Used 2022 Ford Explorer for Sale nearSan Diego, CA

Compare 2022 Ford Explorer Trims in San Diego, CA

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 $21,225
• 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 durable vehicle for fleet use without paying for luxury features.

• Avg. market price: $26,010 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 11 city / 15 hwy
• Inventory: 22 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's also the most budget-friendly option.

• Avg. market price: $21,225 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 64 listings
• 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 stepping up to a higher price point. It's the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $24,371 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 140 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 sacrificing practicality. It offers a good balance of features and performance.

• Avg. market price: $29,300 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 45 listings
• 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 going for the highest trims.

• Avg. market price: $26,000 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 21 hwy
• Inventory: 21 listings
• View Timberline AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and advanced technology without going for the top-tier trim.

• Avg. market price: $26,010 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 47 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

ST AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST AWD is the pick for shoppers who want high performance and power without compromising on features.

• Avg. market price: $26,010 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 109 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 without going for a full-size model.

• Avg. market price: $26,010 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 54 listings
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 140 active listings, the XLT AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLT AWD listings

Best Budget Option — XLT RWD

At $21,225 avg market price — below the lineup median of $26,010 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse XLT RWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — XLT RWD

The XLT RWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 20/28 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 11.29% 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.