When Was The Newest Body Change On The Ford Explorer

Front angle view of a blue 2020 Ford Explorer

2020 Ford Explorer | Cars.com photo by Aaron Bragman

By Jennifer Geiger

December 9, 2020

Near significant changes: Equipment shuffling throughout the trims

Cost modify: Price changes fluctuate depending on trim level, just they are all downwards versus the 2020 Explorer; base of operations prices are downwards slightly, just the top (Platinum) trim's price decreases significantly, for case.

On sale: Now

Which should you buy, 2020 or 2021? 2021, as prices subtract, unless you notice a steeply discounted 2020.

Ford redesigned its Explorer SUV for 2020, and the family hauler now rides a rear-wheel-drive platform (all-wheel drive is optional) instead of the front-drive platforms ubiquitous in this class. For 2021, the three-row SUV gets some modest changes, most notably equipment and packaging tweaks, along with lower prices.

Related: 2020 Ford Explorer: Everything You Need to Know

For 2021, the Explorer's entry toll decreases to $33,470 (all prices include destination) in base RWD trim, down from final year'due south $34,010 starting cost. In fact, prices decrease throughout the trim lineup. Nearly significant is the price modify for the top trim, chosen the Platinum. The 2020 Explorer Platinum ran $59,495, which drops to $55,725 for 2021. Compare the model years hither .

A new XLT Sport Advent Package, available with the XLT trim, adds exterior styling elements such as 20-inch Carbonized Gray-painted wheels with matching gray bars and a mesh grille insert, forth with extra bodyside cladding, dual exhaust tips and other badges. Interior additions include diamond instrument panel appliques, slate seats with contrast stitching in all rows and specific door panel inserts.

Other changes to the 2021 lineup are more minor. The XLT trim gets standard heated front end seats. Some outside changes that affect all trims include more wheel designs, finishes and sizes (from eighteen to 21 inches), and a host of new outside pigment colors: Atlas Bluish, Iconic Silverish, Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Rich Copper Metal Tinted Clearcoat, Silver Spruce and Star White Metallic Tri-Glaze.

Nearly of the SUV carries over unchanged into model-year 2021, including its powertrains. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder that makes 300 horsepower and 310 pounds-feet of torque, and information technology's paired with a 10-speed automated transmission and standard rear-cycle drive; iv-wheel bulldoze is optional. The uplevel engine is a 365-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 that makes 380 pounds-feet of torque; all-wheel drive is standard. The Explorer Hybrid, meanwhile, uses a 3.3-liter 5-6 engine and 35-kilowatt electric motor that produce 318 combined hp and 322 pounds-feet of torque.

In Cars.com's 2020 Three-Row SUV Challenge , the 2020 Ford Explorer finished quaternary identify out of 7 contenders. Judges were impressed by the SUV'southward handling and well-behaved powertrain, but it lost points for interior space, comfort and value.

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