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New Model Year  |  Farmington, MO The 2027 Ford Explorer isn't a redesign. It's a round of fixes owners asked for, including the V6 back on Platinum, the big glass roof back on the option sheet and a darker look for the ST. Ford gave the Explorer a big refresh for 2025, with a new face and a much larger center screen. For 2026 it added the off road Tremor and trimmed a few options. The 2027 model is a lighter touch, and most of what changed is stuff families around Farmington will notice. Ford officially showed the new ST Sinister Package in June. The rest of the changes come from Ford's 2027 order guide, the document dealers order from, which became public in late May. This is how we read it from the sales floor at Sam Scism Ford. Quick answer: The 2027 Ford Explorer keeps the same body and lineup of Active, ST-Line, Tremor, ST and Platinum. The Platinum gets the 400 horsepower 3.0L EcoBoost V6 back as an option, the power Panoramic Vista Roof returns, the ST adds a blacked out Sinister Package and the color list swaps Space White for Avalanche Gray and Ruby Red. Ford's fleet ordering information put the start of 2027 production in early August 2026. Confirmed by Ford ST Sinister Package, June 2026 Returning option 3.0L EcoBoost V6 on Platinum Trims Active, ST-Line, Tremor, ST, Platinum In this post Timing and what Ford confirmed The ST Sinister Package The V6 returns on Platinum Roof, colors and packages Wait for 2027 or buy 2026 When Does the 2027 Ford Explorer Arrive, and What Has Ford Confirmed? Ford's fleet bulletin for the 2027 Explorer put the production window opening on August 6, 2026. New model years take a few weeks to reach dealer lots once the plant starts building them, so for a while you'll see 2026 and 2027 Ford Explorer models side by side. The lineup doesn't change. Active is the starting point, ST-Line adds the sporty look, Tremor handles the dirt road crowd, ST is the performance model and Platinum is the luxury one. All of them ride on the same rear wheel drive based platform, with Intelligent 4WD available or standard depending on trim. One more note on sources. Ford itself showed off the Sinister Package. The other changes here come from the 2027 order guide as it was reported in May and June, so a detail or two could still shift before the first ones arrive. We'll confirm anything you care about on the actual vehicle. What Is the Ford Explorer ST Sinister Package? It's an appearance package for the 2027 Ford Explorer ST, and Ford says it was inspired by owners who had already been customizing their STs. Nothing under the hood changes. The ST keeps its twin turbo 3.0L V6. Wheels and tires: 21 inch gloss black aluminum wheels on 275/45R21 all season tires. Lighting: amber LED daytime running lamps up front. Badging: a red ST badge with a black outline for a darker look. Paint: available with any ST color, not only black. Ford also says 2026 and 2027 Explorer ST buyers get an invitation to the ST Experience, a one day professional driving program. Ask us for the current details if that's part of the appeal. Why Does the V6 Matter on the 2027 Ford Explorer Platinum? For 2026, the Platinum came only with the 2.3L EcoBoost four cylinder. That engine is rated at 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and for plenty of buyers it's enough. Some Platinum shoppers wanted the bigger engine back, though, and Ford listened. The 2027 Ford Explorer Platinum can be ordered with the 3.0L EcoBoost V6, rated at 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft, with rear wheel drive or four wheel drive. It runs through the same 10 speed automatic as the rest of the lineup. The V6 stays standard on the ST and optional on the Tremor. Towing doesn't change much with the engine choice. Explorer is rated up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Where the V6 earns its keep is passing on two lane roads and pulling with a full load of people and gear. Where the V6 earns its keep is passing on two lane roads and pulling with a full load of people and gear. Shop Ford Explorer Custom Order Yours What Else Changes on the 2027 Ford Explorer? The power Panoramic Vista Roof with a power shade comes back after Ford switched to a fixed glass roof for 2026. It's tied to 4WD models, so check the build if the roof matters to you. Slick Roof Conversion: a new option on select trims that removes the roof rack side rails for a cleaner look. Tremor Sun and Sound Package: a 14 speaker B&O sound system, Multicontour front seats with Active Motion and the Vista Roof. Ford Security Package: theft alerts and stolen vehicle services offered across the lineup. Colors: Avalanche Gray and Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat are added, and Space White Metallic is dropped. Illuminated Ford badge: a dealer installed option that lights up the logo on the grille. The Tremor itself carries over. It joined the lineup for 2026 with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, 31.5 inch all terrain tires on 18 inch wheels, a Torsen limited slip rear differential and three skid plates. Farmington driver tip If your weekends run down forest roads in the Mark Twain National Forest or to a cabin past Arcadia Valley, the Ford