When your next SUV needs to balance family life, weekend getaways, and daily commuting with confidence and style, few names inspire more trust than Explorer®. Ford’s three-row icon continues to refine what a modern SUV can be, blending power, technology, and thoughtful versatility in ways that make every mile easier. As you research from home, our goal is simple: help you understand how this vehicle fits your real-world needs, and why shopping with Valley Ford of Columbus puts you a step ahead with a team that knows Ford inside and out and supports you long after the sale.
From hands-free highway assistance to flexible seating and practical cargo solutions, this SUV is designed to meet busy lives head-on. It tows with poise, offers advanced driver-assist features through Ford Co-Pilot360®, and elevates your cabin time with premium amenities and immersive audio. Whether you’re comparing trims or deciding between rear-wheel drive and available Intelligent 4WD, you’ll find clear answers below—plus tips for your test drive and easy next steps to keep momentum going online. We’re here to make the process smooth and confidence-inspiring from start to finish.
The latest Explorer® brings a confident, well-rounded approach to everyday driving. With a standard 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 featuring Auto Stop-Start Technology, it balances energetic acceleration with smart efficiency, while available performance upgrades turn up the thrills. Rear-wheel drive provides a planted, athletic feel, and available Intelligent 4WD adds traction for changing conditions. Properly equipped, the lineup offers up to 5,000 lbs of towing capacity, so bringing a small camper, boat, or utility trailer is an easy add-on to your plans.
Inside, you’ll find available seating for up to seven and up to 85.8 cu ft of cargo space with the rear rows folded—room for people, pets, sports gear, home improvement runs, and everything in between. Technology is a standout: Ford Co-Pilot360® driver-assist features help you feel supported, the available Ford Digital Experience connects your apps and entertainment, and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving is available on select models to reduce fatigue on long stretches. Add in distinct trims—from the refined Platinum™ to the sport-tuned ST and the trail-savvy Tremor®—and you get an SUV tailored to how you actually drive.
What sets this SUV apart is how seamlessly it blends strength, safety-minded technology, and day-to-day practicality. The foundation is solid—EcoBoost® power, a tow-friendly chassis, and confidence-inspiring chassis tuning—while the tech stack adds meaningful convenience. Available BlueCruise helps with highway fatigue, Ford Co-Pilot360® builds driver confidence, and entertainment features keep passengers happy. Layer in the diversity of trims, each with a clear mission, and you get a vehicle that feels purpose-built for your lifestyle rather than a one-size-fits-all compromise.
At the heart of the lineup is the proven 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4, an engine engineered to deliver responsive power and everyday efficiency. Turbocharged torque provides satisfying acceleration merging onto I-270 or passing on two-lane roads, while Auto Stop-Start Technology helps reduce fuel use during brief stops. The engine pairs with a smooth-shifting automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel drive to offer confident, composed handling. Whether you’re shuttling kids to practice or loading up the cargo area for a home project, this powertrain feels lively and capable without sacrificing refinement. It’s the kind of “just right” balance that makes the SUV easy to live with—peppy when you want it, quiet and composed when you don’t.
Drivers who crave more muscle can opt for the available 3.0L EcoBoost® V6, bringing maximum available horsepower of up to 400 hp in the lineup. This upgrade transforms the SUV’s character, especially in performance-oriented trims like ST, adding authoritative acceleration and a broader powerband for towing or spirited highway drives. The torque-rich delivery pairs well with the chassis’s balanced dynamics, and available performance tuning—such as sport-tuned suspension and performance brakes on ST—helps translate that power into precision. For those who enjoy a more engaging drive or frequently navigate hilly terrain with a full load of passengers and cargo, this engine makes the SUV feel effortlessly strong.
Available Ford BlueCruise brings hands-free highway driving assistance to select trims, helping manage acceleration, braking, and steering on prequalified sections of divided highways while you keep your eyes on the road. The benefit is real-world relief: long commutes feel less taxing, and multi-hour road trips are easier on driver and passengers alike. Integrated with Ford Co-Pilot360® technologies, BlueCruise works as a seamless extension of the vehicle’s safety-minded design, with intuitive handoff and alerts that keep you engaged. It’s the kind of cutting-edge feature that, once you try it, becomes something you won’t want to drive without—another example of how the SUV merges meaningful innovation with everyday usability.
