Used 2020 Ford Explorer for SaleNationwide

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 10.47% 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 should have a solid range of choices while 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 the powerful driving feel, stylish design, and advanced safety features. They also like the spacious interior and modern technology, which makes it appealing if you want a family SUV that feels current and substantial.

The trade-offs are clear: the interior materials feel cheap, and the price can be hard to justify. In practical terms, you’re looking at an SUV that fits buyers who want space, tech, and a more engaging drive, but not necessarily the most upscale cabin for the money.

Only 33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market is somewhat selective rather than deeply discounted.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

User feedback points to a dependable-feeling SUV that many owners feel good about keeping for the long haul. The review summary also emphasizes strong power, modern technology, and a generally trouble-free ownership impression, even if some shoppers mention fuel requirements and material quality concerns.

The driving review reinforces that sense of confidence by describing the Explorer as a strong, composed SUV with a capable chassis and smooth power delivery. Ford also notes that the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house, which helps reduce early ownership friction.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a premium-feeling purchase price can make any repair or upkeep issue feel more expensive than expected.

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

At 73.9% 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 careful inspection of body panels, paint consistency, and any signs of prior repair. Because the Explorer’s value proposition depends heavily on condition, you’ll want to focus on how well the cabin, electronics, and driving systems have held up.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The cabin design is stylish from the outside, but the interior materials are described as cheap, especially in higher-priced examples. Base-trim feature gaps matter because the standard setup is more utilitarian than luxurious.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four makes 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, while the available twin-turbo V6 delivers much stronger performance. The hybrid option is also mentioned, but it is treated separately.
• 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.
• 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 available V6 with AWD is rated at 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. The hybrid is rated at 23 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 25 mpg 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 fit if you want the Explorer’s core space, tech, and standard safety gear without paying for the pricier trims. It’s the value-minded choice if you mainly care about getting the platform and features rather than the flashiest equipment.
• Limited: This trim adds more comfort and convenience equipment, and it’s the one tied to the hybrid powertrain in the source material. It makes sense if you want a more upscale daily driver without jumping all the way to the performance-focused models.
• ST: This is the performance pick, with the strongest emphasis on power, sharper handling, and a more aggressive look. It suits you best if you want the Explorer to feel quick and engaging rather than just practical.
• Platinum: This is the most upscale version, with the premium technology package and the most luxury-oriented presentation in the source material. Choose it if you want the most feature-rich Explorer and are willing to pay for it.

Ford Co-Pilot 360 is standard, while the Assist+ option adds adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you should shop carefully and compare condition closely.

• Deal availability: 33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,114 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.47% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,255, 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 $21,255 sits slightly below last year's $23,741.

That decline suggests the Explorer has already moved into a more buyer-friendly pricing zone, which can help future resale if you buy at the right number. If you pay close to the current average, your upside is more about owning a well-equipped SUV than expecting rapid appreciation.

The good news for future resale is that demand should remain supported by the model’s strong owner satisfaction and broad appeal. The downside is that a premium purchase price can make depreciation feel more noticeable if you overpay today.

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 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, though the reverse braking system is noted to have activated falsely during a parking maneuver.

A passenger front knee airbag is standard. The IIHS result is the main caveat to keep in mind, since the small overlap driver-side test was not a top result.

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:

• 33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.47% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.7/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings an all-new chassis, more technology, and hybrid and high-performance powertrains.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $23,104, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $21,255 average.
• It offers a spacious third row.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2020 is the stronger buy because prices have softened and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model year, the 2021 is the cleaner alternative for shoppers who prioritize the latest version over savings.

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 November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.