Used 2020 Ford Explorer for Sale near California

Compare 2020 Ford Explorer Trims

The 2020 Ford Explorer offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to fully loaded models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $14,901
• Best MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Most Popular: XLT AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

AWD — "Who It's For"

The AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly SUV with essential features without paying for luxury options.

• Avg. market price: $17,250 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 425 listings
• View AWD listings

XLT RWD — "Who It's For"

The XLT RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV with a good balance of features and price without going for the top trims.

• Avg. market price: $18,573 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,856 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLT RWD listings

Police Interceptor Utility AWD — "Who It's For"

The Police Interceptor Utility AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a rugged SUV with utility features at a lower price point.

• Avg. market price: $14,901 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 690 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

XLT AWD — "Who It's For"

The XLT AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty SUV with advanced features and all-wheel drive without stepping up to luxury trims.

• Avg. market price: $20,613 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 7,858 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLT AWD listings

Limited RWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxurious SUV with premium features without the added cost of all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $20,341 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 630 listings
• View Limited RWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxury SUV with all-wheel drive capabilities and advanced technology features.

• Avg. market price: $22,111 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,782 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Limited AWD listings

ST AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST AWD is the pick for shoppers who want high performance and sporty features without compromising on luxury.

• Avg. market price: $26,430 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,868 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the ultimate luxury SUV experience with top-tier features and performance.

• Avg. market price: $25,497 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,583 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,858 active listings, the XLT AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLT AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Police Interceptor Utility AWD

At $14,901 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,477 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — XLT RWD

The XLT RWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 21 MPG city and 28 MPG highway.

Browse XLT RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 17, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2020 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 9.98% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,131 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

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, and advanced safety features, and they also call out the spacious interior and modern technology. That lines up with the overview’s focus on a roomy three-row SUV that adds more tech and a broader powertrain range than before.

The trade-offs are clear: the interior materials can feel cheap, and the Explorer is described as poor value for money as the price climbs. Even so, its mix of space, style, and available performance gives you a distinctive option if you want a family SUV that feels more engaging than average.

Good and great deals account for 33.5% of listings, so there’s still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

The owner summary points to a vehicle that feels reliable, dependable, and trouble-free enough to satisfy many families over time. It also suggests buyers appreciate the Explorer’s long-term usefulness, especially when paired with its spacious cabin and strong feature set.

From the expert side, the Explorer’s rear-wheel-drive chassis and available engines are presented as a solid, well-engineered foundation, and the powertrain lineup is described as smooth and refined. The cost-effectiveness commentary also notes that you may be better off buying one used, which reinforces the idea that depreciation is part of the ownership equation.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is paying too much for a vehicle whose interior quality and value proposition may not age as gracefully as its strengths.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price is near the top of the range. Focus on overall condition, because the Explorer’s value story depends heavily on whether the vehicle has been cared for and whether the interior and equipment still feel fresh.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The ST version adds a more aggressive look with black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, while the interior can feel especially costly relative to the materials used. The base XLT is also the trim where factory navigation is optional rather than standard.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 2.3-liter turbo inline four with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft, and a hybrid setup with a single electric motor and a 3.3-liter V6 for 318 hp. AWD is optional on all trims.
• Safety package: Ford Co-Pilot 360 comes standard with forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adds adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, and it is available on every Explorer.
• Infotainment: A standard 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, and system updates require external WiFi rather than the car’s 4G modem.
• 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, while ST and Platinum models with AWD are 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, ST, Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• XLT: This is the entry point and the best place to start if you want the Explorer’s core space, tech, and standard safety gear without stretching too far on price. It gets the standard 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G WiFi, and Ford Co-Pilot 360, while factory navigation is optional here.
• Limited: This trim adds more comfort and convenience, and it’s also where the hybrid powertrain is available. It suits you if you want a more upscale daily driver without jumping all the way to the performance-focused models.
• ST: This is the performance pick, with the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, sharper chassis tuning, and the most distinctive appearance. It’s the right choice if you want the Explorer to feel genuinely quick and more athletic.
• Platinum: This is the most upscale version, and it can be paired with the same strong V6 family as the ST. Choose it if you want the most premium-feeling Explorer and are willing to pay for it.

Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is available on every Explorer, but the base XLT does not get factory navigation as standard.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you stay disciplined.

• Deal availability: 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,131 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.98% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,075, 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 $22,075 sits slightly below last year's $24,522.

That drop tells you the Explorer has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future resale if you buy at the right price. If you purchase near the current average or below it, you reduce the amount of value left to lose compared with buying when prices were higher.

The Explorer’s broad appeal, strong owner satisfaction, and recognizable name should help keep demand steady among used SUV shoppers. Still, resale will depend heavily on trim, condition, and whether the vehicle feels worth its asking price in a crowded segment.

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?

The 2020 Ford Explorer scored Acceptable in the IIHS small overlap driver-side crash test.

It earns an 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. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adds adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, and a passenger front knee airbag is also standard.

The small overlap result is the main caveat to keep in mind, especially if safety is a top priority for you.

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:

• 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.98% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.71/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings an all-new chassis, more technology, and hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $23,961, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $22,075 average.
• It adds a spacious third row.

The bottom line: If you want the better value play, the 2020 is the smarter starting point because prices have already softened and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to pay more for a newer model year, the 2021 may appeal, but price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2020 and shop carefully for condition and equipment.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.