2020 Ford Explorer Road Test and Review

2020 Ford Explorer ・ Photo by Ford

Ford’s SUV offerings are vast and continue to grow. Its list of SUVs now numbers six, ranging from the tiny EcoSport to the gargantuan Expedition, and now the company has completely redesigned its most popular SUV: the Ford Explorer. Over the last three decades, the mid-size Ford Explorer has become America’s best-selling SUV of all time. It was first introduced in 1991 and quickly became popular with families as well as weekend adventurers. It originally used a ladder-type frame borrowed from the company’s pickup trucks until it began sharing a new front-wheel drive architecture with the Ford Flex in 2011.

For its new sixth generation, Ford has completely redesigned the SUV’s chassis once again, creating the best-driving Explorer ever. With unibody construction and a rear-wheel drive layout, the 2020 Ford Explorer is now mechanically similar to SUVs from Europe like the Mercedes GLE, BMW X5, and Porsche Cayenne. However, it continues to compete in the SUV mainstream against such popular rivals as the Chevrolet Traverse, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot.

Turbo or Hybrid Power

Built in Chicago, Illinois, the 2020 Ford Explorer lineup starts with the XLT and the Limited models, which are powered by a smooth 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 300 horsepower. With rear-wheel drive, prices start around $37,750, including a $1,095 destination fee, while the Limited model is about $12,000 more. All-wheel drive is offered on both the XLT and the Limited for an additional $2,000.

Ford also offers the Limited with a hybrid powertrain that combines a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor and battery pack for a total of 318 hp. Once again, rear-wheel drive is standard but all-wheel drive is available. Prices start at over $50,000. Then there’s the top-of-the-line 2020 Ford Explorer Platinum, which costs just over $59,000. It not only comes with standard all-wheel drive, it also gets a 3.0-liter V6 with twin-turbos that pumps out a heady 365 hp. All models get an excellent 10-speed automatic transmission.

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Enthusiasts want the Explorer ST.

For driving enthusiasts, Ford Performance has created the 2020 Explorer ST. With 400 hp, all-wheel drive, and available 21-inch summer tires for extra grip, it’s Ford’s quickest and best-performing SUV ever. Incredibly, it’s also Ford’s third-best-performing model of any type, after the Mustang and its GT supercar.

Ford Performance is the brand’s in-house tuner or hot-rod shop, and its engineers add horsepower, sport-tuned suspensions, and larger brakes to its mainstream models. These are the engineers responsible for Ford’s Shelby Mustangs, SVT Raptor pickup and Fiesta ST and Focus ST hot hatchback models. Basically a tuned-up Explorer Platinum, 2020 Explorer ST is also powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, and Ford says it’s capable of sprinting to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds. Prices start around $56,000, and 20-inch wheels and tires are standard.

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Driving the Explorer ST

For serious enthusiasts, Ford’s engineers have also created two dealer-installed performance upgrades for the 2020 Explorer ST. The ST Street Pack adds larger brakes, red brake calipers, and a set of larger all-season tires that measure 275/45R21. The High Performance Package adds the larger brakes, even more aggressive brake pads, and a set of Michelin Summer tires, which have considerably more grip than the all-season Pirellis.

The Explorer ST’s dynamics were developed on the racetrack, where Ford’s engineers increased the stiffness of its suspension about 10 percent for increased control. Toss it around a twisty mountain road and there’s very little roll, but some may find its ride to be a bit too firm around town on our test car’s optional 21-inch tires. Its ride isn’t rough, but it’s a bit busy. We prefer the Platinum’s smoother ride, but the ST’s suspension, which is adjustable from the driver’s seat, offers more stability during hard cornering.

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Looks Similar But Sexier

Some say the new 2020 Ford Explorer looks too much like its predecessor. Although there are many visual similarities between the two, and their dimensions are almost identical, the new model has more aggressive proportions. It not only looks longer, lower, and wider, but the shapes of its fenders are more shapely and more muscular.

