2026 Ford Explorer Shopping Overview near Murray, KY
Model Overview
A Closer Look at the 2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Ford Explorer® is built for shoppers who want a three-row SUV that feels confident, connected, and versatile without becoming oversized for everyday driving. For drivers researching a new Ford Explorer near Murray, KY, this SUV brings together the qualities local families, commuters, students, and weekend travelers often prioritize: available seating for up to seven passengers, strong towing capability, smart driver-assist technology, and a trim lineup that ranges from practical to premium to performance-focused. Whether your week includes commuting along US 641, heading toward Murray State University, making family stops around town, or planning a longer drive toward Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes, the Explorer® is designed to handle a wide range of needs with one well-rounded platform.
From an online research and buying-guide perspective, the 2026 Ford Explorer® makes a strong case because the key facts are easy to understand. Ford offers a standard 2.3L EcoBoost® engine on several trims, an available 3.0L EcoBoost® engine on select models, maximum available horsepower of 400 hp, 5,000 lbs of towing capacity, and available Intelligent 4WD. Inside, available cargo space reaches 85.8 cu ft, giving shoppers the flexibility to carry luggage, gear, groceries, sports equipment, or supplies for a busy household. At Benton Ford near Murray, KY, our team can help compare trims, explain available features, review current inventory, and make the shopping process straightforward from your first online search to your test drive.
On the Road
Performance & Capability for Every Mile
The 2026 Ford Explorer® delivers the kind of performance that helps it feel composed in daily driving and ready for bigger plans when the schedule changes. The standard 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Stop-Start Technology provides responsive power for commuting, errands, and road trips, while select trims offer the available 3.0L EcoBoost® engine for drivers who want stronger acceleration and a more performance-oriented feel. With selectable drive modes and available Intelligent 4WD, the Explorer® is engineered to adapt to changing road surfaces and driver preferences. Towing is another major strength, with up to 5,000 lbs of towing capacity when properly equipped, giving shoppers the ability to bring along a camper, small boat, utility trailer, or recreational gear.
Engine:
2.3L EcoBoost®
Towing:
5,000 lbs
Max Horsepower:
400 hp
Cargo Space:
85.8 cu ft
Inside the Cabin
Interior Comfort & Technology
- Three-row versatility: Available seating for up to seven passengers helps make the Explorer® a smart fit for families, carpools, and group travel.
- Flexible cargo area: Available 85.8 cu ft of cargo space gives shoppers useful room for large items when rear seats are folded.
- Premium comfort: Available heated, ventilated, massaging front-row seats with leather inserts elevate long-drive relaxation on select trims.
- Connected features: Ford Digital Experience brings familiar digital functionality into the vehicle for a more integrated drive.
- Entertainment options: The available B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® with 10 speakers including subwoofer creates a richer listening experience.
- Convenience technology: Available Ford Connectivity Package features can support Wi-Fi® access, streaming, calls, and device connection.
Inside the 2026 Ford Explorer®, the cabin is designed around people who need real usability, not just style. The three-row layout gives Murray, KY shoppers the flexibility to bring passengers along comfortably, while the available cargo capacity makes it easier to transition from school drop-off to errands, team activities, or weekend travel. The Explorer® also offers premium touches on higher trims, including leather-insert seating, front-row massage functionality, and an available panoramic fixed glass roof with power sunshade on Platinum™. Technology is another highlight. Ford Digital Experience helps bring the driver’s digital life into the cabin in a familiar way, and available connected services can make parked entertainment, work calls, and device access easier. The result is an SUV that feels practical enough for everyday life and refined enough for longer drives.
Driver Confidence
Safety & Driver Assist Features
- Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+: Standard on Active 100A and Active, this suite includes Adaptive Cruise Control for added driving confidence.
- Adaptive Cruise Control: Helps support a more relaxed drive by assisting with speed and following distance in compatible conditions.
- 360-Degree Camera: Standard on ST-Line, this feature helps improve visibility around the vehicle during low-speed maneuvering.
