2026 Ford Explorer for Sale Near Raytown, MO: Features, Performance, and Why It’s Worth Seeing in Person

June 1st, 2026 by

The 2026 Explorer lineup changed enough that last year’s advice doesn’t fully apply. There are six trims now, one of them brand new, and the engine availability shifted.

Here’s how it actually breaks down, and which one fits how you drive.

What trims does the 2026 Explorer offer?

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

Two are new for 2026. The Active Base adds a lower entry point, and the Tremor is Ford’s first purpose-built off-road Explorer.

Trim Engine Built for
Active Base (100A) 2.3L EcoBoost Value entry, still well equipped
Active (200A) 2.3L EcoBoost Everyday family use with added comfort
ST-Line (300A) 2.3L EcoBoost Sport styling and upgraded content
Tremor (800A) 2.3L or 3.0L V6 Off-road capability, new for 2026
ST (400A) 3.0L V6 Performance
Platinum (600A) 2.3L EcoBoost Luxury and refinement

What engines are available?

2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder — 300 horsepower, roughly 310 lb-ft of torque. This is the volume engine and it’s genuinely enough. Three hundred horsepower moves a loaded three-row SUV without strain.

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

An important 2026 change: 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. You’d move to the ST or Tremor instead.

Rear-wheel drive is standard with available Intelligent 4WD, which is worth having for Missouri winters.

What else changed for 2026?

Three things worth knowing before you shop:

  • The wireless charging pad has been deleted across the lineup. It isn’t available on any 2026 Explorer trim. If you’ve been using one in your current vehicle, plan on a cable.
  • A panoramic fixed-glass roof replaces the Vista Roof where the sunroof option is offered.
  • Active (200A) now includes active noise cancellation as standard, which wasn’t available at that level before.

Marsh Gray is a new color, offered on ST-Line, ST, and Tremor.

The Tremor is the interesting one

Ford has never built an off-road Explorer before. The Tremor adds genuine hardware rather than an appearance package, and it’s the only trim besides the ST that can be equipped with the V6.

If your version of a family SUV includes gravel county roads, a lake access road, or a hunting lease, this is worth a look before you default to the ST-Line.

Which trim should you actually buy?

ST-Line is the one most buyers should look at first. It adds sport styling, upgraded cabin materials, better audio, enhanced driver assistance, parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and access to BlueCruise, without the ST’s cost or firmer ride.

  • Tightest budget → Active Base. Better equipped than most base trims.
  • Family-first, want comfort → Active
  • Best all-around value → ST-Line
  • Off-pavement use → Tremor
  • Want the quickest one → ST
  • Want the nicest one → Platinum

Practical details

Seating goes up to seven across three rows. Towing runs up to about 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, which covers a small camper or utility trailer. Confirm the rating on the specific configuration.

Technology centers on Ford’s Digital Experience with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, Google built-in, and wireless smartphone integration, with three-row seating and driver-assistance technology standard even at the entry trim.

What to think about before you visit

How often will you really use the third row? If the answer is a few times a year, a two-row SUV gives you the same cargo space for less. If it’s every day, seating comfort in that row matters more than anything on the spec sheet.

Do you need the V6? Most people don’t. Drive the 2.3L before you assume you do.

Bring the car seats. Third-row access with a car seat installed in the second row is the thing that surprises people, and it’s a five-minute test in our lot.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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

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

How much can the 2026 Ford Explorer tow? Up to about 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Confirm the rating for the specific configuration you’re considering.

What is the Ford Explorer Tremor? A purpose-built off-road trim, new for 2026, with off-road hardware upgrades over the standard four-wheel-drive Explorer. It can be equipped with either the 2.3-liter four-cylinder or the 3.0-liter V6.

Where can I test drive a 2026 Ford Explorer near Kansas City? Greenway Ford at 9505 E 350 Hwy in Raytown, MO. Browse our Explorer inventory or contact us at 816-482-3921.

Come Compare Them Side by Side

Six trims is a lot to sort through on a website. Twenty minutes in our lot with two or three of them parked together settles it faster than any comparison chart.

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. If you need more room, the Expedition is the next step up.

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

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