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2026 Ford Explorer

ST RWD

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What the ST adds over the Active Base

The ST adds a 3.0L V6, 21-inch wheels, larger fuel tank, Intelligent 4WD, TORSEN limited-slip rear axle, performance brakes, 10-way power driver seat, 8-way power passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, B&O 14-speaker audio, BlueCruise hardware, 360-degree camera, Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, power liftgate, third-row PowerFold, acoustic windows, active noise cancellation, and wireless charging.

Pick the Active Base if: You want a lighter powertrain, smaller wheels, and lower cost.  ·  Pick the ST if: You want the V6, 4WD, performance brakes, and a full driver-assist and comfort package.

Written from the differences listed below only; no outside facts.

SpecActive BaseST
Cylinder count46
Engine type (full description)2.3L EcoBoost I-4 with Auto Start-Stop3.0L EcoBoost V6 with Auto Start-Stop
Fuel tank capacity17.9 gal20.2 gal
Tire sizeP255/65R18P275/45R21
Transmission typeautomatic hybridautomatic
Wheel diameter18 in21 in

Standard here, not on the base trim: 10-way Power Driver's Seat, 110V/150W AC Power Outlet (replaces the Powerpoint Port on the rear side of the Center Floor Console), 110V/150W AC Power Outlet – Rear Cargo (replaces 12V powerpoint on rear of center console) (via Premium Package / standard on Tremor, ST, Platinum), 20.2 Gallon Fuel Tank (Tremor 3.0L / ST), 360-Degree Camera (with Split View), 8-Way Power Passenger Seat, Acoustic-Laminate Windows – Front-Row Side, Active Noise Cancellation, ActiveX® Trimmed with Leather Interlaced Diamond Perforated Inserts / Miko® Suede with Micro-Perforated Seating Surfaces, Ambient Lighting, Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror (Interior), B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen®, 10 Speakers including Subwoofer, B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen®, 980 Watt, 14 Speakers including Subwoofer, BlueCruise (Equipment + 1 Year + 90-Day Plan) (50N), BlueCruise (Equipment + One-Time Purchase) (50S), BlueCruise Equipped (90-Day Trial), Driver's Seat – Memory, Electronic Sound Enhancement, Engine – 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 with Auto Start-Stop Technology, First Row Heated Seats, Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist 2.0 (advanced ADAS suite with 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, reverse brake assist, predictive speed assist, road edge detection), Front Heated and Ventilated Seats, Front Parking Sensors, Headlamp Blackout Treatment (ST-Line and ST), Heated Steering Wheel, Hill Descent Control, Intelligent 4WD, Mirrors, Sideview – LED Turn Signal Indicators, Mirrors, Sideview – Power-Folding with Autofold, Off Road Auxiliary Grille Lights (Tremor), Performance Brakes with Red Painted Performance Front and Rear Brake Calipers, Power Liftgate, Predictive Speed Assist, Rain-Sensing Wipers (Front Only), Remote Start System, Reverse Brake Assist, Road Edge Detection, Second Row Heated Seats, SelectShift® Capability with Paddle Shifters, Steering Wheel – Vinyl Wrapped / Leather-Wrapped

Specifications

Source: manufacturer press kit

Brakes

Front brake typePerformance Disc
Rear brake typePerformance Disc
Parking brake typeElectric Parking Brake with Auto Hold

Connected Services

Connected services brandFord Connectivity Package
Connected services trial (premium tier)84 months
Connected services trial (standard tier)12 months

Engine Basics

Aspirationtwin turbo
Cylinder count6
Engine type (full description)3.0L EcoBoost V6 with Auto Start-Stop

Fuel System

Fuel tank capacity20.2 gal

Steering

Steering typeElectric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS)

Suspension

Front suspension typeIndependent
Rear suspension typeIndependent

Tires

Tire sizeP275/45R21

Transmission

Final drive ratio3.6
Transmission speeds10
Transmission typeautomatic

Wheels

Wheel diameter21 in
Wheel materialAluminum
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Standard & optional equipment

Source: manufacturer press kit

Safety43 std · 0 opt

  • Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering
  • Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Pedestrian Detection
  • 360-Degree Camera (with Split View)
  • Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Forward Collision Warning
  • Rear Cross Traffic Braking
  • Airbags – All Rows: Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor

Infotainment17 std · 2 opt

  • Remote Start System
  • Ford App – Remotely lock and unlock vehicle
  • Unlimited Wi-Fi Hotspot (via Ford Connectivity Package)
  • Ford App – Locate parked vehicle
  • 5G Modem
  • 911 Assist®

Convenience6 std · 1 opt

  • Power Liftgate
  • 4-Door Intelligent Access (Lock/Unlock) with Push-Button Start
  • 110V/150W AC Power Outlet (replaces the Powerpoint Port on the rear side of the Center Floor Console)
  • 110V/150W AC Power Outlet – Rear Cargo (replaces 12V powerpoint on rear of center console) (via Premium Package / standard on Tremor, ST, Platinum)
  • Universal Garage Door Opener (UGDO)
  • SecuriCode® Keyless Entry Keypad (61E)optional

Climate2 std · 0 opt

  • Tri-Zone Electronic Temperature Control
  • Cabin Particulate Air Filter

Seating9 std · 2 opt

  • 10-way Power Driver's Seat
  • First Row Heated Seats
  • Front Heated and Ventilated Seats
  • Driver's Seat – Memory
  • Second Row Heated Seats
  • 8-Way Power Passenger Seat

Interior13 std · 0 opt

  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror (Interior)
  • Active Noise Cancellation
  • Ambient Lighting
  • Compass
  • Instrument Panel Cluster – 12.3" Color LCD Productivity Screen

Exterior19 std · 2 opt

  • Mirrors, Sideview – Power-Folding with Autofold
  • Acoustic-Laminate Windows – Front-Row Side
  • Active Grille Shutters
  • Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
  • Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler
  • Headlamp Blackout Treatment (ST-Line and ST)

Powertrain9 std · 0 opt

  • 20.2 Gallon Fuel Tank (Tremor 3.0L / ST)
  • Battery Saver
  • Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS)
  • Engine – 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 with Auto Start-Stop Technology
  • Intelligent 4WD
  • Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor®

Chassis1 std · 0 opt

  • Independent Front and Rear Suspension

Cargo1 std · 0 opt

  • Class III Trailer Tow Package

Ranked by what shoppers ask about first; standard equipment before options.

Transcribed from the manufacturer's official press kit for the 2026 Explorer. Confirm with the window sticker for a specific unit.

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