The versatile 2027 Ford Explorer® is built for weekend trips to the lake as much as weekday carpool duty. With three rows of seating, two engine options, and a full suite of driver assistance technologies, it’s well-suited for extended drives. Available four-wheel drive (4WD) brings confidence when the weather turns. Read this 2027 Ford Explorer review from the team at James River Ford to learn about its performance specs, top features, and exterior colors. For standard features and pricing by trim, visit our Explorer trims guide.
Browse our new Explorer inventory at our Ford dealership in Ozark, MO, to find out which models are currently available, then schedule a test drive to try one firsthand. If you have any questions, contact us online or call us at (417) 551-6437.
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Turbocharged power moves the 2027 Ford Explorer up highway on-ramps and down gravel county roads. The standard 2.3L EcoBoost® inline four-cylinder (I4) engine produces 300 horsepower, and the available 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine raises that figure to 400 horsepower. Both engines use a ten-speed automatic transmission with standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) or available 4WD, and the Tremor® trim comes standard with 4WD. The standard Terrain Management System™ offers six selectable drive modes for pavement, snow, and unpaved surfaces. When properly equipped, the Explorer tows up to 5,000 pounds.
See the following engine specifications for more details.
| Engine | 2.3L EcoBoost I4 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 400 HP |
| Torque | 310 lb.-ft. | 415 lb.-ft. |
| Drivetrain | RWD / 4WD | |
| Transmission | Ten-speed automatic | |
| MPG (City/Hwy) | 20 / 28 | 18 / 26 |
| Max. Towing Capacity | 5,000 lb. | |
Early-morning trailheads and crowded evening parking garages both suit the 2027 Ford Explorer. The Tremor trim stands apart with all-terrain tires and underbody protection for gravel roads and rutted two-tracks. An available black-painted roof adds a two-tone look on select trims. Available visibility aids keep the view clear on a dark, rainy commute.
Available exterior features include:
Frigid mornings feel shorter inside the 2027 Ford Explorer. Available ventilated, multicontour front seats with Active Motion® massage ease the tension of an extended drive, with front-seat warmth standard across the lineup. The available panoramic Vista Roof® with power shade opens the cabin to daylight for every row. Second-row passengers get their own cold-weather comforts on select trims.
Available interior features include:
Seating for a full carpool and space for everyone’s luggage come together inside the 2027 Ford Explorer. Standard second-row captain’s seats set seating at six passengers, and the available 35/30/35 second-row bench seat raises capacity to seven on every trim but the Tremor. Legroom measures 43 inches in the first row and 37.5 inches in the second row. There is room behind the third row for a load of groceries or a set of carry-on bags, with 16.3 cubic feet of cargo volume. Folding the third row opens up 46 cubic feet, and folding both rear rows opens up to 85.8 cubic feet with a flat load floor for bulkier items.
See the following interior specifications for more details.
| Seating Capacity | Six or seven |
|---|---|
| Headroom (First/Second/Third Row) | 40.7 / 40.5 / 38.9 in. |
| Legroom, Active and ST-Line Trims (First/Second/Third Row) | 43 / 37.5 / 31.8 in. |
| Legroom, Tremor, Platinum®, and ST Trims (First/Second/Third Row) | 42.9 / 37 / 31.8 in. |
| Active and ST-Line Trims Cargo Volume (Behind First/Second/Third Row) | 85.8 / 46 / 16.3 cu. ft. |
| Tremor, Platinum, and ST Trims Cargo Volume (Behind First/Second/Third Row) | 85.3 / 46 / 16.3 cu. ft. |
Playlists, podcasts, and turn-by-turn directions stay within easy reach in the 2027 Ford Explorer. The Ford Digital Experience infotainment system features a standard 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital cluster display in front of the driver. Wireless smartphone projection brings your phone’s apps and maps to the touchscreen. The available 14-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® with subwoofer delivers clear sound to the back seats.
Available technology features include:
Peace of mind comes standard in the 2027 Ford Explorer. The Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ suite of driver assistance technologies is standard, and the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 suite on upper trims builds on it with camera-based parking support. The available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system provides steering, speed, and braking support on prequalified highway stretches while you keep your eyes on the road. A range of camera and parking sensor systems helps in tight lots, and every system supports your attention rather than taking over.
