Ford Gives You A Good Reason To Choose Explorer Tremor Over Honda Pilot TrailSport

Ford’s midsize SUV lineup just got a serious boost with the arrival of the new Tremor trim for the Ford Explorer. Introduced last month, the new off-road-focused trim brings trail-ready hardware and rugged styling to a segment that’s becoming increasingly competitive. And Ford isn’t being subtle about its intentions – it’s pricing the Tremor to challenge rivals like the Honda Pilot TrailSport head-on.

According to the latest order guide obtained by CarsDirect, the 2026 Explorer Tremor starts at $48,330 (excluding destination). With a price tag smaller than the outgoing Explorer Timberline, Ford is clearly targeting buyers shopping for capable three-row SUVs with a bit of adventure baked in.

The Most Rugged Explorer Right Off The Showroom

When you compare the Explorer Tremor’s price against the current $49,400 MSRP of the Honda Pilot TrailSport, it becomes obvious that Ford wants its Tremor to be the better deal on paper and off-road. The $1,070 difference may not seem massive, but remember that Honda hasn’t revealed the pricing for the 2026 version of the Pilot TrailSport soft-roader SUV, which is expected to increase with the turn-over to a new model year.

The Explorer Tremor comes with 18-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, a raised suspension, and underbody skid plates. The suspension is retuned with new springs and sway bars for better articulation and clearance, and Ford has added off-road lighting and distinctive styling cues like Electric Spice accents to drive home the rugged image.

The 2026 Explorer Lineup Is Getting Cheaper

Beyond the surface, the Explorer Tremor delivers an edge in performance. While both SUVs come standard with similar power outputs, Ford offers a 400-hp twin-turbo V6 upgrade from the awesome Explorer ST via the Tremor Ultimate Package, something that’s missing in the Honda. You’ll have to spend quite a bit more on that engine, though – $11,505 to be exact, which shoots up the Explorer Tremor’s price up to almost $60,000.

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Ford’s aggressive pricing strategy doesn’t stop with the Tremor. From the same order guide, CarsDirect reports that the 2026 Explorer models are getting cheaper. The base Explorer Active now starts at $38,330, which is $1,720 less than last year’s model. Even the top-end Platinum trim sees a $1,695 reduction, now priced at $50,830.

Source: CarsDirect