The 2026 Ford Explorer® refines what families and weekend adventurers expect from a three-row SUV, blending confident performance, adaptable interior space, and thoughtful driver-assist technology. With available seating for up to seven and up to 85.8 cu ft of cargo space, it’s built for school runs, Costco hauls, and road-trip gear. A standard 2.3L EcoBoost® engine anchors the lineup, while select trims add an available 3.0L EcoBoost® for serious punch. Towing up to 5,000 lbs is supported by a Class III Trailer Tow Package, and available Intelligent 4WD teams with selectable drive modes for added confidence when conditions change. Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ and available features like a 360-Degree Camera and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving amplify ease on busy corridors. If you’ve been searching for a 2026 Ford Explorer near Tacoma, WA, our team makes it simple to compare trims, features, and capability. We’re close by near Tacoma, WA, and ready to help you match power, comfort, and tech to your daily and weekend plans. At Port Orchard Ford, we’ll walk you through each model’s unique strengths so you can choose the SUV that fits your life today and for the adventures ahead.

Start with the fundamentals done right. The Explorer® Active 100A pairs the responsive 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Stop-Start Technology to deliver everyday strength and confident passing power. Rear-wheel drive is standard for a balanced, composed feel, and available Intelligent 4WD brings added traction for wet commutes and gravel turnouts to trailheads. With Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+, including Adaptive Cruise Control, you can settle in for longer drives with assistance that helps maintain gaps and supports lane confidence. Selectable drive modes let you tailor the SUV’s behavior to conditions, while the Class III Trailer Tow Package readies you for small boats, campers, or utility trailers up to 5,000 lbs when properly equipped. Inside, there’s seating for up to seven, flexible cargo solutions, and intuitive tech that keeps everyone connected. If you’ve been considering the 2026 Ford Explorer for a dependable family workhorse that still has room to grow with your plans, Active 100A is an excellent starting point. It’s straightforward, well-equipped, and ready to be configured with the capability features you value most, including available Intelligent 4WD for year-round confidence.

Explorer® Active elevates daily convenience with the same robust 2.3L EcoBoost® engine plus comfort upgrades that make every outing better. Heated front-row seats help keep you comfortable on early departures, and a power liftgate streamlines loading when your hands are full of groceries, sports gear, or luggage. Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+, including Adaptive Cruise Control, supports smoother highway travel, and the available Intelligent 4WD system enhances traction when the forecast or your weekend plans call for more grip. With towing up to 5,000 lbs supported by the Class III Trailer Tow Package and selectable drive modes that help tailor throttle, shifting, and traction responses, Active fits a broad range of family duties. The cabin’s thoughtful layout emphasizes smart storage, user-friendly controls, and easy access to the third row. For shoppers near Puyallup who want the right mix of comfort, practicality, and confidence-inspiring tech without complicating the choice, Explorer Active delivers. If you’ve been looking at the 2026 Ford Explorer as your single do-it-all SUV, this trim’s blend of amenities and capability hits a sweet spot for commuting, carpooling, and weekend errands.

Explorer® ST-Line takes the proven formula and layers in a performance-inspired look with premium tech. Powered by the efficient 2.3L EcoBoost® engine, ST-Line backs its athletic stance with real substance: a 360-Degree Camera enhances low-speed maneuvering in parking garages or tight trailhead lots, and Ford Co-Pilot360® technologies support everyday peace of mind. Inside, unique durable cloth-trimmed seats with red stitching strike the right balance between style and practicality, while the B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® with 10 speakers, including a subwoofer, provides crisp, immersive audio. Selectable drive modes let you dial in responses to changing surfaces, and the rear-wheel-drive foundation contributes to stable, confident handling. For families who appreciate clean lines, purposeful tech, and an engaging drive, ST-Line brings it together in a package that stands out. We at Port Orchard Ford can show you how ST-Line’s advanced camera technology and tuned features add ease to busy routines near neighborhoods and office parks, and why its thoughtful interior touches feel like upgrades you’ll notice on every drive.

