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The 2026 Ford Explorer Ultimate 4WD Tremor Edition SUV
You Are What You Drive - A Bottom Line Review
By Tony Leopardo - The Car Guy © AutoWire.Net
What is an Explorer? The Explorer is a midsize SUV built in the Chicago, Illinois assembly plant and sold in North America by Ford. The 2026 Explorer is a 3 row crossover SUV designed primarily for families, slotting neatly between the smaller Ford Escape and the larger, full size Expedition in Ford's SUV vehicle lineup.
Following a major aesthetic and technological redesign for the 2025 model year, the 2026 Explorer largely carries over those modern updates, while expanding the lineup with a budget friendly base trim and a brand new rugged off road variant called the Tremor.
To promote this 2026 model this week Ford sent me a Explorer Ultimate 4WD SUV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this Tremor Edition is $48,330. The options on the SUV are: the tri-coat metallic paint for $795, the keyless entry pad for $455, the Ultimate package for $11,505, the 18" spare wheel and jack kit for $400, the 7 year Ford Connect plan for $745, and the 3 year SiriusXM satellite radio subscription service for $300. The manufacturer's suggested retail price, MSRP, including the $1,695 delivery charge is: $64,225.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your driveway total purchase price came to $72,253. At just 253 bucks over $72 Grand you get Ford's Tremor Edition 3 row midsize SUV that gets 17 MPG in city driving, 22 MPG on the highway, with a combined 19 MPG in everyday driving. Plus this SUV has the Ultimate Package that adds in a fixed glass moonroof with a power retracting shade, ambient lighting, a B&O premium sound system, a memory drivers seat, and a set of power folding split third row seats.
The 2026 Explorer is available in 6 different trim levels moving the entry price point lower and expanding configurations. Here is the entire trim list and the starting prices.
The Active 100A model starts at $38,465: This is the new bare bones entry model. It drops convenience items like heated seats and a power liftgate to offer basic core technology and safety features at the lowest possible price point.
The Active model starts at $40,585: This is the standard consumer base trim model, bringing back everyday comforts like a power liftgate, a 10 way power driver's seat, and heated front seats.
The ST Line starts at $45,155: Combines aggressive blacked out exterior styling with 20" inch alloy wheels and the high performance ST trim, and retains the more economical 4 cylinder engine.
The Tremor Edition starts at $48,965: This is a brand new model for 2026. This adventure oriented trim features an additional 1" inch suspension lift with a total lift of 8.7" inches of ground clearance with a set of 31" inch tall Bridgestone Dueler all terrain tires, steel underbody skid plates, and a Torsen limited slip rear axle for genuine trail capability.
The Platinum Edition starts at $50,965: This luxury focused model is packed with premium leather, massaging front seats, and a 14 speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and has the 4 cylinder engine.
The ST Edition starts at 54,905: This is the track inspired performance model utilizing a sport suspension, stiffer springs, high performance brakes, and quad exhaust tips.
The 2026 Ford Explorer SUV is built on a rear wheel drive RWD platform with Intelligent 4WD four wheel drive optional on most trims. AWD is standard on the Tremor Edition and Ford offers 2 different engines in the Explorer SUV lineup.
2.3L liter EcoBoost Turbo 4 Cylinder: This engine is on the Active, ST Line, and Platinum trims, putting out 300 HP horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
3.0L liter Twin Turbo V6: Included on the ST trim and available on the Tremor, cranking out 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque for higher performance.
Transmission: Both engines are bolted to a standard 10 speed automatic transmission.
Towing Capacity: All 2026 Explorers come with a class III trailer tow package, allowing the vehicle to tow up to 5,000 lbs regardless of engine choice.
Interior, Space & Technology: Accommodates 6 to 7 passengers depending on configuration. Second row captain's chairs are on mid to high line trims, while a 3 passenger second row bench seat is found on the Active 100A model.
Cargo Capacity: Provides 16.3 cubic feet of storage space behind the third row, and expands to 85.8 cubic feet when both back seat rows are folded completely flat.
Advanced Screen Layout: Has a 12.3" inch digital gauge cluster alongside a 13.2" inch central infotainment touchscreen powered by Ford Digital Experience software. It has Google Maps, Google Assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto all built in.
Hands Free Driving: Ford's BlueCruise semi autonomous highway driving system is included on the Platinum Edition, and is available as an option on the ST and the ST-Lines.
Driving the 2026 Ford Explorer Ultimate 4WD Tremor Edition feels like an off road hot rod with 3 rows of seats. With the twin turbo engine it goes from 0 to 60 mph in only 5.3 seconds, with plenty of passing power, quick acceleration, and a rugged look with 8.7" inches of ground clearance. The 3.0L twin turbo EcoBoost V6 pumps out 400 HP horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, making it very fast for a midsize family crossover.
The 2026 Ford Explorer is a great SUV because it merges high performance acceleration and rugged off road capability with a suspension lift, skid plates, and all terrain tires. Plus it's a 3 row family utility vehicle with luxury features, a sports car feel, upscale comfort, and trail readiness, all in one neat and tidy package.
If your ready to buy a great midsize SUV, then call, click or visit your local Ford dealer for a test drive, and a bottom line price review on a 2026 Explorer Ultimate 4WD Tremor Edition SUV. And remember that the base price for a new Ford Explorer starts at only $38,465.
Ford's current global marketing platform and campaign tagline is Ready Set Ford. Over the decades the automaker has used several iconic slogans like, Go Further, and most notably - Built Ford Tough - for its extensive line of F Series trucks.
The key to life is to learn something new every day, and by reading my Bottom Line review, I hope you did just that, learned about something new and exciting. So, be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, You Are What You Drive, and maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should Drive one, Buy one, Today. Drive safely, have a great day, and enjoy the ride, as the future looks nice and bright - Tony the Car Guy.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. Tony the Car Guy is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
Name: The 2026 Ford Explorer Ultimate 4WD Tremor Edition SUV
Topic: The 2026 Ford Explorer Ultimate 4WD Tremor Edition SUV
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