2027 Ford Explorer Trims Explained: Active, ST-Line, Tremor, ST, and Platinum
The 2027 Ford Explorer is offered in five trims: Active, ST-Line, Tremor, ST, and Platinum. The ST is the only trim with the 3.0L twin-turbo V6 as standard equipment, while Tremor and Platinum also offer it. This page breaks down every trim's key differences so you can match the right Explorer to how you drive.
Feature Overview: What Sets Each 2027 Explorer Trim Apart
The 2027 Explorer lineup is structured so that each trim has a clear personality and purpose, not just an incremental feature bump. Active is the everyday family entry point, riding on 18-inch Sparkle Silver-painted aluminum wheels with rear-wheel drive standard and available Intelligent 4WD. ST-Line steps up the visual aggression with 20-inch Ebony-painted machined wheels and a sport-tuned appearance without adding the ST's powertrain. Tremor pivots to off-road purpose, carrying standard Intelligent 4WD, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and 18-inch High Gloss Ebony Black wheels with Electric Spice accents. ST prioritizes performance, pairing the standard 3.0L twin-turbo V6 with 21-inch Magnetite-painted wheels. Platinum sits at the top of the range, combining the available 3.0L engine with premium finishes, 8.3 inches of ground clearance, and 20-inch Luster Nickel-painted aluminum wheels.
Every trim shares the 13.2-inch center touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Maps native navigation, Google Assistant voice controls, 5G modem, a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices at up to 50 feet, and the full Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology safety suite. Those features are not upsells on the Explorer. They are the baseline.
Full 2027 Ford Explorer specs and research
How It Works: The Engine and Drivetrain Split Across Trims
The powertrain story is the most consequential trim decision on the 2027 Explorer. Active and ST-Line both use the 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged inline-4, rated at 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Both trims start with rear-wheel drive and offer Intelligent 4WD as an upgrade. The EPA rates the 2.3L at 20 city / 27 highway / 24 combined mpg. The fuel tank on the 2.3L holds 17.9 gallons.
Tremor adds Intelligent 4WD as standard rather than optional, and it offers the 3.0L twin-turbo V6 as an upgrade. The 3.0L's output varies by state: 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque in federal-emissions states, and 385 hp / 415 lb-ft in green-emissions states. That engine also carries a larger 20.2-gallon fuel tank.
The ST gets the 3.0L twin-turbo V6 as its only engine, with rear-wheel drive standard and Intelligent 4WD available. Platinum mirrors Tremor's powertrain menu, offering both the 2.3L and the 3.0L, with rear-wheel drive standard and Intelligent 4WD available.
The 10-speed automatic and Direct Injection fuel delivery are consistent across both engines. All five trims use MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension with gas-pressurized hydraulic shocks.
Across the Trims: Features and Specs Broken Down by Trim
Active
- Engine: 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 (300 hp / 310 lb-ft)
- Drivetrain: RWD standard, Intelligent 4WD available
- Ground clearance: 7.6 inches
- Wheels: 18-inch Sparkle Silver-painted aluminum (20-inch options available)
- Seating: 7
- Cargo (max): 85.8 cu ft
- Approach angle: 19.7 degrees
ST-Line
- Engine: 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 (300 hp / 310 lb-ft)
- Drivetrain: RWD standard, Intelligent 4WD available
- Ground clearance: 7.6 inches
- Wheels: 20-inch Ebony-painted machined aluminum (21-inch Magnetite optional)
- Seating: 7
- Cargo (max): 85.8 cu ft
- Sport appearance package distinguishes it from Active without a powertrain change
Tremor
- Engine: 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 standard; 3.0L twin-turbo V6 available
- Drivetrain: Intelligent 4WD standard
- Ground clearance: 8.7 inches
- Wheels: 18-inch High Gloss Ebony Black with Electric Spice accents
- Approach angle: 24.1 degrees / Departure angle: 23.7 degrees / Ramp breakover: 18.7 degrees
- Seating: 6 (per Tremor details)
- Cargo (max): 85.3 cu ft
ST
- Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo V6 standard (400 hp federal / 385 hp green states; 415 lb-ft)
- Drivetrain: RWD standard, Intelligent 4WD available
- Ground clearance: 7.8 inches
- Wheels: 21-inch Magnetite-painted aluminum (21-inch Gloss Black optional)
- Seating: 7
- Cargo (max): 85.3 cu ft
Platinum
- Engine: 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 standard; 3.0L twin-turbo V6 available
- Drivetrain: RWD standard, Intelligent 4WD available
- Ground clearance: 8.3 inches
- Wheels: 20-inch Luster Nickel-painted aluminum (21-inch options available)
- Seating: 7
- Cargo (max): 85.3 cu ft
- Approach angle: 20.7 degrees / Departure angle: 22.5 degrees
All five trims carry the Ford Connectivity Package (streaming, karaoke, and parked games included for one year), power liftgate with key fob control, 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, and child door locks with LATCH anchors. The B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen is also part of the package, with a 10-speaker base setup and an available upgrade to a 14-speaker, 980-watt system.
