2026 Ford Explorer (China)

[joseodiaga4]

 

 

 

https://db.m.auto.sohu.com/model_1442/a/964454018_122569305

Edited May 26 by joseodiaga4

[Sherminator98]

It reminds me of a Hyundai or Kia with that grill treatment. 

[T-dubz]

Eh, I think the new bronco is the only Chinese ford I’d be interested in.

[The Handler]

They can't seem to find a face that works well for this model. They probably would have been better off keeping the previous generation's Range Rover-inspired face.

[rmc523]

15 hours ago, joseodiaga4 said:

 

 

 

https://db.m.auto.sohu.com/model_1442/a/964454018_122569305

 

 

The white/silver one looks ok, but that grille insert on the orange one is ugly.

[rmc523]

In the meantime, our 2027 model is getting a few new packages:

 

2027 Ford Explorer Order Guide Leak Reveals More V6 Options And New Packages - Autoblog

 

The order guide was shared on the 2026+ Ford Explorer Tremor Owners group on Facebook, while Ford Authority also got hold of information that corroborates the changes. While images of the 2027 Explorer aren’t available yet, these updates give us an idea of what to expect. The first bit of exciting news is the introduction of four new packages:

 

1) ST Sinister Package for ST

Available on the sporty ST, the ST Sinister Package includes 21-inch gloss black aluminum wheels wrapped in 21-inch all-season tires, along with amber LED daytime running lamps and a red ST badge with a black outline. This sounds like it’ll be the looker of the lineup.

2) 3.0L Ultimate Package for Platinum

For the Platinum, Ford is introducing the option to upgrade from the standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine to the 3.0L EcoBoost V6. Ticking this box also adds the Lux Leather Package with Platinum badging on the front seats, premium leather with special quilting and stitching, quad chrome exhaust tips, and 21-inch machined aluminum wheels. More importantly, outputs should rise from 300 horsepower/310 lb-ft of torque to 400 hp/415 lb-ft; the current ST already has the V6 mill.

3) Sun and Sound Package for Tremor

The Sun and Sound Package for the Tremor will include a B&O sound system, multicontour seats, and the Panoramic Vista Roof with a power shade.

4) Ford Security Package

Finally, there’s a new Ford Security Package that includes theft alerts, a function that inhibits starting of the vehicle, and stolen vehicle services. 

 

 

 

 

For Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum trims, Ford is offering the standalone option of a Slick Roof Conversion for 2027. This deletes the roof rack side rails and gives the SUV a sleeker, cleaner appearance, but you lose the versatility of the side rails. A returning option is the Panoramic Vista Roof with a power shade, which has a moonroof section that can be partially opened. It was replaced by a fixed glass panel for 2026, but customer demand presumably motivated Ford to bring back the Vista Roof for 2027.

Regarding exterior colors, Space White Metallic has been deleted for 2027, while Avalanche Gray and Ruby Red Metallic are new options. Other upgrades are smaller, such as the addition of SiriusXM with 360L on some models and a new illuminated Ford logo badge.

Edited May 27 by rmc523

[DeluxeStang]

14 hours ago, The Handler said:

They can't seem to find a face that works well for this model. They probably would have been better off keeping the previous generation's Range Rover-inspired face.

I agree. The 5th gen is peak explorer design, a work of art imo. The 6th gen has good proportions, but the design flow and details are sloppy. I will say the refreshed US spec explorer does look pretty good. The front and rear ends are a nice improvement over the 2020 to whenever pre-facelifted 6th tens with their weird headlight grille protrusions and basic rear ends. 

[fordmantpw]

Sounds like the V6 is bumped back up to 400HP for 2027 after the drop to 385.

[rmc523]

10 minutes ago, DeluxeStang said:

I agree. The 5th gen is peak explorer design, a work of art imo. The 6th gen has good proportions, but the design flow and details are sloppy. I will say the refreshed US spec explorer does look pretty good. The front and rear ends are a nice improvement over the 2020 to whenever pre-facelifted 6th tens with their weird headlight grille protrusions and basic rear ends. 

 

Ford really does seem to clean up the designs in refreshes more often than not.

 

I like the current Explorer face/rear better than the 2020 model, though i do think the grille is a tad too square for the sleek body (should've tapered in slightly toward the bottom of it).

 

8 minutes ago, fordmantpw said:

Sounds like the V6 is bumped back up to 400HP for 2027 after the drop to 385.

 

Hopefully....unless it's lazy reporting and using the old figures.

[bzcat]

Ford needs to pony up some real money to do a Toyota-style redesign of Explorer: keep the unibody and glass but every exterior metal and plastic surface should be updated to provide a more cohesive and fresh look. That's how you extend the platform life to 2030.  

