Car Review: 2020 Ford Explorer

Ford is one of the major players in the automotive industry. They are credited as one of the manufacturers who started the SUV trend back in 1990 with the Ford Explorer. The new 2020 Ford Explorer is no exception with it being chock full of features and functionality.

Built for families to travel in the 2020 Ford Explorer has three rows of seats and loads of cargo space. Ford offers the Explorer in many different trims with a turbocharger and hybrid option available as well. One of the best things about the new Explorer is that there is a trim available for everyone.

The unique sport-tuned model even has a powerful twin-turbo V-6 and is comfortable for your entire family. The SUV comes stacked in terms of connectivity features and equipment like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Along with that, it comes standard with automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring.

Now in terms of the interior, it may not be the best option out there and it has a smaller third-row however, it is still one of the best options for anyone looking for a good SUV. So should you get it? Well, that’s what this discussion is all about.

Here is an in-depth look into the SUV from Ford. In the following passages, you will find a 2020 Ford Explorer review to make it easier for you to make your decision. So let’s get into it.

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The 2020 Ford Explorer Price & What’s New

Now, as far as looks go the 2020 Ford Explorer is the same as the previous models. However, the 2020 Ford Explorer does have much-improved ride and handling, interior features, and modern powertrains. In terms of pricing, it is very affordable.

The 2020 Ford Explorer has a base price of 33,960 dollars. There are other trims are XLT for 37,870 dollars, Limited for 49,325 dollars, Limited hybrid for 53,475 dollars, ST for 55,935 dollars, and Platinum 59,445 dollars. From what we have seen the best one is the Limited version and you can also get the Limited Hybrid version which performs admirably.

The standard turbocharged four-cylinder of the Explorer performs well enough for your average car owner with it providing the best performance on the highways. The towing capacity of the Ford Explorer is 5300 pounds which is great for the average family.

If you add another 2000 dollar you will be able to get an all-wheel-drive version which greatly enhances the performance. So let’s get into the engine and other specs of the 2020 Ford Explorer.

2020 Ford Explorer Engine, Transmission & Performance

The basic version along with Base, XLT, and Limited trims come equipped with a 3.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. If you need a bit more power than the Platinum model provides just that with its 365-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6.

The sporty Explorer ST is even more powerful with the same engine that produces a bit more power with 400-hp. With the Hybrid trim available the Explorer is trying to cover some ground with the others in its class. The 2020 Hybrid has a 3.3-liter V-6 engine and an electric motor that produces around 318 horsepower.

If you are considering power and performance then you should know that if you properly equip the Explorer then it will have a towing capacity of 5600 pounds. Ford equipped all the 2020 Explorers with a 10-speed automatic transmission with all the trims featuring a rear-wheel drive. However, you do have an option for getting an AWD version for the 2020 Ford Explorer.

When it comes to riding and handling the Explorer is great, however, you won’t be able to get the premium feel though. If you need a performance-based trim, however, you can get the Explorer ST. It has a stiffer suspension and additional power making it a great option for anyone who is looking for functionality and performance.

Now with the engine performance done, let’s talk about the fuel economy and the MPGs the 2020 Ford Explorer provides its owners. Amongst all of the trims, the most economical is the Hybrid trim. With the EPA rating of  27 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Now if you add the all-wheel-drive version to this model then it does get reduced by 3 for the city and 4 for highways.

However, if you are considering real-world MPG then it could only muster 24mpg on the highways. The ST trim has a real-world mpg of 25 in the highways which is better than its EPA rating by a factor of 1.

If you want to get the 4 cylinders with all-wheel-drive then you can as this model too beat its EPA rating by 1 with it providing 28 mpg on the highways. That concludes the performance part of the Explorer let’s now look into the Interior and other aspects of the legendary SUV.

2020 Ford Explorer Interior, Connectivity & Safety Features

Now in terms of interior, the 2020 Explorer leaves a lot to be desired. While it may be uninspiring in the interior department the new Explorer does provide ample comfort for the first 2 rows. Now on the third row, there is a bit of a comfort issue.

Getting into the third row is a bit easier with a new mechanism that moves the second row with the touch of a button. Unlike the Explorer’s closest rivals the Chevy Traverse and the Volkswagen Atlas it lacks comfort for the third row. In terms of cargo well you can fit in about  4 carry-on suitcases.

However, if you fold the back two rows then you can fit in about 33 carry-on suitcases. The 2020 Ford Explorer also has a lot of the standard connectivity features. It comes equipped with 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment as a standard feature. Along with that, you will have things like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

One thing it does lack is the fact that it doesn’t have a rotary controller. There is also a 10.1-inch vertically oriented screen that you can get but you would need to upgrade to the Platinum or the ST models. The Explorer comes with voice-activated navigation and a 12-speaker B&O audio system as standard. When it comes to safety it does have a few standard features.

The Explorer has a forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard. The 2020 Explorer also comes equipped with a lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist.

Warranty and maintenance offerings of the Explorer are very standard which is what most of their competitors offer. The Warranty comes with 3 years or 36,000 miles and the powertrain has 5 years or 60,000 miles. However, Ford doesn’t offer any scheduled maintenance for the Explorer.

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A Solid SUV After All These Years

And there you go there is our 2020 Ford Explorer review. Even after all these years, the Ford Explorer is still relevant and is providing great value for money.

So if you are in the market for a new SUV then make sure to check out the Ford Explorer. With that being said it brings us to the end of our conversation. Let us know in the comments below if you like the Ford Explorer or not. Until then, Adios!