2027 Ford Explorer safety features
Real-World Benefit: Matching the Trim to How You Actually Drive
Shoppers near Annapolis who spend most of their time on commutes and school runs get everything they need from Active or ST-Line. Both seat seven, carry up to 85.8 cubic feet of cargo at full fold, and return 27 mpg highway on the 2.3L engine. The difference between those two is styling: ST-Line gets larger, darker wheels and a more aggressive look without any mechanical change.
Buyers who want the Explorer for weekend camping or trail use should look closely at Tremor. The standard Intelligent 4WD, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, 24.1-degree approach angle, and 23.7-degree departure angle add up to measurably better off-pavement composure than any other Explorer trim.
For towing, all five trims share the 5,000-lb maximum loaded trailer weight rating (the overall lineup towing figure in the verified specs is up to 5,300 lbs, with trim-level ratings at 5,000 lbs per Ford's published details), so the engine choice matters more than the trim badge when hitching up.
Drivers who want the sharpest in-town acceleration should prioritize the ST. Getting the 3.0L V6 as the standard engine in a three-row SUV means the performance is there every time, not just when an upgrade box is checked. Platinum is the right choice when refinement and luxury features matter as much as capability, and buyers still want the option to upgrade to the 3.0L.
Compare 2027 Ford Explorer trims in detail
How It Compares: The Explorer Lineup Against the Segment
Most three-row SUVs in this segment split their trim stacks between economy and luxury, with performance and off-road variants usually limited to a single halo trim. The Explorer's five-trim structure is broader. Having both a dedicated off-road trim (Tremor) and a dedicated performance trim (ST) at separate positions in the lineup means buyers are not forced to choose one character at the expense of the other.
Standard 5G connectivity, Google Maps native navigation, Google Assistant, and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto across every trim put the Explorer ahead of rivals that still charge for over-the-air connectivity at entry-level grades. A 13.2-inch touchscreen as a baseline feature, rather than a premium-tier upgrade, reflects where the segment is heading.
Ford Co-Pilot360 safety technology details
Find Your 2027 Explorer Trim at Koons Ford in Annapolis
Every trim in the 2027 Explorer lineup has a clear answer for a different kind of buyer. Active and ST-Line work for families who want a tech-loaded, fuel-efficient three-row without a performance or off-road premium. Tremor is built for buyers who want genuine trail capability from a family SUV. ST is for drivers who want the twin-turbo V6 as a given, not a checkbox. Platinum is the top-shelf pick for buyers who want the full feature set with a luxury finish. Koons Ford in Annapolis carries the 2027 Explorer across all five trims, and the team can walk you through which configuration fits your driving pattern before you ever leave the lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 2027 Ford Explorer trim levels?
The 2027 Ford Explorer comes in five trims: Active, ST-Line, Tremor, ST, and Platinum. Active is the entry point, ST is the performance-focused option with a standard twin-turbo V6, Tremor is built for off-road capability with standard 4WD and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and Platinum is the premium top-level trim.
Which 2027 Explorer trim comes with the V6 engine?
The ST comes standard with the 3.0L twin-turbo V6, rated at 400 hp in federal-emissions states and 385 hp in green-emissions states. The Tremor and Platinum also offer the 3.0L twin-turbo V6 as an available upgrade over their standard 2.3L EcoBoost inline-4.
Does every 2027 Explorer trim include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard on every 2027 Explorer trim, from Active through Platinum. All trims also include the 13.2-inch touchscreen, Google Maps, and Google Assistant as standard equipment.
Which 2027 Explorer trim is best for off-road driving?
Tremor is the dedicated off-road trim. It comes with Intelligent 4WD as standard equipment, carries 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and posts a 24.1-degree approach angle and 23.7-degree departure angle. No other Explorer trim matches those off-road geometry numbers.
Does the 2027 Ford Explorer Tremor seat seven?
The Tremor's maximum seating capacity is listed at 6 occupants in Ford's published trim-level details, compared to 7 in the Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum trims.
What is the cargo space on the 2027 Ford Explorer?
Active and ST-Line offer 85.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. Tremor, ST, and Platinum are rated at 85.3 cubic feet. All five trims carry 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 46 cubic feet behind the second row.
Is all-wheel drive standard on any 2027 Explorer trim?
Intelligent 4WD is standard only on the Tremor. All other trims, Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum, start with rear-wheel drive and offer Intelligent 4WD as an available upgrade.