Last night, everyone here at Randall Reed’s Prestige Ford watched the live stream of Ford introducing its all-new 2020 Explorer. To say we were impressed would be the understatement of the year. The new explorer is a complete redesign of America’s all-time best-selling SUV and now features a huge model lineup that boasts more power, space and the latest in technology to help keep you going.
Exploring More
Explorer is now more capable, comfortable, sportier and roomier in all three rows thanks to Ford’s flexible new rear-wheel-drive architecture.
“Explorer drivers told us what they want – more capability, more power, more space,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s head of product development and purchasing. “They want more technology, not just for the driver, but for the whole family. And they want all of it with a beautifully sporty exterior. This new Explorer gives them all of that, and more, helping make every journey more enjoyable.”
Improved off-road capability comes courtesy of intelligent four-wheel drive and an available new Terrain Management SystemTM that features seven easy-to-engage drive modes.
Powertrain offerings include a 3.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost® V6 projected to produce 365 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque using 93-octane gas, making this the most powerful Explorer ever. The Explorer lineup now features standard, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, ST and Platinum models.
Standard features are important, and the all-new Explorer comes packed with more than a dozen new standard features for only $400 more over the previous model. These features include:
- power liftgate,
- 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine with all-new 10-speed transmission,
- 8-inch digital touch screen with SYNC® 3,
- FordPass ConnectTM Wi-Fi service for up to 10 devices and more.
“We obsessed about what Explorer customers need and want,” said Bill Gubing, Explorer chief engineer. “We met with customer groups, pored through internet forums, and dissected social media posts to determine what they love about today’s Explorer and understand their pain points. Then we found ways to improve it across the board. Every enhancement on this all-new Explorer was inspired by our customers.”
Technology
Building upon Ford’s push to bring more driver-assist technology to market, the 2020 Explorer introduces available Active Park Assist 2.0. The class-exclusive feature – standard on Explorer Platinum – allows the driver to park in a parallel or perpendicular spot with a touch of a button without having to work the steering wheel, gear shifter, gas pedal or brake pedal. Available reverse brake assist, also standard on Platinum, uses radar and ultrasonic sensors to detect an object in Explorer’s path, and can apply the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision when the vehicle is backing up at a low speed – such as when exiting a driveway.
Furthermore, Ford’s all-new Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Speed Sign Recognition is also available. In addition to automatically slowing when traffic ahead slows and helping keep the vehicle centered in its lane, the system uses cameras to read speed signs and, combined with the available navigation system, adjusts cruise control settings accordingly.
Co-Pilot360TM
Explorer comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot360TM, a suite of driver-assist technologies including:
- Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, which includes Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Dynamic Brake Support
- Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert
- Lane-Keeping System
- Rearview camera with built-in lens cleaner
- Auto headlamps with auto high-beams
Other available Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies include Evasive Steering Assist, which provides steering support to help avoid a collision; and Post-Impact Braking provides braking after a collision to lessen injury and damage caused by a secondary crash event.
“It’s not about filling the vehicle with technology for technology’s sake,” said Chris Billman, Ford Co-Pilot360 engineering manager. “It’s about improving the experience, making driving less stressful, and helping the driver to feel more confident behind the wheel.”
Going Digital
Passengers in all three rows will enjoy FordPass Connect, a standard feature that serves up 4G LTE Wi-Fi for up to 10 mobile devices with a compatible wireless subscription service. FordPass Connect gives drivers remote access to their Explorer, allowing them to use their smartphone to lock, unlock, locate and start the vehicle, as well as monitor key vehicle diagnostics.
Explorer features an available 10.1-inch touch screen mounted in portrait configuration on the center stack. Navigation maps can fill the entire screen for easy viewing, or split the space with audio information. The screen uses capacitive glass comparable to what consumers are accustomed to on smartphones and tablets, providing a quicker, more responsive interaction with the updated SYNC 3 system. Standard SYNC 3’s more intuitive layout gives drivers compatibility with available features such as Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto® and Waze navigation.
A wireless charging pad is available that allows customers to recharge compatible mobile devices, and up to four USB ports, including new type-C outlets, charge next-generation mobile devices. Up to three 12-volt outlets and a 110-volt outlet are also available.