- Ford BlueCruise: Available or equipped on select trims, this hands-free highway driving assistance feature helps accelerate, brake, and steer while the driver keeps eyes on the road.
- Selectable drive modes: Standard on Active 100A, this feature helps tailor vehicle response to different driving situations.
- Available Intelligent 4WD: Helps improve confidence when traction needs change across local roads, highways, gravel drives, or travel routes.
The 2026 Ford Explorer® is designed with technology that helps support awareness, confidence, and convenience. Ford Co-Pilot360® technologies are focused on helping drivers feel more secure behind the wheel, and Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ including Adaptive Cruise Control is highlighted on Explorer® Active 100A and Active models. Shoppers who want more visibility may appreciate the 360-Degree Camera on ST-Line, especially in busy parking areas around Murray or when navigating tighter driveways. Ford BlueCruise is one of the most notable available technologies in the lineup. On compatible highways, BlueCruise can assist with acceleration, braking, and steering while the driver keeps eyes on the road. For shoppers comparing family SUVs, this range of standard and available driver-assist features makes the Explorer® a forward-thinking option.
Trim Options
2026 Ford Explorer Trim Levels
| Trim | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Explorer® Active 100A | 2.3L EcoBoost® engine, Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ including Adaptive Cruise Control, selectable drive modes, Class III Trailer Tow Package |
| Explorer® Active | 2.3L EcoBoost® engine, Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ including Adaptive Cruise Control, heated front-row seats, power liftgate |
| Explorer® ST-Line | 2.3L EcoBoost® engine, 360-Degree Camera, unique durable cloth-trimmed seats with red stitching, B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® with 10 speakers including subwoofer |
| Explorer® Tremor® | Available 3.0L EcoBoost® engine, Torsen® limited-slip rear axle, off-road tuned suspension with increased ride height, underbody protection with front and rear deflector plates |
| Explorer® Platinum™ | 2.3L EcoBoost® engine, BlueCruise hands-free highway driving equipped, heated, ventilated, massaging front-row seats with leather inserts, available panoramic fixed glass roof with power sunshade |
| Explorer® ST | 3.0L EcoBoost® engine, BlueCruise hands-free highway driving equipped, sport-tuned suspension, performance brakes with red-painted brake calipers |
We’ve Got You Covered
Why Buy from Benton Ford near Murray, KY
For Murray, KY drivers, buying from Benton Ford means working with a Ford dealership that understands Western Kentucky driving needs. We regularly serve customers who commute between Murray and Benton, travel around Kentucky Lake, visit Paducah for work or shopping, and need a vehicle that can handle both local errands and family road trips. Our team can help compare Explorer® trims in plain language, explain whether Active, ST-Line, Tremor®, Platinum™, or ST best fits your lifestyle, and guide you through financing or trade-in steps online. We also support customers long after the purchase with Ford service, genuine Ford parts, and convenience options designed to reduce disruption to a busy schedule.
- Local convenience: Our Benton, KY location is a practical drive for shoppers coming from Murray, Paducah, Mayfield, Cadiz, Draffenville, Kuttawa, Western Kentucky, and nearby Northern Tennessee.
- Online shopping tools: Our inventory pages include vehicle photos, VIN, stock number, features, mileage where applicable, and availability details for informed research.
- Transparent process: Our team focuses on clear information, straightforward guidance, and a shopping experience built around customer confidence.
- Finance support: Our online credit application, pre-approval tools, and payment calculator help shoppers plan before visiting.
- Trade-in help: Our trade-in appraisal resources make it easier to understand current vehicle value and apply it toward a new Explorer®.
- Service after the sale: Our factory-trained technicians, genuine Ford parts, online scheduling, shuttle options, rental availability, and pick-up and delivery by appointment help support long-term ownership.
