2020 Ford Explorer

AS REVIEWED BY EDMUNDS.COM 2020 Ford Explorer Review byCameron Rogers Manager, News Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really). Pros Strong engines for quick acceleration Rear-wheel-drive platform improves handling and towing Roomy cargo area Cons Too much wind noise at highway speeds The price can get frighteningly expensive in a hurry Lackluster interior material quality What's new The Ford Explorer is fully redesigned for 2020 Part of the sixth Explorer generation introduced for 2020 Overview It would be an understatement to say that the Ford Explorer is an important SUV. Before it debuted as a 1991 model, the family-oriented four-door sport-utility vehicle segment hardly existed at all. The Explorer formula turned out to be a huge success, and soon after everyone got into the game. We all know what happened after that. Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.08 per gallon for regular unleaded in Montana. Monthly estimates based on costs in Montana $159/mo for Explorer Base Explorer Base  vs $220/mo Avg. Large SUV Calculate my fuel costs Now entering its sixth generation, the 2020 Ford Explorer represents a complete rethink of this three-row family SUV. Early Explorers were built on truck frames and were primarily driven by the rear wheels, and the outgoing model employed a front-wheel-drive layout and used car-like unibody construction. The all-new 2020 model combines the best elements of each. It returns to a rear-wheel-drive layout, but its body retains unibody construction. This detail isn't obvious at first because the new Explorer uses familiar styling cues that give it a strong family resemblance. These outward clues only hint at the transformative changes that lie hidden beneath the sheet metal. The switch back to rear-wheel drive makes sense on numerous levels. Handling and overall balance improve dramatically when you stop trying to steer and power a vehicle from the same end. There are also benefits to towing stability and powertrain selection. The new Explorer comes with Ford's smooth and sturdy 10-speed automatic, for instance. And it certainly doesn't hurt that Ford was able to expand the interior room in the bargain. There's a lot to like here, but it's not a grand slam home run. The new 2020 Ford Explorer rides, handles and accommodates passengers much better than the one it replaces, and it is dynamically superior to its crossover competition. The hybrid offers unexpected benefits that extend beyond fuel economy, too. But it can get expensive in a hurry, and the interior materials don't quite match the price. Overall, the Explorer merits close consideration but you should also check out other three-row SUV standouts such as the Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride. Edmunds Expert Rating Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. Theyre based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience. Average 7.4 out of 10 edmunds TESTED The Ford Explorer has uncommonly good balance and poise for a midsize three-row SUV. It's not the roomiest, but its standard infotainment and safety tech offerings are competitive. Two things hold it back: subpar materials quality and high pricing. Rated for you b