New Ford Explorer Irvine, CA
* Plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, $85 dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charges..
** Special factory financing in lieu of Ford factory rebates. *** Ford special offer rebates include all available Ford Factory Rebates. Some customers may not qualify for all Ford Factory Rebates.****Prices do not include government fees and taxes, any finance charge, any dealer document processing charge, any electronic filing charge and any emissions testing charge*
Factory rebates include all available Ford Factory Rebates some may not qualify for all Ford Factory Rebates. Special factory financing in lieu of Ford Factory Rebates. Picture of the vehicle is for illustration purposes only. Vehicle Specification may vary if the vehicle has been Modified or Altered. Actual dealer price may vary. Availability subject to change. The dealer is not responsible for any errors or omissions concerning any information represented.
All Pricing and Advertised Prices for all new and used vehicles offered for sale does not include dealer installed accessories which can be purchased for an additional cost.
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Who Should Buy the Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer is ideal for Orange County families needing three-row seating, commuters traveling between Irvine and Anaheim, and drivers wanting an SUV capable of weekend trips to Big Bear, Joshua Tree, or the Southern California coast.
Why Irvine Drivers Choose Huntington Beach Ford for the Explorer
- Short hop from Irvine About 13 miles via I-405 North to the Beach Blvd (CA-39) exit, an easy drive for UCI-area shoppers, tech commuters, and Irvine Spectrum and Great Park residents.
- Built for long freeway commutes Available Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist technology and the Explorer's composed highway ride suit daily I-405/I-5/CA-133 stretches between Irvine and the coast or South County job sites.
- Power when you want it Choose the efficient 2.3L EcoBoost for daily commuting or step up to the available 3.0L EcoBoost with up to 385 hp on ST and Tremor trims for spirited weekend drives.
- Trade-in & financing on the spot Get an instant online KBB Cash Offer and pre-approval applied directly to your Explorer build before you ever leave Irvine.
- Service that respects your schedule Ford Pickup & Delivery and mobile service (where available) keep maintenance simple for busy UCI faculty, tech professionals, and dual-income Irvine households.
Ford Explorer Overview: Trims, Engines & Features
The 2026 Ford Explorer lineup starts from $38,465 MSRP and spans six trims priced at approximately $38,465 / $40,585 / $45,155 / $48,965 / $50,965 / $54,905. Every Explorer offers three-row, 7-passenger seating, making it a genuine family SUV rather than a compact crossover with a cramped third row. The standard 2.3L EcoBoost engine (base trim, approximately 300 hp) covers everyday driving efficiently, while the available 3.0L EcoBoost on ST and Tremor trims delivers up to a max available 385 hp for shoppers who want stronger merging and passing power on Orange County freeways. Drivetrain choices include RWD and available AWD configurations depending on trim.
Available driver-assist and connectivity technology — including Ford Co-Pilot360 features and SYNC — appeal to Irvine's tech-forward buyer base, many of whom cross-shop connected features as closely as horsepower.
Why the Explorer Fits Life in Irvine
Irvine is a master-planned city built around long commutes, a major university, and a dense concentration of tech and biotech employers. Families near UCI, Irvine Spectrum, Great Park, and Woodbury often juggle campus drop-offs, freeway commutes to job sites across Orange County, and weekend trips that call for real cargo and passenger room — exactly the mix the Explorer's three-row seating is built to handle. A household with kids at UCI or nearby schools can fold the third row down for a Costco run on Saturday and fold it back up for a carpool on Monday, without swapping to a second vehicle.
Irvine's tech-heavy, higher-income buyer base also tends to weigh connected features and driver-assist technology alongside performance, and the Explorer answers both: available Ford Co-Pilot360 tech supports the stop-and-go reality of I-405 and I-5 commuting, while the available 3.0L EcoBoost's up to 385 hp gives confident merging for drivers who log serious freeway miles between Irvine, the coast, and job sites farther south. For Irvine's growing interest in electrified options, Ford's broader SUV lineup includes hybrid and EV alternatives; ask our team which powertrain best matches your commute and charging situation.
Safety is a real consideration for UCI student households and Irvine families alike, and the Explorer's available driver-assist suite is designed with exactly that kind of daily, higher-traffic driving in mind.
