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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →If you’re looking for a family car that doesn’t come with a minivan’s stigma, look no further than the 2020 Ford Explorer.
It’s perfect for family camping adventures, sporting events, and even the occasional haul. Affordably priced, spacious, and fuel-efficient, the 2020 Ford Explorer might be precisely what you’ve been looking for.
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What’s New
A lot of the time, a car company makes a few minor tweaks then pushes out an eerily similar car year after year. That’s not what happened with the 2020 Ford Explorer.
They scrapped a few of their engine options for starters, and you now only have the choice between a 2.3L EcoBoost – which was available for 2019 models – the brand new 3.0L EcoBoost V6, and a 3.3L EcoBoost Hybrid.
#1 Best Overall
- Custom Fit: HOUCLEMIC floor mats are designed according to the original car, perfectly for Ford Explorer 2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Active/ ST-Line/ ST/ Platinum 6 Passenger version. Your package includes floor mats and a cargo liner with backrest mat for the entire cargo area, ensuring comprehensive protection for Ford Explorer stereo
- Premium Material: Crafted from high-quality TPE material, HOUCLEMIC all-weather car floor mats for 2020-2027 Ford Explorer provide exceptional durability. Waterproof, anti-slip, and anti-scratch features ensure long-lasting protection for your vehicle's interior, while easy cleaning maintenance guarantees lasting quality
- Upgraded Design: Our mat kept the hook and look design but added custom buckle and lanyard for more steadiness. Whether you're driving on rough roads or smooth highways, this design keeps the mat securely in place, offering extra safety and convenience
- All Weather Protection: Engineered for all seasons, these floor mats and cargo liners for 2020-2027 Ford Explorer are capable of handling everything from rain and snow to mud and spills, It does not emit unpleasant odors in hot weather, ensuring that everyone can use it with confidence
- Simple Installation: The backrest mat has a hook and look design, easy to remove and clean, and will not damage the original car. The clip and lanyard can also better fix the backrest mat. You can also refer to our installation video
But not only did Ford introduce a brand-new engine to their Ford Explorer line-up, but they also swapped out the transmission. Instead of the automatic six-speed transmission they’d been using for years, they upgraded all of their models to an automatic, ten-speed transmission.
But the most significant changes Ford made to the 2020 Explorer are the safety features and interior options that they have made standard across all of their packages. All Ford Explorers now come with active Blind Spot Monitoring technology, a significant advantage in such a large vehicle.
Furthermore, Ford Explorers now come with Lane Keep Assist. To be fair, these are features that have been standard in most SUVs for quite some time, and Ford is finally catching up to the pack. The interior upgrade for the 2020 Ford Explorer is an upgrade made in the same vein.
A unique feature that Ford implemented in the 2020 Ford Explorer is the self-cleaning backup camera. It comes with a built-in sensor and wiper, ensuring that your backup camera is always clean and ready to use.
The most notable advantage of the Ford Explorer is the storage space. You can get up to 88 cubic feet of storage space if you fold all the seats down, and if you need those seats, you still have 18.2 cubic feet of storage space behind the third row.
Compared to a Honda Pilot, you get six more cubic feet with all the seats down, and two cubic feet more with all the seats occupied. It might not sound like much, but when you’re trying to fit all your families camping or sports gear into the car, it can make all the difference.
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- Custom Fit: Compatible with 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Ford Explorer 6 Passenger Seating with 2nd row captain chairs. Please confirm your vehicle model year and seats before purchasing
- Full Coverage: High edge floor mats prevent most dirt and overturned water bottles from staining the vehicle's felt. With their non-slip surface, they also minimize cargo movement. This full set of all season floor mats and cargo mat provides long-lasting full coverage protection from daily wear and tear on your SUV's floor
- Parents' Favorite: Full Mats are made of durable all weather TPE material which is no smell, no matter in hot or cold weather, protecting SUV from dirt, pet scratches, and other damages, maintaining its original appearance. Waterproof material to handle every accidental drink spill and wet umbrella. Non-slip surface prevents cargo movement in trunk area. Full set mat can be cleaned by wiping with a damp towel or rinsing directly with water,easily deal with pet hair
- Triple Fixation: The cargo liner backrest mats are equipped with hook and loop fasteners, fixing elastic ropes and custom buckles, three ways allow mats to be firmly attached to the seat back and prevent displacement
- JOULARISE Excellent Service: Crafted with precision 3D laser scanning, JOULARISE ensures a custom fit for your 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Explorer with these full mats set. If items have any problems, please let us know, and we will provide you a satisfactory solution. Notes: The full set are folded during shipping, after receiving leave full mats in sunlight for a while to help restore their original appearance
And it’s not just the Honda Pilot that it’s bigger than; while it’s not the biggest SUV on the market, it is among the biggest in its class and price range.
