Text by Steve King and Johnnie Putman
2026 Ford Explorer Active 100A
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover
Country of Manufacture: U.S.
Color: Agate Black Metallic
Miles driven: 750 (approx.)
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A- |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | A- |
| Value | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 300-horsepower 2.3-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged four |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | Rear-wheel drive |
Observed fuel economy: 20-24 mpg
Driving mix: 30% city, 70% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 20/29/24 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $38,465 (not including $1795 (destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: None
Price as tested: $40,260
Audio-System Brand
N/A
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Roomy, refined, plenty of power
The good: Comfortable and supportive seats
The not so good: Complicated to access 3rd-row seating
Review
It’s been a while since we shared a road test with you.
Steve and Johnnie
For the uninitiated, we’ve been members of MAMA (the Midwest Automotive Media Association) just about since it was founded, in 1991. We were one of the first, if not the first, male/female couples to test vehicles and provide a his-and-her review perspective.
Initially, we presented our road test results on the radio, and eventually segued to providing our video road tests for Consumer Guide along with posting them on our YouTube Channel.
And, as regular listeners know, Consumer Guide Publisher, Tom Appel remains one of the “usual suspects” on our WGN Radio Saturday night show, joining us to update road test results, recall news, and more.
Vacation
Our recent trip to the Grand Canyon, with our grandson, Joseph and his parents, Dr. Patrick Crispen and Dr. Christine Crispen, provided us the opportunity to test and share our thoughts about a brand-new (200 miles, when picked up) 2026 Ford Explorer Active.
Our journey from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and back, with various stops along the way, was roughly a 750 mile adventure. This 2026 Ford Explorer Active ferried us from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon.
Rental Vehicle
Before we begin, we should mention that this was NOT the vehicle we had initially reserved. With 2 HUGE suitcases, 2 smaller rolling suitcases, 5 backpacks, 2 grocery bags, a cooler, 4 jackets, 2 big blankets, 1 small guitar, in addition to 5 humans, we wanted a big, honkin’ vehicle. So, we ordered a Chevrolet Suburban.
However, as is far too often the case, the rental agency, along with several other competitors checked on pick up day, said there were no large SUVs available…anywhere. So, the Ford Explorer was pressed into action to carry the load intended for a much larger vehicle.
Wrong Truck
Given that this wasn’t the vehicle we’d ordered, the Explorer fit everything we’d planned on loading into a Suburban. The only major compromise was that some of the luggage had to be stored on the right side of the third row seat.
Once we got everything loaded and headed out on our Grand Canyon adventure, one of the first things we became aware of was what a quiet and comfortable vehicle this was.
We couldn’t buy a squeak and, with no wind noise and little road noise, it was obvious this was some VERY solid construction, with excellent fits and finishes.
Engine
Not surprisingly, there were a lot of ups and downs and serious curves on our trip as we went through a several-thousand-foot climb and, even though the Explorer was fully loaded, the engine and 10-Speed Automatic Transmission handled the task seamlessly. We never felt a hesitation or rough shift. This 2.3-liter “EcoBoost” 4-cylinder engine handled the climb with ease and, in fact, better than some V8s we’ve tested.
Cabin
Driver’s visibility all around is quite good and aided by a rear view camera with backup assist grid lines. The driver is treated to an easy to read dash layout with a 13.2-inch center display and a 12.3-inch instrument-cluster display. The climate and center-console touchscreen controls are well laid out and easy to operate. The center floor console features an armrest and storage bin.
We tested the standard 6-speaker sound system with an eclectic mix of content ranging from talk to music from the Twenties to the present and it passed with flying colors.
Room and Comfort
The driver and front passenger have very good leg room with very comfortable seats. In fact, while we realize that seat comfort is a very subjective thing, we were surprised to see/feel that, to us, these seats were much more comfortable than the 30-way adjustable seats on the Lincoln Aviator. While aimed at different audiences, the two are built on the same architecture.
Recently, while looking for a new vehicle, we tested several Lincoln Aviators and could never get comfortable with the 30-way seats. If those Aviator’s seats were as comfortable as the ones in this Explorer, we probably would have purchased one. Go figure! In fact, while we’re usually not fans of cloth seats, all of us commented on how good these felt. The 2nd row captain seats are also very comfortable and roomy.
3rd-Row
Speaking of seats, we do have to mention one significant negative that Christine, who earned her place in heaven by volunteering to ride in the 3rd row, next to some luggage for the entire trip, discovered. Along with being less than fun to get into, Christine preferred exiting the 3rd row between the 2nd row captain’s seats because trying to slide the 2nd row seats forward was much too cumbersome.
Also, the 3rd row bench seat is thin so, you probably won’t be shocked to learn that, we unanimously came to the conclusion that only “difficult” people should be forced to sit there.
Fuel Economy
While our average mpg in city and canyon driving stayed between 20 and 24, we were pleasantly surprised to see that it easily rose to 28 mpg in highway driving speeds approaching 80 mph.
Affordability
This was a rental-fleet special trim level of the Ford Explorer Active, so we had NO heated front seats and NO power liftgate. Those are just a few of the small content omissions that allow for a $2100 lower base price, but this Explorer looks, rides and handles identically to the retail variant.
The 2026 Ford Explorer Active acts as the base model, with a starting prices around $40,585 to $41,000, excluding destination fees. It features a 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine, 7-passenger seating, and a 13.2-inch touchscreen. Dealer prices for Active models, often with AWD, typically range between $45,000 and $50,000 before incentives.
Vacation Worthy
Full disclosure: Our 5 days at the Grand Canyon were primarily spent savoring the beauty of this majestic natural world wonder and its surroundings, and enjoying spending time with grandson Joseph and his posse, so we didn’t spend quite as much time going through all the Explorer’s plusses and minuses as we usually do with other vehicles we test. However, we do believe this was a good opportunity to get a taste of how this Ford performed under the kind of mountain-range conditions that would really “test its mettle”…and its cloth seats.
Value
And, hopefully, if you’re shopping for an midsize SUV right now, this slightly different edition of our road tests gives you a taste of how this one performs.
Our bottom line: This Ford allowed us to “active”-ly explore and enjoy the Grand Canyon very comfortably. We would ABSOLUTELY recommend this vehicle! And, we would ABSOLUTELY recommend a trip to the Grand Canyon.
About Steve and Johnnie
Award-winning Chicago broadcasters, husband-and-wife duo, Steve King & Johnnie Putman are two of the longest-running hosts on Chicago’s WGN radio. They have been inducted into WGN radio’s Walk of Fame. The couple authored the Les Paul memoir “A Little More Les” in 2015. They have been members of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, road testing vehicles, since 1991. Many of their road tests can be found on Consumer Guide’s site.
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2026 Ford Explorer Active Pictures
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