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 $14,581
• 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: $17,446 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 436 listings
• View AWD listings

XLT RWD — "Who It's For"

The XLT RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded SUV with a good mix of features without stepping up to the pricier trims.

• Avg. market price: $17,867 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,823 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 at a lower price point without sacrificing utility.

• Avg. market price: $14,581 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 687 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 going for the top-tier trims.

• Avg. market price: $20,118 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 7,584 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 well-equipped SUV with luxury features without the all-wheel drive premium.

• Avg. market price: $19,802 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 622 listings
• View Limited RWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxurious SUV with all-wheel drive capability without stepping up to the highest trim.

• Avg. market price: $21,517 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,890 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 without compromising on luxury features.

• Avg. market price: $26,327 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,907 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 a fully loaded SUV with luxury features and off-road capability without settling for less.

• Avg. market price: $25,894 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,685 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,584 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 $14,581 avg market price — below the lineup median of $19,960 — 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 October 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2020 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 10.27% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,137 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Ford Explorer earns a 4.7/5 user rating and a 7.2/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its power, stylish design, spacious interior, and modern technology. The overview also points to a broader personality than a typical family SUV, with a more energetic character that many shoppers will appreciate.

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 premium-feeling cabin for the money, even though the Explorer’s roomy layout and everyday usefulness make it appealing for family duty.

Good and great deals account for 33.7% of listings, so you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 4.7/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner summary points to a vehicle people feel they can count on, with repeated praise for its dependable power, spaciousness, and modern features. It also suggests the Explorer has enough everyday usability and long-term appeal to keep owners happy over time.

The expert drive notes that the chassis and powertrains feel well sorted, with smooth, uninterrupted power and a rear-wheel-drive layout that supports balanced handling. The cost-effectiveness commentary also suggests waiting for a used example rather than paying new-car pricing, which reinforces the idea that long-term ownership makes more sense once depreciation has done some work.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is paying too much for a cabin and ownership experience that may not feel as upscale as the price suggests.

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

At 74.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on signs of prior bodywork, uneven panel gaps, interior wear, and any evidence that the vehicle has been used hard or repaired poorly.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The cabin design is stylish and the SUV is spacious, but the interior materials can feel cheap, especially in higher-priced examples where the value proposition is weaker.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.3-liter turbo inline-four makes 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, while the available 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 makes 400 hp and 415 lb-ft; the hybrid is a separate model.
• 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.
• 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 included with the Premium Technology Package on ST and Platinum models.
• Fuel efficiency: The standard 2.3-liter turbo engine is rated at 20/27/23 with AWD on the XLT and standard Limited, while the V6 with AWD is rated at 18/24/20. 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 entry point and the best place to start if you want the Explorer’s core space, tech, and standard safety gear without stretching into pricier trims. It gets the standard 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G WiFi, and Ford Co-Pilot 360.
• Limited: This trim adds more comfort and convenience equipment, and it’s the one to consider if you want a more upscale daily driver without jumping all the way to the performance-focused models. It also serves as the trim where the hybrid powertrain is available as a separate model.
• ST: This is the enthusiast pick, with the strongest performance character in the lineup and the most athletic tuning. It suits you best if you care more about power, handling, and a sportier feel than cabin luxury.
• Platinum: This is the most premium-feeling choice in the lineup and the one to consider if you want the highest-end equipment and available V6 power. It’s the trim for shoppers who want the most upscale version of the Explorer, even if the cabin still doesn’t fully justify the price.

Ford Co-Pilot 360 is standard, while Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is available for added driver assistance.

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: 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,137 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.27% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,399, 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 $21,399 sits slightly below last year's $23,848.

That decline means future sellers should expect a market that has already adjusted downward from prior pricing. If you buy well now, you may be entering at a more realistic point in the depreciation curve than shoppers who paid closer to last year’s average.

The Explorer’s broad appeal, strong owner satisfaction, and family-friendly utility should help support demand, but condition and history will matter a lot when it’s time to resell. Clean examples with good records should be easier to move than vehicles with accident history or visible wear.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.7/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer safe?

The 2020 Ford Explorer scores an Acceptable result 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, though the reverse braking system can be overly sensitive.

The safety picture is solid overall, but the IIHS small overlap result is the main caveat you should keep in mind. If safety is a top priority, you should pay close attention to how the vehicle has been maintained and whether the driver-assistance features are functioning properly.

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:

• 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.27% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.7/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 brings an all-new chassis, upgraded technology, and available hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $23,218, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $21,399 average.
• It adds multiple powertrain options, great handling, and a spacious third row.

The bottom line: If you want the better value play, the 2020 is the stronger buy because prices have already softened and inventory is healthy. If you can spend more and want the next model year’s broader appeal and added practicality, the 2021 is worth a look, but price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2020.

How does the 2020 Ford Explorer compare to the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.