2026 Ford Explorer Active 4WD

2026 FORD EXPLORER BUYER'S GUIDE: https://www.mikescarinfo.com/2026/06/... The Explorer rides into 2026 as a carryover after the major 2025 refresh, which means the same Ford Digital Experience tech, the same new sheet metal, and the same simplified four-trim lineup that traded the old Base, Timberline, Limited, and King Ranch for a tighter ladder. TRIMS ACTIVE (200A) Second-from-base and the volume seller. 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, 300 hp. 18-inch wheels standard, 20s optional. Front captain's chairs standard, 35/30/35 bench is a no-charge swap to seat seven. Standard 12.3-inch cluster, 13.2-inch touchscreen, Class III tow, Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ ADAS, 5G modem and Wi-Fi hotspot. The Active Comfort Package ($3,145) adds heated steering wheel, LED fog and signature lighting, ActiveX seats, remote start, 8-way power passenger, second-row HVAC, garage door opener. ST-LINE (300A) Same I-4 engine, blackout exterior treatment, red stitching inside, 20-inch Ebony machined wheels, BlueCruise 90-day trial included. The Premium Package adds heated second row, wireless charging, ambient lighting, power-folding mirrors, rain-sensing wipers. The Street Pack adds 21-inch Magnetite wheels, performance brakes, red calipers. ST (400A) 3.0L EcoBoost V6, 400 hp, 415 lb-ft. Sport-tuned suspension, performance brakes standard, paddle shifters, 21-inch Magnetite wheels, quad chrome exhaust. Front Sport captain's chairs with Miko inserts, heated and ventilated. Standard 10-speaker B&O audio. Sun and Sound Package adds 14-speaker 980-watt B&O, multicontour seats with Active Motion, Panoramic Vista Roof. PLATINUM (600A) Top trim. 2.3L I-4 standard, 3.0L V6 available via the Ultimate Package. Panoramic Vista Roof standard, 20-inch Luster Nickel wheels standard, 14-speaker B&O, multicontour seats with Active Motion, satin exterior trim, ActiveX with leather diamond perforated inserts. BlueCruise 1-year plan included. Lux Leather Package adds Premium Sanctuary leather with quilting. Ultimate Package adds the V6 and 21-inch Dark Alloy wheels. POWERTRAINS 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 turbo, 300 hp / 310 lb-ft on premium (regular fuel approved). Standard on Active, ST-Line, Platinum. 3.0L EcoBoost V6 twin-turbo, 400 hp / 415 lb-ft on premium. Standard on ST, optional on Platinum. Both engines use a 10-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard across the lineup, intelligent 4WD optional on every trim. Class III Trailer Tow is standard on all trims for 2025-26, rated for 5,000 lbs with either engine. EPA combined is 23 mpg with the I-4 (20 city / 27 highway). PRICING Active starts around $41,220 with destination for RWD. The tested Active 4WD in this video stickers at $51,615 well-equipped with the Comfort Package, Panoramic Roof, 20-inch wheels, keypad, and connectivity packages. ST-Line, ST, and Platinum climb into the $50s, $60s, and beyond depending on options. Platinum Ultimate with the V6 lands at the top of the range. WHAT'S NEW For 2025 the lineup was renamed and trimmed. XLT is now Active. ST-Line moved to order code 300A. Platinum moved to 600A. Base, Timberline, Limited, and King Ranch are gone. New front fascia, new grille, new LED headlamps, new taillamps with an integrated lightbar across the liftgate. Standard 12.3-inch productivity cluster and 13.2-inch center touchscreen on every trim. Ford Digital Experience replaces SYNC 3 entirely and brings native Google Built-in (Maps, Assistant, Play Store) plus Alexa Built-in. Adaptive Cruise with Lane Centering and Stop-and-Go became standard fleet-wide. BlueCruise hands-free is standard from ST-Line up. 5G modem and Wi-Fi hotspot are now standard. 2026 carries all of this forward unchanged. COMPETITIVE SET Three-row midsize SUV at this price runs into Honda Pilot, Toyota Grand Highlander, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Mazda CX-90, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Chevrolet Traverse, and Subaru Ascent. Pilot and Telluride are the volume reference points for family buyers. Grand Highlander offers a hybrid Explorer doesn't match. CX-90 and Grand Cherokee L play closer to the upper Explorer trims on luxury feel. Explorer differentiates with rear-wheel-drive based architecture (most of this class is front-wheel-drive based), an available 400-hp V6 in ST and Platinum, and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving on ST-Line and up. BOTTOM LINE Active is the right pick for buyers who want the new screens, modern ADAS, and a real third row at the entry point. ST-Line earns its premium if BlueCruise and the heated second row matter. ST is the enthusiast pick with the V6 and sport suspension. Platinum is the loaded family hauler. ai generated music - Your mind is not public property. Guard Your Autonomy book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX5B1LDX - As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.