How much does a Ford Explorer cost in Southwest Houston?
A new Ford Explorer at Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston starts at Ford’s published MSRP for the base trim and rises with each trim up to the top trim. Texas tax, title and registration fees come on top of that sticker price.
Ford’s 2026 MSRPs run from $38,465 for the Active 100A to $54,905 for the ST. Texas sales tax is figured after any trade-in allowance comes off, so a trade-in lowers the tax you pay.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Houston. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Ford Explorer prices at Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston start at Ford’s MSRP
Ford publishes a separate MSRP for each 2026 Explorer trim, and the price climbs with each step up the lineup. The Active 100A lists at $38,465, and the ST lists at $54,905, a gap of $16,440 between the entry trim and the top one.
We sell new Ford Explorers at Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston, and the trim you choose sets the starting number for everything else in your budget. A buyer who knows the trim knows the sticker before the first conversation about price begins. The trim comparison is the first step, and the tax and fees come after it.
What does each 2026 Ford Explorer trim cost and include?
Each 2026 Explorer trim carries its own price and its own equipment, so the choice comes down to what you want Ford to build in. Ford’s published 2026 MSRPs are:
- Active 100A: $38,465
- Active: $40,585
- ST-Line: $45,155
- Tremor: $48,965
- Platinum: $50,965
- ST: $54,905
On the Active, Ford lists the 2.3L EcoBoost engine and Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ with Adaptive Cruise Control as part of the trim itself. Neither is sold as an extra-cost option. Seating also changes by trim. The ST-Line comes with its second-row bench as standard, and the Tremor is the one trim where that bench is not offered.
Ford’s published 2026 Explorer warranty applies across the lineup: 3 years or 36,000 miles basic, 5 years or 60,000 miles powertrain, and 5 years with unlimited miles for corrosion. Those terms matter when you compare a new Explorer with a used one, because they are the coverage a new buyer starts with.
What Texas tax and fees get added to a Ford Explorer price?
Texas charges 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on the sales price, minus any trade-in allowance (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2026). That tax is the largest figure added to the sticker, so it is the number to plan for first.
Registration starts with the $50.75 base fee for a passenger vehicle of 6,000 pounds or less, and Harris County adds an $11.50 local fee on the TxDMV fee chart (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, 2026). The title application fee in Harris County is $33 (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Motor Vehicle Title Manual, 2026), and TxDMV adds a $4.75 processing and handling fee on top of the base fee. With the $1 TexasSure fee and the $7.50 inspection program replacement fee, a Harris County buyer’s registration and title lines come to $108.50.
Say, hypothetically, a buyer picks the Active at its $40,585 MSRP and gets a $10,000 trade-in allowance, which is hypothetical. Tax is figured on $30,585, which comes to $1,911.56 at 6.25%. Without the trade-in, the tax would be $2,536.56, so the allowance saves $625 in tax. The trade-in changes the tax line rather than the MSRP on the sticker.
Where can you see current Ford Explorer prices in Southwest Houston?
Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston sells new Ford Explorers at 6445 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074. Sales hours are Monday to Friday 9 AM to 8 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 7 PM, and sales is closed on Sunday.
Bring the trim you want in mind, along with your budget and the Texas tax and fees for that price. With those three numbers in hand, the visit goes faster, and you can compare each trim on the same terms.
How does a trade-in lower what you pay for an Explorer?
A trade-in lowers the Texas sales tax you pay, because the tax is figured on the sales price less any amount given for trade-in vehicles and dealer discounts (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Motor Vehicle Tax Guide, 2026). The guide’s own example is a $42,000 vehicle with a $15,000 trade-in. On that example, the tax is 6.25% of the $27,000 left over, or $1,687.50.
A trade-in does not change the MSRP on the sticker, which is set by the trim you choose. Work out the trade-in’s value and the tax together, so the monthly figure you compare later is built on the right numbers.
Can you finance or lease a Ford Explorer at Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston?
Yes. Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston offers Ford leases along with new and pre-owned financing, and financing is available for all credit types.
A loan or a lease is built on the vehicle price, so set the trim and its MSRP first. We can help you compare dealerships and find the lowest possible purchase price before you look at the advertised monthly payment.
What warranty comes with a certified pre-owned Ford Explorer?
A certified pre-owned Ford carries Ford-backed coverage after the sale. Ford’s certified pre-owned program, Ford Blue Advantage, has a top Gold Certified tier that covers Ford models up to 6 years old with less than 80,000 miles that pass a 172-point inspection (Ford Motor Company, 2026).
The program adds a 12-month or 12,000-mile limited warranty, whichever comes first, covering more than 1,000 components. It also includes 24/7 Ford Roadside Assistance for 7 years and a 14-day or 1,000-mile money-back guarantee. At Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston, we sell Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, and every one gets a 172-point inspection by our factory-trained technicians. Ford CPO vehicles carry a Ford-backed extended powertrain limited warranty and bumper-to-bumper coverage, and a free vehicle history report comes with each vehicle. Our used inventory also includes cars from makes other than Ford.
FAQ
Can you test drive an Explorer at home?
Yes. We offer home test drives and home deliveries, so you can drive a new Explorer where you live before you decide.
How many people does the 2026 Ford Explorer seat?
The 2026 Explorer seats six or seven, depending on the trim. The Active 100A, Active, Platinum and ST seat seven with the available second-row bench and six with the standard captain’s chairs. The ST-Line seats seven with its bench standard, and the Tremor seats six because its bench is not offered.
How much can the 2026 Ford Explorer tow?
The 2026 Explorer tows up to 5,000 pounds on every trim. The Class III Tow Package is standard on all models, according to Ford’s published 2026 specifications.
What is the EPA fuel economy of the 2026 Ford Explorer?
The AWD with the 2.3-liter four-cylinder is rated 20 mpg city, 27 highway and 23 combined.
What should you ask any dealer before agreeing on an Explorer price?
Ask for the lowest possible purchase price first, not only the lowest advertised monthly payment. Ask whether the Texas sales tax, title fee and registration fees are included in the figure you are quoted. We can help you compare dealerships and find the lowest possible purchase price.
Can you service your Explorer at Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston after you buy it?
Yes. Service can be scheduled online through the Schedule Service (Xtime) link on our site. Service hours are Monday to Friday 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 7 AM to 5 PM, and service is closed on Sunday. Parts can be requested through an online order form, and we confirm by contact, with no checkout.
Why buy your Ford Explorer from Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston?
We are Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston, and we sell new Ford Explorers and the rest of the new Ford lineup from 6445 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074.
Our Google record is 4.3 stars across 4,732 reviews (Google, 2026), and 77% of those reviews are five-star. In an August 2026 5-star Google review, Terri wrote: “This was my second time trying to get my infotainment system to work correctly. The service manager, Courtney Wright, made the process painless and easy. She kept me updated with the status of my vehicle. The Group 1 Ford team has exceeded my expectations.” Terri describes one service visit, and the follow-through they credit to their service manager is the kind of communication you can ask about before you buy.
Start with the trim you want, then add Texas tax and fees to its MSRP so the numbers match from the first conversation. Then get an online trade-in offer and apply for financing online at Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston, and finish at 6445 Southwest Fwy or take a home delivery.
Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Houston showroom, or call 281-588-5000.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
