Used 2016 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews
Used Explorer for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
2016 and 2018 Ford Explorer Sport! 2020 update
C.M., 08/16/2016
updated 09/09/2020
2016 Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
34 of 38 people found this review helpful
If you want a SUV that has great acceleration, the bells and whistles technology has to offer and fits your family comfortably for long road trips this is the car for you! I originally had a 2014 Limited Ford Explorer but 290hp is not enough for a heavy SUV. (aka CUV) So I traded it in for a 2016 Explorer Sport and WOW love this one! With 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque it's the engine my Explorer needed. My husband and I tested it in the real world. We were able to get 0-60 in 6 seconds flat, not bad for amateur drivers;). This car is so comfortable for long road trips. Traveled straight for 9 hours with my husband (um we did stop for bathroom breaks three times) , my 81yr old mom, my 6'1 tall son and his girlfriend and every one was so comfortable. I know people think the third row leg room is small, but my son is 6'1 and he rode in the third row just fine. My 81yr old mom is able to get in second row seats very easily because the design of the foot entry is lower then other SUV's. For example she couldn't get in the Jeep Grand Cherokee I was thinking of getting before I bought my Ford. I also love the new additional front camera on my Sport it helps me menuever tight corners like at some fast food drive-thrus. My Sport is loaded with Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot warning which is a definite plus, we used it all the time during our 9hr road trip. Sorry to read some reviewer's Explorers breaking down on road trips, but my personal experience with my 2014 Explorer Limited and now my 2016 Explorer Sport is that they both have been driven with no problems except the Sync system shut down twice and we had to reboot it by turning off the car and then on again, other than that absolutely no problems with engine, comfort or technology. 13,800 miles driven so far. Update 2018: After putting in 30,000 miles we still had no problem with our 2016 Ford Explorer Sport except for the Sync system which was really slow. All is solved now! We traded it in for a 2018 Ford Explorer Sport with the 3.5-liter twin-turbo engine that generates 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. (Note: This is NOT the XL with the outside sport trim, I don’t know why Ford decided to offer that, it confuses people!) It’s loaded with 2nd row bucket seats which I highly recommend. I’m so happy with the new 2018 Sync system, it works like a dream! It has Apple Car Play and Android Auto capabilities! Umm..It’s just my own taste but the Explorer Platinum model is just too fancy for me. I’m done now. This 2018 Ford Explorer Sport is a keeper! It’s now August 2019 and my Ford Explorer Sport is very dependable! Absolutely nothing wrong with it and I still love it. 2020 update: We are now in the Coronavirus year, September, 2020. I still love my 2018 Explorer Sport! Absolutely no problems whatsoever! Something is going right this year. Yay!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Throttle Body Malfunction Turned it into a Lemon
Paul, 04/29/2016
2016 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
21 of 23 people found this review helpful
Great car up until the electronic throttle body broke at 8,700 miles on the highway. Ford apparently had a "nationwide shortage" on the part needed and after weeks of waiting, they offered me a refund under the lemon laws. Luckily, Ford has been cooperative but it's taking a lot of time to get this refund.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2016 Ford Explorer for sale near you
3 of 113 listings
- Platinum 4dr SUVMSRP: $12,8996 mi away
- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $11,89915 mi away
- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $13,99510 mi away
See all 113 listings
New owner with less than 3000 miles Update at 41,K
Bob Stewart, 02/25/2016
updated 08/31/2020
2016 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
21 of 23 people found this review helpful
