Independent vehicle analysis — no dealer commissions
66
out of 100
ClearCar Score Breakdown
Reliability
5.5
Resale Value
7.0
Insurance Cost
7.0
Ownership Cost
7.0
Our Verdict
The 2021 Ford Explorer is a solid choice with some trade-offs to consider.
2026 Market Alert: With 56.7% value retention, this vehicle is depreciating at a normal rate. In a market downturn, expect faster drops — negotiate accordingly.
Estimated Annual Ownership Costs
Insurance
$1,900 — $2,700
Maintenance
$600 — $950
Estimated Market Value
$21,527
MSRP (New)
$38,000
Vehicle Details
Year
2021
Make
Ford
Model
Explorer
Segment
Suv Midsize
Age
5 years
Value Retention
56.7%
5yr Brand Retention
55.0%
Reliability Score
5.5/10
Known Issues
10-speed transmission hesitation (2020+)
Rear suspension toe link recall
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Personalized analysis with deal pricing, recall checks, pre-purchase checklist, and negotiation guidance.
We pull data from NHTSA safety ratings, EPA fuel economy, insurance actuarials, and market depreciation curves to give you an unbiased, data-driven assessment. No dealer affiliations. No commissions. Just the numbers.
With tariff-driven market uncertainty in 2026, knowing the true value of a vehicle before you buy has never been more important. Don't overpay in a volatile market.