2026 · Three-row SUV

Ford Explorer: stopping, space, visibility and safety, measured

A rear-drive-based three-row Ford with a 300-hp 2.3 L turbo four, or the ST’s 400-hp twin-turbo V6; ten-speed automatic and 4WD.

Figures are for the Explorer Active 4WD (2 trims in the catalog, listed below). Last checked Oct 24, 2026.

Open the Explorer in the 3D lab

Where it stands among midsize and three-row SUVs

#1 of 13Large suitcases, packed: 8
#1 of 11Braking 70–0 mph, tested: 170 ft
#2 of 13Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction: 354 ft
#6 of 13Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver: 25 ft
#6 of 13Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year: $2,920/yr
#3 of 9Fastest you can stop inside the low beams: 70 mph
#1 of 13Starting price, this trim: $44,380

Ranked against the default trim of every midsize and three-row SUV in the catalog that has the figure.

At a glance

Starting price, this trim	$44,380PublishedValor Ford
Powertrain	2.3 L EcoBoost turbocharged four with port and direct injection · Intelligent 4WD: rear-drive based, with an electronically controlled clutch to the front axle
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	6.2 sTestedCar and Driver
Braking 70–0 mph, tested	170 ft (51.8 m)TestedCar and Driver
EPA combined	23 mpg (10.2 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Cargo behind the second row	46.0 cu ft (1,303 L)PublishedThe Car Connection
Large suitcases, packed	8Simulated, estimated inputs from Ford
Seats	6Published
Crash ratings	NHTSA 5★ overall · IIHS Top Safety Pick

Acceleration

Why some cars pin you to the seat and others just hum along.

Power	300 hp (224 kW)PublishedFord
Torque	310 lb-ft (420 Nm)PublishedFord
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	6.2 sTestedCar and Driver
0–60 mph, our simulation	6.4 sSimulated from Car and Driver
Passing, 50–70 mph	4.7 sTestedCar and Driver
Quarter mile	14.9 sTestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Shove

Braking and stopping distance

The distance between "I saw it" and "I stopped" decides everything.

Braking 70–0 mph, tested	170 ft (51.8 m)TestedCar and Driver
Braking 60–0 mph, tested	127 ft (38.7 m)TestedMotorTrend
Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	354 ft (108.0 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	273 ft (83.1 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction	164 ft (50.0 m)Simulated from Car and Driver

Watch it in The Stop

Rollover

Where the weight sits decides how easily a car falls over.

NHTSA rollover rating	4★ · 15.1% riskTestedNHTSA
Sideways slide that trips it into a roll	12 mph (19 km/h)Simulated from NHTSA
Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height)	1.25Simulated from NHTSA

Watch it in The Tipping Point

Efficiency and running costs

At highway speed most of your energy is spent shoving air.

EPA combined	23 mpg (10.2 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year	$2,920/yrDerivedEPA
Steady 75 mph, our simulation	28 mpg (8.4 L/100 km)Simulated from Car and Driver
Drag coefficient	0.35DerivedEPA

Watch it in The Invisible Wall

Grip, snow and maneuvering

Four palm-sized patches of rubber. Every maneuver spends their grip.

Skidpad grip, tested	0.81 gTestedCar and Driver
Cornering grip, our simulation	0.81 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Pulling away on packed snow	0.27 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Turning circle	38.7 ft (11.8 m)PublishedKBB
Ground clearance	7.6 in (19 cm)PublishedFord
Tires	Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) 255/65R18 111H · 255/65R18PublishedSimpleTire

Watch it in The Grip Budget

Space, luggage and fit

Will your knees, your luggage and your kids actually fit?

Seats	6Published
Large suitcases, packed	8Simulated, estimated inputs from Ford
Carry-ons in the space left	4Simulated, estimated inputs from Ford
Cargo behind the second row	46.0 cu ft (1,303 L)PublishedThe Car Connection
Cargo, seats folded	85.8 cu ft (2,430 L)PublishedFord
Towing	5,000 lb (2,268 kg)PublishedFord
Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver	+1.0 in (3 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver	+3.5 in (9 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver	+6.7 in (17 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger	+3.0 in (8 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in	+4.1 in (10 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in	+0.5 in head · −0.2 in kneeSimulated, estimated inputs
Front head room, published	40.7 in (103 cm)PublishedFord
Rear head room, published	40.5 in (103 cm)PublishedFord
Rear leg room, published	37.5 in (95 cm)PublishedFord

Watch it in Live In It

Visibility

Every car hides some of the road. How much, and who could be standing in it?

Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver	25 ft (7.7 m)Simulated
Ground visible within 33 ft ahead	41%Simulated

Watch it in Can You See Me?

Headlights and night stopping

IIHS measured how far these headlights reach. Can you stop inside that light?

IIHS headlight rating	GoodTestedIIHS
Low beams, straight road (right edge)	326 ft (99.5 m)TestedIIHS
Fastest you can stop inside the low beams	70 mph (113 km/h)Simulated from IIHS
High beams, straight road (right edge)	576 ft (175.6 m)TestedIIHS

Watch it in After Dark

Crash safety

Official crash ratings side by side, and the physics of what happens when two cars meet.

NHTSA overall	5★TestedNHTSA
IIHS small overlap front	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS moderate overlap front (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS side (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS award	2026 Top Safety PickPublishedIIHS
Curb weight	4,498 lb (2,040 kg)TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Impact

Explorer compared

Trims in the catalog

Explorer Active 4WD · from $44,380 · figures on this page
Explorer ST 4WD · from $58,700

Other midsize and three-row SUVs

Sources

Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.