Available safety features include:
*Starting MSRP
Built for daily life and weekend plans alike, the 2026 Ford Explorer® offers three rows of seating, connected technology, and a choice of capable EcoBoost® engines. Premium upholstery options and available cabin comforts keep the family settled on every drive, while standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) and available intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD) handle changing conditions across southern Missouri. From everyday errands to extended drives, the Explorer is well-suited for how you spend your time behind the wheel. Read more about the 2026 Ford Explorer in this detailed review prepared by the team at James River Ford, then visit our Ford Explorer trims guide for a closer look at the features available in each of the six trims.
Discover the 2026 Ford Explorer in our inventory at James River Ford. Schedule a test drive at our Ford dealership in Ozark, MO, to feel how the Explorer drives. Have questions? Contact us online or by calling (417) 551-6437.
Inside the 2026 Ford Explorer, three rows of seating accommodate up to seven passengers and their gear. Choose from a range of available upholstery options to set the look and feel that fits your style, choosing from available comforts like an available panoramic fixed glass moonroof and heated and ventilated front seats to round out the cabin. Standard tri-zone automatic climate control keeps passengers comfortable.
Available interior features include:
Practical exterior design on the 2026 Ford Explorer combines everyday utility with a confident on-road presence. Available LED lighting brightens predawn or late-night drives around Ozark, while available rain-sensing windshield wipers respond automatically to changing weather. Available roof rack side rails and a power liftgate round out an exterior design built for loading kayaks, fishing gear, or weekend luggage.
Available exterior features include:
Two EcoBoost engine options on the 2026 Ford Explorer let you balance daily efficiency with the muscle to handle weekend hauling. The standard 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged inline four-cylinder (I4) engine produces 300 horsepower, while the available 3.0L EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 engine generates 400 horsepower for a more responsive drive. Both engines pair with a ten-speed automatic transmission and offer RWD or available intelligent four-wheel drive 4WD with the Terrain Management System™ for changing road conditions. When properly equipped, the Explorer can tow up to 5,000 pounds, perfect for your trailer or camper.
View the following engine specifications for more details.
| Engine | 2.3L EcoBoost I4 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 400 HP |
| Torque | 310 lb.-ft. | 415 lb.-ft. |
| Drivetrain | RWD / 4WD | |
| Transmission | Ten-speed automatic | |
| MPG (City/Hwy) | 20 / 29 | 18 / 25 |
| Max. Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs. | |
The standard Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ suite gives the 2026 Ford Explorer a strong baseline of driver assistance technology, with adaptive cruise control and lane centering providing advanced support during trips on the highway. BLIS® (blind spot information system) keeps watch alongside the SUV when you change lanes. Available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving provides steering support on extended trips, while an available 360-degree camera with split view shows everything around the Explorer when you pull into tight parking spots.
Connected technology runs through the cabin of the 2026 Ford Explorer, with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ pairing to the available 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen and Google built-in, keeping maps and apps within reach. An available B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® adds rich audio for the drive, while a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster keeps key driving data within your line of sight. USB ports across all three rows keep devices and gear charged on extended drives.
Available safety features include:
Available safety features include:
Available technology features include:
Cargo space in the 2026 Ford Explorer flexes with how you load up, opening to 85.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded for camping gear, fishing equipment, or the haul home from a hardware run. With everyone aboard, 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row still holds groceries, sports bags, and weekend luggage. Up to seven passengers can ride along thanks to an available 35/30/35-split second-row bench, while standard second-row captain’s seats with E-Z Entry keep six passengers seated in extended comfort. Front legroom of 43 inches pairs with 37.5 inches in the second row and 31.8 inches in the third, with room to fit the whole crew.
View the following interior specifications for more details.
*Starting MSRP
The new Ford Explorer is ready for a test drive at James River Ford in Ozark, MO. Browse our new inventory to see which trims are in stock, then schedule a test drive for the one that catches your eye. Questions are always welcome, so contact us online or call us at (417) 551-6437.