2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 INFINITI QX80

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, more handsome than the Land Rover Discovery. The latest model refined its upscale, utilitarian design by slimming down the body panels and giving it a lower, more athletic appearance. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge created a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior was a letdown. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt cheap, with low-grade vinyl and rough-grained plastic dominating the cabin. The switchgear felt solid, but the overall interior quality did not match the price, making it feel either too expensive or not luxurious enough.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, as the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, had a commanding presence with modern details like welcome lights, power-folding mirrors, and LED fog lights. The exterior was refreshed in 2018, giving it a more modern look. The QX80 offered a choice of nine paint jobs and three interior color schemes, with the Limited-grade models featuring matte silver and open-pore Ash wood trim. The cabin was filled with soft-touch materials and was generally attractive, though the piano-black plastic on the center stack was prone to fingerprints. The fit and finish were good, and the updated infotainment system layout was sleek and modern. However, some trim pieces still fell short compared to other SUVs in its class.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of engines and a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, providing more even weight distribution than the previous front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform. The ST trim featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The ST's powertrain delivered smooth, uninterrupted power, and the suspension and steering upgrades made it a nimble machine with superb brake feel. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, and a gas-electric hybrid option with a net 318 hp. Towing capacity varied from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine. The Explorer's fuel economy ranged from 18 to 27 mpg, depending on the trim and drivetrain.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine with 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The QX80's powertrain handled the SUV's weight well, though the transmission was clunky when downshifting. Fuel efficiency was a weak point, with the RWD version getting 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, while the 4WD version got 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. The QX80 offered Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes, and two different steering systems. The optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system and rear auto-leveling suspension provided a relatively smooth ride and kept the SUV grounded around turns. The QX80 had an 8,500-pound towing capacity.

The 2020 Ford Explorer provided ample space for passengers and cargo. The second row felt like first class with air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row was more spacious than the previous model, accommodating six-foot-tall adults for short journeys. Cargo space behind the third row was 18 cubic feet, behind the second row was 48 cubic feet, and with all seats folded, it was 88 cubic feet. The Explorer featured physical knobs and switches for climate and stereo controls, though the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras created blind spots.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, but the third row had limited legroom, making it suitable for small children or pets. The SUV had standard seating for seven, with options for a 60/40 split-folding bench in the second row. The leather-appointed seats were available in perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery, and Alcantara seats with quilting and contrast stitching were also available. The QX80 had a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an eight-way power-adjustable passenger’s seat, and heated and climate-controlled front seats. Cargo space was 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. A power liftgate was standard.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Factory navigation was standard on all models except the base XLT. Keyless entry, remote start, 3-zone climate control, and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The Premium Technology Package for ST and Platinum models included a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ offered semi-automated driving features, though it was not as advanced as competitors' systems.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 featured an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower touch screen, allowing for navigation and audio system information to be displayed simultaneously. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone climate control, a moonroof, a CD player, a 12-volt outlet, and four USB ports. Optional upgrades included two 8.0-inch displays, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a WiFi hot spot. The standard 13-speaker Bose stereo could be upgraded to a 17-speaker system. SiriusXM services were available with a complimentary four-year trial period.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer had a passenger front knee airbag and received an "Acceptable" score in the small overlap test on the driver's side from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 had standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and automatic collision notification. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, distance-control assist, and lane-keep assist. The QX80 received "good" scores in the moderate overlap front and side crash tests from the IIHS and had a moderate risk of rollover according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).