Embedded Files
"The SUV Explorer returns."
"The SUV Explorer returns."
The Ford Explorer has finally been redesigned for 2020, and it is now in its sixth generation. The Explorer returns as a "true" SUV and goes from a FWD layout to a RWD layout.
Trim Levels
Trim Levels
Trim levels and pricing only applies to the 2020 model year Ford Explorer.
XLT
XLT
MSRP $36,675
(4WD +$2,000)MSRP $36,675
Limited
Limited
MSRP $48,130
(4WD +$2,000)MSRP $48,130
Limited Hybrid
Limited Hybrid
MSRP $52,975
(4WD +$2,195)MSRP $52,975
ST
ST
MSRP $54,740
MSRP $54,740
Platinum
Platinum
MSRP $58,250
MSRP $58,250
Exterior Design
Exterior Design
When the first generation Explorer came out for 1991, it was known as a literal box on wheels. It had squared off corners on every end. Fast forward to 2020 and this Explorer looks long, low, and aerodynamic. For this generation of the Explorer, the grille gets much bigger, and the grille extends into the headlights. Personally, I am not a fan of the front of the new Explorer. I don't like how the headlights are extended into the grille. To me, the front end looks like Ford took the rear wheels and inclined it a little bit and ran the Explorer into a wall. Clearly looks are subjective, but I am not liking what Ford did with the front end.
The Explorer jumps ahead on lighting with LED headlights as standard equipment across the board as well as LED fog lights available from the XLT model (with the 202A package). The ST model makes the grille black, and adds black trim around the car, and the headlights get smoked out for a sportier appearance. I like the ST model's design the most of all Explorers, and it makes me like the front end a little more.
Around the side, you can definitely tell the Explorer is rear-drive based. The front axle has been pulled forward, and the hood has been extended out, and personally I think that adds to the front end looking really blocky and stubby. Everything past the front end is the Explorer's strong suit. It looks sexy and muscular. I can see just a tiny bit of Mustang vibes with the two strong body lines coming from just in front of the door and extending into the rear. The ST model rides on 20-inch wheels standard, but you can get an optional 21-inch rim as part of a performance package that adds red-painted high-performance brake calipers. One thing that I definitely can see with the new Explorer is the tapered roof line. The previous generation Explorers were mainly flat, but this one is really tapered. I think it is a very cool look and adds to the sportiness of the new Explorer. The black A and B pillars return, but personally I would like to see the C-pillar blacked out, or the roof blacked out. The side view of the Explorer is personally my favorite. Did I mention the Explorer also grew six inches in its wheelbase because of the switch to rear-drive?
The rear is a dramatic departure from the previous generation Explorer, but it is still easily identifiable as one. The C-shaped tail lights remain, with LED brake lights only. They seem to have shrunken and gotten more sharper compared to the previous gen, which I think is nice considering this Explorer has grown just about half an inch in length. The ST is also the only Explorer to get quad exhaust tips, but Ford did it! They are partially NOT real! I say partially because Ford was very clever in adding a small curvature at the end of the pipe and releasing it downwards, keeping the tips from getting gunked up like the Fusion Titaniums. The Explorer also has the foot-activated liftgate and it works the first time you kick your foot under the bumper. It also works when you want to close it, and does it the first time. Nice job Ford, but personally I'd like to see you not have to fling your foot under the tailgate because what if you are carrying something heavy and you are not great with keeping your balance? Just my two cents.
Because of the switch to rear-wheel-drive, the Explorer can now tow more. Models with the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 can tow a maximum of 5,600 pounds, while the base 2.3L EcoBoost I4 can do pull a strong 5,300 pounds, and the Hybrid can pull an equally impressive 5,000 pounds.
Interior Design
Interior Design
Ford really knocked it out of the park with the interior of the new Explorer. It has a clean and simple interior design, but really impresses with how much it took a leap in quality.
Soft touch materials are found almost everywhere you expect it. Even the section just below the air vents where the headlight control is located is soft touch. Below there its all hard plastic, but that's normal, but the graining feels good. An 8-inch SYNC 3 infotainment system is standard on the Explorer, and for this generation it becomes tablet-style. An available 10.1-inch screen is optional, but it becomes portrait style, and takes away the storage cubby under the 8-inch screen. Personally, I wish Ford would've made that touchscreen landscape rather than portrait because I really do not like how it lays in the interior.
