Used 2022 Ford Explorer for Sale near North Carolina

Compare 2022 Ford Explorer Trims

The 2022 Ford Explorer offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to more luxurious models, all featuring versatile AWD capabilities.

• Starting at $18,731
• 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 for utility without paying for luxury features.

• Avg. market price: $18,731 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 11 city / 15 hwy
• Inventory: 610 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: $23,471 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,877 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 a balanced mix of features and capability without breaking the bank. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup by a wide margin.

• Avg. market price: $26,575 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 7,766 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 higher price of the performance trims.

• Avg. market price: $30,239 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,664 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 and rugged features without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $29,754 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 21 hwy
• Inventory: 631 listings
• View Timberline AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and comfort without the highest price tag in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $29,010 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,717 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 in a capable SUV.

• Avg. market price: $34,244 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,932 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 in luxury and performance without compromise.

• Avg. market price: $32,996 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 1,602 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,766 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 $18,731 avg market price — below the lineup median of $29,382 — 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 city / 28 hwy MPG.

Browse XLT RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2022 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 11.64% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,598 listings available, which suggests you should have room to compare options.

If you find a listing below $28,188.89, 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, and spacious interior, and they also highlight its performance and family-friendly cargo capacity. The broad lineup and multiple powertrain choices add to its appeal, especially if you want an SUV that can be configured for value, efficiency, or stronger acceleration.

The trade-offs are the cramped third row and outdated infotainment technology, and the value equation is not especially strong. Even so, the Explorer’s wide-ranging use case makes sense if you want a three-row SUV that balances family duty with available power and safety.

Only 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the better examples may move quickly.

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 vehicle that feels comfortable, practical, and dependable enough for family use over time. That kind of praise matters because it suggests you can count on the Explorer for everyday duty without constant frustration.

The expert review also emphasizes that the Explorer’s powertrains and chassis tuning make it feel robust and composed, which supports confidence in long-term ownership. Ford’s maintenance perk language is not part of the available data here, so your best protection is a careful pre-purchase inspection and a clean service history.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a neglected example could turn the infotainment and driver-assist frustrations into bigger ownership annoyances.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 86.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not guarantee a clean individual vehicle. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on higher-mileage examples or trucks with more equipment, and focus on interior condition, electronics behavior, and how well the vehicle has been maintained.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup ranges from value-oriented versions to more luxurious trims, and the base setup leaves more of the premium equipment for higher trims. If you want the most polished cabin and feature content, pay close attention to how much equipment is missing at the lower end.
• Powertrain: You can choose among a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, a 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 brings the strongest acceleration and towing capability.
• 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 is available on higher trims, but the system is dated compared with newer setups.
• 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 if you want the Explorer’s core space and capability at the lowest starting point, but you should expect the fewest amenities and the most obvious feature gaps versus the better-equipped trims.
• XLT: This is the most sensible step up if you want a better balance of equipment and price, and it serves as the foundation for the new ST-Line appearance-focused version.
• ST-Line: This is the better choice if you want a sportier look without moving all the way to the performance-oriented ST, and it adds visual flair to the XLT formula.
• Limited: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it opens the door to the hybrid powertrain and adds a more upscale equipment mix without jumping into the highest-priced models.
• Timberline: This is the pick if you want the most rugged setup in the lineup, with extra ground clearance and improved off-road geometry.
• ST: This is the choice if you care most about driving excitement, since it is the sport-tuned model and can be paired with the High-Performance option package.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-leaning choice if you want a more premium feel and would rather avoid the King Ranch’s distinctive interior theme.
• King Ranch: This is the most distinctive upscale trim, with exclusive leather and a more specialized cabin presentation, but it is not the best fit if you want the hybrid powertrain.

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard across the lineup, and Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adds more advanced driver assistance features on equipped trims.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you should shop carefully and compare listings.

• Deal availability: 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,598 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.64% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 86.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $28,188.89, 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 $28,180 sits slightly below last year's $31,891.

That price movement suggests the Explorer has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price today. If you purchase near the lower end of the range and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss later.

The broad trim lineup also helps because there is a version for many budgets, which can support demand across different buyer types. Still, the current market shows that pricing discipline matters, so overpaying now could weaken your resale position later.

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?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), every version of the 2022 Explorer earns a Top Safety Pick+ safety rating.

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-beam headlights. If you choose Co-Pilot360 Assist+, you also get adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, 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 available data, so you should lean more heavily 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:

• 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 86.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.64% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.92/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2022 lineup adds ST-Line, Timberline, and King Ranch while keeping the Explorer’s broad family-hauling appeal.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $24,076, the 2021 costs less than the current year's $28,180 average.
• It offers multiple powertrain choices and strong handling for buyers who want a capable three-row SUV.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced shopping target, the 2022 is the stronger pick because it combines softer pricing, strong owner satisfaction, and a broad trim range. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2021 is the more budget-friendly path, especially if you can find one with the equipment you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.