2026 Ford Explorer: 5-Year Cost of Ownership

An estimate of what a 2026 Ford Explorer typically costs to own over 5 years, based on a real $52,466 market price and 23 MPG combined.

Pricing data refreshed monthly · last updated September 2026

Where the money goes

How it compares

The 2026 Ford Explorer ranks #49 of 63 SUVs and crossovers in our database for lowest 5-year cost — $6,180 more than the average SUV in our database ($46,903). Here’s how it stacks up against similarly priced rivals:

Head-to-head comparisons

Where it costs the least to own

Gas prices, insurance rates, sales tax and registration fees change the 5-year cost of a 2026 Ford Explorer by about $9,075 depending on where you live.

Cheapest states

Most expensive states

Quick answers

How much does a 2026 Ford Explorer cost per month to own?

About $885 a month averaged over 5 years, or $53,083 in total. That covers depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and sales tax and fees, but not loan interest.

How much value does a 2026 Ford Explorer lose in 5 years?

About $28,705, or 55% of its $52,466 market price. That’s based on what real 5-year-old examples sell for today.

How much does a 2026 Ford Explorer cost to fuel?

At 23 MPG combined, 12,000 miles a year and $3.50/gallon, fuel costs about $1,826 a year ($152/month).

Is a 2026 Ford Explorer cheap to own compared with other SUVs and crossovers?

It ranks #49 of 63 for lowest 5-year cost among the SUVs and crossovers we track, costing $6,180 more than the average SUV in our database ($46,903). It works out to about $0.88 per mile driven.

Get your exact estimate

Enter your own ZIP code, mileage and ownership period — or decode your exact VIN — in the interactive calculator for a personalized number.