Like many other Fords, the Explorer now gets a rotary shift knob with a return to park function. What's neat about the Explorer is that when you activate that return to park function, it doesn't just light up back to Park, it actually swivels the knob back to Park and goes through each individual gear! Out of the Expedition and Ranger that I have already reviewed, I have never seen them do this! Wireless charging is available on the Explorer, and it's conveniently located in front of the center console.
In the second row, the Explorer gets sliding rear seats for better flexibility with the third row as well as more cargo space when you have to carry four passengers. The Explorer is only available as a six or seven-seater. It seems like the room in the second row of the Explorer is tight, because I only had a couple inches of legroom in the second row with the front seat adjusted for myself at just over six feet, and I found that even sliding the seat back was still a little tight.
One thing I have really negative to say about the Explorer is the third row. Do NOT sit any adults back there. They will immediately find that it is tight, and the seat bottoms are slammed to the floor. Because of the RWD layout, it also pushes the floor up, so you will definitely have your knees in your mouth. At least the Explorer has air vents in the second and third rows, mounted in the roof, which is pretty unique, and not many competitors in the segment have that. But still, don't put anyone but kids in the third row. Also that might be a better idea because the second row seats do not have the Expedition's tilt-and-slide function that actually doesn't make you have to take the child seat out to get back in the third row.
Safety & Technology
Safety & Technology
The previous generation Explorer had only an optional front collision warning system. It also was not very safe. It failed two of six important crash tests by IIHS, and failed miserably with the headlight test.
For 2020, Ford saw what was seriously missing and made Ford Co-Pilot360 standard on ALL Explorers. It includes blind spot monitoring, a backup camera, a lane keeping system, automatic emergency braking, and auto high-beam headlamps. Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is optional on the XLT* (requires 202A package that adds $5,140, the 20-inch wheels, and $795 to get the addition) and standard on the Limited, ST, and Platinum trims and adds Intelligent Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane Centering, Speed Sign Recognition, and a first for the class Evasive Steering Assist that can steer you out of a collision if the Explorer detects that it cannot stop itself in enough time to avoid a collision if it detects there is another lane and no vehicle is detected in your blind spot. I would personally like to see this feature in action with me in the drivers seat, but I definitely do not want to risk it not working.
This generation Explorer takes an absolutely extreme jump in advanced safety technology, and Ford says that it should earn high marks in IIHS's crash tests. IIHS has just wrapped up testing on the new Explorer, and results weren't as good as Ford thought. The Explorer earned an Acceptable rating in the drivers' side small overlap crash test, but hasn't been evaluated on the passenger side. It also only earned an Acceptable rating for all headlights. IIHS found a problem in the driver's side small overlap crash test, which was the footwell. It intruded 20cm, and the parking brake moved back 15. The steering column though, didn't move anywhere. The safety cage held up very well, but the toepan caused a high risk of injury to the lower leg/foot area, giving it a Poor rating, which degraded the Explorer to an Acceptable rating.
Driving Impressions
Driving Impressions
I was really surprised that New Holland Ford let me drive the all-new Explorer ST by myself! In fact, I even asked a sales representative to come with me and they said "go take it out by yourself"!
The ST model I drove has 400 horsepower and 415 lb/ft of torque and is hooked up to Ford's 10-speed automatic transmission as well as the Intelligent 4WD system that is standard on the ST trim. I am super impressed with how the Explorer ST drove. Steering was absolutely sharp and communicative. There's just a tiny bit of play in the steering, but it is very accurate. The steering feel is great as it isn't soft or requires a lot of effort. Despite having eight inches of ground clearance, the Explorer feels remarkably low to the ground and feels very stable when pushed hard. The suspension is comfortable but can get a bit floaty and choppy at times around the corners, but it still grips like crazy, thanks to the RWD chassis.
Now... launching the Explorer... ummm... let's say it's an experience! I thought it would be hampered by the car limiting torque, but when I launched that thing, it threw me hard back into the seat! It had just a little turbo lag, but once it was past that point, MAXIMUM THRUST MODE ENGAGED!!! It was quickly speeding to 60 mph while I was mind-blown with how fast it was moving. "This is a near 4,500-pound SUV with 400 horsepower and how the heck was it getting to 60 mph so fast?!" I did two launches and couldn't resist showing a huge smile on my face, and as I looked at my race timer, 0 to 60 happened in just 5.6 seconds. That is insane for a 4,500-pound SUV with a Ford badge on the front of it. I couldn't believe it. I thought the Explorer ST was just going to be a floaty brick that just had enough power to get out of it's own way and accelerate leisurely, but the ST completely scared me... yes I am saying that it scared me! It truly did; no lie (watch the review)! The Explorer ST has dual personalities, where when you drive it casually, it is a great driving SUV that has comfortable but firm suspension, communicative steering, as well as very comfortable seating. But throw the drive mode into Sport and the beast wakes up. It turns into this agile, gravity-defying SUV that will induce many smiles and racing heartbeats.
