2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Ford Explorer presented a refined and athletic appearance, with its widened headlights, large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly striking. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt subpar, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. The Explorer's interior lacked the luxury feel expected at its price point, making it less appealing compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7 offered a more cohesive and upscale design. The exterior updates aligned it with the flagship Q8 model, featuring new wheels and lighting elements. Inside, the Q7 adopted a high-tech dashboard from the Q8, with digital displays replacing most physical controls. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and natural wood inlays, exuded luxury. The Technik trim's ambient lighting added a soothing vibe, enhancing the overall high-tech and upscale feel of the Q7.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of engines, with the ST trim featuring a 3.0-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered smooth and addictive power. The Explorer's rear-wheel-drive chassis provided even weight distribution, enhancing its nimble handling and cornering capabilities. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with 300 hp and a gas-electric hybrid option with a net 318 hp. Towing capacity varied, with the V6 capable of towing up to 2,540 kilograms.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI featured a new 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine with 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The Q7's 48-volt mild-hybrid system helped conserve fuel, and the SUV achieved a 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds. The Q7's maximum tow rating was 3,500 kilograms. The adaptive air suspension and Audi Drive Select offered various driving modes, enhancing the Q7's agility and comfort on different terrains.

The 2020 Ford Explorer provided ample interior space, with generous headroom and legroom for passengers. The second row featured air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof, creating a first-class feel. The third row accommodated six-foot-tall adults for short journeys, though the bench was flat for long-distance comfort. Cargo space was substantial, with 509 litres behind the third row, 1,359 litres behind the second row, and 2,491 litres with all seats folded. The Explorer's physical controls were intuitive, though the thick D-pillars and fuzzy cameras created blind spots.

The 2020 Audi Q7, while offering three rows of seats, was best used as a five-passenger vehicle. The third row was suitable only for young children, and using it reduced cargo space to 402 litres. With the third row folded, cargo capacity increased to 1,010 litres, and with both rows folded, it reached 1,970 litres. The Q7's front seats were comfortable, with eight-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The second row provided ample legroom and climate control features. However, interior storage was limited, with the centre console and dashboard screen occupying most of the space.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium Technology Package added a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the interface was well-organized, it lacked innovation, and system updates required an external Wi-Fi connection. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system offered semi-automated driving features, though it was less effective than competitors' systems.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced MMI Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen with an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, and wireless Apple CarPlay. While the interface was generally intuitive, dry fingertips sometimes made virtual buttons unresponsive. The Technik trim featured a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, though the display was invisible with polarized sunglasses. Audi planned to replace the Bose system with a Bang & Olufsen system in 2021.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The NHTSA awarded the Explorer a five-star safety rating, and the IIHS rated it as a Top Safety Pick+.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, which provided excellent illumination but were rated "poor" by the IIHS due to excessive glare. The Q7 included advanced driving-assistance systems, such as Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. However, the traffic-sign recognition system and Active Lane Assist were problematic. The IIHS gave the Q7 high collision protection ratings, but the headlight assessment prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick+ nod.