Ford Explorer — America’s All Time Best Selling SUV
Say Hello to the new 2020 Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid RWD SUV You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: The Ford Explorer is once again the best selling three row SUV in the United States, and with the initial launch of this new 2020 model, sales are up 18 percent. Since Ford has been selling cars, trucks and SUVs for over 117 years, they have a pretty good idea of what America wants to buy.
The Explorer is redesigned for model year 2020 and is in the compact sport utility vehicle class. With more interior room Explorer has been completely redesigned, inside and out, and under the hood. In addition to capability enhancing features like rear wheel drive, there are more available models. Ford now offers a commanding, no compromise, Explorer Limited Hybrid Edition that gets up to 29 MPG on the highway.
This week Ford sent me a 2020 Explorer Limited Hybrid RWD rear wheel drive SUV sport utility vehicle to test drive and review. The base window sticker price of this Hybrid Limited model starts at $52,280. The options of the test car are: 20” hand polished aluminum wheels and the twin panel moonroof for $1,695, plus the class III trailer tow package for $710. The total MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including the $1,195 destination charge, came to: $55,880.
With a new 3.3L liter V/6 Hybrid engine mated to a 10 speed modular Hybrid automatic transmission, in RWD rear wheel drive configuration, this new for 2020 Explorer gets 27 MPG miles per gallon of gas in city driving, 29 MPG in highway driving, and averages 28 MPG overall combined. The greenhouse gas rating is a 6, out of 10, and the smog rating is a 5, out of 10. Both numbers are right in the middle of the pack, and the 28 MPG average gas rating is higher than all the other compact sport utility SUVs in its class.
Ford pulled out all the stops when they designed the Explorer Limited Hybrid Edition. This SUV has standard and optional accessories that you would normally find in high end imported SUVs costing up to $20,000, or more, than it’s $55,880 list price. And with RWD and the class III trailer tow package you have the ability to tow up to 5,600 lbs.
Once you’re inside the completely redesigned Explorer, you’ll notice an array of available amenities. Interior attributes like tri diamond perforated leather seating surfaces, a hexagon carbon fiber lined front dash, and a precision engineered center console with a rotary gear shift dial that fill the cabin with a refined and dignified look.
It starts with a Bang & Olufsen 12 speaker premium audio system connected to FordPass Connect and Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist, attached to a 4G Wi-Fi wireless hotspot running through a Telematics modem. Ford Telematics and Ford Data Services are simple, but powerful solutions. Delivering high quality vehicle data, information and insights from your vehicle, right to your fingertips on your watch, phone, tablet, laptop or computer.
Leather trimmed seats with 10 way power adjustments, power folding 3rd row seats, a power tilt and telescoping steering column, power moonroof with power retracting sun shade, 4 smart charging ports, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated leather wrapped steering wheel, 2nd row heated seats, 110 volt power outlets, and one touch power up and down front windows, etc, etc, etc. The list of power and convenience options are the best of the best on the Limited Hybrid Edition.
The 2020 Ford Explorer ushers in the beginning of the SUV’s sixth generation, and the improvements are plenty, starting with the new RWD rear wheel drive setup as opposed to the 2019’s FWD front wheel drive. The three row midsize cabin has also been completely revamped for 2020, and it keeps many of the attributes that have made it a popular choice. It has a robust and easy to use infotainment system, generous cargo capacity, responsive handling, and with all the styling updates, it’s a fundamentally brand new vehicle.
To keep the Explorer in front of the competition Ford builds this compact SUV in 5 different trim levels, and price points.
The Explorer starts with a nice and affordable base price of only $ 32,765. Next up are the XLT, Limited, ST and the Platinum Edition model that tops out at $ 58,250. Then you add in the technology programs, engine and Hybrid drive trains, comfort and safety options, and you get the SUV of your dreams.
Basically Ford has an all new Explorer priced from $30,000 to $60,000, with rebates, for you to park in your driveway today. Call, click or visit your local Ford Store for a test drive and a price quote, and own one of America’s All Time Best Selling SUVs, the new for 2020 Ford Explorer.
A word to the wise is sufficient. Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©” .
This Bottom Line Review is provided by: Tony Leopardo © AutoWire.Net.
“Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net or visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net