I can not believe how much the Explorer ST wowed me. During the drive, I had to censor myself four times because I was that impressed! Ford did an absolutely excellent job with this new Explorer, and I would have absolutely no problem with this sitting in my garage.
The EPA hasn't given fuel economy estimates on the Explorer ST just yet, but Car & Driver estimates it to get 17 MPG city and 23 MPG highway. Based on the 2019 Explorer Sport's rating of 16 MPG city and 22 highway, I am going to take a shot and guess that the 2020 ST should hit 17 MPG city and 24 highway, since it gains an extra four gears and drops a bit of weight. That is quite remarkable fuel economy for an SUV with 400 horsepower. But for sure that 10-speed automatic will definitely improve the fuel economy by at least 1 MPG all around.
The Explorer's safety systems are not intrusive, and I never had any warnings going off, despite everything being turned on. I never felt the steering wheel give me assistance going around turns when I cut them close per my sporty driver self. I am not a fan of intrusive driver aids, but I wish some of the systems were a little more active, because of the lack of intervention from the Explorer almost made me think it didn't have any of those advanced safety features.
This may be the only midsize three-row vehicle I have driven, but for sure I know it'll probably stay up at the top of my list for a long time.
Performance
Performance
The Explorer comes with a base 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder, and makes a respectable 300 horsepower. Then comes the 3.0L twin-turbocharged EcoBoost six-cylinder with a monstrous 400 horsepower only on the ST trim. For Platinum trims though, the engine is detuned to a still healthy 365 horsepower, matching the outgoing Explorer Sport. Finally, and for the first time in the Explorer, a hybrid is available. It's a 3.3L naturally-aspirated V6 hooked up to an electric motor to produce a combined 318 horsepower. Ford says the Hybrid model has a range of over 500 miles, and the Explorer Hybrid has a relatively large 18.1-gallon fuel tank, so that should return at least 27 or 28 MPG. For sure that hybrid might return improved fuel economy, so I'm going to guess that the Explorer Hybrid should hit 30 MPG highway, but I do believe it might not be too much more efficient than the 2.3L EcoBoost because the Hybrid was generally tuned to tow, rather than focus on fuel efficiency.
The Explorer is the only three-row SUV in the segment to have a 10-speed automatic. This beats the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Pilot that have 9-speed automatics, and the Dodge Durango with an 8-speed, among many other competitors.
Performance Figures
Performance Figures
3.0L twin-turbo high-output EcoBoost V6
Horsepower (hp @ RPM)
400 @ 5500
400 @ 5500
Torque (lb/ft @ RPM)
415 @ 3500
415 @ 3500
Transmission(s)
10-speed automatic
10-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Intelligent 4WD
Intelligent 4WD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy)*
17 / 23
17 / 23
0-60 Time
5.0 seconds
(5.6 tested)5.0 seconds
1/4-mile (sec @ mph)
n/a
n/a
* - estimated
Final Verdict & REVIEWS Score
Final Verdict & REVIEWS Score
The Explorer ST is the one to go for if you want staggering performance, but I need to knock it for the tight third row and some sloppy and unmannerly driving dynamics and poor value proposition.
The Explorer ST is the one to go for if you want staggering performance, but I need to knock it for the tight third row and some sloppy and unmannerly driving dynamics and poor value proposition.
58/85 | Accumulated Score
58/85 | Accumulated Score
05 | Reliability
05 | Reliability
07 | Ergonomics
07 | Ergonomics
05 | Value
05 | Value
07 | Innovation
07 | Innovation
07 | Electronics
07 | Electronics
10 | Wow factor
10 | Wow factor
06 | Safety
06 | Safety
47/70 | Subtotal Score
47/70 | Subtotal Score
11/15 | Subjective Category
11/15 | Subjective Category
Media
Media
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Coming soon.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse