Ultimate 2020 Ford Explorer Review & Drive | DETAILED With Trim Comparisons

The 2020 Explorer is a ground up redesign and has a lot going for it. The trim levels are typical Ford going with the Base, Explorer XLT, Explorer Limited, ST, and this top end Platinum Explorer. The price has also gone up and this range topping 2020 Ford Explorer Platinum is over $60k..putting it into luxury car price range. It's new rear-drive platform and powerful engine lineup are very potent with efficiency and towing capabilities. Inside the Explorer can be disappointing with a couple obvious panel gaps and less than $60k type of craftsmanship. For most people though, they'll probably love it's practicality and space overall. The large portrait screen is funky in the way it displays some information like Apple Carplay and the backup camera being much smaller than expected. Plus, the upgraded B&O system caused some panel vibration inside. Aside from that this will perfectly suit families and probably exceed previous generation Explorer owners' expectations.
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[@PrimeAutotainment]

*I said it has the highest towing capacity in class, but that’s not true! It has better towing than almost all, but not all in class* What do you think of the 2020 Explorer? This Platinum trim is on another level with it's power, but hopefully you learned about the other trims too. Leave your thoughts below and *have a great day!*

[@codydecker7388]

The Nissan Pathfinder can tow 6000 pounds

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Yep that was my bad

[@codydecker7388]

Prime Autotainment no man all good so many vehicles in the segment hard to keep track

[@jaybanthony]

it's nice but for 60k you can do better. They are still lacking in the interior quality department.

[@ArthurVanYoung]

I am having a hard time choosing between the Explorer and the Cadillac XT6. After reviewing both, which SUV would you recommend @primeautotainment ?

[@MartinRexo]

Great review, showing lots of details nobody before focused on. Really one of the best car reviews I ever saw. Thank you Great job 👍

[@cornbread70s4]

Thanks for the review!!! Enjoyed it!!!

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thank you. Glad to hear it!

[@brianpetersen3429]

Excellent comprehensive review.

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thank you very much Brian!

[@georgewagner1657]

Great video, Looks very nice, and good power

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thank you!

[@alankjkj1]

Nice job thanks for the information.

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thank you!

[@Twilightman-qf4bk]

Awesome Review!! I subscribed!

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thank you! 😁👍

[@richardk6291]

That panel gap on the dashboard seems to be more apparent on the early production models. The portrait oriented screen offers more of a forward looking navigation view.

[@leviwiersma6026]

hi Nice vid! what is the colour called on the car? is it Iconic silver?

[@LeoTheShortGuy]

Whoop whoop - Let’s go exploring!!!

[@PrimeAutotainment]

😁👍

[@markmaxwell8423]

The New St Ford Explorers looks very Nice!

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Mark Maxwell definitely!

[@stephenscott2533]

Which would you go with-telluride or explorer? In the market and at the end of both reviews you said they were best. But man-I’m enjoying your content. How are you getting your hands on these vehicles?

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thank you Stephen! They’re both impressive but in different ways. The Ford feels really substantial and powerful while handling well, while the telluride and palisade offer a ton of features and interior space for a much lower price. They seem to be directed at different types of buyers with different needs. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to get them as “press vehicles” from the manufacturers sometimes 👍

[@achitnis379]

Hyundai Palisade is super nice!!

[@AxcelerateRoblox]

Did those projector lights get removed in 2022 mins is an ST and doesn’t have them

[@chrishasley5614]

Great review Nolan! I wasn't going to watch cause I've always wanted an Explorer, but figured why-not lol. Nice vehicle for sure, but that large tablet screen sorta gets in the way for me. It's nice the entire steering wheel is heated. My RAV4 does that heat in the middle of the wheel stuff. Really enjoyed the test drive... that Explorer sounded fun to drive for sure! Keep up the great work. BTW, where is South Dakota? (kidding...lol)

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thank you sir! I appreciate you watching anyways lol. It definitely was fun to drive though. I wish the RAV4 would beat the whole wheel, but some is better than none for sure. Man South Dakota...that’s a lonely place lol

[@hXrsmurf]

Did you get used to the vertical touch screen?

