The 2.3-liter EcoBoost four is standard on Active, ST-Line, Tremor and Platinum, producing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 and its 415 lb-ft is standard on the ST and available on Tremor, and for 2027 it becomes orderable on Platinum for the first time. Ford quotes the V6 at up to 400 horsepower, with a 385-horsepower rating in states following California emissions rules.

Every Explorer uses a 10-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard on four trims with Intelligent 4WD available, and Tremor comes with four-wheel drive only. Six drive modes are offered per model, Tow/Haul and Slippery among them, which covers a Belleville winter and a boat ramp equally well.

• 2.3L EcoBoost with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft
• 3.0L EcoBoost V6 up to 400 hp, 415 lb-ft
• V6 newly available on Platinum for 2027
• 10-speed automatic on every trim
• Intelligent 4WD available; standard on Tremor
• Class III trailer tow package standard

Ford Digital Experience runs on a 13.2-inch center touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch digital cluster in front of the driver, both standard on every trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, the software updates over the air, and a 5G modem supports the onboard Wi-Fi hotspot.

BlueCruise hands-free highway driving comes equipped on Platinum and ST with a complimentary plan and is available elsewhere in the range. It works on prequalified stretches of divided highway, which covers most of an I-64 run, and Ford is explicit that the driver stays responsible for watching the road.

• 13.2-inch touchscreen with Ford Digital Experience
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster standard
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• BlueCruise equipped on Platinum and ST
• Over-the-air updates and 5G connectivity
• Ford Security Package included for a year

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard on all five trims, so even the entry Active arrives with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind spot information with cross-traffic alert, a lane-keeping system and a rear view camera. Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+, which Ford lists as standard on the Explorer.

On crash-test results, the current figures belong to earlier model years: the IIHS named the 2026 Explorer a Top Safety Pick, and NHTSA gave the 2025 Explorer five stars overall. Neither has rated a 2027 Explorer yet.

• Ford Co-Pilot360 standard on every Explorer
• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Blind spot information with cross-traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise with stop-and-go via Co-Pilot360 Assist+
• 2026 Explorer: IIHS Top Safety Pick
• 2025 Explorer: five-star NHTSA overall

Second-row captain's chairs are standard for 2027, which makes six seats the default configuration and seven a matter of ordering the available bench. Tremor is six-passenger only. Fold both rear rows and the Explorer opens up to 85.8 cubic feet.

Cabin materials climb through the range, from Active's hard-wearing cloth to ST-Line's sport treatment and the quilted leather available on Platinum. Every 2027 model can be optioned with the panoramic Vista Roof and its power shade.

• Captain's chairs standard, bench available
• Six seats standard, seven with the bench
• Tremor seats six only
• Up to 85.8 cu ft of cargo room
• Quilted leather available on Platinum
• Panoramic Vista Roof available on all models

The Explorer runs 198.7 inches long on a 119.1-inch wheelbase, a genuine three-row footprint that still fits a Belleville garage. Tremor carries the off-road hardware and ST wears the sportiest bodywork of the five.

Two colors arrive for 2027, Avalanche Gray and Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat. The ST offers the new Sinister Package, which adds an exclusive wheel design and amber accent lights, and the Slick Roof Conversion is available if you prefer the roofline without rails.

• 198.7 inches long on a 119.1-inch wheelbase
• New for 2027: Avalanche Gray, Ruby Red Metallic
• ST Sinister Package with amber accent lights
• Available Slick Roof Conversion
• Tremor adds off-road hardware and 4WD
• Panoramic Vista Roof available across the range