Active 100A is new for 2026 and sits at the base of the lineup. It's built for buyers who want a genuinely capable three-row family SUV without paying for features they won't use.

Standard highlights include:

• 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine
• 8-inch touchscreen with Ford SYNC 4
• Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist technology
• Three rows of seating for up to seven passengers
• Cloth seating surfaces

If you want a solid, safe, three-row SUV at the most approachable price point, Active 100A is where to start.

The Active trim is the pick for buyers who want their Explorer to feel at home off the pavement. It leans into rugged capability with:

• Standard all-wheel drive
• Slightly raised ride height compared to Active 100A
• Blacked-out exterior trim and unique badging
• Optional two-tone paint combinations

Inside, the cabin is practical and durable, with materials chosen to handle the wear and tear of an active lifestyle. If your weekends involve campgrounds, gravel roads, or hauling gear to the trailhead, the Active is tuned for exactly that.

The Active also appeals to buyers who want AWD confidence for Ohio winters without stepping into a sport-focused package they don't need. For families in the Norton and Akron area who prioritize versatility over sporty aesthetics, this trim offers strong value for the price.

The ST-Line sits in the middle of the lineup and represents one of Ford's sharpest value propositions. It takes the sporty exterior design of the full ST, including the aggressive front fascia, dark trim accents, and sport-tuned styling cues, and pairs it with a more everyday-friendly powertrain and price.

Compared to Active 100A and Active, the ST-Line adds:

• Sport-tuned suspension calibration
• Larger wheels
• Upgraded interior materials and stitching for a more refined feel

It is worth being clear about what the ST-Line is. It is a sport-styled SUV, not a performance vehicle in the same category as the full ST. For most buyers doing school pickups, highway commutes, and road trips, the ST-Line delivers the style and refinement they want without the firmer ride that comes with the ST's more aggressive setup.

The ST-Line is frequently one of the first trims to move off our lot. Browse our current Explorer inventory at Ken Ganley Ford Norton to check current availability.

Tremor takes the Explorer in a different direction entirely, genuine factory off-road hardware on a three-row family SUV, something the rest of the lineup doesn't offer.

Tremor-specific features include:

• 1.1-inch suspension lift
• 31-inch all-terrain tires
• Torsen limited-slip rear differential
• Steel underbody bash plates and front/rear recovery hooks
• Standard 2.3L EcoBoost, with the more powerful 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 available through the Tremor Ultimate Package
• Exclusive Tremor grille and auxiliary LED driving lamps

Tremor is 4WD only. If your weekends involve gravel roads, unpaved trails, or terrain that would give a standard Explorer trouble, this is the trim built for exactly that, without giving up three-row family practicality.

The ST is the high-output, performance-focused Explorer, and it makes no apologies for that. Key specs and features include:

• Twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 producing 400 horsepower
• Standard all-wheel drive with a sport-tuned chassis
• Brembo brakes
• Exclusive 21-inch wheels and ST badging
• Sportier front seats with more aggressive bolstering and ST-specific interior trim

The ST handles and accelerates in a way that surprises people who expect a seven-passenger SUV to feel sluggish. Ford hasn't sacrificed utility to get there. You still get three rows and genuine family functionality, but the priority here is clearly performance.

There is a real trade-off. The ST's suspension is stiffer, and it is less forgiving on rough Ohio roads compared to the ST-Line or Active. If you're commuting daily on patchy pavement, that's worth factoring in. For buyers who need seven-passenger capacity and want the most performance Ford puts into a three-row SUV, few competitors match the ST at this price point.

Platinum sits at the top of the lineup for buyers who want the Explorer to feel like a genuinely upscale vehicle rather than a sport-focused one. Notable features include:

• Turbocharged EcoBoost power tuned for refinement over outright performance
• Premium leather seating throughout
• Upgraded technology and premium audio
• Distinctive Platinum badging and exterior trim
• The most comfort-oriented ride tuning in the lineup

Platinum is the pick for buyers cross-shopping against near-luxury three-row SUVs who want the Explorer's practicality without the ST's firmer ride.