, Georgia. As a locally owned and operated dealership, we have served the community for more than 22 years. Our dealership has also received six consecutive Partners in Quality Awards from Ford, reflecting the level of service we endeavor to provide during and after every vehicle purchase. More information about our dealership and community involvement is available on the Mike Fitzpatrick Ford website.

Our Finance Department helps customers compare purchase and lease opportunities according to their budgets, driving habits and ownership plans. We work with a network of lenders and assist customers across a variety of credit circumstances, including first-time buyers and those rebuilding their credit histories. Shoppers can begin through our online finance center, request pre-approval, estimate payments and evaluate potential trade-in options. We explain the terms clearly, because an attractive SUV should be accompanied by an intelligible financial arrangement.