Seating for up to seven passengers? Check. Ample cargo space? Check. Capable engine and available all-wheel drive? Check! The 2020 Ford Explorer mid-size SUV has a lot to offer, especially for growing families who need some space to stretch out without sacrificing the latest tech features in the process.
What are some 2020 Ford Explorer specs?
Consider this model’s:
- Standard turbocharged 2.3L (137.87 ci) four-cylinder engine (300 horsepower) and available turbocharged 3.0L (183 ci) V6 (400 horsepower)
- Respectable 24 mpg combined EPA-estimated fuel economy (21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway)
- Five-star overall safety rating with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Researching a vehicle’s specs can be time-consuming and cumbersome, but we’ve taken some of the hassle out of your next car purchase by compiling some of the 2020 Ford Explorer‘s most notable specs and discussing them in detail below!
More About the Ford Explorer
When the Explorer made its debut for the 1991 model year, it was Ford’s first-ever four-door SUV.
Replacing the two-door Bronco II, the Ford Explorer boasted a spacious interior and Ford’s powerful V6 Cologne engine. As of September of 2020, the Explorer is in its sixth generation of production.
Classified as a mid-size SUV, the 2020 Ford Explorer is one of just a handful of vehicles in its class that comes standard with three rows, offering seating for up to seven passengers.
Since its 1991 debut, the Explorer has been one of Ford’s best-selling SUVs, with more than seven million sold in the United States alone.
The Explorer has also received such accolades as:
- “IIHS Top Safety Pick,” Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
- “Top 10 Consumer-rated SUVs,” J.D. Power, 2020
- “Best in Show,” WardsAuto User Experience Conference, 2019
Key 2020 Ford Explorer Specs
When you’re buying an SUV, you probably want to know about its engine and how powerful it is.
Because SUVs tend to have large fuel tanks, you may also want to find out how many miles you can expect to get off one tank of gas. Likewise, safety ratings are vital.
Engine and Powertrain
There are two engines available on the 2020 Ford Explorer. The standard engine on all but the ST trim is a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder at 300 horsepower (365 horsepower on the Platinum trim). This engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, though all-wheel drive was optional on every model sold new.
Meanwhile, the performance-oriented ST trim is equipped with an even more powerful turbocharged 3.0L V6 at 400 horsepower. It also receives a sport-tuned suspension for an even smoother ride, but retains the same 10-speed automatic transmission as other models.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy ratings for the 2020 Explorer will depend on the specific engine you’re looking at, as well as other factors like road conditions and even your driving habits.
On the 2020 Explorer with standard 2.3L four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive, you can expect an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined (21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway). That’s equal to about 461 miles on a full tank of gas, which is pretty respectable for a three-row SUV!
2020 Explorer models equipped with the V6 engine take a bit of a fuel-economy hit, coming in at an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined (18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway). Still, that’s a range of around 436 miles per tank.
Safety Ratings
There’s no overstating the importance of safety when buying an SUV. Fortunately, the 2020 Ford Explorer has excellent safety ratings, receiving an overall five-star rating with the NHTSA. On models built after May of 2020, the Explorer is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick.
What about standard safety equipment? On every 2020 Explorer (regardless of trim), you’ll find:
- Roll stability and electronic stability control
- Terrain management system
- Rearview camera with rear parking sensors
- Lane-keep assist
- Frontal-collision warning with automatic emergency braking
- Blind-spot-monitoring system
Other Notable 2020 Explorer Specs
The 2020 Explorer’s turbocharged engine, decent fuel economy, and excellent safety ratings aren’t the only things to love about this mid-size SUV. It’s also incredibly spacious, offering 18.2 cubic feet behind its third row and up to 87.8 cubic feet with second and third rows folded down.
Depending on seating configuration, the 2020 Explorer can also seat six or seven people. Seven-passenger seating with a second-row bench seat is standard, although models equipped with second-row bucket seats reduce capacity to six people.
Not sure what you can expect to spend on a 2020 Explorer? Pricing will vary based on trim and other factors, but the base trim typically starts at around $33,200.
2020 Ford Explorer: Pros and Cons
Reviews of the 2020 Explorer on Vehicle History are generally positive.
Owners seem to rave about this SUV’s:
- Powerful turbocharged engine
- Roomy cabin and spacious cargo area
- Standard safety features
- Stylish and sporty design
Of course, no SUV is perfect, and the 2020 Explorer seems to be no exception.
Some aspects of this SUV that owners have been more critical of include its:
- High wind noise at highway speeds
- Occasional software glitches
