Used 2020 Ford Explorer for Sale near Illinois

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 $14,568
• 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 extras.

• Avg. market price: $17,639 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 411 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: $18,393 (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 utility features at a lower price point.

• Avg. market price: $14,568 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 651 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

XLT AWD — "Who It's For"

The XLT AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a versatile SUV with a strong feature set and all-wheel drive without stepping up to luxury trims.

• Avg. market price: $20,424 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 7,618 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 luxury SUV experience with advanced features without the all-wheel drive premium.

• Avg. market price: $20,603 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 642 listings
• View Limited RWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty luxury SUV with all-wheel drive and a comprehensive feature set.

• Avg. market price: $21,860 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,828 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: $26,161 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,819 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: $25,277 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,581 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,618 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 $14,568 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,513 — 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 21/28 MPG.

Browse XLT RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 1, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2020 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 10.47% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,119 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — with a 4.71/5 user rating and a 7.17/10 expert rating, you’re looking at a model that resonates strongly with owners and still earns a solid expert score. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the power, stylish design, and advanced safety features, and they also like the spacious interior and modern technology. On the flip side, the overview and expert notes point to a cabin that can feel cheap and a price that can climb quickly, which makes value a real consideration.

If you want a three-row SUV that feels more distinctive than a typical family hauler, this Explorer fits that brief well. The market also shows 33.2% of listings as good or great deals, which 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.

The owner summary points to a vehicle that feels reliable, trouble-free, and easy to count on, especially for buyers who value power, safety, and everyday usability. The expert notes also emphasize a strong chassis and smooth power delivery, which supports the sense that the Explorer is built for regular use over the long haul.

Ford also includes standard tech and convenience features that make ownership easier, including keyless entry, remote start, and 3-zone climate control. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that higher-mileage examples may show the effects of a premium-priced SUV that wasn’t always built with premium-feeling materials.

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 check the history report carefully, because accident-free listings are common but not universal. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the cabin and controls, since the interior quality is a recurring concern. It’s also smart to focus on how the vehicle was equipped, because some features vary by trim and package.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Explorer’s styling is handsome and athletic, but the interior can feel rough and inexpensive, especially in lower-spec versions. Base-trim equipment gaps matter here because the cabin presentation is a major part of the ownership experience.
• Powertrain: The standard setup uses a 2.3-liter turbo inline four, while higher-output versions include a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and a hybrid powertrain. The rear-wheel-drive chassis is a major plus, and the performance-oriented setup is especially appealing if you want sharper handling.
• 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, but that package is not the same as standard equipment.
• Infotainment: You get an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Factory navigation is standard on most models, but it is optional on the base XLT.
• 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 AWD V6 versions 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 value play if you want the Explorer’s core space, tech, and standard safety gear without stretching into the pricier trims. It gives you the basics, but the cabin presentation is still a weak spot, so this trim makes the most sense if price matters most.
• Limited: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more comfort and convenience while keeping the Explorer’s mainstream mission intact. It also opens the door to the hybrid powertrain, which broadens your choices if you want efficiency-focused ownership.
• ST: This is the trim to choose if you want the most engaging driving experience. It brings the performance-oriented character, stronger power, and the sportiest setup in the lineup, but it also pushes the price much higher.
• Platinum: This is the upscale choice if you want the strongest mix of power and premium equipment. It can be ordered with the higher-output V6 and adds a more luxurious feel, though the interior still doesn’t fully match the price.

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 worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,119 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.47% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,792, 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 $21,792 sits slightly below last year's $24,340.

That drop suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer but may pressure future resale if you overpay today. If you buy near the current average or below it, you reduce the risk of taking a bigger depreciation hit later.

The Explorer’s broad appeal still helps support demand, especially because it offers space, style, and strong performance in one package. 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. The Assist+ option adds adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, and a passenger front knee airbag is standard.

The main caveat is that the IIHS small overlap result is only Acceptable, and the reverse braking system can be intrusive in some situations. That means you should pay close attention to how the driver-assistance features behave on a test drive.

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:

• 33.2% 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 10.47% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.71/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings an all-new chassis, more technology, and available hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $23,645, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $21,792 average.
• It adds a more evolved sixth-generation setup with a spacious third row.

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 pay more for the next model year’s refinement, the 2021 is the better secondary path for buyers who prioritize the newer version over savings.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.