Textual content by Steve King and Johnnie Putman
2026 Ford Explorer Lively 100A
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: U.S.
Colour: Agate Black Metallic
Miles pushed: 750 (approx.)
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A- |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Financial system | A- |
| Worth | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not replicate Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 300-horsepower 2.3-liter |
| Engine Kind | Turbocharged 4 |
| Transmission | 10-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | Rear-wheel drive |
Noticed gasoline financial system: 20-24 mpg
Driving combine: 30% metropolis, 70% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 20/29/24 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas kind: Common fuel
Base worth: $38,465 (not together with $1795 (vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: None
Worth as examined: $40,260
Audio-System Model
N/A
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Wonderful
Execs and Cons
The nice: Roomy, refined, loads of energy
The great: Comfy and supportive seats
The not so good: Difficult to entry Third-row seating
Evaluate
Steve and Johnnie
For the uninitiated, we’ve been members of MAMA (the Midwest Automotive Media Affiliation) nearly because it was based, in 1991. We had been one of many first, if not the primary, male/feminine {couples} to check autos and supply a his-and-her evaluate perspective.
Initially, we offered our highway check outcomes on the radio, and ultimately segued to offering our video highway assessments for Client Information together with posting them on our YouTube Channel.
And, as common listeners know, Client Information Writer, Tom Appel stays one of many “regular suspects” on our WGN Radio Saturday night time present, becoming a member of us to replace highway check outcomes, recall information, and extra.
Trip
Our current journey to the Grand Canyon, with our grandson, Joseph and his mother and father, Dr. Patrick Crispen and Dr. Christine Crispen, offered us the chance to check and share our ideas a few brand-new (200 miles, when picked up) 2026 Ford Explorer Lively.
Our journey from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and again, with numerous stops alongside the best way, was roughly a 750 mile journey. This 2026 Ford Explorer Lively ferried us from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon.
Rental Car
Earlier than we start, we must always point out that this was NOT the car we had initially reserved. With 2 HUGE suitcases, 2 smaller rolling suitcases, 5 backpacks, 2 grocery luggage, a cooler, 4 jackets, 2 huge blankets, 1 small guitar, along with 5 people, we needed a giant, honkin’ car. So, we ordered a Chevrolet Suburban.
Nonetheless, as is much too usually the case, the rental company, together with a number of different opponents checked on decide up day, stated there have been no giant SUVs out there…wherever. So, the Ford Explorer was pressed into motion to hold the load meant for a a lot bigger car.
Incorrect Truck
Provided that this wasn’t the car we’d ordered, the Explorer match all the pieces we’d deliberate on loading right into a Suburban. The one main compromise was that a few of the baggage needed to be saved on the precise facet of the third row seat.
As soon as we obtained all the pieces loaded and headed out on our Grand Canyon journey, one of many first issues we turned conscious of was what a quiet and cozy car this was.
We couldn’t purchase a squeak and, with no wind noise and little highway noise, it was apparent this was some VERY strong development, with wonderful matches and finishes.
Engine
Not surprisingly, there have been loads of ups and downs and severe curves on our journey as we went by a several-thousand-foot climb and, though the Explorer was absolutely loaded, the engine and 10-Velocity Computerized Transmission dealt with the duty seamlessly. We by no means felt a hesitation or tough shift. This 2.3-liter “EcoBoost” 4-cylinder engine dealt with the climb with ease and, in truth, higher than some V8s we’ve examined.
Cabin
Driver’s visibility throughout is kind of good and aided by a rear view digital camera with backup help grid strains. The driving force is handled to a straightforward to learn sprint format with a 13.2-inch middle show and a 12.3-inch instrument-cluster show. The local weather and center-console touchscreen controls are nicely laid out and straightforward to function. The middle ground console options an armrest and storage bin.
We examined the usual 6-speaker sound system with an eclectic mixture of content material starting from speak to music from the Twenties to the current and it handed with flying colours.
Room and Consolation
The driving force and entrance passenger have superb leg room with very snug seats. In reality, whereas we notice that seat consolation is a really subjective factor, we had been stunned to see/really feel that, to us, these seats had been rather more snug than the 30-way adjustable seats on the Lincoln Aviator. Whereas geared toward totally different audiences, the 2 are constructed on the identical structure.
Lately, whereas searching for a brand new car, we examined a number of Lincoln Aviators and will by no means get snug with the 30-way seats. If these Aviator’s seats had been as snug as those on this Explorer, we in all probability would have bought one. Go determine! In reality, whereas we’re normally not followers of material seats, all of us commented on how good these felt. The 2nd row captain seats are additionally very snug and roomy.
Third-Row
Talking of seats, we do have to say one important detrimental that Christine, who earned her place in heaven by volunteering to experience within the Third row, subsequent to some baggage for all the journey, found. Together with being lower than enjoyable to get into, Christine most well-liked exiting the Third row between the 2nd row captain’s seats as a result of making an attempt to slip the 2nd row seats ahead was a lot too cumbersome.
Additionally, the Third row bench seat is skinny so, you in all probability received’t be shocked to be taught that, we unanimously got here to the conclusion that solely “tough” folks ought to be pressured to sit down there.
Gas Financial system
Whereas our common mpg in metropolis and canyon driving stayed between 20 and 24, we had been pleasantly stunned to see that it simply rose to twenty-eight mpg in freeway driving speeds approaching 80 mph.
Affordability
This was a rental-fleet particular trim degree of the Ford Explorer Lively, so we had NO heated entrance seats and NO energy liftgate. These are just some of the small content material omissions that enable for a $2100 decrease base worth, however this Explorer appears to be like, rides and handles identically to the retail variant.
The 2026 Ford Explorer Lively acts as the bottom mannequin, with a beginning costs round $40,585 to $41,000, excluding vacation spot charges. It encompasses a 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine, 7-passenger seating, and a 13.2-inch touchscreen. Seller costs for Lively fashions, usually with AWD, usually vary between $45,000 and $50,000 earlier than incentives.
Trip Worthy
Full disclosure: Our 5 days on the Grand Canyon had been primarily spent savoring the fantastic thing about this majestic pure world surprise and its environment, and having fun with spending time with grandson Joseph and his posse, so we didn’t spend fairly as a lot time going by all of the Explorer’s plusses and minuses as we normally do with different autos we check. Nonetheless, we do imagine this was alternative to get a style of how this Ford carried out underneath the form of mountain-range situations that might actually “check its mettle”…and its material seats.
Worth
And, hopefully, in the event you’re looking for an midsize SUV proper now, this barely totally different version of our highway assessments offers you a style of how this one performs.
Our backside line: This Ford allowed us to “energetic”-ly discover and benefit from the Grand Canyon very comfortably. We’d ABSOLUTELY suggest this car! And, we’d ABSOLUTELY suggest a visit 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’ve been inducted into WGN radio’s Stroll of Fame. The couple authored the Les Paul memoir “A Little Extra Les” in 2015. They’ve been members of the Midwest Automotive Media Affiliation, highway testing autos, since 1991. Lots of their highway assessments may be discovered on Client Information’s web site.
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2026 Ford Explorer Lively Footage
(Click on under for enlarged photos)
