Ford Explorer Generation 4 (2020–present)

Ford Explorer Generation 4 (2020–present) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Ford Explorer — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 1 2002–2005 —
Generation 2 2006–2010 —
Generation 3 2011–2019 —
Generation 4 2020–present —

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Explorer

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Engine Years in this model Also used in VIN builds ⓘ
Ford 4.0L V6 (Cologne) 1991–2010 13 models 335
Ford 2.3L EcoBoost I4 2016–2026 33 models 120
Ford 3.5L V6 (Cyclone & EcoBoost) 2011–2019 16 models 114
Ford 4.6L Modular V8 1998–2010 17 models 98
Ford 3.0L V6 (Vulcan & Duratec) 2002–2026 21 models 55
Ford 5.0L V8 (Windsor & Coyote) 1996–2001 35 models 36

Ford Explorer fuel economy: every year & engine (EPA) →

Used Ford Explorer prices by year → · Ford Explorer vs Jeep Wrangler · Ford Explorer vs Honda CR-V · Ford Explorer vs Subaru Forester

About this generation

The sixth-generation Ford Explorer debuted on January 9, 2019, ahead of the 2019 North American International Auto Show. The 2020 Ford Explorer uses the rear-wheel-drive based CD6 platform shared with the new Lincoln Aviator. The turbocharged 2.3 L EcoBoost inline-four is the standard engine, with and of torque. It comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or all-wheel drive. Its maximum tow rating is .

An optional twin-turbocharged 3.0 L EcoBoost V6 makes and of torque, while the ST with the same engine makes and of torque. It also mates with a 10-speed automatic and sees an increase in towing capacity,. Explorer vehicles purchased by fleet buyers were also given the option to equip their vehicles with a 3.3L V6 gasoline engine. An Explorer Hybrid is also available in the US with a detuned 3.3 L V6 and 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery producing a combined .

In Europe there is an available plug-in hybrid version that includes a 3.0 L V6 petrol engine, electric motor, and 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery for a combined output of. It will have a fuel consumption of and can tow . The 2020 Explorer comes in four trim levels: XLT, Limited, ST, and Platinum. The base Explorer is marketed primarily to fleet buyers, and will not be available for retail sale. Thousands of initial Explorer and Aviator vehicles were shipped to Ford's Flat Rock Assembly Plant for repairs due to quality control problems.

Later models have been shipped from the Chicago plant to dealerships; however, many required dealer repairs before they could be sold. Consumer Reports noted their purchased Aviator was having quality problems. For the 2022 model year, a rear-wheel drive version of the Explorer ST became available, as did a hybrid version of the range-topping Platinum. The XLT gained a new Appearance Package with unique aluminum-alloy wheels and seating surfaces.

Added mid-year 2021, the Timberline trim is based on the mid-level XLT, and adds unique heathered cloth and ActiveX (leatherette)-trimmed seating surfaces, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior and interior styling details. A new ST Line trim, also based on the mid-level XLT, adds exterior and interior styling elements from the performance-oriented ST, but does not include the 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 engine, and is instead powered by the base 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine.

The ST Line offers an optional Bang and Olufsen premium surround sound audio system with an external amplifier, which was previously only offered on Limited trims and above. The facelifted 6th generation Ford Explorer was revealed on February 1, 2024, for the 2025 model year, It features a redesigned front fascia with a larger grille, revised, sleeker headlights and taillights, and a revised interior with the addition of a 13.2-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, standard on all models.

The previous eight trim levels was reduced to four, namely the Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum. For 2026, this was increased to six; the Tremor (replacing the pre-facelift's Timberline) and the lower-end Active 100A which slots below the standard Active, were introduced. The 2020 Explorer was awarded the "Top Safety Pick +" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Source: Wikipedia — Ford Explorer — Sixth generation (U625; 2020), CC BY-SA.

Market by model year

Year Units for sale Median price Vs newest Avg mileage
2020 3,173 $22,494 46% 78,906 mi
2021 1,979 $24,595 50% 73,119 mi
2022 3,573 $28,995 59% 49,754 mi
2023 5,266 $31,500 64% 38,115 mi
2024 1,392 $31,995 65% 35,728 mi
2025 3,961 $40,494 82% 13,555 mi
2026 39,977 $48,175 98% 142 mi
2027 37 $49,085 100% 17 mi

Inventory and price data refreshed daily; last updated .

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2020 32 1,149 Power Train, Unknown Or Other, Electrical System
2021 25 393 Power Train, Unknown Or Other, Engine
2022 23 241 Power Train, Unknown Or Other, Electrical System
2023 14 100 Unknown Or Other, Electrical System, Suspension
2024 9 19 Forward Collision Avoidance, Visibility/Wiper, Unknown Or Other
2025 18 87 Electrical System, Power Train, Unknown Or Other
2026 9 15 Electrical System, Engine, Unknown Or Other
2027 0 0 —

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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