The 2020 Ford Explorer is in an all-new generation and completely redesigned for this model year. The 2020 4Runner offers some great off-road capabilities and standard features. Both SUVs have great qualities to compare.
Designs
The 2020 Ford Explorer is redesigned inside and out. It comes in four primary trim levels: XLT, Limited, ST and Platinum. The Explorer offers a comfortable ride with three rows and seating for 6 with two captain chairs; but if you opt for the second-row bench, seating capacity changes to 7. The redesign brought the cargo space from 43.9 cubic feet to 47.9 cubic feet behind the second-row seats. You will get up to 87.8 cubic feet of space with all of the seats folded down. When properly equipped with its stronger engine, Ford can tow an impressive 5,600 pounds.
The 2020 Toyota 4Runner is a mid-size SUV that comes in four trim: SR5, SR5, Premium, TRD Off-Road, and Limited. It offers two rows of seats and an optional third row, with seating for five people, but with the available third row, it will give you two more seats. The front seats and second row are comfortable and supportive, with plenty of headroom and a reclining second row. The optional third row is a bit tight and more suited for children. The 4Runner comes standard with cloth upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Available options include synthetic leather upholstery, genuine leather upholstery, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, and ventilated front seats. It offers 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats and expands to almost 90 cubic feet when the seats are folded down. If you choose third row seating, you will get just 9 cubic feet of room behind the last row. An available moonroof is an option.
Performance
The Explorer offers four powertrain options for 2020: a base turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, two twin-turbocharged V6 engines, and a hybrid variant. The base four-cylinder engine offers 300-horsepower and comes in the XLT and Limited trims. A 3.0-liter V6 that gives you 365 horsepower is inside the Explorer Platinum. The same-size engine powers the Explorer ST, but it will deliver a 400 horsepower. The hybrid model features a 3.3-liter V6 and an electric motor that produce a combined 318 horsepower. It’s new rear-wheel-drive platform improves handling, towing and overall balance. Four-wheel drive is optional.
The 4Runner features a 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 270 horsepower and is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The Toyota handles more like a truck than a modern crossover, so you will notice the bumps in the road and some body lean going around corners, but it excels off road. The TRD-designated models come with standard part-time four-wheel drive, along with a locking rear differential, crawl control, and Multi-Terrain Select,
Safety and Technology Features
The Explorer features its Ford Co-Pilot360 technology and driver-assist. Blind Spot information system, rear view camera, lane-keeping system, automatic emergency braking, and auto high-beam headlamps come standard in each model. Its infotainment can connect to your smartphone with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
All 2020 4Runners come standard with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite of advanced safety technology that includes forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also features an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system that connects to Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa. Other standard features include an eight-speaker stereo, HD Radio, satellite radio, voice recognition, and smartphone-linked navigation. A 15-speaker JBL premium stereo and integrated navigation are available, as well as dual-zone automatic climate-control.
Price and Fuel
The Explorer’s base list price starts at $36,675 and ranges to a starting price of $58,250 for the Platinum model. Ford’s most efficient engine delivers 21/28 mpg in the city and on the highway. Explorer’s base engine will give you 21/28 mpg in the city and on the highway and the twin-turbocharged engine will give you 18/24 mpg city/highway.
The 2020 Toyota 4Runner starts at $36,020 and ranges to $49,765 for the TRD Pro. It gets an estimated 17/21 mpg in the city and on the highway.
Overall
Two respectable mid-size SUVs that have some good qualities. The 2020 Ford Explorer is newly redesigned, comfortable, and larger than before, offering more space for your family and gear. With your choice of four powerful engines, lots of cargo space and standard features, it’s one to consider. The 2020 4Runner is a little bit smaller and its engine isn’t as powerful as the Explorer, but it has a long list of standard features and some great off-road capabilities at a lower price tag for its higher trims.