2026 Ford Explorer Active Review: A Dad Let His Daughter Judge It. Her Honest Opinion Was the One That Mattered
TL;DR: Shopping for a family SUV means thinking beyond horsepower and cargo space. In this special episode of Honest Rides, the review comes from the back seat. Before school let out for summer, Dez brought home the 2026 Ford Explorer Active and let his daughter decide whether it lived up to family life. Her verdict? […]
TL;DR: Shopping for a family SUV means thinking beyond horsepower and cargo space. In this special episode of Honest Rides, the review comes from the back seat. Before school let out for summer, Dez brought home the 2026 Ford Explorer Active and let his daughter decide whether it lived up to family life. Her verdict? Comfortable seats, a panoramic roof she loved, rear controls she could operate herself—and one very specific complaint about the charging ports. It’s an honest review that every Fraser Valley parent can relate to.
Check out our full Explorer Inventory today: https://msaford.com/new-inventory/model/explorer/
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What Does a Seven-Year-Old Think of the 2026 Ford Explorer Active?
Vehicle reviews usually focus on horsepower.
Or towing.
Or fuel economy.
But if you’re buying a family SUV, there’s someone whose opinion probably matters even more.
Your kids.
This episode of Honest Rides hands the review over to the person who’ll spend the most time in the back seat.
And, as you’d probably expect, she doesn’t hold anything back.
Family Vehicles Get Judged Differently
For parents, choosing the next SUV usually starts with practical questions.
Will everyone fit comfortably?
Is there enough room for sports gear?
Can it handle school mornings?
Will the kids actually enjoy riding in it?
Those aren’t questions you’ll find on a specification sheet.
They’re questions you only answer by living with the vehicle.
That’s exactly what this Honest Ride set out to explore.
Meet the Toughest Reviewer Yet
Before heading out, Dez introduces his daughter.
Like many kids, she already has a favourite Ford.
The Bronco.
So convincing her that the Explorer deserved a chance wasn’t going to be easy.
She climbed into the second row with one mission:
Figure out whether the Explorer was actually better for family life.
Her review started almost immediately.
First Impression: “I Like the Seats.”
Children usually notice comfort long before adults do.
Her first comment?
“I like the seats.”
The Explorer Active features ActiveX seating surfaces, giving the cabin a premium feel while remaining practical for everyday family use.
She didn’t know the material’s name.
She simply knew it felt comfortable.
Sometimes that’s all the review you need.
One Complaint Parents Will Understand
Then came the criticism.
Not about the ride.
Not about the space.
The charging ports.
She quickly pointed out that the rear seating area didn’t have every connector she wanted.
Like many families today, every device seems to use something different.
It became a funny reminder that modern family vehicles aren’t just expected to transport people.
They’re expected to keep everyone’s electronics happy too.
The Panoramic Roof Was an Instant Favourite
The feature that impressed her most?
The panoramic roof.
Looking upward, she immediately loved how much light filled the cabin.
For children riding in the second row, it transforms an ordinary drive into something much more open and enjoyable.
Long road trips feel brighter.
City drives feel less confined.
Sometimes a simple feature changes the entire experience from the back seat.
Rear Seat Controls Make a Difference
One feature many adults overlook quickly became another favourite.
Rear-seat controls.
She loved having the ability to adjust parts of her own seating area without asking for help.
That little bit of independence matters.
Especially for children who are becoming more comfortable travelling on longer trips.
The Explorer gives rear passengers features that help them feel included—not simply along for the ride.
Built for School Mornings
Parents know that school mornings can feel rushed.
That’s why everyday convenience matters just as much as performance.
During the drive, Dez highlighted several family-friendly features, including:
- Remote start for cold winter mornings
- Easy-to-read navigation display
- Spacious second-row seating
- Large panoramic roof
- Comfortable ActiveX seats
- Rear passenger controls
- Plenty of cup holders for water bottles and snacks
These aren’t headline features.
They’re the details families use every single day.
Why the Explorer Works for Fraser Valley Families
Whether you’re driving across Abbotsford, heading to soccer in Chilliwack or spending weekends exploring British Columbia, the Explorer Active fits naturally into family life.
It offers:
- Seating for up to seven passengers
- Flexible cargo space
- Comfortable second-row seating
- Everyday practicality
- Confident performance
- Premium interior finishes without stepping into a full-size SUV
It’s large enough for growing families while remaining easy to drive around town.
Sometimes Kids Notice What Adults Miss
One of the best moments in the episode isn’t about technology.
It’s simply listening.
Children notice things adults often overlook.
Cup holders.
Windows.
Seat comfort.
The feeling of space.
Instead of discussing horsepower, she talked about how the vehicle made her feel.
That’s exactly what family vehicles are supposed to do.
The Most Honest Review of All
Near the end of the drive, nothing dramatic happened.
No high-speed demonstrations.
No complicated technology explanations.
Just a father dropping his daughter off at school after spending a little extra time together.
That’s what made the review feel genuine.
The Explorer wasn’t pretending to be a sports car.
It was simply doing what family SUVs are designed to do:
Make everyday life easier.
Is the 2026 Ford Explorer Active Right for Your Family?
If you’re searching for a three-row SUV before your next family adventure, the Explorer Active deserves a closer look.
It combines:
- Comfortable seating
- Seven-passenger flexibility
- Premium ActiveX interior
- Panoramic roof
- Practical family features
- Everyday drivability
As this Honest Ride proves, sometimes the best review doesn’t come from an automotive journalist.
It comes from the back seat.
Experience the 2026 Ford Explorer Active at MSA Ford
Looking for a family SUV that everyone can agree on?
Visit MSA Ford in the Fraser Valley Automall in Abbotsford and experience the 2026 Ford Explorer Active for yourself.
Bring the kids.
Try every seat.
Open the panoramic roof.
See how it fits your family’s everyday routine before your next summer road trip.
Because the best family vehicle isn’t chosen by reading a brochure—it’s chosen by the people who ride in it every day.