Explorer Tremor with the Sun and Sound Package is the one to drive first. The extra clearance helps on washed out gravel after a summer storm. Should Farmington Families Wait for a 2027 Ford Explorer or Buy a 2026? It comes down to which change you care about. If you want a Platinum with the V6, or the opening Vista Roof, the 2027 is the one to wait for. A custom order is the surest way to get the exact build, and Ford doesn't charge extra to order. If none of those matter, a 2026 Ford Explorer gives you the same body, screen and safety tech. Dealers move remaining 2026 models out as 2027s arrive, and current Ford offers are on our specials pages. If you're also cross shopping a Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot or Chevrolet Traverse, the Ford Explorer comparison page lays out the side by side specs, and the new Ford Explorer inventory shows what's on the lot today. Warranty Forever Every new Ford Explorer sold at Sam Scism Ford comes with Warranty Forever at no charge. It covers listed engine, transmission and drive axle parts for as long as you own it, regardless of miles, with no deductible, as long as you follow the customary maintenance in the agreement and keep records. See the dealer for details. How it works Timing and Ordering When will the 2027 Ford Explorer be at Sam Scism Ford? + Ford set 2027 Explorer production to begin in early August 2026, and new models usually follow to dealers within weeks. Call 573-430-1687 for the latest on incoming units. Can I custom order a 2027 Ford Explorer? + You can start a factory order with our team, who will check incoming stock and submit it to Ford. Lead times vary, and you can track the build once a VIN is assigned. Is the 2027 Ford Explorer a redesign? + No, it keeps the body and interior from the 2025 refresh. The changes are options, packages and colors. Engines and Towing Which 2027 Ford Explorer trims offer the V6? + The 3.0L EcoBoost V6 is standard on ST and optional on Tremor and, new for 2027, Platinum. Active and ST-Line use the 2.3L EcoBoost. How much can a 2027 Ford Explorer tow? + Up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The exact figure depends on the configuration, so check the build before you hitch up. Does the 2027 Ford Explorer still use a 10 speed automatic? + Both engines pair with a 10 speed automatic, the same as recent model years. Trims and Packages What comes with the Ford Explorer ST Sinister Package? + Gloss black 21 inch wheels, amber LED running lamps and a red ST badge outlined in black. It works with any ST paint color. Is the Ford Explorer Tremor new for 2027? + The Tremor joined the lineup for 2026 and returns for 2027. A new Sun and Sound Package adds B&O audio, Multicontour seats and the Vista Roof. Does the panoramic roof open on the 2027 Ford Explorer? + The power Panoramic Vista Roof with a power shade returns for 2027 on 4WD models, replacing the fixed glass roof used for 2026. Colors and Features What colors are new for the 2027 Ford Explorer? + Avalanche Gray and Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat are new. Space White Metallic is gone from the list. What is the Slick Roof Conversion? + It's an option that deletes the roof rack side rails on select trims. Skip it if you carry kayaks or a cargo box. What is the Ford Security Package? + It adds theft alerts and stolen vehicle services. Our sales team can explain how it's offered on the vehicle you pick. Buying in Farmington Should I buy a 2026 Ford Explorer instead? + A 2026 makes sense if you don't need the Platinum V6 or the opening roof. Check current offers before deciding. Can I trade in my current SUV toward a 2027 Ford Explorer? + Yes, start with the online trade value tool and finish with an appraisal at the store. Any make or condition is welcome. Does Warranty Forever come on the 2027 Ford Explorer? + Every new Ford sold at Sam Scism Ford includes Warranty Forever at no charge, with maintenance and record requirements. See the dealer for details. Value your trade See what your current SUV is worth toward a Ford Explorer. Get Your Trade Offer Ask about the Ford Explorer Reach the sales team at 573-430-1687 or send a message. Contact Us

Compare  |  Farmington, MO Two three row SUVs we see on a lot of Farmington shopping lists, and how they stack up on the stuff families around St. Francois County do every week. School's back, ball practice is four nights a week, and the old crossover is starting to feel small. That's usually when families in Farmington, Park Hills and Bonne Terre start looking at three row SUVs. Two names come up a lot: the Ford Explorer and the Kia Telluride. Either one will seat a crowd and pull a small camper. They go about it differently, though, and you'll feel that on a gravel county road or a Saturday run to the lake. We're skipping the spec sheet here and talking about how each one fits the way people around here drive. Quick answer: The Ford Explorer is built on a rear wheel drive layout with available four wheel drive, a 400 horsepower V6 on the ST, and a new off road Tremor model, so it suits families who tow, travel gravel roads or want more power. The Kia Telluride leans toward maximum passenger and cargo room, with seating for up to eight and a long factory powertrain