The lane guidance and adaptive cruse take a little bit to get used to the automatic functions. These features work well but are unnerving the first time used. Handling, braking and acceleration are excellent better than my previous Mercury Grand Marquis V8. Auto wipers are somewhat intermittent in operation and sometimes not as effective as they should be. Second row seats have good leg room, third row seats are tight for adults. Heated, cooled and massage front seats are great for a long drive. Ford should offer a running board option as vehicle is a high step up without running boards. The only negatives on the platinum model that I have found are the lack of fitted running boards and the Ford MySync Touch being the older Sync system. The phone Bluetooth functions are limited to read text and no speech to text function available. The brake assist should be improved to not just flash warning bar and increase brake response but system should apply brakes to stop vehicle. Update at 35,000, No problems, updated Sync and found a very inexpensive map update on ebay that worked very well. I wish Ford would have a MySync that would allow full phone functions like Waze on Sync screen. Also the rear power outlet shuts down after car is shut off, I suggest Ford add an option to have power on after engine is shut off. Update at 8/28/17 and 18,531 miles, no problems everything continues to work well. Auto wipers dry swipe sometimes for no reason. Tire wear seems high on the original tires. So far I still love the car and enjoy taking long trips, the massage seats are great and remote start allows SUV to cool off while walking to care from the store. Update 8/28/18 and 28,531 miles, no problems everything continues to work well. Used the full 7 passenger capability with grandkids and they loved all being in one car. Rear AC works very well, in extreme heat. Also used 4X4 in dirt / mud and was very impressed as original tires did very well. Weight limit on roof racks very low due to moon roof. Update 2/28/2020 Original OEM tires were very poor on wear, and noise, replaced with a different brand and improved noise and handling. Update at 8/2020 and 41K miles, no real problems to report, car remains a joy to drive especially on long trips. On thought on cameras would be to use front and rear cameras as dash cams recorded to Micro SD Card also add USB windshield power outlets for Radar Detector, Dash Cams, or other USB powered devices. Also by cup holders a mounting hole for cell phone holder that will allow after market devices to mount securely.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Honest Two Month Review
N, 10/13/2015
2016 Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
We have had our 2016 Sport for two months now. It replaced a five year old Chrysler minivan. Before buying the Ford, we compared it to the 2016 Honda Pilot, 2015 GMC Acadia, and 2015 Toyota Highlander. All vehicles were the top trim models. We liked the Ford best overall. So far the only issue has been a bad tire pressure sensor, which was at bad at purchase and was replaced the following week. As far as the seats others have been complaining about: I am 5'11, 220, and have a 36" waist. My wife is 5'6, 170, and is a size 16. Once we adjusted the seats, the comfort level is fine. We have the heated/cooled leather seats. The vehicle is quiet, punchy, handles well, and has plenty of interior room for three teens and a child. The storage room behind the third row seat is decent, more than any of the vehicles we tested, but not as much as a minivan. This is one of the only downsides and we know it switching from a minivan to a suv. My only other issues would be the hood (seems bigger than it needs to be) and the touchscreen. I like buttons and switches, not touch screens and different menus to change settings. Overall a good vehicle so far.
- Safety
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
They hit it out of the park!
Jack M, 11/06/2015
2016 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
26 of 29 people found this review helpful
The Platinum trim takes an already outstanding SUV well into the luxury class. I had planned to buy a Limited, but decided to go all in for the Platinum since I wanted most of the advanced features anyway. What a nice upgrade! In addition to all of the features, the interior is replete with stitched leather. My other vehicles are Mercedes and BMWs and I have to say that this vehicle experience is on par with those marques. A friend of mine said he preferred this leather to that of his high-end BMW. Multiple valets have favorably compared the vehicle with Range Rovers. Included with the Platinum is the 3.5L Ecoboost engine from the Sport. That engine is smooth and very powerful, almost telepathic. Acceleration is butterly smooth and you get to your desired speed almost as soon as you think of accelerating. I do not understand the other reviews that complain about the seats. My wife and I feel they are quite comfortable. They can even massage the knots out of your back. However, I do wish there were more room for my left foot. The wheel well intrusion may be uncomfortable for some people. I suggest that you evaluate that yourself. Particular likes: - Performance of the 3.5L Ecoboost engine - Styling - Interior treatment - Auto high beams - Adaptive cruise control - Quite ride Dislike: - Limited left foot space for the driver. I am very happy with this vehicle so far. It has far exceeded my expectations.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value