For better balance and improved handling, Ford has increased the wheelbase by 6.3 inches, pushing the front wheels forward. This has also allowed for an increase in interior space. The new chassis’s lower center of gravity also improves performance, and its ground clearance is up about an inch for more off-road capability. The Explorer’s tow ratings have also increased and range from 5,000 lbs to 5,600 lbs. Many of the Explorer’s exterior details are still taken from Land Rover’s design book, including the look of its new grille, headlamps, and taillights. But that’s to be expected considering the grand sales success of the previous model, which heavily emulated the Land Rover look. Of course the Explorer ST and Platinum look best, especially with their available 21-inch wheels and tires. Those models also get four-chrome exhaust tips standard.

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Powerful With a Smooth Ride

With 300 hp, the turbocharged four-cylinder in the Ford Explorer XLT and Limited is more than powerful enough. The engine is smooth and provides plenty of torque off-the-line. Throttle response is quick and there’s good passing power on the highway. Its 10-speed automatic transmission, which is controlled by a large knob style shifter on the console, is responsive and changes gears quickly and cleanly. There are also standard paddle shifters should you want to change gears manually, and the transmission is smart enough to match the engines revs when you ask for a downshift.

These are also among the smoothest-riding SUVs in this class. The Explorer soaks up most roads beautifully, despite its large wheels and tires, and it feels solid and stable, never floaty. There’s also an athleticism to its new chassis. It’s fun to drive, with quick responses and good balance. It doesn’t feel nose heavy-like many of the front-wheel drive based SUVs in this class.

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Family-Friendly Interior

The 2020 Ford Explorer is still available with a third-row seat. There’s also a bit more rear seat space than before, but second-row captains chairs are standard, which make this SUV a six-seater.

It offers 18.2 cubic feet of space behind its third row, which is split 50/50. With its third row folded out of the way, there’s 47.9 cubic feet, and you get 87.8 cubic feet if you also fold its second row flat. That’s considerably more than its predecessor. Storage inside the 2020 Explorer’s well-built and comfortable interior is also plentiful and well thought out. There’s a large center console bin, big door pockets with slots for water bottles as well as other small cubbies for wallets and phones. There are also two big front seat cupholders, which are well-placed. 

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Advanced Safety and Infotainment Systems

Ford does offer a long list of high-tech safety systems on the 2020 Explorer, many of which are standard. This includes blind-spot monitoring with a cross-traffic alert, a lane-keeping system, hill start assist, a rearview camera, automatic headlights with auto high beams, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, a forward collision warning, dynamic brake support, and post-impact braking. 

Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane-centering, speed sign recognition, reverse brake assist, a 360-degree camera, and evasive steering assist are available. Plus, Ford offers Active Park Assist 2.0, which will basically park the SUV for you. The Explorer is also offered with a configurable gauge cluster, which changes with each driving mode. These include Eco, Comfort, and Sport. And there’s an available 10-inch infotainment system screen, which is one of the largest in this class. It’s mounted vertically in the center of the dash, well within the reach of both the driver and passenger.

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Fuel Economy

The Explorer’s fuel economy is about average for this class. With the four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive, the Explorer XLT and Limited are rated at 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway by the EPA. With all-wheel drive, those numbers dip to 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. With their twin-turbo V6 and big horsepower ratings, the Explorer ST and Platinum use more fuel. But that’s to be expected in trade for the additional performance. These models are rated at 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. All models run on less expensive regular-grade gas.

We have little doubt the most fuel-efficient version of the Explorer will be the Explorer Hybrid, though the EPA has not completed its fuel economy ratings as of this writing. Perhaps they’ll be in line with the popular Lexus RX Hybrid, which is rated at 30 mpg city and 28 mpg highway or the new 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid that scores 34 mpg combined.

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Final Thoughts

Although we can’t help but lust after the big horsepower of the twin-turbo V6 models, the Explorer’s standard 300-hp four-cylinder engine will satisfy most buyers most of the time. You’ll also appreciate the SUV’s athletic handling and nicely weighted steering. It’s easy to maneuver in the city. Our Explorer ST test car, with its massive summer tires, was almost as much fun to drive on a twisty mountain road as German SUVs like the BMW X5 and Audi Q7.

Overall the all-new 2020 Ford Explorer is attractive, comfortable, powerful, and refined. It also delivers impressive performance, good fuel economy, and a family-friendly interior with plenty of space. Ford has basically improved the 2020 Explorer in every way. If you’re looking for a mid-size SUV with three-row seating, it’s a very desirable overall choice.

Photo by Ford