Whether you’re on a daily drive, weekend excursion, or other venture, the roomy, family-friendly 2026 Ford Explorer® delivers exceptional capabilities. Under the hood, two robust engine options are designed to bring power, efficiency, and towing to every outing. Continue reading this 2026 Ford Explorer engines and towing guide created for you by the team at Westfield Ford to see what each powertrain is capable of.
Find your ideal Explorer and engine in our inventory, and experience it firsthand by scheduling a test drive at our Ford dealership in Countryside, IL. Be sure to see what attractive Explorer offers we have for you to consider. You’re always welcome to reach out to us online or over the phone at (708) 354-8600 if you have any questions.
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The 2026 Ford Explorer has two engines for you to consider, both bringing efficient and capable performance to your commutes. If you’re interested in prioritizing efficiency without compromising on output, consider the 2.3L EcoBoost® inline four-cylinder (I4) engine. With 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, the 2.3L EcoBoost I4 brings respectable power to your drive, all while maintaining up to 20 city and 29 highway MPG. Step up output with the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine, which delivers an impressive 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque with 18 city and 25 highway MPG.
Both engines are paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, and can have either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD). The Terrain Management System™ is standard, and helps you adapt to different driving conditions. If you want to further tailor your performance, consider the available off-road or sport-tuned suspension.
Engine specifications include:
| Engine | 2.3L EcoBoost I4 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 400 HP |
| Torque | 310 lb.-ft. | 415 lb.-ft. |
| Transmission | Ten-speed automatic | |
| Drivetrain | RWD / intelligent 4WD | |
| MPG (City/Hwy) | 20 / 29 | 18 / 25 |
Depending on which 2026 Ford Explorer you choose, you’ll have different engine options available. Most trims are equipped exclusively with the 2.3L EcoBoost I4 engine. Only one trim, the ST, has the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine as standard equipment. Uniquely, the Tremor® has the option of either engine.
Engine availability by model includes:
2.3L EcoBoost I4
3.0L EcoBoost V6
Handle light trailers, boats, and whatever else you need to bring on weekend getaways with the 2026 Ford Explorer towing capabilities. Both engines can tow up to 5,000 pounds with either RWD or 4WD. All trims come with the Class III Trailer Tow Package, which includes a Class III hitch receiver, seven wire harness, and four- and seven-pin trailer connectors. Enhance your towing experience with the standard Tow/Haul driving mode and trailer sway control.
Towing specifications include:
| Engine | 2.3L EcoBoost I4 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
|---|---|---|
| Max. Towing | 5,000 lbs. | 5,000 lbs. |
The Class III Trailer Tow Package is standard.
The 2026 Ford Explorer, regardless of trim, drivetrain, or engine, can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
See what else the new Ford Explorer has to offer with the other resources prepared by the team at Westfield Ford in Countryside, IL. Learn about key features and exterior colors through our Explorer review, or see each model in detail with our Explorer trims guide. If you have any questions, you’re always welcome to contact us online or over the phone at (708) 354-8600.
Forge ahead with the rugged 2025 Ford Explorer®, a three-row SUV ready for your family’s daily driving needs and weekend adventures. You’ll find one of two robust engines under the hood, including a 2.3L inline four-cylinder (I4) and a 3.0L V6, both ready to power your drive and handle light-duty towing. Learn more about what the engines are capable of with this 2025 Ford Explorer engine guide created by the team at Westfield Ford in Countryside, IL. Be sure to see our other resources for more information, including our Explorer review and our Explorer trims guide.
When you’re ready to find your Ford Explorer, browse through our inventory. Our dealership is conveniently located near La Grange, IL, to handle your automotive needs, including finding parts at our parts center, handling repairs or maintenance at our service center, and a helpful tool for valuing trade-ins. To plan your visit, view our helpful directions. If you have any questions, you’re more than welcome to contact us online or over the phone at (866) 306-5556.