The Explorer® Tremor® is engineered for drivers who want adventure-ready hardware without leaving everyday usability behind. It’s the most powerful off-road Explorer ever when equipped with the available 3.0L EcoBoost® engine, and it backs up that claim with an off-road-tuned suspension and increased ride height for better clearance on ruts and washboards. Underbody protection with front and rear deflector plates helps safeguard critical components, while the Torsen® limited-slip rear axle adds traction and stability when one wheel gets light. Pair that with selectable drive modes and available Intelligent 4WD to keep you composed across slick trailheads, boat ramps, and uneven access roads. If you’re exploring trail networks west of Silverdale or heading for remote campsites, this trim’s mechanical upgrades make a real difference. For shoppers comparing the 2026 Ford Explorer near Tacoma, WA, and wondering which model is ready to leave pavement behind yet still seat up to seven, Tremor delivers the right tools for the job. Our team can also outline how Tremor’s daily drivability stays intact, so the same SUV that conquers rough tracks feels calm and comfortable on weekday errands.
The Explorer® Platinum™ focuses on premium comfort and advanced assistance, making every mile feel a step above. It’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving equipped (1-year + 90-day plan included), allowing hands-free driving on designated highways while you keep your eyes on the road. Heated, ventilated, massaging front-row seats with leather inserts transform long drives, and the available panoramic fixed glass roof with power sunshade amplifies the sense of space and light for all three rows. The standard 2.3L EcoBoost® engine delivers confident performance with smooth, refined manners, while Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ further supports stress-reducing travel. Inside, premium materials and thoughtful details make this the trim you choose when comfort, quietness, and technology are non-negotiable. At Port Orchard Ford, we can walk you through the setup for BlueCruise and demonstrate how the system supports highway driving around interchanges and longer routes, plus compare Platinum with other trims to zero in on your priorities. If your days involve clients, carpools, and plenty of time behind the wheel, Platinum brings a luxury feel to the 2026 Ford Explorer without compromising on versatility or capability.
Explorer® ST turns up performance with a standard 3.0L EcoBoost® engine, a sport-tuned suspension, and performance brakes with red-painted brake calipers that look as serious as they feel. The twin-turbo powertrain provides brisk acceleration and confident highway merging, all while preserving the Explorer’s towing capability up to 5,000 lbs when properly equipped with the Class III Trailer Tow Package. BlueCruise hands-free highway driving equipped adds an unexpected layer of long-haul ease to this performance-focused model, and selectable drive modes let you tailor the ST’s responses to the day’s plans. Rear-wheel-drive dynamics shine here, and available Intelligent 4WD increases traction for varied conditions. For drivers cross-shopping the 2026 Ford Explorer near Tacoma, WA, who want a three-row SUV that still sparks joy on the daily commute, ST is your answer. It’s the model that blends enthusiast energy with family-ready practicality. Our team at Port Orchard Ford will show you how ST’s performance tuning, confident braking, and advanced assistance come together to make this the driver’s choice in the lineup without losing the Explorer’s core strengths.
If you’re mapping out which configuration will fit your life best, we can help you compare features side by side and test-drive the differences you’ll actually feel day to day. From the adventure-built Tremor® to the comfort-first Platinum™ and the athletic ST-Line and ST, each model builds on the 2026 Ford Explorer formula in distinct ways. Tell us how you drive, what you tow, and who you bring along — we’ll match you to the ideal combination of seating, power, and tech. For shoppers evaluating a 2026 Ford Explorer near Tacoma, WA, our location makes it easy to stop by between errands or after work to see trims in person. At Port Orchard Ford, our product experts will highlight the features that matter to you most and set you up for a confident choice. Whether you live across the bridge, work along the corridor, or carpool through town, we’re here to make your search simple and rewarding.
*Images may not show trim level described