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2020 Ford Explorer
The redesigned 2020 Ford Explorer has improved handling, a lineup of peppy engines, and a lengthy list of standard safety features. Though it's much better than the previous generation, the new Explorer fails to stick out among some outstanding rivals.
Is the Ford Explorer a Good SUV?
The Ford Explorer is an OK midsize SUV. The good news is that its 2020 redesign includes significant changes, and the result is a much improved three-row SUV. The Explorer is built on a new platform that improves its handling, makes it feel airy inside, and boosts its towing capacity. Its engines - including a lively and fuel-efficient turbocharged base four-cylinder - are among the most powerful in the class.
In most models, the Explorer now comes with only six seats. Its second-row captain's chairs provide a nice amount of legroom, can quickly slide forward, and offer space in between for kids to jump back to the third row.
Even the base trim comes with an impressive number of standard features. These include a highly praised infotainment system that quickly connects to your smartphone, thanks to standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Explorer's standard advanced safety features are on par with those of the Toyota Highlander and include a forward collision prevention system.
Despite these perks, the redesigned Explorer has a hard time competing with many of its well-rounded rivals that offer roomier third rows, better upgraded infotainment systems, and more stylish interiors while also costing less.
Should I Buy the Ford Explorer?
Though the Ford Explorer will meet the needs of most midsize-SUV shoppers, it may not be the best choice. For about the same price, you could instead get a more well-rounded SUV like the Mazda CX-9 or Subaru Ascent.
Should I Buy a New or Used Ford Explorer?
Ford's best-selling midsize SUV commences an all-new generation with the 2020 model year. The new Explorer presents a bevy of improvements compared to the outgoing generation. It changes from a front-wheel-drive to a rear-wheel-drive platform, which improves its towing capacity and handling abilities. It's also newly available as the Explorer Hybrid, which we review separately.
The redesign brings drastic changes to the cabin. There's better rear-passenger room, and cargo space behind the second-row seats grows from the previous model's 43.9 cubic feet to 47.9 cubic feet.
New technologies include the introduction of the Co-Pilot360 driver-assistance bundle. This standard safety suite includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, a rearview camera with a lens washer, automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, and post-collision braking. Of these features, the 2019 Explorer only comes standard with the rearview camera, though many of the remaining features are available as options in all but the base trim.
You can likely save money by opting for an older Explorer, but you'll be missing out on some appealing changes.
Be sure to read our 2018 Explorer and 2019 Explorer reviews to help make your decision. You can also check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles.
We Did the Research for You: 24 Reviews Analyzed
Our goal is to make shopping for your next car as easy as possible. You'll find everything you need to know about the Ford Explorer in our comprehensive review. It combines concrete data (like fuel economy estimates, horsepower specs, and cargo space dimensions) with 24 professional Ford Explorer reviews.
Why You Can Trust Us
The Best Cars team - a division of U.S. News & World Report - has been reviewing cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007. With more than 75 years of combined automotive experience, our editors, writers, and analysts rank a wide variety of new and used cars and issue three annual awards: Best Cars for the Money, Best Cars for Families, and Best Vehicle Brands. To keep our recommendations unbiased, we decline expensive gifts from carmakers, and a third party handles our advertising.
How Much Does the Ford Explorer Cost?
Pricing for the 2020 Explorer starts at $32,765, which is about average for the midsize SUV class. The top-of-the-line model starts at $58,250.
Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Ford dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Ford deals page.
Ford Explorer Versus the Competition
Which Is Better: Ford Explorer or Ford Edge?
Like the Explorer, the Ford Edge is a midsize SUV, but it only has two rows of seats and a five-person capacity. It's a good option if you want to spend less, as its MSRP starts at around $30,000, and it also comes standard with the Co-Pilot360 safety suite. Stick with the Explorer if you want a third-row seat, a larger cargo area, or more powerful engine options.
Which Is Better: Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Traverse?
Overall, the Chevrolet Traverse is a better SUV than the Explorer. It has a lower starting price, more cargo space, roomier rear seats, and the ability to carry seven or eight passengers. That said, pick the Explorer if you want brisker acceleration or the ability to tow up to 5,600 pounds. In comparison, the Traverse can only pull up to 5,000 pounds.