warranty, so it suits families who carry more people than gear. Ford Explorer towing Up to 5,000 lbs with the standard Class III tow package Kia Telluride towing Up to 5,500 lbs when properly equipped Seating Explorer seats 6 or 7; Telluride seats up to 8 In this post How they are built differently Seating and cargo room Towing and gravel roads Tech for long drives Warranty and ownership Which one fits you How Are the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride Built Differently? The big difference is underneath. The Ford Explorer uses a rear wheel drive layout, with four wheel drive available on every trim and standard on the Tremor. Power goes to the rear wheels first, which helps when a trailer is hitched up and weight shifts back. The Kia Telluride is a front wheel drive design with all wheel drive available, the same basic layout most crossovers use. Engines split the same way. Every Explorer runs a turbocharged EcoBoost engine with a 10 speed automatic. You get either a 2.3L four cylinder rated at 300 horsepower or a twin turbo 3.0L V6 rated at 400 horsepower, standard on the ST and available on the new Tremor. The Telluride uses one engine across the lineup, a 3.8L V6 rated at 291 horsepower with an 8 speed automatic. Neither one's wrong. The Explorer gives you more choices and more power at the high end, and the Telluride keeps it simple with one V6 and a front drive setup that's easy to live with. Which SUV Has More Room for Kids, Car Seats and Gear? If you fill every seat most days, the Kia Telluride has the edge. It seats up to eight with a second row bench, or seven with captain's chairs, and it's rated at about 21 cubic feet behind the third row. That'll hold a stroller and a week of groceries with everybody on board. The Ford Explorer seats six or seven depending on the second row, and it's rated at 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row. Fold that third row and the gap closes fast. If the way back is mostly for a kid's friend on the weekend or grandparents in from Fredericktown, the Explorer has plenty of room. Car seats: Bring your own car seat to the test drive. Fit varies more by seat than by SUV, so install it in both rows before you decide. Third row access: Check how easily the second row slides or tips with a car seat in place. Cargo floor: Measure your sports bags, coolers or dog crate against the space with all seats up. Bring your own car seat to the test drive. Fit varies more by seat than by SUV. Which Is Better for Towing and Gravel County Roads? On paper the two are close. Every Ford Explorer comes with a Class III Trailer Tow Package and can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Kia Telluride tows up to 5,500 pounds on properly equipped versions such as the X-Pro, and 5,000 pounds on most others. Where the layouts show up is in how they tow. A rear drive SUV with four wheel drive tends to feel planted pulling a pontoon up a wet ramp at Lake Wappapello or a pop up camper into a gravel campsite. The Explorer Tremor, new to the lineup for 2026, adds standard four wheel drive, extra ride height, a Torsen limited slip differential, underbody protection and all terrain tires. The Telluride X-Pro has all wheel drive, all terrain tires and a raised ride of its own, and it does fine on rutted driveways and forest roads. Farmington driver tip If your weekends include St. Joe State Park, the gravel roads out toward Mark Twain National Forest, or launching a boat at Clearwater Lake, drive both on a rough stretch, not just US 67. Ten minutes on washboard gravel will tell you a lot. Shop Ford Explorer Inventory Compare Explorer Side by Side What Technology Helps on the Commute to St. Louis? Plenty of Farmington families have somebody driving north for work every day. For that drive, the Ford Explorer offers BlueCruise, Ford's hands free highway driving system, on prequalified sections of divided highway. BlueCruise hardware comes standard on the ST, the Platinum and the Tremor with the 3.0L V6, and it runs on a subscription after any included period. You also get a 13.2 inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a built in 5G modem. The Kia Telluride offers its own adaptive cruise control and lane keeping features on many trims. Both have automatic emergency braking and blind spot monitoring, but exact equipment varies by trim, so check the window sticker on the one you're driving. On connected Fords, the FordPass app will start the engine on a cold morning and let you book service from your phone. How Do Warranty and Long Term Ownership Compare? Factory coverage is a real point in Kia's favor. Kia backs the Telluride with a 5 year or 60,000 mile basic warranty and a 10 year or 100,000 mile powertrain warranty for the original owner. Ford's factory coverage on the Explorer is 3 years or 36,000 miles bumper to bumper and 5 years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain. That's not the whole story if you're buying in Farmington. Every new Ford sold at Sam Scism Ford comes with Warranty Forever at no charge. It covers listed engine, transmission and drive axle parts for as long as you own the vehicle, with no mileage limit, as long as you follow the customary maintenance in the agreement and keep records. It's a dealer