2026 Ford Explorer | Trims, Features & Inventory | Jay Malone Ford Hutchinson MN

The 2026 Ford Explorer® is Ford’s flagship three-row family SUV — and for the 2026 model year it arrives with the most significant lineup additions in recent memory. Brand-new Tremor® off-road trim. A new entry-level Active Base. Standard BlueCruise hands-free highway driving on the ST and Platinum™. A 13.2” Ford Digital Experience center display across every trim. And the same three-row family space, 5,000 lb towing capability, and Intelligent 4WD that central Minnesota families have relied on through every Minnesota winter.

At Jay Malone Ford in Hutchinson, the Explorer is one of the vehicles we get the most questions about — and for good reason. It sits at the intersection of several major purchase decisions: do you need a third row, what does the Tremor® actually offer, is BlueCruise worth it, how does it handle Minnesota winters, and what should Escape and Edge owners who are losing their model know about moving into an Explorer.

This page is the complete resource. Every major question about the 2026 Explorer is answered here — with links to our deep-dive guides on each topic for buyers who want the full picture on any specific area.

2026 Ford Explorer Trim Levels Explained

The 2026 Explorer offers six distinct trim levels — each built around a different buyer priority. Understanding the lineup is the first step to finding the right configuration for your family.

Every trim decision involves real trade-offs between price, capability, and features. For the complete breakdown of what each Explorer trim includes, what it costs to move between them, and which is the right call for specific buyer scenarios in central Minnesota, read our deep-dive guide:

Seating, Cargo, and Third-Row Space

The Explorer seats 6 or 7 passengers depending on the second-row configuration you choose — and that choice is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when configuring your Explorer. The second-row captain’s chairs (6-passenger) provide a center walkthrough for easy third-row access and more individual comfort. The 35/30/35 bench seat (7-passenger) fits three across the middle row, which is the right call for families with multiple young children who all need the middle row at the same time.

Key cargo numbers for planning:

• 16.3 cu ft behind the third row — all passengers seated
• 46.0 cu ft behind the second row — third row folded
• 85.8 cu ft behind the first row — both rows folded flat

PowerFold® third-row seats (push-button flat fold) are standard on ST and Platinum™, available on Tremor® via the Convenience Package (68G), and manual-fold on Active Base, Active, and ST-Line.

Explorer Tremor® — Off-Road Capability

The Explorer Tremor® is brand new for 2026 — and it’s the most significant addition to the Explorer lineup this model year. It’s not a styling package or an appearance upgrade. It’s a purpose-built off-road trim with genuine hardware changes that make it a different vehicle off pavement.

What makes the Tremor® different from every other Explorer trim:

• TORSEN® limited-slip rear differential — automatically sends torque to the rear wheel with traction; a mechanical system that works instantly without driver input
• 31.5” all-terrain tires — factory standard; more aggressive tread for gravel, mud, snow, and trail use
• 8.7” ground clearance — vs 7.8” on standard 4WD Explorer
• 24.1° approach angle — vs 19.7° on standard 4WD
• Front and rear underbody protection — deflection plates for trail and rough road use
• Tremor®-specific Off-Road drive mode
• Off-Road Grille Lights and tow hooks
• 4WD only — no RWD Tremor® option

Engine choices: 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 standard (300 hp / 310 lb-ft); 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 optional (385 hp on vehicles built on or after 4/13/26; 400 hp on vehicles built before that date — confirm build date on any specific vehicle). The 3.0L includes the Ultimate Package as standard: B&O 980W 14-speaker audio, panoramic roof, and multicontour Active Motion® front seats.

Technology, BlueCruise, and Connected Features

Every 2026 Explorer comes standard with a 13.2” Ford Digital Experience touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and one year of the Ford Connectivity Package including a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices. These are the baseline features across all six trims — the technology story gets more interesting as you move up the lineup.

BlueCruise 1.5 is the most-asked-about technology feature on the 2026 Explorer. It allows hands-free highway driving on pre-qualified Blue Zone highway segments — managing acceleration, braking, and lane centering while a driver-facing camera confirms your eyes remain on the road. The 1.5 version adds Automatic Lane Change, allowing the system to initiate passing maneuvers on its own. BlueCruise is standard (equipped) on the ST and Platinum™ with a 1-year + 90-day plan included. It’s available via one-time purchase on all trims including Active Base.

One important 2026 change to know: Wireless charging has been deleted from the 2026 Explorer lineup entirely. It is not available on any trim, not even as an option. Devices charge via USB-A and USB-C ports.

