2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Ford Explorer presented a striking, athletic aesthetic that managed to stand out in a crowded SUV market. Its design was more refined and streamlined, eliminating the bulk that characterized its predecessors. The expanded headlights, massive grille, and the distinct italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood gave it a rugged and upscale front fascia. The proportions were textbook perfect, except for the tiny taillights which seemed a minor misstep in the design.

Inside, unfortunately, was where the Explorer stumbled. Despite its hefty price tag, the quality of materials did not quite match the expectations. The so-called leather seemed more like low-grade vinyl, and the abundance of hard plastics made it feel less premium. Though some high-end touches like aluminum speaker covers and white stitching were present, these did little to elevate the overall ambient quality. Comparatively, more luxurious feel could be found in vehicles costing significantly less.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, though familiar in its design since 2017, maintained a cohesive, family-oriented aesthetic that leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV. Its curvy lines and car-like demeanor were appreciated for their soft approach.

The interior of the CR-V, however, was not entirely harmonious. While certain elements like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims were appreciated, they clashed with the cheaper plastics found within. This reminded drivers that the CR-V, despite its potentially higher cost in upgraded trims, still had its roots as a commodity car.

In terms of driving dynamics, the 2020 Ford Explorer excelled with its powerful engines and rear-wheel-drive chassis. The ST trim, in particular, shone with its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This configuration made it incredibly nimble for its size, offering superb cornering and brake feel. The 10-speed automatic transmission, though occasionally jerky while downshifting, mostly delivered smooth and addictive power.

Ford also provided an EcoBoost 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, yielding a respectable 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, and an intriguing hybrid option combining a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor for a net 318 hp. However, the fuel economy gains of the hybrid model were minimal compared to its traditional counterpart.

The CR-V simplified its engine lineup for 2020, ditching the 2.4-liter four-cylinder for a standard 1.5-liter turbocharged engine across all trims. This powertrain produced 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Despite the common criticisms of CVTs, Honda’s iteration provided a responsive and smooth driving experience.

The CR-V’s lighter curb weight—just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model—enhanced its car-like handling and fuel efficiency. FWD models boasted a combined 30 mpg while AWD versions managed 29 mpg, putting the CR-V at the top of its class in terms of fuel economy.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered roomy and comfortable seating for all passengers. On a road trip, all occupants, including six-foot-tall adults, could sit comfortably without feeling tight. The Explorer provided a cargo space of 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and a total of 88 cubic feet with all seats folded down, making it one of the largest cargo areas in its class.

On the tech and ergonomic front, while there were physical knobs for climate and stereo control, some functions still required interaction with the touchscreen. There were also complaints about thick D-pillars that created blind spots and subpar 360-degree cameras.

The Honda CR-V excelled at interior packaging. Though it was shorter than some competitors, such as the Volkswagen Tiguan, it matched them in cargo capacity while offering exceptional head and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The flexible two-position load floor in the cargo area was a practical touch, allowing for 75.8 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded. Clever storage solutions like the center console's deep well and sizeable door pockets enhanced usability.

The 2020 Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Higher trims had a premium 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. These screens offered functionalities like massaging seats and multiple driving mode displays, though some aspects felt unfinished, such as the inability to fully customize the gauge layout or integrate system updates through the car's 4G modem.

In contrast, the 2020 CR-V’s infotainment lagged, especially in the base LX trim equipped with an outdated 5-inch screen. Even the 7-inch screen on higher trims felt small compared to competitors’ offerings. The system's lack of physical buttons made it cumbersome to operate. However, trims with the larger screen included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, improving navigation over Honda's built-in system. Ample USB ports and the addition of a wireless charger in the Touring trim kept the CR-V modern in terms of connectivity.

The 2020 Explorer was equipped with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. Optional Assist+ added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, though this system occasionally issued false alerts. Though rated favorably by most safety tests, it scored only “Acceptable” in the IIHS’s small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2020 CR-V came standard with Honda Sensing, providing forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control across all trims. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V scored high in safety tests, earning a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, with higher marks awarded to Touring trims with LED headlights.