The Ford Explorer is the go-to for anyone needing an SUV that can take on just about anything you throw at it, and 2025 and 2026 really hammer that point home. If you're trying to figure out which model year belongs in your driveway, here's the lowdown on what changed and what stays the same.
Key Takeaways
- 2026 brings in the Tremor trim, giving the Explorer some serious off-road attitude.
- Now that the Tremor is here, it's officially taking over for the Timberline as the family's designated dirt-tracker.
- Most of the sharp styling and high-end tech you'll see in 2026 actually started with the big 2025 overhaul.
The Differences Between the 2026 and 2025 Ford Explorer
The biggest news for 2026 is definitely the Tremor. While the rest of the Explorer family stays the course with the upgrades from last year, the Tremor adds the off-road muscle that was missing when the Timberline took its final bow in 2025. It sits a bit higher thanks to a lifted suspension and rolls on 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. To make it a legit trail beast, Ford tossed in a limited-slip rear diff and steel skid plates to protect the underside; it even tweaked the bumpers to give you a better approach angle.
You'll spot the Tremor by its gold metallic accents on the grille, badges, and tow hooks, plus some matching stitching inside. Other than this new rugged sibling, the 2026 models are pretty much identical to those of the year before. That was the year Ford cleaned up the lineup--sticking to the Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum--and gave the SUV the redesigned headlights, grille, and taillights that we're seeing now.
Model Year Changes
| 2026 Ford Explorer |
2025 Ford Explorer |
| Tremor replaces Timberline as the new off-road trim in the lineup |
Ford trimmed lineup to Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum models only |
| Tremor features lifted suspension, trail tires, limited-slip rear diff, skid plates, and revised bumpers |
Refreshed lighting, grille, and taillights; Upper trims get black roof option |
| Other lineup models unchanged for 2026 |
Ford adds BlueCruise, softer cabin materials improved, and new infotainment software |
Things remain consistent under the hood for both model years. The standard engine choice is a 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder generating 300 horsepower. But if you've got a hankering for real power, you'll want the 400-hp twin-turbo V6. (It comes standard in the ST, but you can also snag it as an option in the Platinum or the new Tremor.) Both engines pair with a 10-speed automatic. Most models feature standard rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available across the board (and it's standard on the Tremor).
The Explorer's cabin took a huge leap forward in 2025, and all those perks carry over to 2026. Ford dropped the hard plastics for softer, premium materials on the console and doors, giving the whole space a much more luxe feel. But the star of the dash is the 13.2-inch touchscreen with Ford's Digital Experience software, which is slick enough that you can browse the web or stream movies while you're parked.
To keep everyone's gear charged, Ford packed the cabin with eight USB ports and three 12-volt outlets. And if you're big on music, you'll love the 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen system that's standard on most trims, though the base Active trim keeps things a bit more traditional.
Which Explorer is For You?
Honestly, they're both great options; it just depends on your lifestyle. Come on by Alan Jay Ford in Sebring and see how the 2025 and 2026 models look side-by-side. We'd love to get you behind the wheel for a test drive so you can see what these SUVs are really capable of--it's the Alan Jay Way!