2026 Ford
Explorer
America's Best-Selling Three-Row SUV. Now with a Brand-New Tremor Off-Road Trim.
Seven Seats. 5,000 lbs Towing. Six Trim Levels. One Explorer.
The Ford Explorer has been America's best-selling three-row SUV for a reason that does not change year to year: it does everything a family needs without asking them to compromise. The 2026 model carries that forward and adds something genuinely new -- the Tremor off-road trim, replacing the Timberline and bringing more capable hardware than any Explorer has offered in this role before.
For families in Hopkinsville and around Fort Campbell, the Explorer hits a sweet spot that is hard to replicate. It seats seven, tows a boat or a trailer to Lake Barkley without sweating the 5,000-lb limit, fits in a normal parking space, and comes standard with Co-Pilot360 Assist+ safety tech across every trim. The 13.2-inch touchscreen with Google built-in is standard -- not an upgrade. And the Class III Tow Package is included on every model without an option box to check.
The 2026 lineup also drops the Active Base entry price to $38,465, making the Explorer more accessible than it has been in recent years while the top-end ST and Platinum push further into premium territory.
2026 Explorer Exterior Colors
Three no-cost colors on every trim. Three $495 extra-cost colors with trim restrictions. One $795 premium tri-coat. Marsh Gray is new for 2026 and available only on Tremor, ST-Line, and ST. Star White Tri-Coat is not available on Tremor.
Swatches are approximate. Oxford White is fleet-only and not available at retail. Contact Pennyrile Ford at 270-886-8131 to confirm color availability on specific vehicles in stock.
300 HP for the Family. 400 HP for the ST.
Both engines pair with a 10-speed automatic and achieve the same 5,000-lb tow rating. The 2.3L is the practical choice for most buyers -- 300 HP, 29 MPG highway, and available 4WD. The 3.0L V6 is reserved for the ST and available on the Tremor with the Ultimate Package.
- Torque310 lb-ft
- Transmission10-speed Automatic
- DrivetrainRWD standard / Intelligent 4WD +$2,000
- MPG (RWD)20 city / 29 hwy
- Max Towing5,000 lbs (Class III Tow Pkg included)
- Torque415 lb-ft
- Transmission10-speed Automatic
- DrivetrainRWD standard (ST) / Intelligent 4WD +$2,000
- MPG (RWD)18 city / 24 hwy
- Max Towing5,000 lbs (same as 2.3L)
Three Rows That Actually Fit People.
The Explorer's third row is genuinely usable for adults on shorter trips -- not a last resort for punishment seating. Standard bench seating puts seven passengers in three rows; available captain's chairs in the second row drop capacity to six but significantly improve access to the back. The cargo area holds 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 47.9 with the third row folded and 87.8 with both rows down.
- Seating for 7 (bench) or 6 (available captain's chairs)
- 18.2 cu ft behind third row -- 47.9 with row 3 folded -- 87.8 max
- PowerFold third-row seats available on Tremor and standard on ST and Platinum
- Available panoramic fixed glass roof -- now available on all 2026 trims
- Ambient interior lighting available on ST-Line and above
- Standard three-zone climate control on most trims
- Available heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats
An Off-Road Explorer That Actually Means It.
The Tremor replaces the Timberline and brings more capable hardware. A one-inch suspension lift, 31.5-inch all-terrain tires, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, steel underbody skid plates, and off-road auxiliary lights are all standard. The Electric Spice orange on the tow hooks, grille accents, and wheels makes it visually distinct. Intelligent 4WD is standard. The 3.0L V6 is available with the Tremor Ultimate Package for buyers who want the most capable version of the lineup's most capable trim.
- 1-inch suspension lift for improved ground clearance (8.7 inches)
- 31.5-inch all-terrain tires on 18-inch Ebony Black wheels
- Torsen limited-slip rear differential -- standard
- Steel underbody skid plates -- standard
- Off-road auxiliary lights -- standard
- Electric Spice orange accents on tow hooks, grille, and wheel center caps
- Off-Road drive mode -- dedicated terrain mode added to standard suite
- Tremor Ultimate Package: 3.0L V6, PowerFold third row, additional tech
5,000 lbs of Towing. Standard Tow Package. Every Trim.
The Explorer does not make you option into towing capability. The Class III Trailer Tow Package -- hitch receiver, seven-wire harness, and four- and seven-pin connectors -- is included standard on every 2026 Explorer. That enables 5,000 lbs of towing on both engines. For a family heading to Lake Barkley with a boat or a trailer loaded with camping gear for Pennyrile Forest, that is a capable starting point without a single extra box checked.
- 5,000 lbs max towing -- all trims, both engines, standard
- Class III Tow Package included standard (hitch receiver, 7-wire harness, 4- and 7-pin connectors)
- Intelligent 4WD available on all trims (+$2,000) -- standard on Tremor
- Terrain Management System with up to six drive modes
- Available Intelligent Trail Control (Tremor)
- Reverse Brake Assist standard -- Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite standard all trims
Google Built-In. 13.2-Inch Screen. BlueCruise Available. All Standard Where It Counts.