plan, not a factory warranty, and we're happy to walk you through it. Where you get it serviced matters too. With a Ford dealer right on Flat River Road, oil changes and warranty work stay close to home. Ford Mobile Service can handle routine work at your house or office depending on distance and availability. So Which Three Row SUV Fits Your Family? Two things settle most of these: how you use the third row, and how often you hitch a trailer. Fits you if Ford Explorer You tow a camper, boat or utility trailer and like a rear drive feel You drive gravel roads and want four wheel drive or the off road Tremor You want more power, up to 400 horsepower from the V6 You commute on the highway and want available BlueCruise Fits you if Kia Telluride You regularly carry seven or eight people You want the most cargo room behind the third row You prefer one simple V6 and a front drive based layout A longer factory powertrain warranty matters most to you For the full side by side numbers on the Ford Explorer against the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and Chevrolet Traverse, see our Ford Explorer comparison page. When you're ready to sit in one, browse Ford Explorer inventory and set up a time to come see us. Bring your own car seat to the test drive. Fit varies more by seat than by SUV. Warranty Forever Every new Ford and most used vehicles sold at Sam Scism Ford include Warranty Forever at no charge. Listed engine, transmission and drive axle parts are covered for as long as you own the vehicle, regardless of miles, with no deductible. Keep up with the customary maintenance and records. See the dealer for details. How it works Size and Seating Is the Kia Telluride bigger inside than the Ford Explorer? + Behind the third row, the Telluride has more cargo space, about 21 cubic feet against 16.3 for the Explorer. Fold the third row and the difference shrinks, so measure the gear you haul most. How many people does the Ford Explorer seat? + Six or seven, depending on whether the second row has captain's chairs or a bench. The ST offers an available second row bench. Can adults ride in the third row of either SUV? + They're both better for kids and short trips than long hauls. Have the tallest person in the family climb back there on each one. Towing and Capability Which tows more, the Ford Explorer or the Kia Telluride? + A properly equipped Telluride X-Pro is rated up to 5,500 pounds, while every Explorer is rated up to 5,000 pounds with its standard Class III tow package. For most campers and small boats around here, either one's got enough. Is the Ford Explorer rear wheel drive? + Rear wheel drive is standard, and four wheel drive is available on every trim and standard on the Tremor. That layout helps with traction when a trailer adds weight over the rear axle. What is the Ford Explorer Tremor? + It's the off road Explorer that joined the lineup for 2026, with standard four wheel drive, extra ride height, a Torsen limited slip differential, underbody protection and all terrain tires. Power and Driving How much horsepower does the Ford Explorer have? + The 2.3L EcoBoost is rated at 300 horsepower. The 3.0L EcoBoost V6, standard on the ST and available on the Tremor, is rated at 400 horsepower. What engine does the Kia Telluride use? + Every Telluride uses a 3.8L V6 rated at 291 horsepower with an 8 speed automatic, in front wheel drive or all wheel drive. Does the Ford Explorer offer hands free driving? + BlueCruise is available and comes standard on the ST, Platinum and Tremor with the 3.0L. It works on prequalified divided highways and needs an active subscription after any included period. Warranty and Service Does Kia have a longer warranty than Ford? + Kia's factory powertrain warranty runs 10 years or 100,000 miles for the original owner, longer than Ford's 5 years or 60,000 miles. Sam Scism Ford adds Warranty Forever powertrain coverage on every new Ford it sells, at no charge. Is Warranty Forever a Ford factory warranty? + It's a Sam Scism Ford plan, not a factory one. You'll need to follow the customary maintenance in the agreement, it doesn't transfer, and covered repairs within 150 miles get done at our store. Where can I get my Ford Explorer serviced near Farmington? + Our service center at 5019 Flat River Road works on every Explorer, and you can call 573-430-1693 to book. Ford Mobile Service can also come to you for routine work, depending on distance. Shopping and Test Drives Does Sam Scism Ford have a Ford Explorer comparison page? + Our Explorer comparison page lines it up against the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and Chevrolet Traverse with side by side specs. It's a good companion to this post. Can I trade in my current SUV toward an Explorer? + We appraise any make in any condition, including vehicles you still owe on. Get a trade offer online first, and we'll confirm it in person. What should I bring to an Explorer test drive? + Bring the car seats and your license. If there's a cooler or ball bag that rides along every week, throw that in too and see where it fits. Research the Ford Explorer Trims, features and options for the current Explorer lineup. Explorer Research Trading in an SUV Get an offer on your current vehicle, any make. Value Your Trade