For years, the Ford Explorer Platinum trim has offered a choice of two engines. Buyers could stick with the base turbocharged 2.3L EcoBoost I4, or upgrade to twin-turbo 3.0L EcoBoost V6 for some more get-up-and-go. However, that’s no longer true for the 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum, as the trim is losing the 3.0L V6 engine option.
Sources familiar with the matter told Ford Authority that the 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum is exclusively offered with the 2.3L I4, and no longer offers the 3.0L V6 as an upgrade. However, the 3.0L V6 is still standard on the Explorer ST and becomes optional on the all-new 2026 Explorer Tremor, as first reported by Ford Authority.
For the 2025 Explorer Platinum, the 3.0L V6 was offered as an optional powertrain upgrade bundled into the $4,725 Ultimate Package. That Ultimate Package has also been deleted, meaning it’s no longer an option on the 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum.
As for what sets the Platinum apart from the rest of the lineup, the well-equipped trim features adaptive headlamps, LED taillamps, a power liftgate, satin roof rack side rails and Premium Silver painted skid plate elements. It rolls on a set of 20-inch Luster Nickel painted aluminum wheels, while inside, it gets ambient lighting and Platinum-branded door sill scuff plates. It also offers BlueCruise and a host of driver safety tech features as part of the Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist 2.0 bundle, just to name a few.
Aside from the deletion of the 3.0L V6 on the Platinum trim, the 2026 Ford Explorer receives minor changes and updates over its 2025 model year counterpart. As previously stated, the biggest change is the addition of the all-new Tremor trim, but it also gains a couple new wheel options, while the ST trim can now be fitted with a second-row bench seat. There are also updates inbound to its BlueCruise subscription model along with the addition of the Ford Connectivity Package.
At the time of this writing, 2026 Ford Explorer pricing has not been revealed.
Comments
Still at the traditional Ford annual decontenting. Keep it up and the Fat Lady will start singing, if she hasn’t already.
First they take the 6 out of the 2 door bronco unless you get some over price Stroppe Trim. Now the idiots that run Ford now days, drop the 3.0 from the Palatium what a joke. These NA planners are going to kill Ford. Your top Luxury Explorer and you take the engine that matches it best and leave it with a rough 4 cylinder. They need to fire all the management that came up with this. I will never buy a 4 again they do not feel wright and are not smooth enough for a Luxury trim model.
Absolutely agree with you. The Platinum option was really a very nice package with the 3.0. The 4 cylinder is noisy, under acceleration, and underpowered. I make a 900 mile trip between Michigan and N.C. about 6-7 times a year. The 4 cylinder has to work hard going through the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia. I suppose the company figures they can push those who want a 3.0 into a pricier Lincoln Aviator. I don’t want an ST. I always liked the Platinum option with the 3.0. It may be time to look at the other companies and see what they offer.
Take the V6 out and raise the price the people running Ford don’t care what the people want they’re just looking for maximum profit and destroying the company at the same time. This time the auto makers go bankrupt DON’T bail them out.
I agree I’ve always had F150 platinum‘s and switched to in 22 to Ford Explorer platinum‘s and replace every two years now I’m not sure what about the six I have a 25 I’m glad it was the last model year with the 3.0
How can you take the 3 litter motor from the upper level trim? They keep de contenting the car, no wireless charger no sunroof no power telescopic steering wheel no window shades. They are ruining a car that I love. I will not buy another one.
Now is perfect chance for Ford to do the right thing for customers, who tired of all the recalls and want quaility over power…Offer this V6…in non turbo. version…simplier and more reliable.
I’ve had that V6 twin turbo in two SHO’s I bought new 2011 and 2016 and our bought new 2020 Explorer Platinum we love that engine and the Platinum format . Don’t stop offering it !! In it !! Why put an under powered enimic four cylinder in that heavy vehicle! ? What a pos !! I hate to leave Ford for a Cadillac but I guess I will .?
