Best-Selling Midsize SUV for H1 2025
The 2026 model year is quite important for the Ford Explorer. With over 104,000 units sold in the first half of 2025, the Explorer is currently the best-selling midsize SUV in the US – a strong start for the newly refreshed model.
Now, the company is doubling down on that momentum with a refreshed pricing strategy that could shake up the segment. According to the order guide that CarsDirect got its hands on, select trims of the 2026 Explorer are now more affordable than before, including a new rugged variant aimed squarely at off-road enthusiasts.
The all-new Ford Explorer Tremor was slated to replace the outgoing Timberline trim, and with its pricing now official, it may be one of the smartest new buys in the three-row SUV space.
Ford
View the 2 images of this gallery on the
original article
A More Affordable Family SUV
The base 2026 Ford Explorer Active now starts at just $38,330, down $1,720 from last year. Similarly, the top-end Platinum sees a $1,695 drop, starting at $50,830. The newly added Tremor trim joins the range at $48,330, undercutting Honda’s Pilot TrailSport by over $1,000. That price also puts it just $1,100 below the now-discontinued 2024 Explorer Timberline.
For shoppers looking for an affordable but capable SUV with legitimate trail-readiness, the Tremor could hit a sweet spot, both in terms of cost and performance.
The 2026 Explorer Tremor takes over where the Timberline left off, but it’s more than just a visual upgrade. Built for light off-road use, the Tremor rides on 18-inch black alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, comes with auxiliary lighting, and features a lifted suspension with retuned sway bars for better clearance and control. Ford also added underbody skid plates and unique Electric Spice accents on the wheels and tow hooks for a rugged aesthetic.
Inside, the Tremor doesn’t skimp on comfort, offering massaging front seats, Ford’s latest infotainment suite, and available BlueCruise hands-free driving.
Ford
View the 2 images of this gallery on the
original article
There’s a Steep Premium If You Want Top-Dog Power
While the Explorer Tremor’s $48K base price looks enticing, there’s a catch. The 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine is only available via the $11,505 Tremor Ultimate Package, bringing the total closer to $60,000. That’s more than an ST 4×4, and it could impact how value-conscious buyers perceive the trim.
Still, with the base Explorer now cheaper than the equivalent Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot, Ford is positioning itself well. Rebates that once sweetened 2025 Explorer deals are gone for now, according to CarsDirect, but even at MSRP, the 2026 model has become a stronger competitor. The introduction of the Tremor, alongside simplified trim offerings and reduced pricing, suggests that Ford wants to keep the Explorer’s crown as the midsize SUV king.
Ford
