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 $18,702
• 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: $18,702 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 11 city / 15 hwy
• Inventory: 690 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-rounded SUV without the added cost of AWD. It offers a solid mix of features and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $23,166 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,856 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 breaking the bank. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $26,370 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 7,858 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 touch of luxury without going fully loaded. It balances features and price effectively.

• Avg. market price: $24,971 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 630 listings
• View Limited RWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty features combined with all-wheel drive. It offers a stylish and capable option.

• Avg. market price: $29,893 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,722 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 with the added benefit of all-wheel drive. It’s a great choice for families.

• Avg. market price: $28,753 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,782 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 luxury features. It’s ideal for those who prioritize power and style.

• Avg. market price: $34,343 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,868 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’s packed with features for maximum comfort.

• Avg. market price: $32,551 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 1,583 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,858 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 $18,702 avg market price — below the lineup median of $27,561 — 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 economy in the lineup with 20 city / 28 hwy MPG.

Browse XLT RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 17, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2022 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 11.76% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,693 listings available, which suggests you should have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2022 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — the 2022 Ford Explorer earns a 4.92/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, performance, and practicality, and they also value the spacious interior and cargo capacity for family use. The Explorer’s broad lineup and multiple powertrain choices add to its appeal, especially if you want a three-row SUV that can cover a lot of ground.

The trade-offs are a cramped third row and outdated infotainment technology, and the value equation is not especially strong. For you, that means the Explorer makes the most sense if comfort, space, and versatility matter more than having the newest cabin tech.

Good and great deals account for 34.3% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2022 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience for many drivers, with comfort and practicality reinforcing the sense that this is a vehicle people can count on. The expert review also describes the Explorer as a robust SUV in daily driving, with a solid, planted feel that supports confidence over time.

Ford’s powertrain lineup includes efficient and capable options, and the hybrid setup is presented as the best blend of power, efficiency, and capability. That said, used buyers should still pay close attention to maintenance records and condition, especially if you want to minimize long-term ownership risk.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 86.6% — 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 vehicle has higher mileage or visible wear. Focus on how the cabin, electronics, and driver-assistance systems function, since those are the areas most likely to affect your day-to-day satisfaction.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup spans from a value-oriented base model to higher-end trims like Platinum, with ST-Line, Timberline, and King Ranch also in the mix. Base trims leave more of the upscale equipment and visual differentiation to the higher models, so you should compare feature content carefully before deciding how much trim you really need.
• Powertrain: You can choose among a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, a hybrid setup based on a 3.3-liter V6, or a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The hybrid is the best blend of power, efficiency, and capability, while the twin-turbo V6 is the choice if you want the most acceleration and towing strength.
• 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, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a premium audio system are available on better-equipped versions, but the system itself is dated compared with newer rivals.
• 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 is rated at 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 if you want the Explorer’s core space and safety without paying for extras. It gets the standard safety suite, but you should expect fewer comfort and convenience features than the higher trims.
• XLT: This is the most natural step up if you want a better balance of equipment and price. It sits in the middle of the lineup and gives you a more complete everyday family SUV without jumping into luxury pricing.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a sportier look to the XLT formula, making it a good fit if you want style without moving all the way to the performance-focused ST.
• Limited: This is the best-value trim to consider if you want access to the hybrid powertrain and a more upscale feature set. It’s the sweet spot for shoppers who care about efficiency and equipment balance.
• Timberline: Choose this if you want the most rugged version of the standard lineup. It is the trim to look at if your priorities include tougher use and better off-pavement capability.
• ST: This is the performance 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-oriented pick, especially if you want the hybrid powertrain option and a more premium cabin than the lower trims.
• King Ranch: This is the most distinctive upscale trim, with exclusive Del Rio leather seating, unique branding, and a premium presentation that suits buyers who want a more special-feeling Explorer.

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

• Deal availability: 34.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,693 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.76% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 86.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $28,021, 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 $28,021 sits slightly below last year's $31,754.

That price movement suggests the Explorer has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. For a future seller, that means your biggest advantage is likely to come from choosing a well-kept example with strong equipment and clean history rather than expecting the market to rebound quickly.

The Explorer’s broad appeal, family-friendly layout, and strong owner satisfaction should help keep demand steady. 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 a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard, and it includes 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 complete NHTSA crash-test ratings were not published for this model year 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:

• 34.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 86.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.76% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.92/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2022 adds ST-Line, Timberline, and King Ranch trims while keeping the Explorer’s broad family-focused appeal.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $23,961, the 2021 costs less than the current year's $28,021 average.
• It offers multiple powertrain options and strong handling.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced shopping pool, stronger safety confidence, and a broader trim spread, the 2022 is the better target. If your main goal is to spend less up front, the 2021 is the more budget-friendly path, especially if you find one in clean condition with the equipment you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.