Disadvantages of a Ford Explorer
It’s a real family SUV through and through. While Ford offers the ST model as it’s “sport” package, it still doesn’t boast a V8 engine. It puts out 400 horsepower, but this still lags behind the Dodge Durango SRT and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, both of which put out 475 horsepower. Even the Chevy Tahoe can push out 420 horsepower.
Ford built Explorers for comfort and convenience, not power and performance. Many people like high-end SUVs because they can pack the family in throughout the week and take it to the track on the weekend, but the Ford Explorer’s ST package isn’t up to par.
Furthermore, while Ford standardized some safety features for the 2020 model, the base model still lacks some comfort features that are standard in other SUVs. For instance, the base model Explorer lacks USB charging ports in the back seats, which is a significant disadvantage for families heading out on road trips.
Also, don’t let the “EcoBoost” engine names fool you; they don’t get any better gas mileage than other SUVs in the same class. While this isn’t a disadvantage, it’s not an advantage either.
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Different Packages
Just like any vehicle you purchase, you get what you pay for, and the more you pay, the more you get.
Rank #3
- 【Custom Fit】Precision-engineered with 3D laser scanning technology, these custom floor mats are exclusively designed for Ford Explorer 2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 6-Seat Active/ST-Line/ST/Platinum/Tremor/Timberline/King Ranch/XLT/Base models SUV car with bucket seats. LASFIT floor mats & cargo liner with backrest mats are precisely tailored for your vehicle-specific floor carpets.
- 【Full Coverage & Split Design Backrest】LASFIT floor liners with trunk mat and seat back cover for Ford Explorer 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 6 passenger include three rows of floor mats, two backrest mats, and a cargo liner, delivering comprehensive and long-lasting coverage to protect your SUV’s flooring from daily wear and tear. The third row can be trimmed to fit 2020 and 2021 ford explorer. The split design of the backrest mat allows you to adjust your seats freely even after the mat is installed.
- 【TPE Material】These latex-free and PVC-free mats for 2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 Ford Explorer (Cut to fit 2020 2021 Explorer) are eco-friendly, safe for families and pets. Made of high-density TPE, they resist heat, scratches, and wear while preventing curling or breakage. The textured surface improves grip, absorbs impacts, and protects your vehicle’s interior.
- 【Easy to Install & Clean】The integrated design makes installation and cleaning effortless — no multiple pieces to assemble or disassemble. Simply wipe down the entire set at once. The car floor mats with trunk and seat-back mats for Explorer 2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 6 seater （Trimmed to fit 2020-2021 Explorer）neatly contain spills, crumbs, sand, and pet hair, and can be cleaned instantly with a cloth, vacuum, or hose. Ready to use again in no time.
- 【All-Weather Protection】Scratch-resistant and durable, perfect for commuting, work, outdoor trips, and pets. Full coverage with raised edges prevents leaks from rain, snow, and mud. Strong Velcro and non-slip surfaces for Explorer 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 （Trimmable fit 2020-2021 Explorer） keep mats and items secure for worry-free use.
Explorer – MSRP $32,765
It’s the base model Ford Explorer. It doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles that their premium packages offer, but the 2020 Explorer comes with most of the advanced safety features that come standard in newer vehicles.
This includes a backup camera, lane-keep assist, remote start, and a reverse sensing system. The base model Ford Explorer package only comes with a 2.3L EcoBoost Engine and can’t be upgraded.
While the base Explorer packages don’t come with many of the advanced comfort features that the higher packages come with, it is the only option that comes with auto-activated high beams.
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It is worth noting that the base model Ford Explorer comes with even less technological features than many other base model SUVs.
XLT – MSRP $36,925
The XLT model Explorer comes with a few more amenities and strikes us as what Ford should be offering as their base model package.
Ford added USB ports to the second row and three additional 12V power plugs in the second and third rows, and smart access doors automatically unlock when you go to open the door. You also get a pass through the second-row console and upgraded rims.
Rank #4
- Compatibility: Compatible with Ford Explorer 2020-2026
- MATERIAL: Our floor liners are made from upgraded TPE material that ensures no unpleasant odors, even in extremely hot weather. The high-strength material not only has an excellent feel and is extremely abrasion-resistant, but also remains resilient even in the coldest weather
- AESTHETICS: The Floor Mats have excellent crease recovery, reducing tread marks and keeping the interior of the vehicle tidy and aesthetically pleasing.
- CONVENIENCE: G-PLUS Floor Mats can be cleaned in a flash! Just shake off dust or debris and rinse, and you're good to go. When it's time to store them, just fold them up and you're done! No fuss, no muss.
