carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $39,526–$45,659 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2026 Ford Explorer is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.6/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Reliability at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.8/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.4/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.7/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.5/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $39,526–$45,659, 20 MPG, seating 7, the Ford Explorer sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.7/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. As the current model year, it benefits from the latest updates and full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2026 Ford Explorer will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on reliability if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2026 Ford Explorer ranks #737 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 70% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $39,526 starting price is about 10% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $50k →
Across the Explorer model years we've scored, the 2026 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $39,526 | |
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $39,526 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $38,375 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $37,223 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $36,072 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $34,921 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.3/10 | $33,770 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $32,618 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $31,467 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.2/10 | $30,316 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $29,165 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $28,013 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Visibility / Windshield 24/10/2025 · 25V730000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the… |
|---|---|
| Engine 01/12/2025 · 25V828000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak. |
| Trailer hitches 10/10/2025 · 25V687000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose. |
| Visibility / Windshield 21/01/2026 · 26V024000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of… |
| Exterior lighting / Headlights 03/03/2026 · 26V121000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles. The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road. As such, these… |
Showing 5 of 9 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2026 Ford Explorer's reliability 6.8/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
9 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.6/10 overall, ranking #737 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 70% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2026 Ford Explorer starts at $39,526 and ranges up to $45,659 across trims (MSRP when new). At 20 MPG, expect roughly $2,625/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.