Used 2020 Ford Explorer for Sale near North Carolina

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 $14,716
• 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: $17,905 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 384 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: $18,959 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,877 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 without luxury frills.

• Avg. market price: $14,716 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 610 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 the luxury trims.

• Avg. market price: $20,899 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 7,766 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: $20,615 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 607 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 and advanced features without going for the top-tier models.

• Avg. market price: $22,364 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,717 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: $26,592 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,932 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 all the top features and performance.

• Avg. market price: $25,863 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,602 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,766 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 $14,716 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,757 — 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 2, 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 6,135 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $22,144.85, 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 4.71/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 7.17/10. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the spacious interior, stylish design, advanced safety features, and modern technology. The Explorer also comes across as fun to drive, with strong power and a family-friendly layout that fits a lot of everyday needs.

The trade-offs are clear: the interior materials feel cheap, and the price can feel high for what you get. The overview also frames it as a roomy SUV with strong performance potential and a more contemporary presence, which helps explain why it appeals most if you value space and capability over luxury-grade materials.

With 31.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have 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 also points to a vehicle many drivers describe as dependable, with a reputation for being fun to drive while still meeting family needs.

The expert notes reinforce that sense of durability by emphasizing the Explorer’s solid chassis and composed road manners. Ford also includes a standard maintenance visit on the house for the first scheduled service, which helps lower early ownership friction.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a strong reputation for satisfaction does not erase the need to verify condition, service history, and how the vehicle was used.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a documented history. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the vehicle has higher mileage, multiple owners, or signs of heavy family use. Focus on interior wear, electronics, and how well the vehicle has been maintained.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base XLT is the entry point, and it can leave some convenience and navigation equipment off the standard list. Higher trims add more upscale tech and comfort, but the interior materials still draw criticism even as equipment levels rise.
• Powertrain: The standard setup uses a 2.3-liter turbo inline four with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, while the available 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 brings 400 hp and 415 lb-ft in ST form, or 365 hp and 380 lb-ft in Platinum form. 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. The Assist+ option adds adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, but that system is not standard.
• Infotainment: An 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi comes standard. Factory navigation is standard on all models except the base XLT, where it is optional.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD XLT and standard Limited are rated at 20/27/23 mpg, while ST and Platinum models with AWD are rated at 18/24/20 mpg. The hybrid is rated at 23 mpg city, 26 highway, and 25 combined with AWD.

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 starting point and the best fit if you want the lowest entry price while still getting the core Explorer experience. It includes the standard infotainment and safety basics, but some convenience and navigation equipment remain optional.
• Limited: This is the better-value choice if you want a more complete daily driver without jumping all the way to the performance trims. It adds more comfort and equipment, and it is also the trim where the hybrid powertrain is available.
• ST: This is the enthusiast pick, with the strongest performance focus in the lineup. It pairs the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with sharper chassis tuning and the most aggressive driving character.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-leaning choice if you want the stronger V6 with a softer tune and more upscale equipment. It suits you best if you want power and comfort more than outright sportiness.

Ford Co-Pilot 360 is standard, while the Assist+ package 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, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,135 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.47% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,144.85, 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 $22,141 sits slightly below last year's $24,729.

That price movement suggests the market has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right number. If you purchase near the lower end of the current range, you may have less downside left than a buyer who paid closer to the prior-year average.

The Explorer’s broad appeal also helps support demand, especially for shoppers who want space, strong performance, and modern tech 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?

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, and a passenger front knee airbag is standard.

The main caveat is that the IIHS small overlap result is not a top score, and the reverse braking system can be overly sensitive. That means you should pay close attention to how the driver-assistance features behave during 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:

• 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.2% — 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.
• The 2020 brings an all-new chassis, more technology, and new hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $24,076, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $22,141 average.
• It adds a broader three-row identity with a maximum of 4,700 pounds.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2020 is the smarter starting point because it combines a lower average price with strong owner satisfaction and plenty of inventory. If you are willing to spend more for a newer model year, the 2021 is the secondary path, but price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2020 first.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.