Used 2022 Ford Explorer for Sale nearDes Moines, IA

Compare 2022 Ford Explorer Trims

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 $18,694
• 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 robust vehicle without paying for luxury features. It's the most budget-friendly option in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $18,694 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 11 city / 15 hwy
• Inventory: 687 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 AWD price premium. It offers a solid mix of features and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $22,486 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,823 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLT RWD listings

XLT AWD — "Who It's For"

The XLT AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without stepping up to a higher price point. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $25,314 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 7,584 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLT AWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty look and feel without the full performance price tag. It balances style and capability well.

• Avg. market price: $28,728 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,673 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST-Line AWD listings

Timberline AWD — "Who It's For"

The Timberline AWD is the pick for shoppers who want off-road capability with premium features. It’s designed for adventure seekers.

• Avg. market price: $29,087 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 21 hwy
• Inventory: 644 listings
• View Timberline AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features without going for the top-tier trim. It offers a great balance of comfort and capability.

• Avg. market price: $27,993 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,888 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 advanced features. It’s perfect for those who prioritize power and technology.

• Avg. market price: $33,305 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,908 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. It combines top-tier features with a refined design.

• Avg. market price: $31,507 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 1,684 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 $18,694 avg market price — below the lineup median of $28,360 — 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 20/28 MPG.

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 2022 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 12.34% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,805 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2022 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — the 2022 Ford Explorer earns a 4.9/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, performance, practicality, spacious interior, and cargo capacity, especially for family use. The overview also points to a broad, family-focused lineup with multiple powertrain options and plenty of cargo space.

The main trade-offs are a cramped third row and outdated infotainment technology, and the value equation is not especially strong. That makes it a better fit if you want a versatile three-row SUV with strong safety and family utility rather than the newest-feeling cabin tech.

Good and great deals account for 35.5% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2022 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The user feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience for many drivers, with praise centered on comfort, practicality, and family-friendly usability. The expert review also describes the Explorer as a vehicle that should prove engaging and robust in everyday use, with a composed driving feel that supports long-term confidence.

Ford’s ownership pitch is less about maintenance perks and more about packaging and capability, so you should still pay close attention to service history and wear items on any used example. For used buyers, the biggest long-term risk is choosing a neglected truck with outdated tech or deferred maintenance rather than a well-kept one.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 85.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re shopping higher-mileage examples or trims with more equipment. Focus on cabin condition, infotainment behavior, and how well the vehicle has been maintained, since those are the areas most likely to affect your day-to-day ownership experience.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup spans from a value-rich base model to Platinum, with ST-Line, Timberline, and King Ranch also mentioned. The base trim is the one most likely to leave you wanting more equipment, while higher trims add more luxury and personality.
• Powertrain: The Explorer offers multiple powertrain choices, including a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, a hybrid setup, and a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The hybrid is the best blend of power, efficiency, and capability, while the V6 brings stronger acceleration and towing ability.
• 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 better-equipped versions, but the system is dated compared with newer setups.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbocharged 2.3-liter engine provides 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 reaches 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, King Ranch.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the entry point, but it’s the trim most likely to feel stripped compared with the rest of the lineup. It makes sense if you want the Explorer’s core space and safety without paying for extras.
• XLT: This is the most balanced starting point for many shoppers because it sits in the middle of the lineup and pairs well with the Explorer’s family-friendly mission.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a sportier look to the XLT formula, so it suits you if style matters more than ruggedness or luxury.
• Limited: This is the best-value trim to consider if you want a stronger mix of features and everyday usability, especially because it can be paired with the hybrid powertrain.
• Timberline: Choose this if you want the more rugged character and improved off-pavement capability described in the review.
• ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the sport-tuned setup and available High-Performance package for buyers who care most about driving feel.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-leaning pick, and it’s the trim to consider if you want the most upscale overall experience.
• King Ranch: This is the most distinctive premium trim, with exclusive leather and a more upscale cabin presentation, but it also carries some of the Explorer’s mixed-material character.

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

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,805 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.34% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 85.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $27,086, 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 $27,086 sits slightly below last year's $30,898.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, that also means resale value will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim desirability rather than broad market momentum alone.

Because the Explorer still draws strong shopper interest and has a large listing pool, well-kept examples should remain easier to move than neglected ones. Higher-demand trims and clean history reports should help support stronger resale performance over time.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.9/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2022 Ford Explorer safe?

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

It earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

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.

One caveat is that complete NHTSA crash-test ratings for this model year were not published in the source material, so you should lean on the IIHS result and the standard safety equipment when evaluating a used example.

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:

• 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 85.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.34% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2022 adds the ST-Line trim and continues the Explorer’s broad, family-focused lineup.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $23,218, the 2021 costs less than the current year's $27,086 average.
• It offers multiple powertrain options and a spacious third row.

The bottom line: Choose the 2022 if you want the stronger current-year market mix, broad trim spread, and solid safety reputation. Consider the 2021 if your priority is saving money up front and you’re comfortable giving up some of the 2022’s updated lineup appeal.

How does the 2022 Ford Explorer compare to the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2022 Ford Explorer:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Plenty of cargo space, Great safety ratings.
• Cons: Cramped third row, Outdated infotainment technology, Unimpressive value equation.

2022 Chevrolet Traverse:

• Pros: Stylish design, Plenty of cargo space, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: Noisy, Excessive "float" on uneven pavement, Interior materials feel cheap.

Our experts score the 2022 Ford Explorer 7.5/10 and the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse 7.2/10. The Explorer has the edge in safety and powertrain variety, while the Traverse counters with easier-to-use technology and a lower average used price. If you care most about safety ratings and choice, the Explorer looks stronger; if you want a more affordable alternative with straightforward tech, the Traverse is worth a look.

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.