Three-row SUVs get bought on spec sheets and regretted in parking lots. The numbers tell you the third row exists. They don’t tell you whether a car seat fits behind it, whether groceries fit behind that, or whether your teenager will actually sit back there twice.

This is a guide to the questions that matter once you own one.

Will your family actually fit?

The Explorer seats up to seven across three rows, depending on configuration and equipment group.

The questions to answer before you buy:

How often will the third row be occupied? If it’s daily, spend your time evaluating third-row comfort and access. If it’s a few times a year, prioritize cargo room and consider whether a two-row SUV would serve you better for less money.

Do you use car seats? Third-row access with a car seat installed in the second row is where three-row SUVs separate themselves, and it’s a five-minute test in our lot with your actual seats. Bring them.

What’s behind the third row? Every three-row SUV has generous cargo numbers with the seats folded. The number that matters is what fits when all seven seats are occupied and everyone brought a bag.

What engines are available?

2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder — 300 horsepower and roughly 310 lb-ft of torque. This is the volume engine and it’s enough. Three hundred horsepower moves a loaded three-row SUV without complaint, and most buyers who assume they need the V6 don’t.

3.0L EcoBoost V6 — the performance engine, standard on the ST and available on the Tremor.

One 2026 change to know: the V6 has been removed from the Platinum, which now comes only with the 2.3L. If you wanted V6 power in a premium Explorer, that combination no longer exists.

Rear-wheel drive is standard with available Intelligent 4WD, which continuously adjusts power distribution based on conditions. For Missouri winters, where ice is as common as snow, it’s worth the money.

How much does the Explorer tow?

Up to about 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, which covers a small camper, a bass boat, or a utility trailer.

Ratings vary by configuration, so check the door-jamb sticker on the specific vehicle. If you need to tow substantially more than that, an Expedition or an F-150 is the better answer, and we’d rather tell you that up front.

What are the trim levels?

Six for 2026: Active Base (100A), Active (200A), ST-Line (300A), Tremor (800A), ST (400A), and Platinum (600A).

Two are new this year. The Active Base adds a lower entry point, and the Tremor is Ford’s first purpose-built off-road Explorer, with genuine hardware rather than an appearance package.

For most families, the ST-Line hits the balance: sport styling, upgraded interior materials, better audio, enhanced driver assistance, parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and access to BlueCruise, without the ST’s cost or firmer ride.

We wrote a fuller trim-by-trim breakdown separately if you want to go deeper on the differences.

What technology is included?

Ford’s Digital Experience with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, Google built-in, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Three-row seating and driver-assistance technology are standard even at the entry trim, which isn’t true across this segment.

One thing to know before you shop: the wireless charging pad was deleted across the entire 2026 Explorer lineup. It isn’t available on any trim. If you’ve been using one, plan on keeping a cable in the car. We’d rather you hear that from us now than discover it on delivery day.

A panoramic fixed-glass roof replaces the previous Vista Roof where the sunroof option is offered, and the Active (200A) now includes active noise cancellation as standard.

What safety features come standard?

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard, including Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Information System, a Lane-Keeping System, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Available features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera. BlueCruise hands-free highway driving is available from ST-Line up, operating on mapped Blue Zone sections with an active subscription.

Adaptive cruise is the feature families notice most on a long drive. It turns the stop-and-go stretch on I-70 from exhausting into manageable.

What are the honest tradeoffs?

• Fuel economy is average for the class. A three-row SUV with a turbocharged engine and available all-wheel drive uses fuel. Factor it in.
• Third-row space is competitive, not class-leading. Some rivals offer eight seats and more room back there. Sit in it before you decide.
• No wireless charging for 2026, as above.
• The V6 is limited to two trims, so if you want it, your trim choice narrows to ST or Tremor.

None of these are reasons to skip it. They’re reasons to drive it against whatever else is on your list rather than buying from a brochure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer a good family SUV? It offers three rows seating up to seven, flexible cargo configurations, and standard Ford Co-Pilot360 driver assistance across the lineup. Whether it’s the right one for your family depends on how often you use the third row and whether car seats fit the way you need them to, which is worth testing in person.

How many people does the 2026 Ford Explorer seat? Up to seven across three rows, depending on configuration and equipment group.

Does the 2026 Ford Explorer have wireless charging? No. The wireless charging pad was deleted across the 2026 Explorer lineup and is not available on any trim.

How much can the 2026 Ford Explorer tow? Up to about 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Ratings vary by configuration, so confirm on the specific vehicle.

What engines does the 2026 Ford Explorer offer? A 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6. The V6 is standard on the ST and available on the Tremor. The Platinum comes only with the 2.3-liter for 2026.

Does the 2026 Ford Explorer offer all-wheel drive? Rear-wheel drive is standard and Intelligent 4WD is available, adjusting power distribution based on road conditions.

How many trim levels does the 2026 Ford Explorer have? Six: Active Base (100A), Active (200A), ST-Line (300A), Tremor (800A), ST (400A), and Platinum (600A). The Active Base and Tremor are both new for 2026.

Where can I test drive a 2026 Ford Explorer near Kansas City? Greenway Ford at 9505 E 350 Hwy in Raytown, MO, serving Independence, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, and the greater Kansas City area. Browse our Explorer inventory or contact us at 816-482-3921.

Bring the Family and the Car Seats

We mean that literally. The Explorer decision gets made by folding the third row, installing a car seat, and putting the stroller behind it. Twenty minutes in our lot tells you more than any amount of research.

Browse our Explorer inventory, see how the Explorer compares to its competition, or look at our full SUV lineup if you’re still deciding on size.

Before you visit, estimate a payment, value your trade, or get pre-qualified with no impact to your credit score. If the trim and color you want isn’t on the lot, our vehicle finder service can locate it.