[@PrimeAutotainment]

hXrsmurf yes I did, but after living with it for a week I prefer the horizontal style. It was easy to use, but sort of slow sometimes. I wish CarPlay / android were larger, same with backup/360 camera. If it was my money I wouldn’t pay extra for the big screen and stick with the standard size

[@hXrsmurf]

@@PrimeAutotainment good to know thanks. The vertical screen seems to be in a weird position. I sat in one as well and it was off-putting.

[@PrimeAutotainment]

hXrsmurf yeah it’s definitely interesting lol. Seems sort of unnatural

[@kapkap2342]

2020 Ford Explorer Platinum, 5,915 miles

[@whocarse6201]

You said all trims have power folding mirrors but the XLT doesn’t have it

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Whoops thanks for catching that

[@jagsfanrick]

Hey i will buy one in a about 5 years or so for 1/3 the cost :)

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Heck yes lol. That’s the way to go! Can you believe $60k?!?

[@amberdean458]

I bought the base trim 2019.not really realizing what the Explorer was about. I did not do my homework! I wish I would have.I paid $42,000 for this explorer and it has nothing to it and it's terrible on gas.. the most uncomfortable vehicle ever. The seats kill my body.. i hope the newer one's work out better.

[@TalismanPHX]

SIXTY ONE GRAND. BHAHAHAHA

[@jetpipe28]

That entry chime needs to go. It's seriously a consideration to not get one for me. It gives me nightmares from a previous FORD.

[@jdwusami]

The vertical screen is horrible on the new explorers. It’s actually less screen for CarPlay compared to my 18 explorer.

[@MoNoK15]

I like the fact it has seat massagers, yes it needs a thigh cushion for that price tag. That gap in the dash woodgrain is somewhat unsettling. I like the multicolored interior lighting. The interior seems to be comfortable. Overall, I like it, but you know me...Pilot 💯. Excellent review my friend 👍

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Love those massagers. I wonder when they would fail down the road 😕. I hear ya man..Pilot is such a value...and $10k less for the Elite haha, craziness. Thank ya sir!! 😁👍

[@MoNoK15]

@@PrimeAutotainment - You know it's going to fail at some point early 🤭

[@cybermagallanes]

2024?

[@Juice1990s]

Damn i might trade in my bmw

[@randyk7699]

Not sold on it....but good review.

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thank you! Although it’s impressive in some ways, It wouldn’t be my first choice either

[@souloho3900]

If you buy an explorer you have to put a sticker in the rear. I dislike seeing these and having to slow down for Joe who looks like a cop

[@stephenhendricks103]

"Super luxurious..."? With an MSRP over $60,000 it damn well ought to be. In fact, though, the MSRP's of virtually every trim is ridiculous. Want a truly luxurious SUV with the same twin turbo V6 engine and the same RWD-biased AWD ideal for towing? The MSRP of a comparable mid-trim Lincoln Aviator ("Reserve") is only about $5000 more than the top trim Platinum or a loaded Explorer ST. It's far more luxurious and has a tow rating of 6700 lbs, 1100 more than the Explorer that barely exceeds that of several FWD-biased AWD rivals. How about lower trims? Take a look at Ford's "build and price" tool and try to configure anything but the lowest (XLT) trim with an MSRP under $50k. It's quite a challenge. This all may explain why Ford dealers here in the Puget Sound area are discounting Explorers by thousands of dollars just to make them remotely competitive and get them off the lot. Sorry, Nolan. The interior of the Platinum version is "luxurious" only in comparison to a rental car. panel gap, acres of plastic, and a wobbly infotainment screen? You don't think consumers will have tall people in the second row "that often?" You live in Texas, buddy. What are you thinking???? The Explorer can "tow more than anything in its class"? Are you kidding! At 5600 lbs, that's nowhere near the top tow rating in the class. The Dodge Durango has a tow rating of up to 8700 lbs. The Grand Cherokee can be configured to tow up to 7200 lbs. Even the Nissan Pathfinder is rated at 6000 lbs.And as noted above for the Lincoln Navigator with a base MSRP that starts at less than the top trim Explorer and a well optioned version at only about $5K more has a towing capacity of 6700 lbs on exactly the same platform. The 2.3L Ecoboost engine that will power the vast majority of Explorers is a fine engine in a 3500 lb base Mustang. And Ford has been sure to configure and gear it in a way that it provides reasonable performance. But as you note there is NO naturally aspirated V6 anywhere in the lineup other than the one coupled with the hybrid system. And there are reasons that almost every competitor offers a naturally aspirated V6 as either standard or optional in midsize SUV's that weigh over 2.5 tons (!) when loaded with fuel, passengers, and luggage. Small displacement turbo 4 bangers have their place but for long term durability I'm skeptical that they belong in vehicles the size and weight of the Explorer. The new Explorer is aimed at two markets; fleet sales where about 1/3rd of all Explorers will go and existing Explorer owners looking to update their vehicles and Ford hopes won't be looking at alternatives.

