Used 2020 Ford Explorer for Sale nearDes Moines, IA

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 $14,838
• 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: $17,856 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 420 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: $18,179 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,826 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 essential features at a lower price point.

• Avg. market price: $14,838 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 645 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 capability without stepping up to luxury trims.

• Avg. market price: $20,359 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 7,728 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 experience without the added cost of all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $19,894 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 641 listings
• View Limited RWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features combined with all-wheel drive capability for added versatility.

• Avg. market price: $21,902 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,859 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 a high-performance SUV with powerful engine options and sporty features.

• Avg. market price: $26,100 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,873 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: $25,302 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,632 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,728 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 $14,838 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,126 — 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 city / 28 hwy MPG.

Browse XLT RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2020 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 10.63% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,114 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — with a 4.71/5 user rating and a 7.17/10 expert rating, the 2020 Ford Explorer lands as a strong overall pick for many shoppers. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the power, stylish design, spacious interior, and advanced safety features. The user feedback also points to modern technology and a fun-to-drive character that works well for families.

The trade-offs are clear: the interior materials can feel cheap, and the model is described as poor value for money. That matters most if you want a more upscale cabin for the money, even though the Explorer’s roomy layout and energetic personality make it appealing for everyday family use.

With 34.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

User feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable, with owners highlighting strong power, a spacious cabin, and a generally trouble-free ownership experience. The review summary also emphasizes that many buyers see it as a family-friendly SUV they can count on over the long term.

The expert drive notes that Ford’s rear-wheel-drive chassis and available powertrains are well executed, which supports the sense that the Explorer is built to handle regular use with confidence. Ford also includes a standard maintenance perk on some trims through the first scheduled service visit.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that a vehicle with this much technology and complexity can be more expensive to keep feeling right if it has been neglected.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on higher-mileage examples or vehicles with lots of tech and convenience equipment. Focus on overall condition, because cabin wear and prior damage matter a lot on a model where interior quality is already a concern.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The cabin presentation and equipment level vary a lot, and the base setup leaves more hard plastics and fewer upscale touches than higher trims.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder, a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, and a hybrid setup; the V6 brings the strongest performance, while the four-cylinder is the volume choice.
• Safety package: Ford Co-Pilot 360 comes standard with forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist, while Assist+ 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 screen and 12-inch digital cluster appear with 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; the standard Limited delivers 20/27/23, and ST or Platinum 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-value starting place if you want the Explorer’s core space, tech, and utility without paying for the pricier performance or luxury upgrades.
• Limited: This trim adds more comfort and convenience, and it’s the better choice if you want a more upscale daily driver without jumping all the way to the top end.
• ST: This is the enthusiast pick, with the strongest performance character and the most athletic feel; choose it if driving enjoyment matters most.
• Platinum: This is the most premium-feeling version, and it suits you if you want the strongest mix of power and upscale equipment.

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 is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find value.

• Deal availability: 34.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,114 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.63% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,687, 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 $21,687 sits slightly below last year's $24,266.

That price movement suggests the Explorer has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price today. A softer market also means your resale outcome will depend heavily on trim, condition, mileage, and whether the vehicle has a clean history.

If you buy well and keep the SUV in strong condition, you may be better positioned when it comes time to sell. The current inventory depth also means buyers have choices, so clean, well-priced examples should remain easier to move.

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 test on the driver's side.

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. Assist+ adds adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. A passenger front knee airbag is also standard.

The main caveat is that the IIHS small overlap result is only Acceptable, so you should pay close attention to crash history and repair quality on any used example.

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:

• 34.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.63% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.71/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 brings an all-new chassis and broader powertrain choices.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $23,573, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $21,687 average.
• It adds a more competitive sixth-generation package with a spacious third row.

The bottom line: If you want the better value play, the 2020 is the smarter starting point because prices have eased and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to spend more for the next model year’s updated positioning, the 2021 is the secondary path to consider.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.