Used 2022 Ford Explorer for Sale nearColumbus, OH

Compare 2022 Ford Explorer Trims in Columbus, OH

The 2022 Ford Explorer offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to fully loaded models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $24,612
• Best MPG/MPGe: 20 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

Police Interceptor Utility AWD — "Who It's For"

The Police Interceptor Utility AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a rugged vehicle with essential features without the frills.

• Avg. market price: $26,885 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 11 city / 15 hwy
• Inventory: 60 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

XLT RWD — "Who It's For"

The XLT RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV without the added cost of AWD.

• Avg. market price: $31,998 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 80 listings
• View XLT RWD listings

XLT AWD — "Who It's For"

The XLT AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive and a robust feature set without breaking the bank. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup by a wide margin.

• Avg. market price: $24,612 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 596 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 luxury features without the AWD price premium.

• Avg. market price: $24,900 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 35 listings
• View Limited RWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty look and feel with the benefits of all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $27,995 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 122 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST-Line AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features combined with all-wheel drive capability.

• Avg. market price: $28,145 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 131 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 powerful performance and advanced features in an SUV.

• Avg. market price: $25,466 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 249 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 experience in an SUV.

• Avg. market price: $30,790 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 132 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 596 active listings, the XLT AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLT AWD listings

Best Budget Option — XLT AWD

At $24,612 avg market price — below the lineup median of $27,440 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse XLT AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — XLT RWD

The XLT RWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup at 20/28 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 2022 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 11.97% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,602 listings available, which gives you a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2022 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — the 2022 Ford Explorer earns 4.92/5 from owners and 7.5/10 from our experts.

The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, performance, and practicality, and they also call out the spacious interior and cargo capacity that make it appealing for families. The safety features and driving experience are recurring positives as well.

On the other hand, our experts note a cramped third row and outdated infotainment technology, and they also see an unimpressive value equation. That makes the Explorer a better fit if you want a versatile three-row SUV with broad capability rather than the newest cabin tech or the sharpest pricing.

Good and great deals account for 32.5% of listings, so there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2022 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 4.92/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise centered on comfort, practicality, and the kind of family-friendly usability you can count on over time. The expert review also describes the Explorer as a broad-appeal SUV that has been honed to serve a wide range of buyers, which supports the case for steady day-to-day dependability.

Ford’s powertrain lineup adds to that impression, with multiple engine choices and a hybrid option that broadens how you can use the vehicle. The expert review also notes that the hybrid offers the best blend of power, efficiency, and capability for many shoppers.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is not a single glaring flaw but the usual need to verify condition carefully, especially on a vehicle with a wide trim spread and varied equipment levels.

What should I look for when buying a used 2022 Ford Explorer?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 86.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on overall condition, equipment operation, and signs of wear that could matter more on a family SUV with lots of available features.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup spans from a value-oriented base model to the luxurious Platinum, with ST-Line, Timberline, and King Ranch also in the mix. The base trim is the one most likely to leave you wanting more equipment, while higher trims add more visual distinction and upscale content.
• Powertrain: You get a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, an available hybrid based on a 3.3-liter V6, and a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The hybrid is the efficiency play, while the twin-turbo V6 is the strongest choice if you want maximum acceleration and towing.
• Safety package: Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard and includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist.
• Infotainment: The Explorer uses Sync 3 with either an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. Wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FordPass Connect, and a surround-view camera system are available on higher-equipped versions, but the system itself is dated.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbocharged 2.3-liter engine returns up to 24 mpg in combined driving, the hybrid returns as much as 27 mpg in combined driving, and the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 returns up to 21 mpg in combined driving.

Which 2022 Ford Explorer trim should I buy?

The 2022 Ford Explorer is offered in 8 trim levels: Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, Timberline, ST, Platinum, and King Ranch.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the entry point, and it makes sense if you want the Explorer’s core space and safety without paying for extras you may not need. It is also the trim most likely to feel sparse compared with the better-equipped versions.
• XLT: This is the practical step-up choice if you want a more balanced mix of equipment and value. It sits in the heart of the lineup and is a sensible pick for shoppers who want the Explorer’s family-friendly packaging without chasing luxury content.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a sportier look to the XLT formula, making it a good fit if appearance matters and you want a more expressive version without moving into the performance-focused ST.
• Limited: This is the trim to consider if you want more upscale features and the available hybrid powertrain. It is the best-value path for shoppers who want efficiency and a richer equipment mix.
• Timberline: Choose this if you want the most rugged-looking Explorer and the version best suited to rougher terrain. It also brings improved off-road geometry compared with the standard models.
• ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the twin-turbo V6 standard and an available High-Performance option package that adds black 21-inch wheels, performance brakes, and red brake calipers.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-leaning choice if you want a more premium feel and would rather avoid the King Ranch’s distinctive brown-and-caramel interior treatment.
• King Ranch: This is the most distinctive upscale trim, with exclusive Del Rio leather, unique branding, and a near-$60,000 test-vehicle setup that emphasizes style and content over subtlety.

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard across the lineup, and Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is the safety-package upgrade to look for if you want the extra driver-assistance features.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2022 Ford Explorer?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you know what you want.

• Deal availability: 32.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,602 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.97% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 86.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $27,734, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2022 Ford Explorer's resale value?

The current average of $27,734 sits slightly below last year's $31,505.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you can reduce the risk of taking a bigger depreciation hit later.

The Explorer’s broad appeal still helps support demand, especially because it offers multiple powertrain choices and strong family utility. Well-equipped examples with desirable features should remain easier to move than stripped or poorly maintained ones.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.92/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2022 Ford Explorer safe?

The 2022 Ford Explorer earns a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.

It earns 10/10 safety score from our experts.

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard, and it brings forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. If you choose Co-Pilot360 Assist+, you also get adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist.

One caveat is that NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for this model year in the source material, so the full federal picture is not available here. Even so, the standard safety suite is broad, and the expert safety score is excellent.

Should I buy a 2022 Ford Explorer or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2022 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2022 if:

• 32.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 86.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.97% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.92/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines multiple powertrain choices with strong safety ratings and broad family utility.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $23,645, the 2021 costs less than the current year's $27,734 average.
• It remains distinctive because it helped define the midsize SUV segment.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger current-market mix of price, inventory, and broad capability, the 2022 is the better default choice. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2021 is the more budget-friendly path, especially if you find one in good condition.

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