2020 Ford Explorer Launches with a New Rear-Drive Platform. [UPDATE]

Every Explorer now has at least 300 horsepower.

Update – Live photos added from the 2019 Detroit Auto Show to the gallery.

The Ford Explorer is back to its roots. It’s kind of. The 2020 Explorer, after almost a decade on front-wheel drive underpinnings for its engine, now mounts its engine longitudinally to send its power towards the rear wheels. Ford isn’t stopping Ford from improving the Explorer’s inherent capabilities, even though it’s still a single-body chassis.

The standard Explorer comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four cylinder. Ford estimates that it will produce more than 300 horsepower, 310 pound-feet torque and can tow up 5,300 pounds when equipped the Tow package. This figure surpasses the Explorer’s 280-hp turbocharged four-cylinder’s maximum towing capability by 3,300 pounds and the current 365hp twin-turbocharged V6’s by 300.

Twin-turbocharged V6 engines are available for those who want more power and agility. The 3.0-liter engine will produce 365 horsepower and 380 Lb-ft torque. This engine beats the EcoBoost V6 engine by 30%. V6-equipped Explorers can tow up to 5,600 lbs. Every Explorer comes standard equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is an option.
2020 Explorer is both a family car and a workhorse. Ford has blessed its three-row crossover by adding a sliding second-row seat, which makes it easier to get into the rearmost row. With the second and third rows folded down, the cargo capacity is 87.8 cubic yards. This is 6.1 cubic feet more than current Explorer.

The new crossover can be ordered in the same trim levels as the current Explorer: XLT, Limited and Platinum. Only the EcoBoost V6 engine is available for this model. All 2020 Explorers come with standard comfort and convenience features, regardless of engine or trim. These include a power-operated rear hatch and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot that can host up 10 devices. There is also a larger setup at 10.1 inches and a 12.3 inch digital gauge cluster.

Co-Pilot360 is the Blue Oval’s suite passive and active safety features. It includes a blind-spot scanner with cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assistance, automatic high-beamheadlights, lane-keep aid, lane-keep, lane-keep, and a forward collision system that has automatic braking and pedestrian detection. The Explorer also features an adaptive cruise control system that includes lane-centering technology and an automatic rear braking system. Active Park Assist 2.0 is Ford’s latest parking assistant. It can parallel or perpendicularly park Explorers without the driver ever having to touch the pedals or steering wheel.

Ford’s almost 30-year-old Explorer nameplate will see a return to form with the new Explorer. This is due to the Explorer’s rear-drive platform, powerful engine options and a multitude of standard safety- and convenience features. The 2020 Ford Explorer will go on sale in the summer at a starting price of $32,765.