[The Handler]

5 hours ago, rmc523 said:

In the meantime, our 2027 model is getting a few new packages:

 

2027 Ford Explorer Order Guide Leak Reveals More V6 Options And New Packages - Autoblog

 

The order guide was shared on the 2026+ Ford Explorer Tremor Owners group on Facebook, while Ford Authority also got hold of information that corroborates the changes. While images of the 2027 Explorer aren’t available yet, these updates give us an idea of what to expect. The first bit of exciting news is the introduction of four new packages:

 

1) ST Sinister Package for ST

Available on the sporty ST, the ST Sinister Package includes 21-inch gloss black aluminum wheels wrapped in 21-inch all-season tires, along with amber LED daytime running lamps and a red ST badge with a black outline. This sounds like it’ll be the looker of the lineup.

2) 3.0L Ultimate Package for Platinum

For the Platinum, Ford is introducing the option to upgrade from the standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine to the 3.0L EcoBoost V6. Ticking this box also adds the Lux Leather Package with Platinum badging on the front seats, premium leather with special quilting and stitching, quad chrome exhaust tips, and 21-inch machined aluminum wheels. More importantly, outputs should rise from 300 horsepower/310 lb-ft of torque to 400 hp/415 lb-ft; the current ST already has the V6 mill.

3) Sun and Sound Package for Tremor

The Sun and Sound Package for the Tremor will include a B&O sound system, multicontour seats, and the Panoramic Vista Roof with a power shade.

4) Ford Security Package

Finally, there’s a new Ford Security Package that includes theft alerts, a function that inhibits starting of the vehicle, and stolen vehicle services. 

 

 

 

 

For Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum trims, Ford is offering the standalone option of a Slick Roof Conversion for 2027. This deletes the roof rack side rails and gives the SUV a sleeker, cleaner appearance, but you lose the versatility of the side rails. A returning option is the Panoramic Vista Roof with a power shade, which has a moonroof section that can be partially opened. It was replaced by a fixed glass panel for 2026, but customer demand presumably motivated Ford to bring back the Vista Roof for 2027.

Regarding exterior colors, Space White Metallic has been deleted for 2027, while Avalanche Gray and Ruby Red Metallic are new options. Other upgrades are smaller, such as the addition of SiriusXM with 360L on some models and a new illuminated Ford logo badge.

Ruby Red Metallic is like the McRib of paint colors. lol

[akirby]

2 minutes ago, The Handler said:

Ruby Red Metallic is like the McRib of paint colors. lol

Had it on my 2013 Titanium Fusion.  Still a great color.

[DeluxeStang]

5 hours ago, rmc523 said:

 

Ford really does seem to clean up the designs in refreshes more often than not.

 

I like the current Explorer face/rear better than the 2020 model, though i do think the grille is a tad too square for the sleek body (should've tapered in slightly toward the bottom of it).

Yeah I agree, it's better than 2020, but not as natural or cleanly designed as my 2017. I will say I don't hate it, but it does look a little out of place. It looks like they tried to give the explorer a more assertive, squared off, and aggressive look. It doesn't really work with me on lower trims, but it works well with the sportier st trim and the platinum imo. 

[Sherminator98]

5 hours ago, bzcat said:

Ford needs to pony up some real money to do a Toyota-style redesign of Explorer: keep the unibody and glass but every exterior metal and plastic surface should be updated to provide a more cohesive and fresh look. That's how you extend the platform life to 2030.  

 

The Chinese Explorer last got a refresh in 2022 and the US got one in 2025

 

I'm guessing the US one might see a deeper refresh in 2028

 

[fordmantpw]

1 hour ago, akirby said:

Had it on my 2013 Titanium Fusion.  Still a great color.

 

Yes, it is a great color!

[ANTAUS]

I can only hope the Explorer gets an interior redo , as well as the Aviator... would really like to purchase an Aviator, but not till it has the wide to wide Nautilus screen....

[rmc523]

14 hours ago, ANTAUS said:

I can only hope the Explorer gets an interior redo , as well as the Aviator... would really like to purchase an Aviator, but not till it has the wide to wide Nautilus screen....

 

Explorer just got a completely new dash....

 

Aviator just got a slightly bigger screen though.

[ANTAUS]

I want bigger... like Chinese Aviator wide..well that one is "accepetable", would love to see a Nautilus kind though.  Not sure what their direction is,to maybe let it rot on the vine.

 

[morgan20]

1 hour ago, ANTAUS said:

I want bigger... like Chinese Aviator wide..well that one is "accepetable"

 

Photo of Chinese Lincoln Aviator dash:

 

[rmc523]

17 hours ago, ANTAUS said:

I want bigger... like Chinese Aviator wide..well that one is "accepetable", would love to see a Nautilus kind though.  Not sure what their direction is,to maybe let it rot on the vine.

