Used 2022 Ford Explorer for Sale near North Carolina

How much does the 2022 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 11.29% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,677 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $28,357.38, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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, practicality, spacious interior, and cargo capacity, and they also respond well to the driving experience and safety features. The main trade-offs are the cramped third row, outdated infotainment technology, and an unimpressive value equation.

That mix fits your needs best if you want a midsize three-row SUV that prioritizes family usability, broad trim choice, and everyday comfort over cutting-edge tech. With 29.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, 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 also points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for comfort, practicality, and the kind of long-term usability families tend to count on. The expert review reinforces that impression by describing the Explorer as a broad-appeal SUV with strong safety and useful capability.

Ford’s driver-assist systems are described as working smoothly and accurately, which supports confidence in day-to-day use. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about choosing a well-kept example with the right equipment and condition.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 86.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, because accident-free inventory is strong but not universal. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the third row, infotainment operation, and the condition of any advanced driver-assist features. Focus on how the vehicle was equipped, since the Explorer’s value depends heavily on trim and option content.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup spans value-oriented and luxury-oriented versions, and the base model can feel less richly equipped than higher trims. The King Ranch adds distinctive interior treatment, while the Platinum is the better choice if you want to avoid the King Ranch’s brown-and-caramel cabin theme.
• Powertrain: You can choose a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, an available hybrid drivetrain, or a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The hybrid is the best blend of power, efficiency, and capability, while the V6 is the choice if you want stronger acceleration and more towing capacity.
• 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. Available features include wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FordPass Connect, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and a premium sound system.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbocharged 2.3-liter engine returns up to 24 mpg in combined driving, the hybrid returns as much as 27 mpg combined, and the twin-turbo V6 is rated at up to 21 mpg combined.

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, safety, and powertrain choices without paying for extras. It makes sense if you care more about value and utility than upscale features.
• XLT: This is the sensible step-up trim for most shoppers because it keeps the Explorer’s broad usefulness while adding more everyday appeal. It’s a strong choice if you want a better-equipped family SUV without jumping too far in price.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a sportier look to the XLT formula, so it suits you if style matters and you want a more athletic appearance without moving into the performance-focused ST.
• Limited: This is the best-value trim if you want a more premium feel and access to the hybrid powertrain option. It’s the sweet spot for shoppers balancing efficiency, comfort, and equipment.
• Timberline: Choose this if you want the most rugged setup in the lineup, including improved off-road geometry and extra ground clearance. It’s the right fit if your driving includes rougher terrain.
• ST: This is the trim for you if stronger acceleration matters most, especially with the available high-performance package. It’s the enthusiast’s choice in the lineup.
• Platinum: Pick this if you want a luxury-leaning Explorer with a more upscale feature set and the option to avoid the King Ranch’s unique interior theme. It’s the best fit if refinement matters more than ruggedness.
• King Ranch: This is the most distinctive trim, with exclusive leather and a richly appointed cabin. It suits you if you want the most character and a near-luxury presentation.

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, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you know what you want.

• Deal availability: 29.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,677 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.29% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 86.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $28,357.38, 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 $28,347 sits slightly below last year's $31,955.

That price movement suggests the Explorer has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stabilizes. If you buy well now and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you may be starting from a more favorable entry point than buyers who paid closer to last year’s average.

The broad trim range also means resale will depend heavily on how well your version matches shopper demand. Well-equipped, well-kept examples should remain easier to move than poorly optioned or heavily worn 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?

Every version of the 2022 Explorer earns a Top Safety Pick+ safety 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. 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 data, so you should lean on the IIHS result and the standard safety equipment when evaluating it.

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:

• 29.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 86.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.29% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.92/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines a redesigned rear-drive platform with multiple powertrain choices and strong safety recognition.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $24,120, the 2021 costs less than the current year's $28,347 average.
• It remains distinctive because it helped define the midsize SUV segment and offers multiple powertrain options.

The bottom line: Choose the 2022 if you want the stronger overall shopping environment, broader trim mix, and the benefit of a newer model year with solid safety and owner satisfaction. If your priority is saving money upfront, the 2021 is the better value play, especially if you can live with its older feature set and fewer standard safety conveniences.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.