- PERFORMANCE: G-PLUS Floor are amazing! They have a wider coverage, excellent waterproof performance to prevent water leakage and protect the vehicle from debris, mud, rain, and snow. They also have excellent anti-skid performance, strong friction and grip, and they can absorb a certain amount of impact to Improve driving experience.
Finally, it’s the first option that allows you to upgrade to a heated steering wheel, a voice-activated navigation system, and a moonroof. It’s not enough features to blow your socks off, and the features it offers most other manufacturers have in their base package. Additionally, the XLT model is the only model where the remote start option is not available – it comes standard in all other packages.
Limited – MSRP $48,380
The Ford Explorer Limited is where you really start to get some advanced comfort features. The rearview mirror is auto-dimming. It comes with safety sensors on the front and the rear, heated steering wheels are now standard, a power steering column, wireless charging, power-folding seats, an upgraded stereo system, and leather seats.
It’s the Explorer option that allows you to get the 3.3L Hybrid engine. However, you still can’t upgrade to the 3.0L EcoBoost V6. That means you either get the Hybrid or the 2.3 EcoBoost.
ST – MSRP $54,740
If you don’t want a Hybrid or a four-cylinder SUV, you need to get either the ST or Platinum package as they come standard with the 3.0L EcoBoost V6. It’s also the first option where “Intelligent 4WD” is standard instead of optional.
Ford designed the ST model as their “sports” package, but it’s still a bit of a disappointment while it’s an upgrade over the past model year. The upgraded engine is the 3.0L EcoBoost V6, and gets you from 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, but this is still slower than the 6.2L Chevy Tahoe, not to mention both the Dodge Durango SRT and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT.
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- Explorer Accessories -- This full set of floor mats and trunk mat with backrest mat is custom-made for the 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Ford Explorer 6 Seats (Only Fit 6 Seats, Explorer Active/ST Line/ST/Platinum). Adopts 3D screening technology to capture every corner and crevice to offer perfect fit and coverage, no need trimming.
- New & Upgraded Materials -- The Explorer floor mats and cargo liner accessories are made of new materials TPE, which is eco-friendly, non-toxic, and odorless. It can be used even at a temperature of 122°F, is more temperature resistant than PVC, and is 100% safe for your family.
- Durable & Scratch Resistance -- High-density TPE materials ensure high elasticity to make the Explorer floor mats and cargo liner wear-resistant, scratch-resistant, and durable. They will not deform, harden, or break under extreme weather, but remains flexible and resilient.
- Safe Driving -- The Explorer floor mats fit the curvature of the floor, with anti-slip grooves on top to provide comfortable foot traction. The anti-skid design on the back helps to keep it in place and allows flexible movement of the gas and brake pedal, making driving safer.
- All Weather Protect & Cleaning -- The grooves on the floor mats and cargo liner help to block water, mud, snow, debris, ect, to avoid accidental skidding and stains to original car carpets. 100% waterproof of TPE material. Easy to clean by rinsing it with water, and dry with towel.
Finally, it’s the first option where park assist is available. This is a feature that Ford should have available for its lower models, even if they only offer it as an optional upgrade.
Platinum – MSRP $58,250
For the “fully-loaded” option, the Ford Explorer Platinum is a bit of a disappointment. It comes with the V6 3.0L EcoBoost engine, but it isn’t sports tuned. The result is that the 3.0L EcoBoost loses 35 horsepower, putting out 365.
Furthermore, it doesn’t come with the sports suspension that the ST model offers and is essentially the Limited option with a few appearance upgrades.
That’s because the Ford Explorer Platinum is supposed to be an upgrade on the Limited model and geared more towards families, not performance car enthusiasts. However, the only real difference is the upgraded engine, and it’s not tuned for maximum power output.
Whether the few other cosmetic differences and an upgraded engine justify the additional 10,000-dollar price tag is debatable. Instead, it probably makes more sense to get the Ford Explorer ST, and it’s about 4,000-dollars cheaper.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Engine options
The 2020 Ford Explorer has three different engine options, the 2.3L EcoBoost, the 3.3L EcoBoost Hybrid, and the 3.0L EcoBoost V6. They are reliable engine options that are powerful enough to tow most accessories. However, they won’t be winning many races against other top-end SUVs.
The ST option is a step in the right direction for the Ford Explorer, but it simply hasn’t caught up to the pack yet, which you don’t want in a performance model.
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Of course, if you’re in the market for a family SUV, you aren’t looking for a speed demon; you’re looking for reliability. The EcoBoost engines grade well there, proving to be more reliable options than other Ford Explorer engines offered in the past.
The Final Verdict
The size of the Ford Explorer is its most important selling point. In the end, it’s terribly disappointing because if they made some of the “advanced” model perks standards in their base model, they’d have the perfect family SUV for a great price. Instead, you have to overspend to get what comes standard in most other SUVs.
Quick Recap
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