Available Intelligent 4WD helps you take on changing conditions—rain, snow, gravel, or a muddy trailhead—by automatically adjusting torque distribution to the wheels that can use it best. Pair it with selectable drive modes to tailor throttle response, transmission mapping, and traction control to your scenario, whether that’s a slippery morning commute or a rutted access road. With the Class III Trailer Tow Package available, the SUV also makes trailering straightforward, combining stability, power, and control systems that work together when you’re towing up to 5,000 lbs. It’s capability you can feel without needing to think about it—simply choose the mode, and go.
Bring everyone and everything with confidence. With available seating for up to seven, you can configure the cabin for family duty or weekend excursions in seconds. The second and third rows fold to reveal up to 85.8 cu ft of cargo volume, making bulky items or stacked luggage easy to handle. Thoughtful touches—like multiple charging points, cupholders, and clever storage cubbies—mean every seat is a good seat. Available premium touches, including heated, ventilated, and massaging front-row seats with leather inserts on Platinum™, add a luxury feel to long days behind the wheel. Whether it’s a Costco run, a hiking trip, or a carpool rotation, the interior adapts around your life instead of the other way around.
Starting with a clear sense of your needs makes selecting the right build straightforward. Consider where and how you drive, who rides along most often, and what you tow or carry. From there, matching a trim and options becomes a simple exercise in aligning features with priorities—confidence on winter mornings, comfort on long trips, or capability for off-pavement adventures. The good news: the lineup has a thoughtful answer for each scenario.
What is the towing capacity for the 2026 Ford Explorer?
Properly equipped, the SUV offers up to 5,000 lbs of towing capacity. That’s enough for many small campers, utility trailers, and personal watercraft, pairing confidently with the chassis and available Class III Trailer Tow Package to keep hauling stable and predictable.
What is the seating capacity and cargo volume?
The cabin offers available seating for up to seven passengers with flexible rows that fold to reveal up to 85.8 cu ft of cargo space. It’s designed to shift quickly between family-hauling and gear-lugging modes.
Does the 2026 Ford Explorer offer AWD or 4WD?
It offers available Intelligent 4WD, which actively distributes torque to help maintain traction and stability across changing surfaces. Standard rear-wheel drive delivers confident, composed on-road dynamics.
What are the key dimensions?
The vehicle measures approximately 198.7 inches in length, 78.9 inches in width, and 69.6 inches in height. It provides 7.6 inches of minimum running ground clearance, balancing easy entry with confident clearance for uneven roads.
Give yourself time to explore features that matter daily. The most insightful test drives simulate your routine—your commute, your parking situations, and your weekend errands. That way, the vehicle you choose feels like second nature the moment you drive it home.
At Valley Ford of Columbus, we combine product expertise with a welcoming, transparent approach—helping you compare builds, fine-tune options, and make decisions with confidence. From shopping to service, you can expect a seamless experience and support that lasts for years to come.
Prefer to start digitally? We make it simple to compare trims, select key options, and line up a test drive in Columbus, OH. When you are ready, our team will have your vehicle prepped and your visit streamlined.
Ready to see how this SUV fits your life? If your checklist includes space, towing confidence, advanced driver assistance, and tech that truly adds value, the 2026 Ford Explorer in Columbus belongs at the top of your list. Our team will help you compare trims—from the adventure-tuned Tremor® to the refined Platinum™ and the athletic ST—and pinpoint the right balance of performance and comfort for your lifestyle. We can also walk you through Ford Co-Pilot360® features, available BlueCruise, and the Ford Digital Experience so you know exactly what you’re getting and how it benefits your day-to-day.
Contact Valley Ford of Columbus to request a personalized walkaround or schedule time behind the wheel. Whether you’re cross-shopping other SUVs or zeroing in on your final configuration, we’ll provide clear, useful guidance. And if you’re coming from nearby neighborhoods across Dublin and Worthington, we’re ready to help you hit the ground running—with the information, support, and follow-through you expect. Explore the 2026 Ford Explorer in Columbus, OH, with a team that’s focused on your needs today and your satisfaction for years to come.
