2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Lexus RX

The 2020 Ford Explorer presented a striking exterior design that was more refined and athletic compared to its predecessors. Its widened headlights, large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood gave it a recognizable and bold appearance. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims and quad exhaust pipes, added a sporty flair that was visually appealing. However, the interior did not match the exterior's allure. Despite its high price point, the interior materials felt subpar, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. The Explorer's interior lacked the luxury feel expected at its price, making it less competitive against similarly priced vehicles from luxury brands.

In contrast, the 2020 Lexus RX maintained its stylish edge with refreshed exterior features, including standard 18-inch wheels and slimmer headlights. The RX's design updates, such as the dual exhaust and rear diffuser, contributed to a modern and fresh look. Inside, the RX offered a well-appointed cabin with various interior color and material options, including wood and satin-brushed aluminum trim. The F Sport package added unique elements like a special steering wheel and aluminum pedals, enhancing the sporty feel. The RX's interior was luxurious, with leather-wrapped surfaces and a practical layout, although the center stack's design was beginning to show its age.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engine options, with the ST trim featuring a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered smooth and addictive power. The Explorer's rear-wheel-drive chassis provided balanced weight distribution, enhancing its handling and cornering capabilities. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine with 300 horsepower and a hybrid option with a net 318 horsepower. However, the hybrid's fuel economy did not justify its additional cost. The Explorer's towing capacity varied, with the V6 AWD model capable of towing up to 5,600 pounds. Seven drive modes allowed for versatile performance across different terrains.

The 2020 Lexus RX was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque in the RX 350 model. The RX 450h hybrid version combined the V6 with an electric motor, achieving 308 horsepower. The RX's performance was smooth, with a focus on comfort rather than athleticism. The hybrid model excelled in fuel efficiency, with the RX 450h AWD achieving 30 mpg combined. The RX F Sport models featured adaptive variable suspension and sport-tuned steering, enhancing agility. The RX offered various drive modes, including an EV mode for short emissions-free driving. While not a performance powerhouse, the RX provided a comfortable and connected driving experience.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in interior space, offering ample room for passengers and cargo. The second row felt luxurious with air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row accommodated six-foot-tall adults for short trips, although the bench was flat for long-distance comfort. The Explorer's cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Explorer's controls were user-friendly, with physical knobs and switches for climate and stereo functions. However, thick D-pillars and fuzzy cameras created blind spots.

The 2020 Lexus RX provided a comfortable cabin for four adults in its two-row configuration, but the three-row RX-L's third row was cramped, suitable only for small children. The RX's cargo area was smaller than competitors, with a high load floor limiting space. The RX 350L and 450hL models offered even less cargo space compared to rivals. Despite these limitations, the RX's interior was well-designed, with easy-to-fold rear seats and a hands-free liftgate available on certain models.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. The Premium Technology Package added a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the touchscreen was high-resolution and user-friendly, the instrument panel lacked customization options. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system offered semi-automated driving features but needed refinement. The Explorer's tech was promising but required software updates for full potential.

The 2020 Lexus RX's infotainment system was criticized for its complexity, but improvements were made by moving the touchscreen closer to the driver. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, while difficult to navigate, was complemented by standard Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Android Auto, providing alternative functionality. The RX featured six USB ports and a standard 12-speaker audio system, with an optional 15-speaker Mark Levinson system. The touchscreen's physical control improved, but the system still had room for enhancement.

The 2020 Ford Explorer included Ford Co-Pilot 360 as standard, featuring 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 not been fully tested by the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2020 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, offering adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional features included daytime bicyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist. The RX received good safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, although not as high as newer models.