Explorer vs the Competition
Sources & last updated: July 2026
| Feature | Ford Explorer | Toyota Highlander | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | From $38,465[1] | See manufacturer specifications[2] | See manufacturer specifications[2] |
| Seating capacity | 7 (three-row)[1] | Up to 8, three-row[2] | Up to 8, three-row[2] |
| Base engine | 2.3L EcoBoost (~300 hp)[1] | See manufacturer specifications[2] | See manufacturer specifications[2] |
| Max available horsepower | Up to 385 hp (3.0L EcoBoost, ST/Tremor)[1] | See manufacturer specifications[2] | See manufacturer specifications[2] |
| Drivetrain options | RWD / available AWD[1] | Varies by trim/model year[2] | Varies by trim/model year[2] |
| EPA fuel economy | See current EPA rating by trim[3] | See current EPA rating by trim[3] | See current EPA rating by trim[3] |
| Safety ratings | See manufacturer specifications[4] | See manufacturer specifications[4] | See manufacturer specifications[4] |
Also cross-shopped in Irvine: the Kia Telluride, another 3-row family SUV competitor — see our team for a side-by-side against the Explorer.
Sources:
- Ford.com — official 2026 Ford Explorer specifications (MSRP by trim, seating, engine hp, and max available 385 hp on ST/Tremor), as of July 24, 2026.
- Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com) and each manufacturer's official site — Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Kia Telluride seating, engine, and MSRP specifications (approx.).
- EPA (fueleconomy.gov) — official EPA fuel economy ratings by trim and powertrain.
- NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) and IIHS (iihs.org) — official crash-test and safety ratings by model year.
Figures current at the time of publication.
The Highlander, Pilot, and Telluride are all credible 3-row family SUVs: the Highlander leans on Toyota's reputation for reliability and a standard hybrid option, the Pilot offers a roomy cabin and Honda's long-standing resale strength, and the Telluride has built a following for interior value and styling. Where the Explorer separates itself is available power — the 3.0L EcoBoost's max available 385 hp on ST and Tremor trims gives Irvine's tech-commuter and freeway-heavy buyer base a genuinely quicker option than the segment's typical standard powertrains, without giving up the three-row practicality this class is built around.
See our full Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot & Kia Telluride comparison for a trim-by-trim breakdown.
Popular Explorer Configurations for Irvine Shoppers
The base 2.3L EcoBoost trims are the practical daily-commuter pick for UCI-area families and Irvine tech professionals who want efficient three-row space for the I-405/I-5 grind. Mid-level trims add available Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist features that suit Irvine's stop-and-go corridors near the Spectrum and Great Park. Buyers who want more presence and available power gravitate toward the ST and Tremor trims and their available 3.0L EcoBoost, up to 385 hp, for weekend drives or a quicker merge onto the freeway. Ask our team which trim best matches your commute distance and budget.
Getting to Huntington Beach Ford from Irvine
From Irvine, take I-405 North toward Huntington Beach and exit at Beach Blvd (CA-39), heading toward the coast to 18255 Beach Blvd — about 13 miles and typically 20–25 minutes depending on traffic and your starting neighborhood (UCI, Irvine Spectrum, Great Park, or Woodbury).
Financing & Offers for Irvine Shoppers
Get pre-approved online, value your trade with an instant offer, and ask our team about current Explorer incentives, lease programs, or any offers you may qualify for as an Irvine shopper. Call us at 888-516-4195 to check current availability before you make the drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Huntington Beach Ford from Irvine?
Huntington Beach Ford is about 13 miles from Irvine, roughly 20–25 minutes via I-405 North to the Beach Blvd (CA-39) exit, right to 18255 Beach Blvd.
Is the Ford Explorer a good fit for Irvine's long freeway commutes?
Yes. The Explorer's 2.3L EcoBoost base engine and available driver-assist tech suit daily I-405/I-5/CA-133 commuting, while the available 3.0L EcoBoost (up to 385 hp on ST/Tremor) adds confidence for merging and passing on Irvine's busy corridors.
Does the Explorer have enough seating and safety tech for a UCI family or student household?
Yes. The Explorer's three-row, 7-passenger seating fits UCI-area families, roommates, or multi-generational households, and available Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist technology is built for stop-and-go traffic near campus and the Irvine business district.
How does the Ford Explorer compare to the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Kia Telluride?
All four are 3-row family SUVs, but the Explorer stands out with an available 3.0L EcoBoost delivering up to 385 hp on ST and Tremor trims, more available power than the Highlander, Pilot, or Telluride typically offer in their standard lineups. See our full comparison table for trim-by-trim detail.
Can Irvine shoppers trade in or finance a new Explorer at Huntington Beach Ford?
Yes. Irvine shoppers can get an instant online KBB Cash Offer for their trade and apply for financing or leasing online before visiting, then finish paperwork at 18255 Beach Blvd.