2026 Ford Explorer Shopping Overview near Colorado Springs, CO
Model Overview
A Closer Look at the 2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Ford Explorer® is built for families and adventurers who want confident performance, practical space, and everyday technology that simply works. From our perspective as a local research and buying guide for shoppers near Colorado Springs, CO, this three-row SUV checks the right boxes: available seating for up to seven, an available 85.8 cu ft of cargo room, a strong tow rating, and a modern suite of driver-assist features including available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. Whether you’re cruising I-25 toward Denver or pointing the nose west toward mountain trailheads, the Explorer® delivers a balanced blend of comfort and capability that’s easy to buy online and even easier to live with.
Ford keeps the lineup straightforward and compelling. There’s the efficient, responsive 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 that anchors much of the range, as well as an available 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 on select trims for maximum power. Rear-wheel drive is standard for stable, confident handling, with available Intelligent 4WD when your route calls for extra traction. Inside, you’ll find a cabin designed for real life—smart storage, available heated and ventilated front seats, and modern connectivity through the Ford Digital Experience and the Ford Connectivity Package. Add in thoughtful trims—Active 100A, Active, ST-Line, Tremor®, Platinum™, and ST—and it’s simple to match your needs to the right features.
On the Road
Performance & Capability for Every Mile
The Explorer® is engineered for everyday strength, from merging onto Highway 24 to towing gear out toward your favorite campsite. Its standard rear-wheel-drive layout inspires surefooted handling and stable towing, while available Intelligent 4WD helps you keep momentum when conditions get slick. With a maximum 5,000-pound towing capacity when properly equipped, bringing a small boat, pop-up camper, or utility trailer is a plan, not a question. And with an available 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 on select models, there’s robust power on tap for mountain grades and quick passes alike.
Engine:
2.3L EcoBoost I-4 (std); available 3.0L EcoBoost V6
Drivetrain:
RWD standard; available Intelligent 4WD
Horsepower:
Up to 400 hp (avail.)
Towing:
Up to 5,000 lbs (when properly equipped)
Inside the Cabin
Interior Comfort & Technology
- Seating flexibility: Available seating for up to seven plus easy-fold seatbacks for fast cargo conversions.
- Cargo volume: Up to an available 85.8 cu ft for strollers, coolers, home-store runs, or weekend gear.
- Premium audio: Available B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® with 10 speakers including subwoofer (select trims).
- Heated comfort: Available heated front-row seats; available ventilated and massaging front-row seats on select trims.
- Digital life: Ford Digital Experience designed and curated by Ford to integrate your favorite apps, services, and partners.
- Stay connected: Ford Connectivity Package with Wi-Fi capability and streaming while parked.
- Smart views: 360-Degree Camera available on select models to simplify close-quarters maneuvers.
Inside the 2026 Explorer®, the layout is clean, modern, and built to adapt. Day to day, you’ll appreciate wide door openings for easy loading, a configurable cargo floor, and second-row access that makes kid-hauling simpler. The Ford Digital Experience brings familiar apps and features into an interface curated by Ford for clarity and speed, while the Ford Connectivity Package helps keep passengers online with available Wi-Fi and streaming when safely parked. Upgrade to the B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® for rich audio on every drive, and choose trims with heated, ventilated, and even massaging front seats to add a restorative feel to longer trips.
Driver Confidence
Safety & Driver Assist Features
- Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies: Standard driver-assist systems focused on helping you feel more confident behind the wheel.
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+: Includes Adaptive Cruise Control to help manage speed and following distance on the highway.
- BlueCruise availability: Hands-free highway driving equipped on select trims for supported roads.
- 360-Degree Camera: Available on select trims for a stitched overhead view around the vehicle.
- Selectable drive modes: Help tailor throttle, shifting, and traction responses to conditions.
Every Explorer® aims to reduce stress and amplify control. Ford Co-Pilot360® technologies come standard to support daily driving, while Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ adds Adaptive Cruise Control to help you maintain a set following distance with smoother traffic flow. Select trims are equipped with BlueCruise hands-free highway driving, which can help accelerate, brake, and steer on supported roads while you keep your eyes on traffic. Add the available 360-Degree Camera for a comprehensive view around the SUV—great for navigating trailhead parking or tight city garages. With selectable drive modes, you can dial in responses for snow, gravel, or daily commutes with a simple twist.
