The Ford Explorer hybrid is one of the best deals in used 3rd row SUVs
If you’ve shopped for a three-row SUV lately, you probably needed to sit down after seeing the price tags. In 2025, the average new car transaction is flirting with $50,000, and third-row SUVs are some of the priciest options out there. But there’s one hybrid SUV bucking the trend: the Ford Explorer Hybrid. Its used values are falling faster than almost anything else on the market, making it a rare deal for buyers who need space, efficiency, durability, and affordability.
Performance and efficiency
The Ford Explorer Hybrid pairs a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor for a total of 318 horsepower. A 10-speed automatic sends power to either the rear or all four wheels. MotorTrend tested it and found that it reached “60 mph in 7.7 seconds, making it quicker than the Kia Sorento Hybrid and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.” However, that speed comes at a cost. Fuel economy falls short of segment leaders, with “23-27/24-28 mpg city/highway, with RWD Limited examples offering the best numbers.”
Interior and features
The Explorer Hybrid doesn’t sacrifice cargo space for its hybrid powertrain. It offers up to 87.8 cubic feet of cargo room—more than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid or Kia Sorento Hybrid. Ford Authority praised its practicality, noting that it’s “about on par for the segment compared to the Highlander and Sorento, and this hybrid model doesn’t sacrifice any space for batteries or motors.”
Why it’s a bargain
Hybrid SUVs usually hold their value well, but the Explorer Hybrid is depreciating fast. That’s good news for used buyers. The challenge? Used car interest rates remain high, making financing difficult. But hybrids tend to last longer than gas-only models, meaning a well-maintained Explorer Hybrid should provide years of reliable service.
At a time when third-row SUVs are some of the most expensive vehicles on the market, the Ford Explorer Hybrid is a rare bright spot. It’s roomy, efficient, and—thanks to steep depreciation—shockingly affordable. If you need space for the family but don’t want to shell out luxury-car money, this might be the smartest buy out there.
Check out used Ford Explorer listings near you.