Sales of the Explorer Platinum are about to tank. That’s a promise. Nobody with any knowledge at all will pay Platinum price for the Aluminum option 2.3L EcoBoost. Ford does some things right, like the 2.7L in the Ranger, but this is a bad mistake. Ford, please wake up.
Glad I have my purchased new, last year of the n/a 3.7 V6 Mustang.
The Tremor gained the 3.0L, that may have something to do with it.
2016 Ford Escape with 92 k miles with a cracked block. No thanks Ford. Never again.
Hard to imagine a Platinum without the V6 EcoBoost. I sure wouldn’t want one without that engine (my brother has one and it performs quite well). Hard to understand Ford’s thinking on this one. And no way I would ever consider a grossly overpriced Aviator just to get the V6. Especially when I can buy German for the same or less moneu.
“money”!!!
Five years ago we had an F150, Edge and a Mustang. Ford fumbled the ball and now my son’s 2024 Mustang is the only thing left. I will never return as they just keep killing the brand.
They will learn very quickly when people go to GM, Dodge, BMW, Mercedes, Etc to get the power plant they want. There is no reason why its hard to get a 5.0 V8 in anything other than the Mustang GT. If you put the numbers neck to neck, you will find the 6 and/or 4 does not really get much better mileage than the 8. I drive a Mustang GT with a 5.0 and I own a Shelby GT500 with the 5.2. My wife has a Lincoln Aviator with a Turbo charged 6. Truth told, the 6 doesn’t do it for me and I have had better satisfaction in a Hyundai/KIA. They will loose sales.
Bad decision in my opinion. I have always loved the Ford Explorer and the Ford brand in general. We have owned an Escape, 2 Explorers (XLT, then upgraded to Platinum), Expedition, Mustang GT, and are currently thinking about buying a 2024 Expedition Limited Stealth Performance. But now I am seeing bad decision after bad decision from Ford. Ditching the 3.0 V6, new Expedition looks ugly (with the platinum has zero bling now it looks cheap), and tons of recalls and quality issues. If I get my Limited Stealth Expedition then that will be my last Ford, otherwise I am choosing a different brand now.
Such in odd choice just to set the ST apart a lil bit more.
I love my ST but there’s no reason to make the eco6 a hobbyist only option.
The 3 top tier trims should have the same performance engine option but flavored slightly different.
Platinum :comfort and luxury
Tremor: rugged and functional
ST :speed and fun
Just tune the suspension and gear ratios enough to set the triplets apart
I was just bragging to a buddy the other day about a rear wheel drive ST! I was saying if they could shuve the coyote V8 in it would sale and perform like crazy. But Ford is thinking of dropping the ball and no 3.0 in the limited. Doesn’t sound so limited any more! F1 fans want the V6 gone and Ford wants to go the wrong way
100% correct. ANY performance model from an American auto maker should be V8 powered… The ST should have the Coyote V8 and the 3.0 ecoboost an option on every other Explorer model. Ford’s CEO has his head buried so far up his own ass that his brain has become oxygen deficient…
Definitely not buying one now!
I owned older Explorer’s with V8 power and it was worth it. Old 5.0 Windsor power! They could tow more than these bigger body Explorer’s and where more truck like . Which was based off the Ranger pickup from the same years! A new Ford Explorer with out a V8 is useless to me. A Coyote in a new Explorer would be a very good vehicle to own and drive and would NOT need Turbo’s !
It’s the only way Ford can justify the Tremor costing more than an ST. Make the V6 standard in the ST, and optional in the Tremor. Take it out of the Platinum. Then people won’t feel like they are paying for something they aren’t getting when they compare the pricing of their new Platinum to the ST and V6 Tremor.
First, Ford basically takes itself out of the entry level auto market and now it’s closing itself out of the luxury end of the Ford market as well. At least I got a 2.7 Nautilus before you killed that off. It will likely be my last Ford product. It was a good run. Maybe you could stick a bigger engine in the Bronco Sport.
We were considering a 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum until we read that it will not be available with the 3.0 L engine. Our reasons match those already listed.