Trim Options
2026 Ford Explorer Trim Levels
| Trim | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Active 100A | 2.3L EcoBoost engine; Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ including Adaptive Cruise Control; Selectable drive modes; Class III Trailer Tow Package |
| Active | 2.3L EcoBoost engine; Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ including Adaptive Cruise Control; Heated front-row seats; Power liftgate |
| ST-Line | 2.3L EcoBoost engine; 360-Degree Camera; Unique durable cloth-trimmed seats with red stitching; B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® |
| Tremor® | Available 3.0L EcoBoost® engine; Torsen® limited-slip rear axle; Off-road tuned suspension with increased ride height; Underbody protection |
| Platinum™ | 2.3L EcoBoost engine; BlueCruise hands-free highway driving equipped (plan included); Heated, ventilated, massaging front seats; Available panoramic fixed glass roof |
| ST | 3.0L EcoBoost® engine; BlueCruise hands-free highway driving equipped; Sport-tuned suspension; Performance brakes with red-painted calipers |
We’ve Got You Covered
Why Buy from Alpine Ford near Colorado Springs, CO
We know what Colorado Springs drivers face—steep climbs, quick weather shifts in the Front Range, and long I-25 stretches. Our product specialists match those realities to the right Explorer® trim and driveline, and our online tools keep the process efficient. From initial research to long-term maintenance, our team offers the Alpine Difference: integrity, clarity, and real local support that puts you first.
- Local insight: We understand Monument Hill winds, I-25 traffic patterns, and mountain-grade demands.
- People-first support: Our team is powered by respect and built on trust to make every step clear and comfortable.
- Flexible shopping: Browse inventory online, start pre-approval, and schedule your test drive on your time.
- Service convenience: Pick Up & Delivery and Mobile Service options available to fit busy schedules.
- Bilingual leadership: A team that reflects our community and communicates with clarity.
Trade-In Tools
Value Your Trade with Alpine Ford
Turning your current vehicle into momentum for a new 2026 Explorer® is simple with our trade-in tools. Use our online resources to get a ballpark value from home, then we’ll work with you to refine the number after a quick in-person appraisal. You can apply your trade toward your down payment to simplify financing steps and streamline the move into your next SUV.
Start My Appraisal
Competitive Strengths
How the 2026 Ford Explorer Stands Out
- Hands-free highway help: BlueCruise hands-free highway driving equipped on select trims where supported roads are available.
- Confident platform: Standard RWD with available Intelligent 4WD for stable handling and towing.
- Real power: Available 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 with up to 400 hp on select models.
- Tow and go: Up to 5,000 lbs of towing when properly equipped with Class III Trailer Tow Package.
- Big cargo space: Up to an available 85.8 cu ft—great for family life and adventure gear.
- Trail-ready trim: Tremor® adds Torsen® limited-slip rear axle, off-road tuned suspension, and underbody protection.
- Clear visibility: Available 360-Degree Camera for low-speed confidence around town or tight trailheads.
Many three-row SUVs favor a front-wheel-drive base that can feel less composed under load; the Explorer® starts with rear-wheel drive to prioritize balance, stability, and precise steering—welcome traits on I-25 over Monument Hill or along Highway 24 toward Woodland Park. Rivals often limit torque-rich powertrains to top-dollar variants, yet the Explorer® offers robust available power with the 3.0L EcoBoost® and a straightforward path to 5,000 pounds of towing with the Class III Trailer Tow Package. Not every competitor brings true factory off-road hardware; the Explorer® Tremor® adds a Torsen® limited-slip rear axle, underbody protection, and an off-road tuned suspension that’s built for rutted county roads and trailhead approaches around Colorado Springs. Add available BlueCruise for supported hands-free stretches and an available 360-Degree Camera, and the Explorer® clearly aligns with the driving demands we see in our region.
Start Shopping
Next Steps for Your 2026 Ford Explorer Search
Ready to take the next step? Browse our current Explorer® inventory online, set up a test drive that fits your schedule, and complete a secure finance pre-approval to save time at the store. Use our trade-in tool to estimate your vehicle’s value, then contact our team to confirm configuration details, arrange a personalized walkaround, or compare trims. We’re here to help you make a confident, well-informed choice.
Local Support
Proudly Serving Colorado Springs, CO Drivers
From school-day drop-offs in Briargate to weekend rides up Ute Pass, the 2026 Ford Explorer® meets Colorado Springs drivers where daily life and adventure intersect. Our team keeps the process transparent and efficient, with local guidance that reflects the way you actually drive. When you’re ready to explore the 2026 Explorer® near Colorado Springs, CO, we’re ready to help you find the right fit and support it for the miles ahead.
*Vehicle images and features shown are for illustration only and may vary by trim and option.
Prices include all active discounts, incentives and $689.50 dealer handling fee. Prices exclude tax, tag, title, and dealer installed accessories. $2,495 for the Alpine package which includes window tint clear bra, alpine shield, road hazard, paintless dent repair, windshield repair, and nitro fill. Additional discounts and factory rebates may be applied depending on the zip code of where the vehicle will be titled. For the maximum discount, you must purchase from in-stock inventory and finance with Ford Motor credit. Ford Motor Credit rebates, APR, and lease rates can vary based on zip code and individual credit score. While we make every effort to ensure the information listed on our website is correct, there may be instances of errors resulting in vehicle prices, options, and/or features to be listed incorrectly. The dealer is not responsible for any of these errors. Please contact a dealership sales representative for additional details and to verify the accuracy of the information on this website.
Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, and license charges. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.