Explorer Interior
How Many People Does the Explorer Seat?
The Explorer is a three-row SUV that seats up to seven people. A second-row bench seat is standard, while captain's chairs for the middle row are available and reduce seating to six.
Inside, the Explorer feels broad and airy. There is enough legroom in all three rows for adults, though the low placement of the third-row cushion could be uncomfortable for taller passengers. The second-row seats fold and slide forward. These are heavy for small children to move, but little ones can easily jump between the captain's chairs to reach the rearmost seats.
Explorer and Child Car Seats
The 2020 Ford Explorer has two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors in the second row and two complete sets in the third row. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this system the second-highest rating of Acceptable for its ease of use. The only major problem the IIHS reported is that other hardware on the backs of the seats could be confused for the tether anchors.
Explorer Interior Quality
This midsize SUV probably won't win any interior design awards, but it is well-constructed and comes with a nice array of soft-touch materials. Lower trims are a bit plain, while fully loaded models come with upscale touches like perforated leather upholstery and massaging seats.
Explorer Cargo Space
Cargo space is generous and convenient in the Explorer. It has 18.2 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 47.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 87.8 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Helpful touches include a standard power liftgate and an optional hands-free liftgate. The optional cargo management system includes storage bins underneath the floor and a reversible cargo floor with carpet on one side and vinyl on the other.
Explorer Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation
The Explorer comes with either an 8-inch touch screen or a vertically oriented 10.1-inch touch screen. This is one of the rare times when the base system is better than the upgrade. This is partly because of how the larger screen splits to display Apple CarPlay or Android Auto underneath the vehicle's settings. In theory, it's a great layout, but in reality, the system isn't as user-friendly as similar interfaces, like those found in Ram vehicles, for example.
Also, having the larger screen means giving up storage underneath the display, which is otherwise a convenient spot to stow your phone. Ford also gets a few grumbles for its stingy amount of USB ports. There is only one regular USB port in each of the first two rows and no ports for third-row passengers.
For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto?
Explorer Performance
Explorer Engine: More Powerful Than Most Rivals
There are four powertrain options for the 2020 Explorer: a base turbocharged four-cylinder engine, two twin-turbocharged V6 engines, and a hybrid variant. We go into more detail on the hybrid's driving dynamics and fuel economy in our separate Explorer Hybrid review.
The trio of nonhybrid options are lively and smooth. The entry-level 300-horsepower four-cylinder is more powerful than the average base engine in a midsize SUV. So equipped, the Explorer joins highway traffic with ease and leaves little reason to upgrade to the optional V6.
Off-the-line launches are noticeably quicker in any model powered by the twin-turbo V6. The sole gearbox choice is a 10-speed automatic that is responsive and on point.
Explorer Gas Mileage: Fuel-Sipping SUV
The Explorer's base engine is one of the most efficient among nonhybrid SUVs this size. The rear-wheel-drive model gets 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Four-wheel-drive models with the base engine see each rating decline by one. Fuel economy for the twin-turbo V6 engine is estimated at 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
Explorer Ride and Handling: Balanced
The Explorer has composed handling, with easy steering and a comfortable ride. Just as with other three-row SUVs, you will notice some body roll when cornering, though many critics also feel that this Ford is more athletic than many of its competitors.
The redesigned Explorer boasts improved handling compared to the previous generation, in part because the SUV is now rear-wheel-drive based (older models were front-wheel drive). Some reviewers liken the Explorer's driving experience to that of a truck-based vehicle with a body-on-frame architecture, given its heft and propensity for body lean.
Explorer Towing Capacity
Properly equipped Explorers can tow up to 5,600 pounds. Not only is that significantly more than the 2019 Explorer, but it is also a higher towing capacity than what most midsize SUVs offer.
If you need to tow more, consider a larger Ford. For example, the Expedition is a large SUV that can tow up to 9,300 pounds. The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck with a maximum towing capacity of 13,200 pounds.
Explorer Reliability
Is the Ford Explorer Reliable?
J.D. Power gives the 2020 Explorer a predicted reliability rating of three out of five. That's about average for the industry but a little below average for the class.
