The Ford Explorer at Dennis Sneed Ford | Gower MO
Three rows, room for the whole family, and enough capability to handle a Missouri winter and a summer road trip alike. Here's everything worth knowing about the Ford Explorer — from a family-owned Ford dealer 45 minutes north of Kansas City that has been selling them for 30 years.
Why buy a Ford Explorer?
The Explorer has been one of America's best-selling SUVs for decades, and the reason is simple: it does almost everything a family needs and very little it doesn't. Three rows of seating handle the carpool, the road trip, and the occasional extra passenger. Available all-wheel drive makes the northwest Missouri winter a non-event. And the powertrains balance the two things three-row buyers actually weigh — enough power to merge and pass with a full load, and fuel economy that doesn't punish you at the pump.
At Dennis Sneed Ford, the Explorer is one of the vehicles we talk through most often with Kansas City and St. Joseph families. It sits in the sweet spot between a compact crossover that runs out of room and a full-size SUV that's more truck than most families need.
Shopping the 2026 Ford Explorer?
The 2026 Explorer brings a new base Active trim, a new off-road-ready Tremor, a new Marsh Gray color, an available panoramic glass roof, and expanded BlueCruise hands-free driving. Our complete 2026 buyer's guide walks through every trim, engine, and spec.
Read the 2026 Ford Explorer Buyer's Guide →What should I know before buying an Explorer?
Fuel Economy
Real MPG by engine and drivetrain — city, highway, and combined — plus what it actually costs to run.
How many MPG does the Explorer get? →Trims Explained
Active, ST-Line, ST, Platinum, and the new Tremor — what separates them and which fits you.
Compare the 2026 Explorer trims →Engines Decoded
The 2.3L EcoBoost vs. the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 — power, towing, and which one you need.
Which Explorer engine is right? →The Explorer Tremor
New for 2026 — the off-road-capable Explorer with all-terrain tires and skid plates.
Meet the 2026 Explorer Tremor →Is the drive to Gower worth it for a Kansas City buyer?
Roughly 60% of our business comes from the Kansas City metro — Liberty, Smithville, Kearney, Overland Park, Lees Summit, and the surrounding suburbs — along with St. Joseph to the north. Families cross-shop the big metro stores, then find that a 30-year, family-owned dealership in Gower does the deal differently. We wrote about exactly why that drive pays off for Explorer buyers.
Why Kansas City families drive to Gower for their Explorer →
30 years. Family-owned. Ford Credit Partners in Quality.
Dennis Sneed Ford has been a family-owned Ford dealership in Gower, MO for 30 years, and the recognition behind the name is real:
- Top 5 Ford remarketing dealer in the country — we purchase 1,100+ late-model Ford and Lincoln vehicles directly from Ford each year.
- Ford Credit Partners in Quality — one of roughly 111 dealers nationally recognized for the highest customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Serving Kansas City, St. Joseph, and northwest Missouri — the majority of our customers drive in from the metro.
Where can I see the Ford Explorer near Kansas City?
You can browse our current Explorer inventory online, get a no-obligation trade value before the drive, or get pre-qualified for financing so the in-person visit is quick and straightforward.
Ford Explorer questions, answered
How many seats does the Ford Explorer have?
The Ford Explorer seats up to seven passengers with a second-row bench, or six passengers with second-row captain's chairs. All Explorers have three rows of seating, with a 50/50 split-fold-flat third row.
How much can the Ford Explorer tow?
The Ford Explorer tows up to 5,000 lbs when properly configured, with the Class III Trailer Tow Package standard on every model. That's enough for most small boats, utility trailers, and pop-up or small travel trailers.
Is the Ford Explorer good on gas?
For a three-row SUV, yes. The 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder is rated up to 24 MPG combined, and even the V6 models return competitive numbers for the class. Our detailed Explorer MPG guide breaks down the real figures by engine and drivetrain.
Does the Ford Explorer come with all-wheel drive?
Yes. Rear-wheel drive is standard on most Explorer trims and intelligent 4WD is available, while the Tremor comes standard with 4WD. All-wheel-drive Explorers are a popular choice in northwest Missouri and the Kansas City metro for winter confidence.
Where is Dennis Sneed Ford located?
Dennis Sneed Ford is at 1046 SW Highway 169, Gower, MO 64454 — about 45 minutes north of downtown Kansas City and roughly 30 minutes south of St. Joseph via US-169. Call 816-409-1975 for hours and directions.