Ford Explorer Trim Levels: Compare Features, Prices, and Options
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The Explorer lineup isn’t a simple climb from basic to luxurious. Some versions prioritize value. One dresses for the city. Another would rather find the dirt road. Then there’s the ST, which brings genuine performance into a three-row SUV.
For 2027, the Ford Explorer trim levels shown in Ford’s Build & Price tool are Active, ST-Line, Tremor®, ST, and Platinum™. Current starting MSRPs range from $38,860 for Active to $54,155 for ST, before destination, taxes, options, and other charges.
At J.C. Lewis Ford Statesboro, our team is here to help you sort through the Ford Explorer trims by more than price. The right one depends on how many people you carry, what kind of roads you drive, and whether your wish list leans toward comfort, capability, luxury, or horsepower.
⏳ Quick Answer: Which Ford Explorer Trim Levels Are Best?
For everyday family use, Active is the natural starting point. It combines a 300-horsepower 2.3L EcoBoost® engine with heated front seats, a 13.2-inch Ford Digital Experience display, three-row flexibility, and seating for up to seven.
ST-Line is the style-focused choice, adding a sportier appearance and more premium technology without stepping up to the ST’s V6. Tremor is the trail-ready option with standard Intelligent 4WD and available 3.0L EcoBoost V6 power. Platinum focuses on premium comfort, while the Ford Explorer ST trim sits at the performance end of the lineup with a 385-horsepower 3.0L EcoBoost V6.
The best of the Ford Explorer trim levels is the one that puts your money toward features you’ll actually notice.
Ford Explorer Trim Levels in Order
If you’re looking for the Ford Explorer trim levels in order, you’ll find five 2027 configurations:
Trim | Starting MSRP | Personality | Max Horsepower |
|---|---|---|---|
Active | $38,860 | Everyday value | 300 hp |
ST-Line | $44,695 | Sport-inspired style | 300 hp |
Tremor | $49,695 | Off-road capability | Up to 400 hp available |
Platinum | $51,455 | Premium luxury | Up to 400 hp available |
ST | $54,155 | High-performance | 385 hp |
Prices are current Ford starting MSRPs and can change. They exclude destination/delivery, taxes, fees, and optional equipment. Tremor and Platinum can both be equipped with an available 3.0L EcoBoost V6, with Ford listing up to 400 horsepower depending on configuration and state.
These Ford Explorer trims don’t simply add features one after another. ST-Line, Tremor, Platinum, and ST each take the Explorer in a different direction.
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Explorer Active: The New Starting Point
Active is now the first of the Ford Explorer trim levels in order for 2027, replacing the previous Active 100A entry point.
The Ford Explorer trim levels start with plenty of useful fundamentals. Active includes a 300-horsepower 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, heated front seats, second-row captain’s chairs, Ford Digital Experience with a 13.2-inch center display, and a standard Class III Trailer Tow Package. An available second-row bench increases seating to seven.
Best for: shoppers comparing Ford Explorer trim levels who want strong everyday comfort, three-row flexibility, and a lower starting price than ST-Line.
ST-Line: Sporty Looks Without the ST Price
ST-Line is for shoppers who like the attitude of the Ford Explorer ST trim but don’t necessarily need its V6 performance.
It keeps the 300-horsepower 2.3L EcoBoost engine while adding a blacked-out grille, bumpers, headlamps, and taillamps, 20-inch Ebony-painted machined wheels, ST-Line badging, and red interior stitching. A 360-degree camera and 10-speaker B&O® Sound System are standard, while BlueCruise and ambient lighting are available.
At $44,695 to start, ST-Line lands in an interesting place within the Ford Explorer trim levels. It gives the SUV more visual personality and technology without requiring the price or output of the full ST.
Best for: shoppers who want athletic styling, useful tech, and a more upscale cabin while keeping the standard Explorer powertrain.
