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2026 Ford Explorer
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The Ford Explorer received a mid cycle refresh in 2025 which included a redesigned, more luxurious cabin with a standard 13.2-inch infotainment screen, the new "Ford Digital Experience" software, and better soft-touch materials. Exterior updates include a bolder front grille, new LED headlights, and refreshed taillights
- Family-Friendly Second-Row Amenities: Built-in sunshades, ceiling vents with a panoramic sunroof, second-row climate controls, USBs, and even a household outlet make the second row a great place for kids — and a huge plus for pumping moms or long road trips.
- Excellent Car Seat Flexibility: Every seating position has its own lower anchors and tether anchors, which gives parents a ton of flexibility for different car seat configurations.
The Exterior
The Ford Explorer sits on the smaller end of the midsize SUV category. It’s noticeably smaller than vehicles like the Chevy Traverse, Honda Pilot, and Volkswagen Atlas but that doesn’t mean it can’t work well for families.
The 2026 Explorer’s exterior strikes a strong balance between family SUV practicality and sporty, modern SUV styling.
First Row
Interior & Tech: A Much-Needed Upgrade
In 2025, Ford made major tech improvements, and honestly, they were overdue. Compared to competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, the Explorer had fallen behind but not anymore. My favorite upgrade has to bethe new infotainment screen, they got rid of the iPad looking screen tfrom previous models and I think it looks really nice.
Tech Highlights:
- 13.2-inch infotainment screen
- Updated digital interface with Ford’s new integrated system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- Built-in Alexa and Google integration
- Available BlueCruise, Ford’s semi-autonomous driving system
I love the amount of storage and cubby spaces throughout the cabin. There’s space for phones, lip gloss, snacks — all the essentials. The center console is a great size, and charging options are plentiful for busy families.
Second Row
The Ford Explorer is either a 6 or 7 passenger vehicle, depending on whether you choose captain’s chairs or a bench seat. The third row only has two seats, and I actually love that.
Why? Because those two seats are usable and comfortable. I would much rather have two real seats than three cramped ones where someone is sitting on a buckle.
Second-Row Amenities
The second row includes:
- Built-in sunshades
- Cup holders
- Door storage
- Ceiling vents
Car Seat Setup
- Lower anchors and tether anchors in every seating position
- Excellent flexibility for car seat placement
- Removable headrests in the second row
- Fixed headrests in the third row (check car seat compatibility here)
Third Row
The Explorer’s third row only has two seats, and honestly? I love that.
- Better elbow room
- No awkward middle seat belt interfering with car seats
- Comfortable for kids and adults
I installed a forward-facing seat back there with zero issues — no overhang, solid tether access, and ceiling vents (a must).
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Trunk
Trunk Space: Smaller but Functional
Behind the third row, the Explorer offers about 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space. For comparison, the Volkswagen Atlas has about 21 cubic feet — so yes, it’s on the smaller side.
That said:
- Third-row seats fold easily
- Headrests pop forward
- Power-folding seats make loading simple
- Ceiling vents continue into the third row
- Charging ports are available on the passenger side
I really appreciate that Ford kept comfort features like vents all the way to the back.
Safety
The 2026 Ford Explorer boasts strong safety, earning a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from the NHTSA and the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, thanks to its robust structure and standard Ford Co-Pilot360™ suite with advanced driver-assist features like Automatic Emergency Braking and Blind Spot Monitoring. It performs well in crash tests, scoring "Good" in key IIHS evaluations and exceeding standards with reinforced design, making it a leader in its class for family safety.
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