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Sixth generation (U625, 2020-) · 2020–present

Ford Explorer

The 2026 Ford Explorer has up to 8.2 in of ground clearance and an approach angle of up to 20.5°, both on the Platinum, 2025. It is rated to tow up to 5,000 lb (All trims 2.3L EcoBoost I4 4WD).

MakerSources: 2025 Ford Explorer Technical Specifications · 2026 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide

Documents last checked .

Approach
19.7–20.5°
Clearance
7.6–8.2 in
Tows up to
5,000 lb
Configurations, all years
100
2025 Platinum 2.3L EcoBoost I4 RWD, drawn to scale from its published dimensions.

01 / Everything on one page

The Explorer, page by page

The newest model year’s headline figure for each page, with every year, configuration and source behind it.

Towing capacity by model year

02 / Quick specs

2026 Explorer at a glance

The small facts: ranges over the configurations that publish them, each from its document.
Axle ratios
3.58:1
2 configurations · Ford Motor Company (Ford Pro Body Builder Advisory Service)

03 / Class

Where it stands

The Explorer’s best numbers against every other SUV we track that publishes them.

Not compared: payload. We don’t have that number for the Ford Explorer from the maker’s documents.

Each number is the best configuration of the newest model year we have that publishes it (at most two years back), factory packages included and fleet-only configurations left out, against the same for every other vehicle in its class that publishes it. Tow and payload ratings are compared within one market, and pickups within their size when five or more share it.

04 / Spec plate

Spec plate

2026 Ford Explorer

One configuration per trim, named under each heading, with its numbers as Ford prints them. “Up to” is a ceiling printed over several configurations (the notes say whose), “from” the lowest figure, and a range is printed across that configuration’s grades. “Door label” means the maker prints it only on each vehicle’s certification label.

2026 Ford Explorer: numbers per trim, one configuration each
All trims not listed separately (model-level figures)All trims 2.3L EcoBoost I4 RWD
Dimensions and bed
Length198.8 in
Width78.7 in
Height70.1 in
Wheelbase119.3 in
Weights, loads and capacities
Curb weight4,458 lb
Max towing5,000 lb
Roof load, drivingup to 165 lb1
  • Off-road: Not in the Ford documents we have for the 2026 lineup: ground clearance, angles or wading depth.
  • Off-road hardware: Not in the Ford documents we have for the 2026 lineup: tires, low range or differentials.
  1. 1Ford prints roof load while driving up to 165 lb for the All trims not listed separately (model-level figures) 5-door SUV: a ceiling, not a figure for each configuration.
Sources: 2026 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide · Canadian Vehicle Specifications, 2026 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric) · 2026 Ford Explorer Owner's Manual (2026-Explorer-OM-enUSA-V1) · How we source the numbers

05 / Generations

Explorer generations

Each generation’s own page lists every configuration we have, model year by model year.

2011–2019 · 53 configurations

U502 Fifth generation (U502, 2011-2019)

Clearance
7.8 in
Approach
15.6°
Tows up to
5,000 lb

Best configuration of the 2019 lineup. Towing with the Class III Trailer Tow Package (52T; Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package in 2011-2015 guides).

U502 specs →

06 / Build it

What a lift and bigger tires do to a Explorer

21.1°17.6°20.5°

Lift
Tires
Load
Ground clearance
8.2 in—
Maker
Clearance, rear diff
No data yet
No data yet
Approach
20.5°—
Maker
Breakover
17.6°—
Maker
Departure
21.1°—
Maker
Tire diameter
31.0 in—
MakerP255/55R20
Speedometer
accurate—
Maker
Effective final drive
3.58:1—
Maker
Payload left
No data yet
No data yet
Front axle load
2,152 lb—
Maker
Rear axle load
2,152 lb—
Maker

Stock figures: 2025 Ford Explorer Technical Specifications. Solid outline = from the maker; dashed = our estimate, ± how far off it may be.

Part masses are typical, not yours. This is an estimate, not a weighbridge: weigh your rig.

07 / Questions

Explorer questions, answered with numbers

Only what Ford’s documents answer. Ranges cover the configurations that publish the number.

What is the ground clearance of the 2025 Ford Explorer?

Up to 8.2 in, on the Platinum 2.3L EcoBoost I4 4WD. The 10 configurations of the 2025 lineup that publish it run 7.6–8.2 in.

MakerSource: 2025 Ford Explorer Technical Specifications

How much can the 2026 Ford Explorer tow?

Up to 5,000 lb, on the All trims 2.3L EcoBoost I4 4WD.

MakerSource: 2026 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide

What size tires come on the 2025 Ford Explorer?

P255/65R18 on the Active, P255/55R20 on the ST-Line and Platinum and P275/45R21 on the ST. By its size code, the P255/65R18 is about 31.1 in tall, the largest of them.

MakerSource: 2025 Ford Explorer Technical Specifications

How much does the 2026 Ford Explorer weigh?

Its curb weight is 4,458 lb.

MakerSource: Canadian Vehicle Specifications, 2026 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric)

How big is the 2025 Ford Explorer’s fuel tank?

17.9 gal on the 2.3L EcoBoost I4 and 20.2 gal on the 3.0L EcoBoost V6.

MakerSource: 2025 Ford Explorer Technical Specifications

How much weight can the 2026 Ford Explorer’s roof carry?

While driving: up to 165 lb on every configuration of the 2026 lineup. The driving figure is the one that counts for a roof tent or a loaded rack on the move.

MakerSource: 2026 Ford Explorer Owner's Manual (2026-Explorer-OM-enUSA-V1)

08 / Keep going

More on the Explorer

Rankings it appears in

All 8 rankings · All calculators · Guides · AWD vs 4WD · How we source the numbers