Trade-In Tools
Value Your Trade with Benton Ford
If you plan to upgrade into a new 2026 Ford Explorer®, valuing your current vehicle online is one of the smartest first steps. Benton Ford provides trade-in tools and online resources that help shoppers get an estimate before visiting from Murray, KY or anywhere in Western Kentucky. You can start the process from home, review your current vehicle details, and apply the estimated value toward your next Explorer®. A trade-in can help simplify the transition because our team can evaluate your vehicle, explain how the appraisal is determined, and help connect that value to your purchase plan. Whether you drive a truck, SUV, sedan, or another family vehicle, our goal is to make the upgrade clear, convenient, and stress-reducing.
Start My Appraisal
Competitive Strengths
How the 2026 Ford Explorer Stands Out
- Strong towing capability: With up to 5,000 lbs of towing capacity, the Explorer® offers practical strength that many midsize SUV shoppers need for trailers, recreational equipment, or weekend gear.
- Performance range: The lineup offers a standard 2.3L EcoBoost® engine and an available 3.0L EcoBoost® engine on select trims, giving shoppers more powertrain personality than many basic three-row SUVs.
- Off-road confidence: The new Explorer® Tremor® stands apart with available 3.0L EcoBoost® power, Torsen® limited-slip rear axle, off-road tuned suspension, increased ride height, and underbody protection.
- Hands-free highway assistance: Ford BlueCruise availability gives the Explorer® a modern edge over competitors that may not offer comparable hands-free highway driving support.
- Flexible interior space: Available seating for up to seven and available 85.8 cu ft of cargo space help the Explorer® remain useful for passengers, gear, and changing family needs.
- Trim variety: With Active 100A, Active, ST-Line, Tremor®, Platinum™, and ST, the Explorer® gives shoppers more ways to match an SUV to personal priorities.
In the competitive three-row SUV class, some rivals focus heavily on comfort but feel less compelling for towing, while others provide rugged styling without offering the same balance of technology, cargo flexibility, and performance options. The 2026 Ford Explorer® stands out because it does not force shoppers into one narrow identity. It can be a practical family SUV, a premium daily driver, a sporty ST model, or an adventure-ready Tremor®. That flexibility matters for Murray, KY shoppers who may need one vehicle for work commutes, school events, lake weekends, and longer highway drives. With available Intelligent 4WD, selectable drive modes, meaningful towing capability, and advanced available features like BlueCruise, the Explorer® gives local shoppers a well-rounded alternative to competitors that may fall short in capability, technology breadth, or trim variety.
Start Shopping
Next Steps for Your 2026 Ford Explorer Search
If the 2026 Ford Explorer® sounds like the right fit, your next step is to explore current inventory and compare trims based on the features that matter most. Start by browsing available Explorer® models online, then narrow your search by engine, drive type, color, seating features, technology, and capability. You can also schedule a test drive to see how the Explorer® feels on familiar roads, apply for financing online to begin the pre-approval process, use the payment calculator for planning, and value your trade before visiting. If you are unsure which trim is best, contact our team and we can walk through the differences between Active 100A, Active, ST-Line, Tremor®, Platinum™, and ST. Our goal is to help you move from research to ownership with clear information and practical guidance.
Local Support
Proudly Serving Murray, KY Drivers
Benton Ford is proud to help Murray, KY drivers shop for a new 2026 Ford Explorer® with confidence. Whether you are comparing three-row SUVs for family use, looking for towing strength for recreational plans, considering available Intelligent 4WD for added confidence, or interested in advanced technology like Ford BlueCruise, our team is ready to help. We understand that local shoppers value convenience, transparent information, and long-term support, which is why our website makes it easy to browse inventory, start financing, value a trade, and schedule service. From Murray State University commuters to families traveling between Murray, Benton, Paducah, and Kentucky Lake, the Explorer® is a strong match for Western Kentucky life. When you are ready to take the next step, Benton Ford can help you find the 2026 Ford Explorer® that fits your drive.
*Vehicle images and features shown are for illustration only and may vary by trim and option.
May not represent actual vehicle. (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary)
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