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Stephen Hendricks man when I went back to edit and realized I said “super luxurious” it was an instant face palm moment. I think I was in sticker shock haha. Sorry about the towing numbers, I’ll make a note in my pinned comment. I had no clue the Durango could do that! I thought everything was flat 5k. Whoops. My bad. I’m with you about the pricing, every trim is too high and like you said discounts will definitely be needed. Thanks for setting me straight! I always appreciate your comments! 😁👍

[@stephenhendricks103]

@@PrimeAutotainment No problem, Nolan. It's much easier to sit here and kibbitz the work someone else has done than to produce a well scripted video without errors. I'm impressed you take the time to correct the errors. Frankly, my negativity about the new Explorer comes as a result of an earlier hope that it would be a game changer in the segment. It doesn't come close. Even the top trims discounted by $6K to $8K under MSRP aren't competitive in terms of features, quality, or price. And why anyone would spend close to MSRP for the top trim Explorer when the Aviator offers so much more at a relatively small bump in price is beyond me.

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Stephen Hendricks I know what you mean! I’m thankful for any critique and praise. I’m thinking the same thing on price I haven’t been in the Aviator but from what I’ve seen it’s crazy that they priced the Explorer like this. I’m driving the Palisade this week and it’s about $47k with all the bells and whistles as you know, a major value compared to the Explorer - plus a naturally aspirated V6. Although not as powerful it does the job

[@stephenhendricks103]

@@PrimeAutotainment It's pretty obvious that scalding performance ranks about 47th among the top 10 priorities of customers looking for midsize family haulers. And just as obviously Ford hopes to stand out in the segment with their ST and Platinum trims to draw traffic into their showrooms. But the vast majority of buyers will end up purchasing the lowest XLT trim with a four banger or will look elsewhere where their $$$ go much further. I'm genuinely impressed that Ford managed to shift to a RWD platform for this generation without sacrificing too much interior room. But considering that most drivers have become accustomed to FWD handling over the last couple of decades, it's doubtful they're going to appreciate or even notice the difference RWD makes unless they use their Explorers for canyon carving. Not bloody likely. Folks who engage in serious towing won't be impressed by the measly 300-600 lb improvement in towing capacity compared to a large group of 5000 lb rated vehicles.

[@adamlreiner]

You forgot about a third market. Explorer also appeals to buyers who want a performance SUV like an X5 or Cayenne, but without the premium price. I test drove one and I was amazed how similar it drove to my BMW. If you are okay with less luxury and features than the German brands, and just want a great driver with a lot of space, it is a great value for the price.

[@nicengel9004]

With about 6000 miles, the leather seats look quite worn. It looks like Ford did a cheap job on materials and build.

[@robertjones7565]

Cheap materials yes, outside vendors usually build the seats.

[@cuteguy9358]

It looks cheap. Not worth $60k.

[@noelcahill6707]

A lot of money for cheap plastics

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Definitely overpriced

[@noelcahill6707]

@@PrimeAutotainment for that money ud be expecting a bit more up market material

[@richardburnett2749]

I was looking at a Honda Civic 20:23 in a stick shift hatchback for a couple thousand dollars more I can get that Ford explorer XLT package and get three times plus more truck more standard features and a hell what nature riding better built vehicle that will Outlast any Honda I am sure and anybody can fix it not like a Honda

[@richardburnett2749]

If you can't drive a two-wheel drive rear-wheel drive vehicle in the snow you need to go back to drivers training school because you don't know how to drive I've been driving 2 wheel drive rear wheel drive pickup for 24 years I've never fishtailed it never should never could get it stuck if you know how to drive it's better than front wheel drive