Hackensack is a dense Bergen County city with busy local streets and major commuter routes such as Route 4. It has a population density of over 10,983 people per square mile and a daytime population that swells as commuters flow in from surrounding towns. Route 4, which passes directly through Hackensack, is a divided arterial highway with right-in/right-out intersections and heavy commercial traffic, one of the more demanding daily driving environments in North Jersey. Lodi sits adjacent, sharing similar density and road character.
The assumption most buyers make is that a three-row SUV this size belongs in the suburbs, not the city. The 2026 Ford Explorer challenges that assumption in a few specific ways.
What Are the 2026 Ford Explorer's Dimensions and How Do They Play Out on Hackensack's Roads?
Size anxiety is real for SUV buyers in dense urban areas. Here are the actual numbers:
At 198.8 inches, the Explorer is a full-size three-row SUV. It is not small. But it is not disproportionately large for the driving environment around Hackensack either, comparable in footprint to the Toyota Highlander (194.9 inches) and the Chevrolet Traverse (204.3 inches). The Explorer's 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift capability gives drivers precise control in stop-and-go conditions on Route 4 and Main Street, where gear selection matters more than raw power.
The 7.6-inch ground clearance is a practical advantage on Hackensack's older road surfaces, uneven pavement, patched asphalt, and the occasional raised manhole cover that characterizes dense urban streets across Bergen County.
How Does the Explorer Perform on Route 4 and the GWB Approach?
Route 4 runs east from Fair Lawn through Hackensack toward Fort Lee, terminating at I-95 near the George Washington Bridge approach. For Hackensack and Lodi residents commuting toward New York City, this is the daily route, and it involves a specific mix of stop-and-go commercial district traffic and aggressive highway merges.
The 2026 Ford Explorer base engine is a 2.3L EcoBoost inline-4 producing 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic. On-ramp acceleration and the aggressive lane changes that the GWB approach demands are handled without drama. For buyers who want more, the available 3.0L EcoBoost V6 produces 385 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, standard on the ST trim and available on the Tremor.
EPA-estimated fuel economy on the base 2.3L engine is 20 MPG city and 29 MPG highway with rear-wheel drive, and 20 MPG city and 27 MPG highway with 4WD. For a three-row SUV doing daily Route 4 runs, that's a competitive fuel figure. At current New Jersey gas prices of approximately $4.15 per gallon for regular, a Hackensack-to-Fort Lee commuter driving 300 miles weekly spends approximately $62 in fuel, realistic for a vehicle this size in this environment.
Is the 2026 Ford Explorer a Good Fit for Hackensack and Lodi Driving?
This is the practical concern that most reviews don't address. Hackensack is an urban city with street parking, multi-story garages, and tight retail lots. At 78.9 inches wide, the Explorer requires awareness in tighter spaces, but no more so than any comparable three-row SUV.
The standard rear-view camera is included across all 2026 Explorer trims. Ford's available 360-degree camera system on higher trims gives a bird's-eye view of the vehicle's perimeter, a genuinely useful feature for Hackensack's parallel parking situations and tight garage columns. Rear parking sensors and Active Park Assist, which can steer the vehicle into parallel and perpendicular spaces automatically, are also available.
For Lodi, where Route 17 and its intersecting commercial streets create some of the most congested retail parking in Bergen County, having the available camera and sensor suite makes a material difference in day-to-day usability.
Standard Safety Features on the 2026 Ford Explorer
Every 2026 Explorer comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot360™, a suite that includes:
Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
Pedestrian Detection
Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert
Lane-Keeping System
Rear View Camera
Auto High-Beam Headlamps
For urban driving in dense areas like Hackensack and Lodi, where pedestrian traffic is high, intersections are frequent, and lane changes on Route 4 happen under pressure, standard collision avoidance technology is not optional equipment. It's a daily tool.
Visit All American Ford of Hackensack
All American Ford of Hackensack is located at 520 River Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601. The 2026 Ford Explorer is available in inventory across multiple trims. If you want to test drive the Explorer on Route 4 or through downtown Hackensack before committing, the dealership can arrange that route specifically, and our Ford Service Center is available for all your maintenance needs once you drive home.
FAQs
Is the 2026 Ford Explorer too big for Hackensack's urban streets?
At 198.8 inches long and 78.9 inches wide, the Explorer is a mid-size three-row SUV with substantial passenger and cargo space. It requires awareness in tight parking situations, but is comparable in footprint to the Toyota Highlander and other three-row competitors.
What is the fuel economy of the 2026 Ford Explorer?
The 2026 Explorer with the base 2.3L EcoBoost engine is EPA-estimated at 20 MPG city and 29 MPG highway with rear-wheel drive, and 20 MPG city and 27 MPG highway with 4WD.
What engine does the 2026 Ford Explorer come with?
The standard engine is a 2.3L EcoBoost inline-4 producing 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic. The available 3.0L EcoBoost V6 produces 385 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, and is standard on the ST trim.
Does the 2026 Ford Explorer have safety features for urban driving?
Yes. Ford Co-Pilot360™ is standard across all 2026 Explorer trims and includes Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Information System, Lane-Keeping System, and a rear-view camera.
Where can I test drive the 2026 Ford Explorer near Lodi, NJ?
All American Ford of Hackensack at 520 River Street serves Ford shoppers from Lodi and surrounding Bergen County communities. It is conveniently located near Lodi at 520 River Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601.
