Review ford's explorer midsize SUV is capable of seating seven passengers. It offers plenty of cargo room. It's one of the few SUVs that can fit this many people with legroom and headroom for all.
Reliability
Motoring Reports gives the Ford Explorer a reliability rating of 3/5. This score is based upon complaints and recalls. However, most of the issues are minor.
Safety
The 2020 Explorer makes a good choice for families on-the-go, thanks to its top safety technology. Co-Pilot360 is a suite of features that includes automatic emergency braking, blind spot alerts and lane-keep help. On higher trims you can add features that help the driver, like adaptive cruise and lane-centering.
Infotainment
Sync 3 standard is available on all Explorers. The 8-inch screen, with its responsiveness and ease of use, is mounted high. Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay can be used with the system. It's not as advanced or as easy to use as the newer fourth-generation Sync, but it's still solid enough for most shoppers.
Handling
The 2.3-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged (standard on Base XLT ST-Line models and ST-Line versions) engine is sufficient for the Explorer. It provides plenty of power and torque, too, allowing the Explorer to handle well in the corners.
It's also pretty good at accelerating quickly, which is something that is often lacking in this class. It is also smooth even with the ten-speed transmission.
Fuel Economy
The Explorer has one of the best gas-powered engines available. The base engine, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost, can get you 20 mpg city or 27 highway. For even better fuel-efficiency, you can opt for a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine.
Reliability
The repair costs for the Ford Explorer are lower than for most other vehicles. In fact, owners have to bring their vehicle into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.2 times per year. This is lower than the midsize SUV average and lower than all vehicle models.
Consumer Reports
The 2020 Explorer received a "Top Safety Pick+", which is the highest award for SUVs with active safety technologies. It received an excellent rating for its front crash-prevention system. This includes a forward collision warning with automated emergency brakes, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure alert.
Consumer Reports praised this vehicle for its spacious interior, agile handling and large cargo area. This is a good choice for families that need to accommodate seven people.
Reliability conclusion: The Ford Explorer, despite its relatively low complaints and recalls in the past years, is a reliable SUV. Most of the problems are minor, so it's a great choice for families looking for a practical SUV that can take them on long trips and haul their stuff without breaking the bank.