Episode Details

Two "Eco" Boosted Engines

Ford may label them them as "EcoBoost" engines, but there's nothing economical about the engines in the 2026 Ford Explorer perform. The base motor is a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which pumps out 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels (a rare configuration in this segment) or optional four-wheel-drive. Compared to competitive three-row SUVs that still use non-turbo V6 engines, Ford's four-pot produces a bit more power and heaps more torque, resulting in a zero to sixty mph time around six seconds. That's around a second quicker than many of its rivals.

Most drivers will find the four-cylinders more than adequate, but Ford offers another engine that you won't find in competitors: a twin-turbocharged V6. This is the same 3.0-liter unit you'll find in the Bronco Raptor and the Lincoln Aviator, and it delivers a brawny 400 hp and 415 lb-ft. With a RaceBox data recorder, we timed a 2026 Explorer Tremor hitting 60 mph in just 5.24 seconds when equipped with this engine. For comparison, the outgoing 2025 Kia Telluride with its V6 engine needed 7.75 seconds.

Two V6 Flavors

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Buyers could previously opt for the EcoBoost V6 in the luxurious Explorer Platinum, stealthily ordering a loaded family SUV with Lincoln-level luxury for a much lower price. That trim is now four-cylinder-only for for 2026, leaving the Tremor and ST as the only Explorer variants available with the V6.

The ST is the sportiest version of the Explorer, so it comes with the V6 standard in either RWD or 4WD for $2,000. The Tremor replaces the Timberline as the rugged Explorer. Buyers of this trim will need to add the V6, and it's not exactly a cheap option at $11,850. That hefty sum includes more than just the engine, you also get what Ford calls the Tremor Ultimate Package. This brings the following: BlueCruise hands-free driving, 14-speaker B&O audio system (replacing a 10-speaker system), panoramic glass roof, rain-sensing wipers, massaging memory seats, power third-row seats, power-folding mirrors, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Expanding The Tremor Lineup

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