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 $14,639
• 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: $17,251 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 424 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: $18,896 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,850 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: $14,639 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 621 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: $20,788 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 7,867 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-rounded SUV with luxury features without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $20,385 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 635 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 and advanced features without going for the top-tier model.

• Avg. market price: $22,141 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,764 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 in an SUV without compromising on space.

• Avg. market price: $26,489 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,890 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: $25,728 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 1,627 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,867 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 $14,639 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,586 — 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 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2020 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 10.06% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,130 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare prices and equipment.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — with a 4.71/5 user rating and an expert rating of 7.17/10, the 2020 Ford Explorer is generally well regarded by shoppers and testers alike.

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. The Explorer is also described as fun to drive, which helps it stand out if you want a three-row SUV that feels more engaging than the average family hauler.

The trade-offs are clear: the interior materials can feel cheap, and it is viewed as poor value for money as the price climbs. That matters most if you want a premium-feeling cabin to match the size and capability.

If you want a large SUV with space, style, and a more performance-oriented personality, this year fits that brief well. The market also shows 32.3% of listings as good or great deals, so you have 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 feedback points to a vehicle that feels reliable, dependable, and trouble-free enough to inspire confidence over time, especially when paired with the Explorer’s strong power and modern safety tech. The expert notes also emphasize that the chassis and powertrains are well sorted, which supports the sense that the vehicle is built to handle regular use without drama.

Ford’s standard maintenance coverage can also help reduce early ownership friction when you’re shopping newer used examples. Even so, you should still budget for the usual wear items and verify that the vehicle has been maintained consistently, because long-term ownership risk rises quickly if the cabin, electronics, or drivetrain have been neglected.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.6% — 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. After that, prioritize a close inspection of the cabin, since the interior materials are a known weak point and can show wear faster than you might expect. It also makes sense to confirm that the technology and driver-assistance features work as advertised, because this model leans heavily on its electronics.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The cabin design is upscale in shape but not in material quality, and the base setup leaves you with a more utilitarian feel than the price suggests.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 2.3-liter turbo inline four, 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. 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 a 12-inch digital instrument cluster are included 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. An AWD Explorer XLT and the standard Limited deliver 20/27/23, while ST and 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, standard tech, and safety equipment without chasing expensive extras.
• Limited: This trim adds a more upscale feel and is the better choice if you want more comfort and equipment without jumping all the way to the performance-focused models.
• ST: This is the one to choose if you want the sharpest driving experience, the strongest performance, and the most distinctive personality in the lineup.
• Platinum: Pick this if you want the most premium-feeling version and are willing to pay for the highest-end equipment and available powertrain upgrades.

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

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,130 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.06% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,103, 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 $22,103 sits slightly below last year's $24,576.

That decline 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 shoppers respond to its space, style, and performance-oriented character. 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. A passenger front knee airbag is also standard.

The main caveat is that the IIHS result is not perfect, so you should pay attention to crash-test performance and verify which driver-assistance features are included on the specific trim you’re considering.

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:

• 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.06% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.71/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The all-new chassis and expanded powertrain lineup make this year feel like a major rethink of the Explorer.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $24,017, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $22,103 average.
• It keeps the sixth-generation formula and adds a more evolved three-row SUV package.

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 spend more for a newer model-year alternative, the 2021 is the secondary path to consider.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.