The 2026 Explorer ships with the Ford Digital Experience -- Google built-in, 13.2-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital cluster, wireless CarPlay, wireless Android Auto -- on every trim. The Ford Connectivity Package (Wi-Fi hotspot, connected navigation) is included for one year.
Google Built-In -- Native, Not Mirrored
The 2026 Explorer runs Google built-in natively on its 13.2-inch touchscreen -- Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play apps are part of the operating system, not a phone mirror. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster sits ahead of the driver. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are also standard across all trims.
- 13.2-inch touchscreen with Google built-in -- standard all trims
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster -- standard all trims
- Google Maps with live traffic -- no phone required
- Google Assistant voice control -- built in
- Wireless Apple CarPlay -- standard
- Wireless Android Auto -- standard
- Over-the-air software updates
Ford BlueCruise -- Hands-Free Highway Driving
BlueCruise is available on ST-Line and standard on Tremor (90-day trial included). On a long interstate run -- I-24 toward Nashville, US-68 toward Murray -- BlueCruise actively steers, brakes, and accelerates hands-free on pre-mapped divided highway segments while a driver-facing camera monitors attention. A subscription is required after the trial period.
- Available on ST-Line -- standard on Tremor (90-day trial included)
- Hands-free steering, braking, and acceleration on pre-mapped highways
- Driver-facing infrared camera monitors attention while active
- Works with Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go
- Subscription required after trial period
- Over-the-air updates keep the system current
B and O Audio -- 12 Speakers, 980 Watts on ST and Platinum
The ST-Line comes standard with a B and O 12-speaker audio system. The ST and Platinum take it further with the Bang and Olufsen system running 980 watts and 14 speakers including a subwoofer. For a three-row SUV carrying kids, gear, and adults trying to have a conversation, the audio quality difference is noticeable.
- Active 100A and Active: standard audio system
- ST-Line: B and O 12-speaker audio -- standard
- Tremor: available B and O audio with Ultimate Package
- ST and Platinum: B and O 980W, 14-speaker system with subwoofer -- standard
- SiriusXM satellite radio available across the lineup
- USB-C ports in all three rows on higher trims
Ford Connectivity Package -- One Year Included
Every 2026 Explorer includes the Ford Connectivity Package for one year: unlimited Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices, Connected Navigation with live traffic, and enhanced voice recognition. The FordPass app handles remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle status from your phone. Useful when you are parked at a trailhead or getting kids into the car at Jennie Stuart Health.
- Unlimited Wi-Fi hotspot -- one year included (new for 2026)
- Connected Navigation with live traffic updates
- FordPass app: remote start, lock/unlock, fuel and range monitoring
- Enhanced voice recognition with Google Assistant
- Over-the-air SYNC updates -- system improves after purchase
- Available wireless charging pad (ST-Line and above)
Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ -- Standard on Every 2026 Explorer
Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is standard on every 2026 Explorer trim -- not a package you add. It includes adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, reverse brake assist, and the full active safety suite from the first dollar you spend.
2026 Explorer Trim Lineup
Six trims covering every priority from value to performance to off-road. Every one includes the 13.2-inch Google touchscreen, Co-Pilot360 Assist+, and a Class III Tow Package enabling 5,000 lbs.
- New for 2026 -- lowest Explorer entry price
- 2.3L EcoBoost, RWD standard
- 13.2" Google touchscreen standard
- Co-Pilot360 Assist+ standard
- 2.3L EcoBoost, RWD or 4WD
- Additional comfort and tech over 100A
- 5,000 lbs towing standard
- Sport styling -- blacked-out headlights, 20" wheels
- B and O 12-speaker audio standard
- Flat-bottom ST steering wheel
- BlueCruise available, black roof option
- All-terrain tires, 1" lift, skid plates
- Torsen limited-slip rear differential
- 4WD standard, BlueCruise standard
- 3.0L V6 available (Ultimate Package)
- 2.3L EcoBoost only (V6 removed for 2026)
- 980W B and O 14-speaker audio standard
- PowerFold 3rd row, multi-contour seats
- Memory driver seat, ambient lighting
- 400 HP 3.0L EcoBoost V6 standard
- Sport-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes
- 980W B and O 14-speaker audio
- PowerFold 3rd row standard
*MSRP excludes $1,595 destination charge. Intelligent 4WD adds $2,000 on applicable trims. Contact Pennyrile Ford for exact pricing on vehicles in stock.
Browse Explorer InventoryPennyrile Ford
Serving Hopkinsville, Fort Campbell, and the Pennyroyal Region Since 1953
Sales Hours
| Monday -- Friday | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Family-owned since 1953, Pennyrile Ford is the closest Ford dealer to Fort Campbell on the Kentucky side. Easy to reach from Gates 4 and 7 on Fort Campbell Boulevard. We serve buyers from Hopkinsville, Oak Grove, Cadiz, Madisonville, and across western Kentucky.
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2026 Explorer -- Frequently Asked Questions
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Three Rows. 5,000 lbs. Let's Find Yours.
Browse our current Explorer inventory or come in for a test drive. We carry multiple trims -- including the new Tremor -- and can walk you through everything that makes one the right fit for your family.