2026 Ford Explorer Active RWD Vapor Blue 2.3L EcoBoost

The second-row bench is the feature that changes this Explorer. Instead of giving up a seat for captains chairs, this 2026 Explorer Active keeps a split bench with E-Z Entry, giving Tampa Bay families more flexibility when kids, friends, luggage, sports gear, or all of the above need to fit at the same time. Add the fold-flat third row and power liftgate, and it becomes an SUV that can change jobs several times in one day without making a production out of it.

Finished in Vapor Blue with 18-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels, this Explorer has enough personality to stand out without looking flashy. Black roof rails, rear privacy glass, LED lighting, fog lamps, and signature lighting keep the exterior clean and modern. It fits just as naturally in Wesley Chapel as it does commuting through New Tampa, Lutz, Land O Lakes, or Odessa.

The Active Comfort Package is what makes the cabin feel a step above a basic three-row crossover. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start, and an 8-way power front passenger seat join the power drivers seat and tri-zone climate control. These are the features you notice on the morning school run, after a long day at work, or when the Florida heat has been sitting on the vehicle for hours.

A 13.2-inch touchscreen anchors Ford Digital Experience with Google Maps and Google Play Store integration, while a 12.3-inch digital cluster puts vehicle information directly in front of the driver. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB-C ports in all rows, SiriusXM with 360L, a 5G modem, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, Intelligent Access, and push-button start keep the cabin connected without overcomplicating it.

There is more utility here than the family-SUV shape might suggest. The 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 works with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, with selectable drive modes available when conditions change. A factory Class III Trailer Tow Package and Trailer Sway Control are already included, giving this Explorer useful capability for a small boat, recreational equipment, or utility trailer.

Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ brings driver-assistance technology into the mix, supported by a rearview camera, automatic LED headlamps, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, tire-pressure monitoring, and Fords safety systems working in the background.

For families around Seven Oaks, Wiregrass, Meadow Pointe, Epperson, Bexley, Connerton, Starkey Ranch, Brandon, Carrollwood, and across Tampa Bay, the appeal is how well the entire configuration works together: flexible three-row seating, comfort features people actually use, modern connectivity, factory towing equipment, and EcoBoost performance in a size that remains easy to live with.

Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel includes our Lifetime Powertrain Warranty with every new vehicle, adding long-term value beyond the factory warranty. Ford app capability and the included one-year Ford Connectivity trial add another layer of convenience after you take it home.

There are flashier ways to build an Explorer, but this Active gets the important decisions right. Vapor Blue, the second-row bench, Active Comfort Package, Class III towing equipment, large digital displays, and three-row versatility make this a smart configuration for a family that needs one vehicle to cover a lot of ground. Price includes $1,395 dealer added accessories.