Used 2020 Ford Explorer for Sale nearOttawa, ON

How much does the 2020 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 15.20% compared to this time last year, making it a favourable time to shop this model year.

There are 373 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Ford Explorer earns a 4.7/5 user rating and a 7.2/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the powerful feel, stylish design, spacious interior, and advanced safety features. The review summary also points to modern technology and a fun-to-drive character, which fits a three-row SUV that aims to feel more engaging than a basic family hauler.

The trade-offs are clear, though: the interior materials are criticised for feeling cheap, and value for money is a weak point because the Explorer is expensive for what you get. That matters if you want a roomy SUV for family use but still expect a premium cabin experience.

With its broad appeal, the Explorer suits you best if you want a larger SUV with strong performance potential, lots of space, and a more modern feature set. The market also shows 30.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 4.7/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable, with many drivers describing it as trouble-free enough to inspire confidence over time. The same summary also highlights strong power, spaciousness, and advanced safety features, which tends to reinforce the sense that this is a vehicle people can count on.

The expert evaluation adds that the Explorer’s chassis and powertrains are well sorted, and the overall package feels engineered for long-term use rather than short-term novelty. Ford’s standard equipment and broad capability also support the idea that it is built to handle regular family duty.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is not outright durability so much as whether you are comfortable with the Explorer’s expensive purchase price and its less impressive cabin materials.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Ford Explorer?

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The cabin design is handsome from the outside, but the interior materials are a weak point, especially in lower-spec versions where hard plastics and low-grade trim are more noticeable. You should pay close attention to whether the features you want are present, because the base setup is more utilitarian than premium.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is a 2.3-litre turbo inline four-cylinder with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, while higher trims can bring a 3.0-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 with much stronger output. The rear-wheel-drive chassis is a major part of the Explorer’s more balanced, refined driving feel.
• Safety package: Ford Co-Pilot 360 comes standard with forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beams, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, reverse braking, and a passenger front knee airbag.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, factory navigation, keyless entry, remote start, 3-zone climate control, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Ford’s keyless entry keypad. Higher trims can add a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster.
• Fuel efficiency: The standard 2.3-litre engine is rated at 11.6 L/100 km in city driving, 8.7 L/100 km on the highway, and 10.3 L/100 km combined. The twin-turbo V6 is rated at 13.3 L/100 km city, 9.8 L/100 km highway, and 11.8 L/100 km combined.

Which 2020 Ford Explorer trim should I buy?

The 2020 Ford Explorer is offered in 4 trim levels: XLT, Limited, ST, Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• XLT: This is the entry point and the best place to start if you want the Explorer’s core strengths without chasing expensive extras. It gives you the standard AWD setup, the 2.3-litre turbo engine, and the full Ford Co-Pilot 360 safety suite, so it covers the essentials well.
• Limited: This trim is the better choice if you want a more upscale feel and more equipment without jumping all the way to the performance-focused models. It also serves as the trim where the hybrid option is mentioned, though that version is treated separately.
• ST: This is the one to buy if you care most about performance. It brings the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, sharper chassis tuning, and the most athletic driving character in the lineup, making it the standout for enthusiastic drivers.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the most luxurious-feeling Explorer and are willing to pay for it. It pairs the stronger V6 with a more premium equipment set, but the value case is weaker than the driving case.

Ford Co-Pilot 360 is standard, so you get the core safety package even on the lower trims.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Ford Explorer?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it makes sense to compare listings carefully and move quickly on the right one.

• Deal availability: 30.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 373 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 15.20% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $26,662 CAD, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Ford Explorer's resale value?

The current average of $26,662 CAD sits slightly below last year's $31,442 CAD.

That price drop suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can make the Explorer easier to buy now but less favourable if you are thinking about future resale. If you purchase at today’s average, you may have less room for appreciation than owners did a year ago.

For a future seller, that means condition, trim choice, and equipment will matter even more when it comes time to list. A well-kept example with desirable features should still attract attention, but the softer market means you should not expect a strong price rebound in the short term.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.7/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Ford Explorer safe?

The 2020 Explorer earns a five-star safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Ford Co-Pilot 360 comes standard with forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beams, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, reverse braking, and a passenger front knee airbag. That gives you a strong baseline of driver assistance right from the start.

One caveat is that reverse braking can activate unexpectedly, which is worth keeping in mind if you are test-driving or parking in tight spaces. Even so, the overall safety package is a major strength for this model year.

Should I buy a 2020 Ford Explorer or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 30.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 15.20% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.7/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 model year stands out for its all-new chassis, more technology, and broader powertrain range, including hybrid and high-performance options.

The bottom line: If you want the newer chassis, stronger tech, and the broadest mix of powertrains, the 2020 is the right target. If you are more price-sensitive, a nearby year may still make sense, but the 2020’s softer pricing and strong owner satisfaction make it the more compelling buy for shoppers who want the latest redesign without paying full new-model money.

How does the 2020 Ford Explorer compare to the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.