For music lovers, Explorer offers an available 980-watt, 14-speaker B&O premium audio system. Access to SiriusXMTM satellite radio is standard and comes with new touch screen graphics and functionality – including a display of the day’s sports scores. HD RadioTM is standard on Limited and Platinum models.
The touch screen shares information with the available 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster, which displays important vehicle information such as speedometer and gas gauge. It uses 3D animated graphics to change information depending on which of the seven drive modes are selected using the available Terrain Management SystemTM.
Powerful New Explorer
Ford’s recipe for Explorer has always relied on three main ingredients – capability, comfort and design. The new rear-wheel-drive architecture enables bumper-to-bumper improvements that include an even more athletic appearance, increased capability and the best passenger accommodations in an Explorer ever.
The powerful new engine lineup features a pair of EcoBoost entries – a 2.3-liter turbocharged I-4 that comes standard on base, XLT and Limited models, and a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that powers Explorer Platinum. The reinvigorated 2.3-liter engine is projected to produce 300 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, with improved performance over the outgoing Explorer equipped with the same engine.
“A vehicle like Explorer can’t just be good-looking,” said Craig Patterson, Ford SUV marketing manager. “Explorer customers need it to do certain things. They need to be able to drive certain places and haul specific items. This Explorer performs no matter what adventures you have in store.”
Driving And RWD
Up to seven selectable drive modes are available for customers to tailor their drive experience to road, weather and terrain conditions on demand. Rear-wheel-only Explorer drive modes include normal, sport, trail, slippery, tow/haul and eco. Vehicles equipped with intelligent four-wheel drive add a deep snow and sand mode for improved performance off-road.
Rear-wheel drive also enables more towing capability when properly equipped, regardless of engine. Vehicles equipped with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost can tow up to 5,600 pounds, a 12 percent increase over outgoing models with 3.5-liter EcoBoost. New models outfitted with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost and Class III Trailer Tow Package can tow up to 5,300 pounds, versus the 3,000 pounds today’s similarly equipped Explorer is capable of.
Hauling boats and trailers was certainly a priority for the Explorer team, but so was accommodating smaller items such as everyday drink bottles and cellphones. With every detail scrutinized, the new Explorer can boast 123 cubic liters of stowage space throughout the cabin, giving passengers in all three rows no shortage of places to stow personal items.
Available PowerFold® third-row seats and new E-Z entry second-row seats let drivers create a flat-floor cargo area that stretches out to offer 87.8 cubic feet of cargo space – wide enough to fit standard 4-foot building materials, depending on seating configuration. Accommodating families of all sizes, second-row seats feature a new mechanism that allows for easy entrance and exit to the third row using just one hand. Redesigned ISOFIX anchor points allow child seat installation anywhere in the second and third rows. Second-row windows are equipped with available retractable sunshades.
Stylish, Modern Design
A number of consistent design qualities have helped define Explorer over the past 29 years, and the design team strived to hold on to these important pieces of heritage. Longtime traits – including Explorer’s blacked-out A-pillars and D-pillars and body-color C-pillars – are retained. Changes to the overall profile include a more sloping roofline and shorter front overhang, giving the vehicle a sportier, more stylish appearance.
Explorer comes standard with 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, but across the lineup drivers can opt for one of seven wheel designs.
Going Platinum
Platinum drivers will enjoy 21-inch premium aluminum wheels, as well as:
- door handles with satin aluminum insert,
- liftgate appliqué,
- lower bodyside cladding insert,
- roof-rack side rails,
- unique grille with satin aluminum finish,
- standard twin-panel moonroof,
- special leather seats,
- leather-wrapped steering wheel, dashboard, door rollovers and door and front console armrests.
But whether you’re here for the Platinum or the XL, the all-new 2020 Ford Explorer has something for everyone and is here to prove that it is the most advanced, powerful SUV in its segment.
Stay tuned to Prestige Ford social for more info on availability and features including the Limited Hybrid and ST models.
Looking to get into a current generation Ford Explorer? Visit PrestigeFord.com (serving Rowlett, Rockwall, Wylie, Plano, Mesquite) to view our entire inventory, and then come see us off 635 and Shiloh in Garland, TX.
The all-new Explorer is manufactured at Chicago Assembly Plant and arrives this summer.