2020 Ford Explorer Review
The 2020 Ford Explorer offers more options and the most potent performance on the market for its price point.What’s New for the 2020 Ford Explorer?
2020 Ford Explorer – ford.com | Shop 2020 Ford Explorer on Carsforsale.com
The sixth generation of the Ford Explorer debuts in 2020 and it’s not just a facelift, this groundbreaking SUV gets a complete redesign. From the frame to the body to the drivetrain the Explorer is improved. That drivetrain is perhaps the biggest shift as the last generation was based on a front-wheel-drive platform and this one returns to its truck-like roots of rear-wheel-drive. Ford has also imbued the SUV with the most technology an Explorer has ever had in its 30-year history.
There’s much to love about this new SUV including the fact that the updated drivetrain allows it to handle better, tow more, and carry people in comfort. While it’s perhaps a bit more pricey than we’d prefer, once buyers start adding options or picking higher trim levels, it’s also one of the most refined vehicles available in the 3-row SUV market. There are other good options available. but few can accommodate so many different buyers as easily as the 2020 Ford Explorer can.
For buyers on a budget, the base Explorer can be had for less than $35,000. Others who are looking for something seriously opulent can opt for the Platinum edition that’s priced just below $60,000. There’s even a seriously fast and performance-oriented ST trim level that makes 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque and puts it to the ground through a special sport suspension designed just for this version of the Explorer. This is clearly the most potent version of the SUV ever.
The Breakdown
Outstanding powertrain options
The Platinum trim package is seriously featureful
Excellent interior design
The standard infotainment screen is a bit small
Louder in the cabin than we expected
The third row is not for grown-up passengers
Detuning the Platinum engine is dumb
2020 Explorer Specs
- 300 horsepower from base engine
- 265 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 18.2 cu-ft. of cargo capacity
- 87.8 cu-ft. of cargo capacity with seats down
- Towing capacity of 5300 lbs
- Available Sync 3 infotainment system
- Standard safety features at any trim
2020 Ford Explorer Powertrain
Regardless of the engine you choose in the new Explorer, we think you’ll be happy. The weakest link is still a pretty potent 300 horsepower 2.3-liter 4-cylinder (the same one you find in the Ecoboost Mustang). Ironically enough, the largest engine available is the 3.3-liter V6 found in the Limited Hybrid and combined with the electrification makes 318 horsepower.
For those who need more power, the ST model uses a special 3.0-liter V6 with 400 horsepower and while the same engine is used in the more expensive Platinum model, Ford has detuned the engine to make some 35 horsepower less, a total of 365. That’s pretty disappointing, but keep in mind that most buyers probably won’t notice that they’ve paid more for less power since the interior is a bit nicer.
Overall, each of these engines is totally comfortable on the highway, but the ST and Platinum trims thrive where the others just survive. The ST is seriously impressive and reminded us of an early Porsche Cayenne in its ability to handle turns in a way that feels unnaturally capable.
2020 Ford Explorer Fuel Economy & MPG
The 2020 Ford Explorer is capable of getting up to 27 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway when you opt for the Limited Hybrid model. From there the fuel-sipping turns to chugging as the 4-cylinder Explorer gets just 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. The full-fat twin-turbocharged V6 gets just 18 miles to the gallon in the city and 24 on the highway.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
While there’s no mistaking the Explorer, even the Platinum, with something like a Porsche Cayenne in terms of interior quality, this SUV makes its passengers comfortable and provides a really lovely cabin even for longer trips. While the third row is cramped, it’s perfect for young ones and the first two rows are spacious and well laid out. The front seats can even be optioned with massaging technology, though not everyone seems to love them.
The biggest downside we see in the 2020 Ford Explorer is that for passengers who are enjoying the luxurious and comfortable feel of those first two rows, things will be noisy. There’s not much in the way of sound deadening so noises from the road and even the mechanical bits of the SUV itself make their way into the cabin with ease. While this is a quality for those driving the ST package, it’s less desirable for every other trim level to the point that we expect the next Explorer to address the issue.
Cargo room was great, especially when not using the third row. With it in place, expect around 20 feet of cubic space, but once it’s down that expands to nearly 80 cubic feet. More than enough to take four adults and all their luggage on a trip in comfort.
Entertainment & Technology
While there are many different ways to configure the new Explorer, only two different infotainment systems are available. The standard screen measures 8 inches and is perfectly passable. For those that want something more in line with other modern vehicles, they’ll need to opt for the ST or the Platinum package to get a vertically-oriented 10.1-inch touchscreen that fits the interior far better. Both use Sync 3 which is one of the best user interfaces in the business and come standard with Apple Carplay and Android Auto as well as a WiFi hotspot.
Safety Features
Safety features are also a paramount concern for the 2020 Ford Explorer and it comes standard with multiple excellent technologies. Lane departure warning, lane keep assist, frontal collision warning, and automatic braking are all standard technologies that you’ll find on every Explorer. This is one of the few vehicles to achieve a 5-star crash test rating from the NHTSA but not a Top Safety pick from the IIHS. Ultimately that’s only because it scored merely an “Acceptable” score for its front overlap crash test.
2020 Ford Explorer Trims & Pricing
Base – $30,635
The base Explorer is well equipped. 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, LED headlights, an 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a power driver’s seat, and rear parking sensors. It also comes with Pilot360, a full package of excellent safety equipment.
XLT – $38,170
Things get fancier for the XLT with a power passenger seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, and more USB power ports. In addition, the XLT trim level opens up multiple package options.
Limited – $49,625
LED fog lights, remote start, simulated leather, and advanced adaptive cruise control are all standard at the Limited level.
Limited Hybrid – $53,475
The Limited Hybrid gets all the features of the Limited model but uses the 3.3-liter hybrid V6 at its heart.
ST – $55,985
Perhaps the most impressive of the Explorers, the ST gets a 400 horsepower V6 that can be tuned for even more power in the aftermarket. In addition, the ST gets upgraded suspension, brakes, and sport front seats to better hold you in place through those tight corners. In addition, the larger center touchscreen becomes standard.
Platinum – $59,495
Ford uses the same engine from the ST but pushes less boost so it only makes 365 horsepower. Still, inside the Platinum, you’ll find leather, a 14-speaker premium audio system, adaptive headlights, special Platinum only tail lights, and a two-piece sunroof. It’s pretty posh, to say the least.
Warranties
The 2020 Ford Explorer comes with a 3-year 36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Sadly no complimentary maintenance is provided.
What we think
2020 Ford Explorer – ford.com | Shop 2020 Ford Explorer on Carsforsale.com
It’s amazing that while so many new trucks, SUVs, and cars come and go after only a few years, the Ford Explorer is not just getting by, it’s setting new standards. There are many other options in the segment, but only the Palisade and Telluride offer more features and luxury for the money. Still, the 2020 Ford Explorer offers more options and the most potent performance on the market for this kind of budget.
