How much does the 2020 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 10.04% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,083 listings available, which suggests you have meaningful inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $22,292.05, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Ford Explorer earns a 4.71/5 user rating and a 7.17/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the power, stylish design, advanced safety features, spacious interior, and modern technology. That lines up with the Explorer’s use case as a roomy family SUV that still feels more ambitious and performance-oriented than many rivals.

The trade-offs are clear: the price is high and the interior materials feel cheap. In practical terms, you’re getting a distinctive three-row SUV with broad appeal, but you should be sure the equipment and condition justify the money.

With 28.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s enough market opportunity to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 4.71/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback also points to a vehicle that feels reliable, dependable, and trouble-free for many families, with praise for its long-term usefulness and the sense that you can count on it. The expert evaluation reinforces that impression by describing the chassis and powertrains as well-sorted and refined, which supports confidence in everyday use.

Ford also includes a standard maintenance perk in the expert notes: the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is paying too much for a vehicle whose interior quality may not match its price.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Ford Explorer?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, because accident-free status alone does not tell you how well a vehicle was maintained or repaired. Prioritize a close inspection of the cabin, since the interior materials are a known weak point and wear can show up quickly. It also makes sense to focus on how the vehicle drives and whether the equipment you want is actually present, especially on lower trims.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base XLT is the entry point, and it can leave you wanting if you expect more convenience and tech; higher trims add more equipment and a more upscale feel.
• Powertrain: The standard setup uses a 2.3-liter turbo inline four, while a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 is available on higher trims and delivers much stronger performance.
• Safety package: Ford Co-Pilot 360 comes standard with forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option adds adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking.
• Infotainment: An 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi comes standard. A 10-inch vertical touchscreen and 12-inch digital instrument cluster are part of the Premium Technology Package on ST and Platinum models.
• Fuel efficiency: The hybrid is rated at 23 mpg city, 26 highway, and 25 combined with AWD. An AWD Explorer XLT and the standard Limited deliver 20/27/23. In ST or Platinum trim with AWD, the Explorer is rated at 18/24/20.

Which 2020 Ford Explorer trim should I buy?

The 2020 Ford Explorer is offered in 4 trim levels: XLT, Limited, Platinum, ST.

Here's the short version:

• XLT: This is the starting point and the best fit if you want the Explorer’s core space, standard tech, and safety equipment without paying for the pricier performance and luxury upgrades.
• Limited: This trim adds a more upscale setup and is the better choice if you want more comfort and equipment while staying away from the highest-priced versions.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the stronger available V6 with a more premium feature set and are willing to pay for it.
• ST: This is the performance-focused choice, with the most aggressive tuning and the strongest driving character in the lineup.

Ford Co-Pilot 360 is standard, while Assist+ adds adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Ford Explorer?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find opportunities.

• Deal availability: 28.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,083 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.04% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,292.05, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Ford Explorer's resale value?

The current average of $22,283 sits slightly below last year's $24,769.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can make the Explorer easier to buy now than it was a year ago. For a future seller, that means your upside may be more limited if prices stay soft, especially if you buy at the wrong end of the range.

On the other hand, the Explorer’s broad appeal, strong owner satisfaction, and family-friendly packaging should help keep demand steady. Well-kept examples with desirable equipment are likely to hold attention better than rougher or poorly optioned ones.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.71/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer safe?

It earns an Acceptable result in the IIHS small overlap driver-side crash test.

It earns a 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Ford Co-Pilot 360 comes standard with forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option adds adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, though the expert notes say reverse braking can activate falsely.

The main caveat is that the IIHS small overlap result is not a top score, so you should pay attention to crash history and condition when shopping used.

Should I buy a 2020 Ford Explorer or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 28.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.04% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.71/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 brings an all-new chassis and more ambitious tech than the prior generation.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $24,120, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $22,283 average.
• It keeps the sixth-generation formula but adds a later-model-year update.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2020 is the smarter starting point because prices have eased and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model year, the 2021 is the cleaner alternative, but the 2020 gives you the stronger price advantage right now.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.