 

 

Yeah, I understood.  I'd guess they're not changing it until a redesign.

[ExplorerDude]

On 5/27/2026 at 5:05 PM, Sherminator98 said:

 

The Chinese Explorer last got a refresh in 2022 and the US got one in 2025

 

I'm guessing the US one might see a deeper refresh in 2028

 

The Explorer was supposed to get a total redesign on CD6 for MY30 but that appears to have been paused or canceled. Now the current U625 Explorer is getting another major MCA for MY30 instead.
 

Not sure what changed or if the developing 3row EREV is expected to be the next Explorer. Ford changes course by the week and it’s getting old. Let’s just be glad the next gen F-Series trucks are moving full steam ahead without issue.

[jpd80]

10 hours ago, ExplorerDude said:

The Explorer was supposed to get a total redesign on CD6 for MY30 but that appears to have been paused or canceled. Now the current U625 Explorer is getting another major MCA for MY30 instead.

Perhaps it’s the percentage of carryover parts vs all new tophat but I suspect that has  something to do with

financing approval - Perhaps something like that can be confirmed without betraying NDA  re actual changes 

 

10 hours ago, ExplorerDude said:

Not sure what changed or if the developing 3row EREV is expected to be the next Explorer. Ford changes course by the week and it’s getting old. Let’s just be glad the next gen F-Series trucks are moving full steam ahead without issue.

Thinking how D3 was reused and extended under Mulally, CD6 getting the same treatment…..

[rmc523]

14 hours ago, ExplorerDude said:

The Explorer was supposed to get a total redesign on CD6 for MY30 but that appears to have been paused or canceled. Now the current U625 Explorer is getting another major MCA for MY30 instead.
 

Not sure what changed or if the developing 3row EREV is expected to be the next Explorer. Ford changes course by the week and it’s getting old. Let’s just be glad the next gen F-Series trucks are moving full steam ahead without issue.

ridiculous.  But that’s the Ford way….push out redesigns on critical products and then wonder where customers go.

just give it a new top hat on the same platform.  No need to reinvent the wheel.

 

and also “full steam ahead without issue” for F-series isn’t really true either because they already got delayed 1-2 model years.

[bzcat]

Explorer is not the oldest in the segment... that distinction belongs to Dodge Durango. But no doubt Ford is coasting on inertia and fleet sales. 

 

Model / Model year intro

Durango 2011

Atlas 2018

Ascent 2019 (already discontinued in Canada so probably not going to live on much longer in the US)

Explorer 2020

Grand Cherokee 2021/2022

Pathfinder 2022

Pilot 2023

Grand Highlander 2024

CX-90 2024

Traverse 2024 (heavy update of C1XX introduced in 2018)

Acadia 2024 (heavy update of C1XX introduced in 2018)

Enclave 2025 (heavy update of C1XX introduced in 2018)

Palisades 2026 (the previous gen was sold 2020-2025)

Telluride 2027 (the previous gen was sold 2020-2026)

 

With the exception of Durango and Atlas (Ascent sells so little it is kind of irrelevant), all others are on a 6-7 year model cycle. The Hyundai twins got replaced in 5...

 

Ford probably should have done what GM did to Traverse/Acadia/Enclave and give the CD6 a complete refresh for 2027... but evidently that won't happen until 2030 at the earliest. 

Edited June 1 by bzcat

[rmc523]

30 minutes ago, bzcat said:

Explorer is not the oldest in the segment... that distinction belongs to Dodge Durango. But no doubt Ford is coasting on inertia and fleet sales. 

 

Model / Model year intro

Durango 2011

Atlas 2018

Ascent 2019 (already discontinued in Canada so probably not going to live on much longer in the US)

Explorer 2020

Grand Cherokee 2021/2022

Pathfinder 2022

Pilot 2023

Grand Highlander 2024

CX-90 2024

Traverse 2024 (heavy update of C1XX introduced in 2018)

Acadia 2024 (heavy update of C1XX introduced in 2018)

Enclave 2025 (heavy update of C1XX introduced in 2018)

Palisades 2026 (the previous gen was sold 2020-2025)

Telluride 2027 (the previous gen was sold 2020-2026)

 

With the exception of Durango and Atlas (Ascent sells so little it is kind of irrelevant), all others are on a 6-7 year model cycle. The Hyundai twins got replaced in 5...

 

Ford probably should have done what GM did to Traverse/Acadia/Enclave and give the CD6 a complete refresh for 2027... but evidently that won't happen until 2030 at the earliest. 

 

VW just showed off the new Atlas.