Ford Explorer Warranty
Ford covers this midsize SUV with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Explorer Safety
Explorer Crash Test Results
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2020 Ford Explorer the highest rating of Good in all six crash tests and the second-highest rating of Acceptable for how well the headlights illuminate the road ahead.
The IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features. The Explorer earned the highest rating of Superior for its standard vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention systems.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2020 Ford Explorer an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with five stars in the frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test.
Explorer Safety Features
Ford bundles its standard advanced safety features in the Co-Pilot360 package, which contains blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, a rearview camera with a lens washer, automatic high-beam headlights, post-collision braking, and a pre-collision system with forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection.
Ford MyKey is also standard. This system includes additional seat belt reminders, and it encourages safe driving by letting you do things like set speed and audio volume limits for secondary drivers. It's a helpful tool for parents of teen drivers.
Adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and stop-and-go capability is available. Other options include speed sign recognition, evasive steering assist, active perpendicular and parallel park assist, reverse brake assist, a 360-degree parking camera, a blind spot information system for when you are towing, and rain-sensitive windshield wipers.
Explorer Dimensions and Weight
The Explorer is around 16.7 feet long. Its curb weight ranges from 4,345 to 4,969 pounds.
Where is the 2020 Ford Explorer Built?
Ford builds the 2020 Explorer in Illinois.
Which Ford Explorer Model Is Right for Me?
The Explorer comes in five trim levels: base, XLT, Limited, ST, and Platinum. The base, XLT, and Limited trims feature a 300-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while four-wheel drive and options such as a tow package are available.
The ST and the Platinum trims come with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 400 and 365 horsepower, respectively. Both come only as four-wheel-drive SUVs.
The hybrid model, which is based on the Limited trim, features a 3.3-liter V6 engine and an electric motor that produce a combined 318 horsepower. We review the Explorer Hybrid separately.
For the best combination of features and price, stick with the base model. It has a well-equipped infotainment system and comes nicely outfitted with an impressive set of advanced safety features. The next model worth considering is the Limited, which adds niceties such as leather upholstery and a premium sound system. However, it commands a huge price increase over lower trims.
The 2020 Ford Explorer starts at $32,765. Standard features include cloth upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, remote start, and a power liftgate.
The Explorer also comes with the SYNC 3 infotainment system, which includes an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two front-row USB ports (one standard USB-A and one USB-C), satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.
Standard safety features include the Ford MyKey safe driving system, rear parking sensors, and Co-Pilot360, which is detailed above.
With a starting price of $36,925, the Ford Explorer XLT adds proximity keyless entry, power-folding second-row captain's chairs, and two second-row USB ports.
A touch of class is added to the Explorer Limited ($48,380). It gets leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. Technology upgrades include a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, a household-style power outlet, and wireless device charging.
Additional safety features come in this trim, such as a 360-degree parking camera, front parking sensors, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, and Co-Pilot360 Assist+, which contains adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane centering, speed sign recognition, evasive steering assist, and voice-activated navigation.
A hands-free liftgate and power-folding mirrors are also included in this trim.
The Explorer ST ($54,740) is the sport-oriented trim, replacing the previous generation's Ford Explorer Sport. It has black exterior styling elements, a sport-tuned suspension, four-wheel drive, and a tow package. This trim also gets sport seats, perforated leather upholstery, reverse brake assist, and active park assist for parallel and perpendicular parking.
The top-of-the-line Platinum edition starts at $58,250. It builds off the Limited trim, adding tri-diamond perforated leather seats, a leather-wrapped interior, a twin-panel moonroof, adaptive headlights, reverse brake assist, and active park assist for parallel and perpendicular parking. The Platinum is available only with four-wheel drive and comes with the tow package and front and rear skid plates.
Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Ford dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Ford deals page.
The Final Call
The 2020 Ford Explorer does a lot of things well. It has two rows of comfortable seats, a third row with enough space for the occasional adult, lots of cargo space, powerful engines, a smooth ride, and a ton of standard features. On the downside, its interior materials are subpar for the class. In a class packed with terrific SUVs, you should at least consider a few other vehicles before settling for this Ford.
Don't just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.
Read the full 2020 Ford Explorer review on U.S. News & World Report for more details, photos, specs and prices.