Explorer Tremor: The One That Looks for the Scenic Route
The 2027 Tremor is the adventure-minded member of the Ford Explorer trims.
Standard equipment includes Intelligent 4WD, off-road-tuned suspension, a Torsen® limited-slip rear axle, steel underbody deflector plates, 18-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels, and all-terrain tires. A 300-horsepower 2.3L EcoBoost engine is standard, while an available 3.0L EcoBoost V6 can deliver up to 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.
Inside, Tremor keeps family comfort in the picture with heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, ActiveX™ seating with Miko® inserts, a 13.2-inch center display, and a standard 10-speaker B&O Sound System.
Best for: the adventurer. The Ford Explorer trim levels rarely make the decision this obvious. If dirt roads, campsites, rougher terrain, and weekend escapes are regular parts of your schedule, Tremor deserves a closer look.
Explorer Platinum: Comfort Gets the Front Seat
Platinum shifts the Explorer toward luxury.
For 2027, it combines a standard 2.3L EcoBoost engine with premium cabin appointments, a 14-speaker B&O Sound System, and seating for up to seven. An available 3.0L Ultimate Package adds the V6, exclusive 21-inch wheels, quad-tip exhaust, and premium leather seating surfaces. Ford lists up to 400 available horsepower depending on configuration and state.
Of the Ford Explorer trim levels, Platinum makes the strongest case for shoppers who care more about a relaxing cabin than sporty styling or trail equipment.
Best for: long road trips, premium family transportation, and drivers who want more comfort without moving into the ST’s performance focus.
Ford Explorer ST Trim: When the School Run Needs 385 Horsepower
The Ford Explorer ST trim is the performance choice.
Its twin-turbocharged 3.0L EcoBoost V6 produces 385 horsepower and pairs with a sport-tuned suspension for a much more performance-focused personality. For 2027, Ford also adds the available Sinister Package with 21-inch gloss-black wheels, dark-accented ST badging, and unique accent lighting. That makes ST the performance standout of the Ford Explorer trim levels.
The performance focus doesn’t erase the family side. ST still brings three-row practicality, premium seating, large digital displays, and the everyday flexibility expected from an Explorer.
Best for: those after performance, style, and space. Among the Ford Explorer trims, ST is for the driver who wants the family SUV to feel genuinely quick, not just look sporty.
Which Explorer Fits Your Routine?
Forget the trim ladder for a second. The Ford Explorer trim levels make more sense when you think about what you want to feel every time you walk out to the driveway.
Keep It Practical
Look at: Active
You want three-row flexibility, strong standard power, useful family technology, and the lowest starting price in the lineup.
Your priority: value.
Add Personality
Look at: ST-Line or Tremor
ST-Line dresses the Explorer for the street. Tremor prepares it for rougher roads.
Your priority: style or adventure.
Turn Up the Experience
Look at: Platinum or ST
Platinum favors quiet comfort and luxury. The Ford Explorer ST trim turns the performance dial in the opposite direction.
Your priority: premium comfort or serious power.
Finance the Explorer That Fits
Found the right trim? Our J.C. Lewis Ford Statesboro finance team can help you compare payment options across the Ford Explorer trims and review current offers on the Explorer you’re considering.
Find Your Explorer at J.C. Lewis Ford Statesboro
Reading about the Ford Explorer trim levels can narrow your list. Sitting in them finishes the job.
At J.C. Lewis Ford Statesboro, our team can help you compare Active equipment, see whether ST-Line gives you enough sportiness, explore Tremor’s off-road hardware, experience Platinum comfort, and feel what separates the Ford Explorer ST trim from the rest of the lineup.
Try the captain’s chairs. Check third-row access. Compare the displays, materials, and available packages. Then choose the Explorer that feels right before you start checking boxes on an order sheet.
Ford Explorer Trim Levels FAQs
Still sorting through the Ford Explorer trim levels? These quick answers cover trim order, Active, seating, luxury, and which Explorer may make the most sense for your priorities.