Ford is about to give the Explorer mid-size SUV a makeover in China. The photos of the 2026 Ford Explorer have been released online in China, showing the new design and updated engine option. Check out the complete details below.

You can also find the top certified pre-owned Ford Explorer cars at Cars24 UAE.

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2026 Ford Explorer gets a new design

Ford’s lineup in China has always been different and interesting. All thanks to Chinese customers and their preferences, brands like Ford keep updating their vehicles as per the latest market trends in China.

The upcoming Explorer facelift looks like another such addition to the lineup, as the official photos released from the Ministry of Industry and Technology’s website showcase a redesigned model.

As seen in the photos, the Chinese-spec Explorer facelift gets a new set of sleek, slender-like LED headlights that feature horizontal LED DRLs, a new front grille with horizontal slats, and a redesigned bumper with an H-shape.

While the overall size and silhouette of the SUV are unaltered, we can spot the new alloy wheels and a new rear design with a revised bumper. Although these changes are not hefty, they do make the SUV look more streamlined and fresh.

New interior features are likely to come

While the leaked photos are only of the exteriors of the new Explorer, we believe that Ford will also update its interiors. Assuming that the new model will be equipped with a revised connected screen UI and more advanced wireless features, including improved voice commands.

Although Ford will not go into extensive updates, we firmly believe that it will equip the new Explorer with new features and a modern outlook, which will probably be achieved via a new cabin theme.

A new engine is on the way

The big news is that the official listing on the website shows that it will be powered by a new 2.3-litre Ecoboost petrol engine. This turbocharged unit produces 286 bhp/445 Nm and gets a 4WD system that is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The official MIT Chinese website also revealed that the top speed of the new Explorer SUV is 200 km/h.

Will it launch in the UAE?

The new Ford Explorer facelift is exclusively going to be launched in China. As China-specific products are usually distinguished from the rest of the world, we believe that Ford will not launch the updated Explorer in the UAE soon.

The new Explorer will go on sale in China early next year. However, an updated model might launch in the UAE with distinctive changes in the future.

Cars24 UAE says

The Ford Explorer SUV is considered a rival to the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. The Explorer is known for its rugged design, spacious interiors and powerful engine performance. It is also one of the safest SUVs in the segment globally. The new model will arrive soon in China, and the UAE customers will have to wait.