Find capable power behind the wheel of the 2025 Ford Explorer with its two EcoBoost® engine options. The standard 2.3L EcoBoost I4 produces 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. If you’re in need of extra power, consider the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine, which generates 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission and are available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). View engine specifications in the following table.
|
Engine |
2.3L EcoBoost I4 |
3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
|
Horsepower |
300 HP |
400 HP |
|
Torque |
310 lb.-ft. |
415 lb.-ft. |
|
Transmission |
Ten-speed automatic |
|
|
Drivetrain |
RWD / 4WD |
|
The 2025 Ford Explorer maintains a respectable fuel economy with both of its engines thanks to their EcoBoost design and auto start-stop technology to limit idling. EcoBoost turbo engines feature direct fuel injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing to provide excellent power while maintaining respectable fuel efficiency. You’ll find the best fuel efficiency in the Ford Explorer with the 2.3L EcoBoost I4 engine and RWD, which has 20 city and 29 highway MPG. The 3.0L EcoBoost V6 follows with 18 city and 25 highway MPG with either drivetrain. View fuel efficiency by engine in the following table.
|
Engine |
2.3L EcoBoost I4 |
3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
|
MPG (RWD) |
20 city / 29 hwy |
18 city / 25 hwy |
|
MPG (4WD) |
20 city / 27 hwy |
18 city / 25 hwy |
The 2025 Ford Explorer sports robust towing capabilities to help you bring your adventure essentials for the journey. When properly equipped, the Ford Explorer can tow up to 5,000 pounds with either engine. Handle a boat, ATVs, bikes, or other toys with this impressive capacity. View towing capacity in the following table.
|
Engine |
2.3L EcoBoost I4 |
3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
|
Max. Towing |
5,000 lbs. |
|
Every 2025 Ford Explorer trim has the Class III Trailer Tow Package standard, enhancing your towing capabilities. The package includes a receiver for a Class III trailer tow hitch, allowing the Ford Explorer to tow compatible trailers.
Take on your everyday commutes in the 2023 Ford Explorer® with a choice of three powerful engines, which can each tow a light trailer easily. See what each of the three engine options have to offer with this 2023 Ford Explorer engine review created by the team at Westfield Ford in Countryside, IL.
For more information on the Ford Explorer as a whole, check out our model review. Find the right Ford Explorer for your needs within our inventory when you’re ready to take the next step. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us online or over the phone at (877) 470-0298.
The 2023 Ford Explorer starts at $36,760 MSRP.
Experience impressive power with the 2023 Ford Explorer engine’s horsepower output.
|
Engine |
2.3L EcoBoost® I4 |
3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
3.3L V6 hybrid |
|
Horsepower |
300 HP |
400 HP |
318 HP |
|
Torque |
310 lb.-ft. |
415 lb.-ft. |
322 lb.-ft. |
Enhance your adventures with the towing capabilities of the 2023 Ford Explorer.
|
Engine |
2.3L EcoBoost I4 |
3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
3.3L V6 hybrid |
|
Max. Towing |
5,300 lbs. |
5,600 lbs. |
5,000 lbs. |
The 2023 Ford Explorer offers respectable fuel efficiency with the two EcoBoost engines featuring automatic on/off technology and a hybrid option.
|
Engine |
2.3L EcoBoost I4 |
3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
3.3L V6 hybrid |
|
MPG (city/hwy) |
21 / 28 |
18 / 26 |
27 / 28 |
The 2.3L EcoBoost I4 engine is the standard engine on the 2023 Ford Explorer, and offers well-rounded performance. The engine is paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission and can utilize up to 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque to tow a maximum of 5,300 pounds. Automatic stop/start technology improves its fuel economy, and it has an MPG of 21 city and 28 highway.
Larger than its I4 counterpart, the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine boasts the highest performance metrics on the 2023 Ford Explorer with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Due to its size, it can tow 300 pounds more than the I4 for a maximum amount of 5,600 pounds. Like the I4, it’s paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. It achieves 18 city and 26 highway MPG with help from its automatic stop/start technology.
If you’re looking to harness hybrid gas and electric power, then consider the 3.3L V6 hybrid engine. It features the best MPG for the 2023 Ford Explorer, with a maximum of 27 city and 28 highway. It has slightly lower towing capabilities, with a 5,000 pounds capacity, and has a respectable output of 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque. The 3.3L V6 hybrid engine is equipped with a ten-speed automatic transmission.
