2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Jeep Wrangler

The 2020 Ford Explorer looked more sophisticated than many competitors, with a design that resonated with upscale utilitarianism without excessive bulk. The refined body panels, widened headlights, large grille, and bold "Explorer" lettering on the hood contributed to a visually striking vehicle. Features like black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes made the ST version particularly appealing. Yet, its interior left much to be desired, especially considering its high price tag, with low-grade materials and a lack of true luxury feel.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler, known for its signature boxy styling, circular headlights, and seven-slat grille, exuded a unique blend of ruggedness and nostalgia. It retained an industrial look reinforced by exposed hinges and bolts, fold-down windshield, and removable doors and top. The interior went for a retro yet functional look, with circular climate vents and gauges. Despite its somewhat utilitarian character, Jeep managed to keep the cabin fresh and interesting, with trims ranging from the basic Sport to the upscale Sahara and off-road-focused Rubicon. Each trim level offered varying degrees of creature comforts and rugged enhancements.

For the 2020 Ford Explorer, the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis provided balanced weight distribution, significantly enhancing its handling characteristics. Especially remarkable was the ST trim, powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Its performance was agile and responsive, with flat cornering and superb brake feel. Additionally, the Explorer offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine generating 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, as well as a hybrid option combining a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor for 318 hp. While fuel economy varied by engine choice, towing capacity was a noteworthy 5,600 pounds with the V6 AWD.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler offered a base 3.6-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 270 hp and 295 lb-ft was another option. The standout, however, was the new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, delivering 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque, making highway cruising and off-road adventures a breeze. The diesel engine provided 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, bettering the fuel economy compared to the gas engines. The Wrangler's off-road prowess was further supported by locking front and rear differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar, crucial for navigating tough terrain.

Inside the 2020 Ford Explorer, passengers enjoyed ample space and comfort, highlighted by a second row with air vents, USB ports, a center console for drinks and tablets, and a panoramic moonroof. Adults could comfortably sit in the third row for short trips, with easy access provided by second-row captain's chairs. Cargo space was substantial, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a class-leading 88 cubic feet with all seats down. Physical controls for climate and stereo functions simplified driving, though thick D-pillars and subpar 360-degree cameras were downsides.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, while offering exceptional off-road capabilities, lagged in cargo space compared to the Explorer. With the rear bench lowered, it provided 72 cubic feet of cargo space. Its signature features included removable doors, a fold-down windshield, and various roof styles—soft tops, hardtops, and the Sky One-Touch roof, accommodating different user preferences. Despite less cargo space and comfort, the Wrangler's versatility in configuration and robust off-road readiness made up for those limitations.

The Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Higher trims, like the ST and Platinum, included a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. This setup made it easy to use features such as navigation and massaging seats. However, certain aspects of the technology, like the inability to customize gauge layouts in the digital instrument panel and lack of system updates through the car’s 4G modem, were less impressive.

In contrast, the Jeep Wrangler's technology varied significantly by trim. Entry-level models came with a 5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the Rubicon and Sahara featured a more advanced 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A premium 8.4-inch Uconnect system, available on the Sahara and Rubicon, included navigation, HD Radio, real-time traffic updates, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a high-quality Alpine audio system. The improvement in technology was stark compared to previous Jeep models.

The 2020 Ford Explorer featured the Co-Pilot 360 suite as standard, including forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, which occasionally triggered false alarms. A front passenger knee airbag was standard, and while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had not yet tested the 2020 model, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated it Acceptable in the small overlap driver's side test.

Conversely, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera located on the external spare tire hub. The optional safety packages were worthwhile investments, notably the base package adding rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection for $895. The $795 Advanced Safety Group package included adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning, enhancing safety in the diverse driving conditions a Wrangler might encounter.