Two EcoBoost engines carry the 2027 lineup. Active, ST-Line and Platinum start with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four making 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft, The 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 and its 415 lb-ft is standard on the ST and available on Tremor. New for 2027 it can also be ordered on Platinum, which was not possible last year. Ford rates the V6 at up to 400 horsepower, with a 385-horsepower rating in states that follow California emissions rules.

A 10-speed automatic handles every build. Rear-wheel drive is standard on Active, ST-Line, Platinum and ST with Intelligent 4WD available, while the off-road-flavored Tremor comes only with 4WD. Six drive modes are on hand per model, including Tow/Haul and Slippery, with the sixth being either Trail or Off-Road depending on how the Explorer is configured.

• 2.3L EcoBoost standard on Active, ST-Line, Tremor, Platinum
• 3.0L EcoBoost V6: up to 400 hp, 415 lb-ft, standard on ST
• V6 newly available on Platinum for 2027
• 10-speed automatic on every trim
• Intelligent 4WD available; standard on Tremor
• Six drive modes per model, including Tow/Haul

Every 2027 Explorer runs Ford Digital Experience on a 13.2-inch center touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, the system takes over-the-air updates, and a 5G modem supports the in-car Wi-Fi hotspot.

BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free highway driving system, comes equipped on Platinum and ST with a complimentary plan and is available further down the range. It works on prequalified sections of divided highway, and Ford is clear that it is a driver-assist feature: you keep your eyes on the road and stay ready to take back control. New for 2027, the Ford Security Package is included for the first year.

• 13.2-inch center touchscreen with Ford Digital Experience
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster standard
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Over-the-air updates and a 5G modem
• BlueCruise equipped on Platinum and ST
• Ford Security Package included for a year

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard equipment across the 2027 Explorer range, bundling automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot information with cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance and a rear view camera. Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go comes as part of Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+, which Ford lists as standard equipment on the Explorer.

Ratings are worth quoting carefully. The IIHS named the 2026 Explorer a Top Safety Pick, and the 2025 Explorer earned a five-star overall crash rating from NHTSA. Neither agency has published results for the 2027 model yet, so those are the most recent figures rather than 2027 results.

• Ford Co-Pilot360 standard on every trim
• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Blind spot information with cross-traffic alert
• Lane-keeping system and rear view camera
• 2026 Explorer: IIHS Top Safety Pick
• 2025 Explorer: five-star NHTSA overall rating

Second-row captain's chairs are standard for 2027, so the Explorer seats six unless you order the available second-row bench that takes it to seven. The Tremor is the exception: it seats six only. Behind the third row there is room for the weekly shop, and folding both rows opens up to 85.8 cubic feet.

The trim walk climbs from Active's practical cloth to ST-Line's sport treatment, Platinum's quilted leather with the new V6 option, and the ST's performance seats. A panoramic Vista Roof with a power shade is available on every model this year.

• Captain's chairs standard; second-row bench available
• Seats six standard, seven with the bench
• Tremor is a six-passenger configuration
• Up to 85.8 cu ft of cargo space
• Panoramic Vista Roof available on all models
• Quilted leather available on Platinum

The Explorer measures 198.7 inches long on a 119.1-inch wheelbase, which is enough presence for a three-row without turning a Peoria parking deck into a problem. Tremor adds the rugged hardware, and the ST wears the sportiest bodywork of the group.

Two colors join for 2027, Avalanche Gray and Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat. The ST can be ordered with the new Sinister Package, which brings an exclusive wheel design and amber accent lights, and several models offer a Slick Roof Conversion that deletes the roof rails for a cleaner profile.

• 198.7 inches long on a 119.1-inch wheelbase
• New for 2027: Avalanche Gray and Ruby Red Metallic
• ST Sinister Package with amber accent lights
• Available Slick Roof Conversion roof-rail delete
• Tremor adds off-road hardware and 4WD
• Class III trailer tow package standard