After a nine-year run with its fifth generation, the Ford Explorer is all-new for 2020. America’s all-time best-selling SUV has been fully redesigned and is lighter, longer and more powerful than ever.

The vehicle that is credited with mainstreaming sports utility vehicles, Explorer began as a trim package offered on Ford F-Series trucks from 1968 to 1986. It became its own model line and replaced the Bronco II in 1991 and the mid-size remained the best-selling SUV for two decades and four generations. The 2020 Explorer continues the adventure with new style, power, performance, safety and capabilities, while retaining Explorer ruggedness, toughness and a pampering environment.

There are more than two-dozen new items in the Gen-Six Explorer and seven more have been improved from the previous model. With six trim levels available, the 2020 Ford Explorer has upgraded with four new engine choices, a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift®, Self-Sealing P255/55R20 All-Season (A/S) Tires, standard second-row sunblinds on most trims, standard 360-degree camera with split view and washer on upper trims, Side-Wind Stabilization is standard on all series, adaptive headlamps on the Platinum trim, six new exterior colors and much more.

Built in North America at Chicago Assembly Plant, Explorer’s look remains Explorer confident, with a rear-wheel-drive architecture, athletic roundness and increased aerodynamics. Explorer’s new design is set on a unitized steel body that is larger than before, at 198.8 inches long (a gain of 0.5 – and the ST trim is 199.3 inches long), 89.3 inches wide (including mirrors), which is nearly an inch thinner; and 70.2 inches high (up 0.2) on a huge 119.1-inch wheelbase (a gain of 6.3 inches). Minimum ground clearance is 0.4 inches better at 8.2 inches, and curbweight for the 4WD Platinum version is 4727 lbs. -- the base trim is 382 lbs. lighter.

My test Explorer Platinum exterior was enhanced by body-color door handles with satin aluminum insert, a body-color liftgate spoiler, Satin Aluminum Lower bodyside cladding accent, Quad Chrome Exhaust Tips, a unique grille with satin-aluminum finish, a Hands-Free, Foot-Activated Liftgate, LED Signature Lighting, power folding mirrors with autofold and heated glass, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Rear Bumper Step ,Acoustic-laminate window glass in front and Privacy Glass in the Second and Third Rows.

The 2020 Explorer offers three new engine choices (with four set-ups): The 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-4 has been uptweaked to deliver 300hp (a gain of 20 horses) and 310 lbs-ft of torque (same as last year); the 3.3-liter hybrid is good for a combined horsepower of 318 and torque of 322 lb-ft; and the new 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 that powered my test ride, provided 365 hp and 380 lbs-ft of torque, while another version of the 3.0 thunders out 400 horses and 415 lb-ft for the ST trim. The hybrid is EPA rated at 27mpg/city and 29/highway; the 2.3 gets 21/city and 28/highway and the 3.0 version gets 18 and 24. My test Explorer Platinum 3.0 averaged 20.2mpg in pedal mashing highway, town and soft-road excursions.

The 400hp ST could achieve low 5s for a zero-to-60mph sprint and beat 14 seconds in the quarter-mile, but my 365-horse Platinum was no slouch, as we managed a 6.0-flat dash and a 14.6 quarter (hand-timed). The engine was a bit noisy for a midsize family vehicle, and visibility is impaired by a large C-pillar (rear quarter), but acceleration was predictable and powerful from the 10-speed automatic transmission, though at slow speeds you occasionally get a jump forward as the gears engage.

Inside, the Explorer is roomy, refined and functional with seating for six or seven, and provides a comfortable 40.7 inches of front headroom with 40.5 inches in row two (and 38.9 when there is a third row); legroom is 43.0 inches up front and 39.0 in the second seats (and a tight 32.0 inches in a third row), and shoulder room comes in at 61.8 (row one), 61.9 (row two) and 54.6 (row three)

With five-star safety ratings, Explorer safety features include dual-stage front airbag, front-passenger knee airbag; Safety Canopy® System; SOS Post-Crash Alert System™; Traction control; AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ and Curve Control; Anti-Lock Brake System; battery saver with headlamps-off delay; four-wheel disc with Illuminated Entry System; rearview camera; SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System; perimeter alarm; and individual tire pressure monitoring system (excludes spare).

The 2020 Explorer is base priced at $32,765 (RWD) and 4WD adds $2000. The XLT trim raises the RWD price to $36,675 and the Limited trim hybrid goes $48,130. The 400hp ST starts at $55,025 and my top-of-the-line 2020 Ford Explorer Platinum started at $58,535, with Intelligent 4WD, Tri-Diamond Perforated Leather Seating Surfaces with Accent Stitching, Twin Panel Moonroof, Active Park Assist 2.0, Evasive Steering Assist, Remote Start, Heated Steering Wheel, Voice-activated touchscreen navigation and 12.3-inch Digital Cluster. Rich Copper exterior paint added $395; and the Premium Technology Package added $1195 for Multicontour front Seats with Active Motion®, a 10.1inch LCD Capacitive Portrait Touchscreen with Swipe and Pinch-to-Zoom Capability and 14-speaker, 980-watt Bang & Olufsen B&O sound system. Splash Guards added $205 and the sticker added Destination Charges of $1195 and an Acquisition Fee of $645, but regional incentives of $1750 were applied (and may be available, so check with your dealer), making the price-as-tested $60,420.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

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