Minnesota Winter Driving and 4WD

For central Minnesota buyers, 4WD is the right choice for most Explorer purchases. The Explorer’s Intelligent 4WD is a continuously active system — not a traditional part-time 4x4 selector. It monitors traction in real time and distributes torque to the wheels that can use it, without driver input. Slippery drive mode is your everyday Minnesota winter mode on both RWD and 4WD models — it reduces throttle sensitivity and maximizes traction control intervention for smooth acceleration on ice and packed snow.

For buyers who face challenging winter terrain — unplowed township roads, farm lane access, soft spring mud season at the boat ramp — the Tremor® is the most capable Explorer in winter conditions. Its TORSEN® differential and all-terrain tires provide meaningful traction advantages over any standard 4WD Explorer trim.

Cold-weather features by trim: heated front seats standard on Active 200A and above; heated steering wheel and remote start available on Active 200A via Comfort Package (68A), standard on ST-Line and above; heated second-row seats standard on Tremor® and Platinum™.

Coming From a Ford Escape or Edge?

Ford is winding down both the Escape and the Edge. The Edge concluded after the 2024 model year. The Escape’s final model year is 2026. For owners of both vehicles in central Minnesota, the Explorer is the most natural upgrade path — but it’s a genuinely larger vehicle with a different set of trade-offs, and the decision deserves an honest look.

What Explorer brings that Escape and Edge couldn’t:

• Third row — 6 or 7 passengers vs 5 in both Escape and Edge
• 5,000 lb Class III towing standard on all trims
• BlueCruise hands-free highway driving — not available on either predecessor
• Tremor® off-road trim — no equivalent existed in Escape or Edge lineup
• A continuing model with long-term Ford investment and support

What to consider before making the move: the Explorer is larger, heavier, and priced above both the Escape and Edge. The Escape’s hybrid and PHEV options have no equivalent in the 2026 Explorer. For buyers whose needs have genuinely grown — more passengers, more towing, more capability — the Explorer is the right answer. For buyers who don’t need the added size, the Bronco Sport is worth a look.

Engine Options and Powertrain

The 2026 Explorer offers two engine options paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission on all configurations:

Important for 3.0L buyers: The 3.0L V6 was revised mid-year — vehicles built on or after 4/13/26 are rated at 385 hp; vehicles built before that date are rated at 400 hp. Torque remains 415 lb-ft on both. Confirm the build date on any specific vehicle when this distinction matters to you.

Towing Capability

The 2026 Explorer tows up to 5,000 lbs when properly equipped — and the Class III Trailer Tow Package is standard on every trim. You don’t need to add a towing package on any Explorer; it’s already included. The package includes a Class III weight-carrying hitch receiver, 7-pin wiring harness, Side-Wind Stabilization, Trailer Sway Control, and BLIS® with Trailer Coverage.

What 5,000 lbs covers for central Minnesota buyers:

• Most pontoon boats and fishing boats under 20 feet with standard trailer
• Snowmobile trailers with two or more sleds
• Pop-up campers and lightweight travel trailers under 5,000 lbs loaded
• ATV and recreational equipment trailers
• Light utility and landscaping trailers

Flat towing restriction: The 2026 Explorer cannot be flat towed (four-down / dinghy towing) behind a motorhome. Flat towing will cause transmission damage on both RWD and 4WD models. Use a flatbed carrier if you need to move your Explorer behind a larger RV.

Why Buy Your 2026 Explorer at Jay Malone Ford in Hutchinson

Jay Malone Ford is a family-owned dealership — Jay, Jake, and Jordan Malone — serving Hutchinson and the surrounding region since 2005. We’re your neighbors in McLeod County, not a regional chain. When you buy from us, you’re working with people who live in the same community you do, who understand what a Minnesota family SUV actually needs to handle, and who are going to be here when you need service, answers, or help getting exactly the vehicle you want.

• Factory ordering at no extra charge — if we don’t have your exact configuration on the lot, we order it built to your specs. We never charge extra to locate or order a vehicle.
• Voted Best Place to Buy a Vehicle in Hutchinson — along with Best Auto Mechanic, Best Place to Buy Tires, and Best Auto Body Shop.
• Your Dealer for Life — our commitment to treating customers like neighbors and family, not transactions. That philosophy doesn’t change based on the size of the purchase.
• Full service department on-site — the same team that sells your Explorer is backed by a service department that keeps it running right through Minnesota winters and everything else.

Stop by at 1165 Hwy 7 W, Hutchinson, MN 55350 or call us at (320) 587-4748. We’re here Monday through Saturday and happy to walk you through the full Explorer lineup, answer every question on this page in person, and find the right configuration for your family.

Complete 2026 Explorer Guide Series

Every major Explorer question has its own deep-dive guide. Read the ones that matter most for your purchase decision: