Ford will be presenting a range of modified SUVs at this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Power, performance and, perhaps most importantly personalization are at the core of each vehicle being unveiled. Spanning the breadth of its model range, the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker will showcase special versions of practically every SUV it builds, from the tiny EcoSport crossover to their gigantic Expedition.

SEE ALSO: Jeep Shows Off Seven Concepts for 2018 Easter Jeep Safari — VIDEO

All told, Ford is expected to have more than 50 cars, trucks and crossovers on display at its booth, making it the largest OEM at the show, which is slated to kick off on October 30.

Blood Type Racing Edge ST

The Edge ST is a new high-performance crossover from Ford. It couples a track-tuned chassis with a muscular powertrain to create a true driver’s utility vehicle. In stock form it features 335 horses under the hood, courtesy of a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. An eight-speed automatic gearbox and standard all-wheel-drive system ensure that giddy-up makes it to the pavement without drama.

Naturally, this was a solid foundation, but the folks at Blood Type Racing, a Chicago-based tuning shop knew they could do even more. Their modified Edge ST has been slammed to the ground with an adjustable air suspension and dressed up with custom, flared bodywork. A Mishimoto intercooler keeps engine inlet temps under control while a high-performance exhaust system helps that bent-six exhale just a little easier.

Inside, there’s a special carbon-fiber steering wheel, a range of Ford accessories like all-weather floormats and a cargo organizer, as well as a Kicker Bullfrog portable audio system.

LGE*CTS Expedition Classic

But the Edge is hardly Dearborn’s largest SUV. That honor goes to the Expedition, a body-on-frame brute that’s nevertheless more luxurious and refined than ever in its latest iteration. A smooth and powerful 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 delivers a stout 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in stock form, while a 10-speed automatic transmission handles shifting duties.

But factory-fresh flies in the face of what SEMA is all about. The LGE*CTS Expedition Classic transforms this three-row SUV into a serious off-roader. Dressed up with a ReadyLIFT suspension leveling kit, Hellwig Products stabilizer bars front and rear as well as Vintiques 18-inch steel wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tires, this machine is ready for just about anything.

Beyond these changes, it also benefits from a new roof rack, LGE Baja Forged bumpers, a 20-inch light bar and a slew of Yakima products including a unique spare-tire carrier. This Expedition’s cabin has also been enhanced with a special recovery kit, should it ever get seriously mired, as well as custom leather seats.

Hulst Customs 2018 Destination Expedition

But not everyone cares about off-roading. Let’s be honest, a huge percentage of SUVs spend the overwhelming majority of their time on pavement, rarely ever traversing a gravel road, much less tackling the Rubicon Trail.

Appealing to more street-focused folks is the 2018 Destination Expedition built by Hulst Customs. Seriously upping this utility vehicle’s style is a unique grille and hood. ‘Round back you’ll find a Borla exhaust system with custom outlet tips. The whole thing rides on body-color-matched 26-inch rims by Lexani that completely fill out the vehicle’s wheel wells. Naturally, a slew of Ford licensed accessories is included.

MAD Industries Explorer

The current-generation Explorer is no spring chicken, but Ford has done a decent job keeping this stalwart nameplate fresh over the years. Helping it stand out at this year’s SEMA show, the folks at MAD Industries have gone to town on one.

This rig’s 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine has been upgraded by JMS with their PedalMAX and BoostMAX plug and play performance enhances. A Borla cat-back exhaust, special cold-air intake and Eibach handling package ensure the performance is as good as the style. Upgraded cross-drilled and slotted rotors along with special brake pads help it rein in all that power.

On the design front, two-tone paint, Niche Road Wheels Alpine-style forged rims measuring 24 inches, a shaved roof rack and much more help this Explorer pop, even at SEMA.

Tucci Designs Big Adventures EcoSport

In stark contrast to the enormous Expedition, Ford’s EcoSport is the smallest utility model the automaker offers. But keeping it exciting, Tucci Designs heavily customized one.

The Big Adventures EcoSport gives this pint-sized crossover some serious off-road capability. It features custom fender flairs for a bold look, beefy Maxxis Bravo AT tires, tubular bumpers and an integrated winch, there’s a Yakima bike rack and even a coil-over suspension. Its wheels are Fifteen52 Turbomac HDs measuring an unexpectedly tame (for SEMA at least) 16 inches in diameter and eight inches across.

Motivating this design concept is a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter Ti-VCT four-cylinder gasoline engine matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. In stock form, it should be rated at around 166 horsepower and 149 pound-feet of torque, though an aftermarket K&N air filter and Borla custom Ford Performance exhaust should add a few digits to each of those totals.

Discuss this story on our Ford Forum.

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The 2020 Ford Explorer will make its debut on January 9th ahead of the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Ford will debut the sixth-generation Explorer at a special event at Ford Field the week before the annual Detroit show, which will open to media on January 12th.

It’s not clear which versions of the Explorer we will see, but Ford is believed to be working on a performance-focused ST version of the SUV in addition to regular trims.

SEE ALSO: 2020 Ford Mustang GT500 Leaks Out of Dealer Meeting

The 2020 Explorer will share the new CD6 platform with the 2020 Lincoln Aviator, which was recently shown at the 2018 LA Auto Show, and will also offer a version Ford’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. The 3.0-liter engine makes 400 hp in the Aviator, so the Explorer ST could have a similar amount of performance on tap.

We also hear the Explorer will be offered with rear-wheel drive, with Ford electing to offer all-wheel drive as an option.

The 2020 Explorer is one of two major Ford debuts to scheduled for Detroit. The automaker will also show off the highly anticipated Mustang GT500 at the show, which is expected to make over 700 hp from a supercharged V8 engine, bringing the right to the 650hp Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and 707 hp Dodge Challenger Hellcat.

Stay tuned for full details on the 2020 Ford Explorer following its debut in Detroit in just a few short weeks.

A version of this story originally appeared on All Ford Mustangs.

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The 2020 Ford Explorer has finally debuted, arriving with a new rear-wheel layout platform, two available 300+ hp engines, and a towing capacity of up to 5,300 lbs.

Ford says the SUV’s new rear-wheel-drive platform, which is closely related to the 2020 Lincoln Aviator’s platform, has enabled the Explorer to adopt a more athletic appearance and the best interior dimensions for passengers of any Explorer to date. The automaker describes the new three-row’s styling as “beautifully sporty,” and says a more steeply sloped roofline and shorter front overhang heavily lends to the vehicle’s overall appearance.

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Under the hood is Ford’s now familiar 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is rated at 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. A 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 is available as well and is good for 365 hp and a meaty 380 lb-ft of torque. Both engines will be paired with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available.

All-wheel drive models will also feature a Terrain Management System with seven drive modes including normal, sport, trail, tow/haul, eco, deep snow and sand modes. Rear-wheel drive models, meanwhile, will feature six standard modes: normal, sport, trail, slippery, tow/haul, and eco.

SEE ALSO: Ford Explorer ST Confirmed as New Big Performance SUV

RWD Explorers will be able to tow more than AWD models, with a max towing capacity of 5,600 pounds when equipped with the 3.0-liter V6. The max towing capacity of RWD 2.3-liter models is 5,300 lbs when equipped with the optional Class III Trailer Tow Package, Ford says.

The interior puts practicality first with 123 cubic liters of stowage space, new EZ entry second-row seats and an available power folding third-row. With the rear seats folded flat, the Explorer offers up 87.8 cubic feet of cargo space – up from around 81 cubic feet in the outgoing model.

Standard interior tech includes an 8-inch digital Sync 3 display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and FordPass Connect onboard wi-fi. Options include a portrait layout 10.1-inch center stack display screen and a 12.3.-inch digital dash display.

Also standard is the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist technologies which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, a blind spot information system, rear cross traffic alert and a rearview camera, among more.

The rather short list of optional driver-assist tech includes evasive steering assist and post-impact braking.

The 2020 Ford Explorer lineup will consist of base, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, ST and Platinum models, Ford says. It has yet to provide full details on the hybrid and ST models, so stay tuned for more information on this new three-row, including pricing, as it becomes available.

Discuss this story on our Ford Explorer Forum.

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When it comes to gasoline-electric hybrid cars, Toyota is way ahead of rivals.

The Japanese automaker’s Prius essentially created this vehicle segment when introduced in the mid-1990s. Over the years, lessons learned from this nameplate have enabled Toyota to offer a sprawling range of hybrid models, from the Avalon sedan and RAV4 crossover to the Camry, Highlander and Corolla. Even its Lexus luxury division proffers an array of gasoline-electric models including the RX crossover, LS flagship sedan, and even the LC luxury coupe.

But just because it’s in a leadership position doesn’t mean Toyota is the only game in town. Other car companies have made significant investments in hybrid technology, including Ford.

Ford’s Big Hybrid Push

Way back in model-year 2005, Dearborn debuted the world’s first gasoline-electric utility vehicle. At the time, their Escape Hybrid was groundbreaking, with front-wheel-drive models stickering at 29 miles per gallon combined according to the U.S. EPA. Not only efficient, this vehicle also proved to be surprisingly robust. The automaker recently purchased a used 2012 model from a New York City taxi company, one with in-excess of 400,000 miles on the odometer. Supposedly, this example still has the original engine, transmission and hybrid battery pack.

Pushing the original Escape Hybrid’s technology even further, Ford later introduced hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Fusion sedan and C-Max.

SEE ALSO: Ford F-150 Power Stroke Review – VIDEO

Moving forward, the Blue Oval is continuing to focus on electrification. By the year 2022, they’re on track to have invested some $11-billion in related technologies. Underscoring this point, they’ve been granted around 1,300 patents in the last three years, have an additional 2,500 or so that are active plus some 4,300 pending.

“We’re going to be aggressively chasing the space of hybrids,” said Dave Filipe, vice president of powertrain engineering at Ford. Soon, gasoline-electric propulsion systems will be a cornerstone of this automaker’s drivetrain lineup, much like downsized, turbocharged engines are today. For context, some 70 percent of F-150 trucks sold are powered by EcoBoost engines. Additionally, Filipe noted the automaker will eventually offer hybrid and all-electric versions of this perennially popular pickup.

ALSO SEE: What It’s Like to Drive an Electric Ford F-150

Launching shortly will be a pair of fourth-generation hybrid systems. Ford is taking a two-pronged approach going forward, offering one gasoline-electric drivetrain family for smaller, less capable vehicles and a larger arrangement for bigger models that can tow and haul greater loads.

2020 Ford Escape Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid

Benefiting from the smaller of these two powertrains is the brand new 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. Under the hood, they’ll feature a Powersplit eCVT matched to a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with a 1.14-kWh lithium-ion battery pack thrown into the mix. This combination is expected to provide a total system output of 198 horsepower. That should deliver 20-percent faster zero-to-60-mph performance than today’s Escape powered by a 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine, along with a 50 percent improvement in fuel economy. A maximum driving range between fill-ups is estimated at 550 miles. Towing is rated at 1,500 pounds.

That electronically controlled continuously variable transmission is the heart of this drivetrain. Now in its fourth generation, engineers have dramatically reduced the size, making it simpler and more robust with greater refinement than ever. This latest eCVT is also about 35 pounds lighter than its direct predecessor, an impressive reduction.

SEE ALSO: 2019 Ford Ranger Review – VIDEO

The new Escape Hybrid will offer four separate driving modes. Auto EV allows the vehicle to decide when to run on gasoline or electricity. EV Now makes it operate purely on electrons. EV Later allows you to conserve electric range to use at a time when it’s most beneficial, such as during rush-hour traffic or while driving in downtown areas. Finally, EV Charge mode tops up the battery using the gasoline engine.

In addition to the Escape Hybrid, Ford is also offering a plug-in electric version of this compact utility vehicle. With a large, 14.4 kWh, liquid-cooled, lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the floor it will offer an estimated 30 miles of electric-only driving range. After that is depleted the gasoline engine takes over so you’re never left stranded.

As for charging, the Escape Plug-In Hybrid can be fully topped off with electrons in 10 to 11 hours using a standard 110-volt outlet. Hook it to a 240-volt power supply and that time drops to less than four hours.

2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid

With its latest hybrid drivetrains, the folks in Dearborn want their vehicles to have zero compromises. “That is a key message here for Ford,” said Filipe. Their goal with these models is to deliver excellent performance, impressive capability, and uncompromised utility, all with exceptional efficiency.

This edict means hybrid versions of the Escape and Explorer have no real drawbacks compared to their internal-combustion siblings. Cargo space will be identical, plus they can to tow or go off-road without issue.

The 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid’s powertrain is centered around a 3.3-liter naturally aspirated V6. It’s bolted to a specially modified 10-speed automatic transmission. Sandwiched between the gasoline engine and gearbox (it’s bolted to the torque converter) is a 44-horsepower electric motor complete with a disconnecting clutch. Working in tandem, these components deliver a total system output of 318 horsepower with 322 pound-feet of torque.

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That motor and clutch combo does a few important things. It allows the Explorer to run exclusively on gasoline power. It can operate solely on electricity, though only for about two or three miles; remember, this is a hybrid, not a plug-in hybrid or pure EV so electric-only range is not critical. It also permits the vehicle to use both propulsion systems at once for enhanced performance. Finally, the motor and clutch enable regenerative braking for enhanced efficiency. In fact, the vehicle should be about 90 percent efficient recovering energy from the wheels during deceleration.

SEE ALSO: 2019 Ford Edge ST Review

Despite many significant changes, the Explorer Hybrid’s 10-speed transmission still has about 90 percent parts commonality with non-hybrid versions, something that helps keep costs down.

Storing and releasing electrons as required is a liquid-cooled 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Cleverly mounted under the floor, it, as mentioned, has zero impact on cargo space.

The Explorer Hybrid should have no issues off-roading or towing. In fact, it’s rated to drag an impressive 5,000 pounds. This maximum figure compares favorably to gasoline-powered versions. Models fitted with the top-shelf 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 can tow up to 5,600, variants powered by the base 2.3-liter four-cylinder can handle up to 5,300.

This next generation of Ford powertrains should give the automaker a range of advantages over rivals that haven’t invested as much in electrification technology. The 2020 Explorer is set to go on sale this summer, with the 2020 Escape following in the autumn. The Escape Plug-In Hybrid is expected to launch next spring.

Discuss this story on our Ford Forum

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We got behind the wheel, albeit briefly, of Ford’s brand-new 2020 Explorer Hybrid. Sort of …

The Dearborn-based automaker is building a brand-new Police Interceptor Utility vehicle, one specifically tailored to the unique requirements of law enforcement. This pursuit-rated SUV may look like a 2020 Ford Explorer, and to be fair, it is based on the civilian model, but it’s been tweaked and tuned in so many ways engineers are hesitant to even mention these two models in the same sentence.

The suspension, brakes, transmission, interior, and even structure have all been heavily altered. For starters, the Police Interceptor Utility features some 160 pounds of additional structural material in the backend to help protect officers in rear-end collisions, which are all too frequent during traffic stops. This vehicle is designed to meet Ford’s 75-mile-an-hour rear-end crash test, supposedly the most stringent in the business.

For unimpeachable stopping power, this SUV’s brakes have been overhauled. It gains larger rotors, calipers, and pads. The tires are also special, mounted to unique steel wheels.

Helping it shrug off that extra weight and perform better in difficult maneuvers is a retuned suspension. The springs, shocks and stabilizer bars have been altered for police duty. The stability control system and this vehicle’s various driver aids have been re-tuned to help officers perform PIT maneuvers (pushing a fleeing vehicle’s rear sideways to help end a chase) or similar operations.

The transmission calibration has a pursuit mode that automatically engages when it senses heavy throttle demands, holding lower gears for faster acceleration. During such maneuvers, this vehicle will also charge the battery as much as possible.

SEE ALSO: Ford Expedition Review

Keeping temperatures under control, the Police Interceptor Utility also features extra cooling capacity for the engine oil and transmission fluid. Its third-row seat has been eliminated and the rear load floor strengthened to support up to 800 pounds of gear.

Inside, the Explorer’s premium interior has been replaced by one constructed almost entirely of utilitarian but hard-wearing plastic. The floors are a rubber material for easy cleaning. Push-button starting is gone, replaced by an old-fashioned twist-key ignition.

As for the front seats, they’re trimmed in a coarse-feeling fabric that’s undoubtedly super durable. They also lack any real bolstering, which is ideal for officers since they wear bulky utility belts.

Another important feature the Police Interceptor Utility has gained compared to the civilian-issue Explorer is a column-mounted shifter. Moving the gear-selector here is not only mechanically satisfying, it frees up loads of space between the front seats, which is where radios, computers, ticket printers and other essential hardware can mount.

But why is Ford offering a hybrid powertrain in this vehicle? There are two main reasons, and the first is fuel saving. Cop cars spend hours a day idling, burning loads of fuel going nowhere. Officers have to run their engines to power all the electronic equipment each vehicle is fitted with. The Police Interceptor Utility hybrid’s powertrain features a lithium-ion battery pack that stores enough juice to run much of this equipment, meaning less idling and a dramatic reduction in wasted gasoline.

At $2.75 per gallon, Ford folks estimate the 2020 hybrid model could save agencies around $3,500 per year per vehicle compared to a 2018 Police Interceptor Utility fitted with all-wheel drive and a 3.7-liter V6. Naturally, as gas prices increase, so do the potential savings. The hybrid’s combined fuel-economy rating is also significantly higher, hitting 24 miles per gallon compared to just 17.

Another benefit of putting hybrid technology in police vehicles is added performance. These models are fitted with a 3.3-liter gasoline V6 that’s matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission. An electric motor bolted to the torque converter provides up to 44 additional horses, plus regenerative braking and the ability to run solely on electricity. Total system power should measure 318 with torque clocking in at 322 pound-feet.

We got an exceedingly brief opportunity to sample Ford’s 2020 Police Interceptor Utility vehicle, and in the process get an early feel for what the upcoming Explorer Hybrid will feel like. My test was limited to just two laps around a very simple and fairly short autocross course.

SEE ALSO: 2019 Ford Ranger Review – VIDEO

Taking off from a standstill showed the Police Interceptor Utility wasn’t as quick as expected. It moved well, emitting a husky V6 snarl at the tachometer needle swept toward redline, but the speed it provided was by no means breathtaking.

The hybrid system undoubtedly worked overtime to keep pace with my extended wide-open-throttle demands, but you’d never know it. The technology seemed entirely smooth and utterly transparent.

When it came time to slow down, the Police Interceptor Utility’s brakes did the deed with enthusiasm. The upgraded binders are quite touchy, with more bite than a starving crocodile. Overall, they give you the impression this vehicle has immense stopping power.

As explained above, take this brief driving report with more than just a grain of salt. This law enforcement-focused vehicle and the Explorer on which it’s based have a laundry list of differences. The civilian version will likely drive better and feel much more refined.

The Ford Police Interceptor Utility will be offered to law-enforcement agencies in three flavors. The standard version of this vehicle is the hybrid, but municipalities can also get one with just the 3.3-liter gasoline engine for around $3,500 less. A more powerful 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 is also on the menu for an additional $700 more than the hybrid model.

This vehicle goes on sale in the summer. Estimated pricing is around $41,000. Currently, the automaker has about 8,000 orders on the books including about 1,100 for the hybrid.

Discuss this story on our Ford Forum

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The 2020 Ford Explorer is totally familiar yet completely reimagined.

At first glance, you may have trouble telling it apart from the outgoing model. This perennially popular three-row SUV looks suspiciously like the version it’s replacing, from the blacked-out A-pillars to the greenhouse shape to the grille designs, countless design traits are carried over. You might be tempted to think this is just another refresh of the existing vehicle, but in this case, you’d be totally wrong.

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The 2020 Explorer is all new from the platform on up, riding on Ford’s latest-and-greatest underpinnings. Sturdy and stiff, the automaker’s rear-wheel-drive-based CD6 vehicle architecture debuts with this venerable nameplate, though it will undoubtedly proliferate throughout their broader lineup.

Generation Six

Since it was first unleashed on the buying public in 1991, Explorer has sold in vast quantities. In fact, you could argue this vehicle ignited an SUV craze, the effects of which are still being felt in today’s crossover-clogged new-vehicle market. Motorists of the era were attracted to its rugged looks, hauling capability and available four-wheel-drive.

These common traits propelled the nameplate forward through five generations with about 8 million delivered by dealerships over the last three decades.

Continuing this tradition, the all-new sixth-generation model is stronger and lighter, more capable and feature-rich than ever before. Added safety, refinement and comfort further enhance this Explorer’s appeal.

By the Numbers

Not only does the 2020 model look like its predecessor, but it’s also nearly the same size. The vehicle’s length clocks in at just shy of 200 inches (5,080 millimeters) while overall width should be identical. Height is similar, too.

About the only significant alteration has been made to the wheelbase. At just a whisker more than 119 inches (3,025 millimeters) it’s been stretched by half a foot for greater versatility and, more importantly, dramatically improved exterior proportions.

SEE ALSO: 2019 Jeep Gladiator Review – VIDEO

The switch to CD6 also helped this latest Explorer lose a good bit of weight. On average, it’s dropped about 200 pounds (91 kilograms), a not-insignificant amount.

CD6 also provides far greater versatility. Inside, there’s seating for six or seven people depending on configuration. It also offers just shy of 88 cubic feet (2,486 liters) of maximum cargo space and enough width to handle four-foot-wide (1,219 millimeter) sheets of building material.

Power(trains) to the People!

Right out of the gate, Ford is offering four different powertrains in the 2020 Explorer. This means there should be an under-hood option that appeals to practically every sort of SUV shopper.

ALSO SEE: Ford Edge vs Explorer: Which SUV is Right for You?

Base, XLT and Limited models are propelled by a friendly and familiar 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder. Used to great advantage in myriad Ford and Lincoln vehicles, this engine delivers 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque in this application.

Stepping up from there, you can also get a hybrid powertrain, the first time Dearborn’s offered an electrified propulsion system in the Explorer. The brunt of the work here is done by a 3.3-liter naturally aspirated V6 that’s augmented by both port and direct fuel injection. Helping ease its burden is a small electric motor that’s bolted to the torque converter and juiced by a small, 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Total system horsepower measures 318, torque should clock in at 330 pound-feet.

Platinum-trim Explorers are hauled around by a smooth and responsive 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6. They deliver a healthy 365 ponies with a stout 380 pound-feet of twist.

Finally, for driving enthusiasts, Ford is offering a performance-tuned ST model, another first for Explorer. It features the same six-shooter found in Platinum models, but engineers turned up the wick to 400 horses and 415 torques.

Aft of the engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission is standard across the range. It routes torque to either the rear wheels or all corners.

SEE ALSO: 2019 Nissan Titan Review

Thanks to its rear-drive architecture and proven powertrains, the 2020 Explorer offers impressive towing capability. Six-cylinder versions are rated to drag up to 5,600 pounds. When properly equipped, models with the four-cylinder engine top out at 5,300. Hybrids can handle a max of 5,000, a surprising amount for an economy-minded vehicle.

When it comes to fuel economy, rear-drive models with the four-cylinder engine are rated at 21 miles per gallon city, 28 highway and 24 mpg combined. Opt for all-wheel drive and those figures drop slightly to 20, 27 and 23, respectively (11.6 city, 8.7 highway, 10.3 combined l/100km). Grab a V6 engine with four-corner traction and you should expect 18 in the city, 24 on interstate drives and 20 in mixed use. Hybrid efficiency has not been published by the EPA just yet, but it should be revealed in short order.

Tech Offensive or Offensive Tech?

Keeping up with the Jonses, or, more specifically, the Hondas, Chevrolets and BMWs of the world, this Ford offers loads of technology.

An eight-inch touchscreen with the company’s Sync 3 infotainment system is standard, which gets you Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and even Waze integration.

Appealing to drivers that want even more electronics, a portrait-mode 10.1-inch display is offered as well. It can display multiple apps at once, though it does look pretty awkward perched atop the dashboard like a parrot on a pirate’s shoulder.

Keeping people safe, Ford Co-Pilot360 is included on all trims free of charge. This bundles features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, a self-cleaning back-up camera, and automatic high beams. Features like adaptive cruise control with speed-sign recognition, evasive steering assist and navigation are also available in the new Explorer. Among many additional features, wireless charging, a 12.3-inch reconfigurable digital instrument cluster, and a 14-speaker B&O audio system are on offer.

Three Cheers for Three Rows!

As for the rest of the Explorer’s interior, it’s unexpectedly excellent. Photos don’t make it look particularly appealing as there are some weird surfaces on the dashboard and the overall design seems to lack sophistication. But seeing it in person is another story entirely. Except for a bit of hard plastic, nothing is flagrantly low-rent, even in a mass-market XLT model. There are plenty of soft materials, plus the switches and controls feel like quality. Platinum-trim versions, the fanciest one offered by Ford, even feature stitched leather on the dashboard and door panels.

Is the Explorer’s cabin as premium as what you get in a BMW? No, but it’s as nice or better than the interiors of major rivals like the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Dodge Durango and Chevrolet Traverse.

As for comfort, it all depends on location. Like commercial aviation, sitting nearer the vehicle’s nose is better. The first-class front seats are superb, with plenty of support and suppleness for all-day comfort; the business-class second-row offerings are quite nice, with a chair-height lower cushion; the way back is merely satisfactory for adults as their knees will be at chin level and pressed against the second-row backrests. Basic economy is best left to kids.

ALSO SEE: 2019 Subaru Ascent vs Honda Pilot vs VW Atlas: 3-Row SUV Comparison

Complaints about this vehicle’s interior are minor. The climate controls are a little bit small and take getting used to. Also, the wireless phone charger is located in front of the center console lid. Angled back, gravity keeps your handset pressed against the pad, but even moderately hard braking can cause the device to tip forward and stop charging. Lastly, the rotary gear-selector is placed on the console, but why? If they relocated it to the dashboard they could have freed up additional space for storage, or a more reliable wireless charger.

The Drive

One of the most noticeable aspects of piloting the new Explorer is just how improved the front footwells are. In the outgoing model, there’s no space to put your feet as the pedal box is annoyingly impinged upon by various bits of vehicle structure. Fortunately, this is a thing of the past in the 2020 edition as there’s enough room down there to host a dance party. The armrests and driving position are vastly superior as well, a night-and-day difference.

XLT and Limited versions of the 2020 Explorer are likely to be the highest-volume sellers in the lineup, which also includes Ford Performance-tuned ST and the top-shelf Platinum versions, in addition to a bare-bones “Base” trim, which will become available around the November timeframe. Both of these midrange offerings are propelled by an EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, a friendly and familiar powerplant. Relatively smooth and quiet, this torquey unit moves the Explorer with surprising verve, at least once the tachometer needle hits about 3,000 rpm. At speeds less than that, it’s a touch on the soft side. Fortunately, the 10-speed transmission gives it plenty of ratios to play with so it can rev up quickly to reach the meat of its powerband.

SEE ALSO: 2019 Infiniti QX50 Review

The fuel-sipping hybrid model doesn’t feel quite as vigorous as the four-cylinder-powered Explorer, though it’s more than adequate, especially considering the improved economy it should provide. With a small, 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, this amped-up Explorer can drive silently for short distances on electrons only, a nifty feature in parking lots or stop-and-go traffic. With a stepped-ratio gearbox, the hybrid has little of the driveline weirdness often associated with vehicles that have continuously variable transmissions. It’s mostly smooth, though occasionally the powertrain will judder in certain driving situations, likely as the electric motor’s clutch engages and disengages.

For drivers that want the most performance, Ford sells an ST version of the explorer. With 400 horses in its under-hood stable, this is one fast three-row SUV. Acceleration is borderline explosive, eclipsing 60 miles an hour in a claimed 5.5 seconds, though it feels even fleeter than that, likely because of the Great Plains-broad torque band. Special chassis tuning, a freer-flowing exhaust system and optional larger brakes help it handle better. ST models also gain unique seat trim; a meatier, flat-bottomed steering wheel; and different splash-screen animations on their displays.

As for the highfalutin’ Platinum Explorer, it feels a lot like the ST, just a bit quieter and smoother. In straight-line acceleration, there doesn’t seem like much of a difference even though it’s down 35 horses.

All versions of the 2020 Explorer are hushed inside, even when driven over grainy road surfaces. They also have firm brakes and feel smaller, more tossable than the outgoing model.

The Verdict: 2020 Ford Explorer Review

The 2020 Ford Explorer is versatile, refined, drives well and offers loads of technology. In short, it’s the best Explorer ever built. But what’s not to like? Well, maybe the pricing.

That Base model mentioned earlier should start at $33,860, including $1,095 in delivery fees. That’s a net price increase of just $400 compared to last year’s version. Still, that makes it a bit more expensive than some of its major rivals. The mass-market XLT model should start around $37,770 with destination charges added in, a net increase of $2,275. Spring for a range-topping Platinum edition and plan on shelling out about $59,345, $4,085 more than last year. Naturally, Limited and ST models fall between these pricing extremes.

Ford’s latest-and-greatest Explorer should start arriving at dealerships in the next couple weeks.

The Specs

Engine: 2.3-liter turbo-four

Output: 300 horsepower, 310 pound-feet of torque

Engine: 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6

Output: 365 horsepower, 380 pound-feet of torque

Engine: high-output 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6

Output: 400 horsepower, 415 pound-feet of torque

Hybrid Drivetrain: 3.3-liter V6, one electric motor, 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery

Output: 318 horsepower, 330 pound-feet of torque

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Four-Cylinder RWD U.S. Fuel Economy (MPG): 21 city, 28 highway, 24 combined

Four-Cylinder AWD U.S. Fuel Economy (MPG): 20 city, 27 highway, 23 combined

V6 AWD U.S. Fuel Economy (MPG): 18 city, 24 highway, 20 combined

Four-Cylinder AWD CAN Fuel Economy (L/100 km): 11.6 city, 8.7 highway, 10.3 combined

U.S. Base-model Price: $33,860, including $1,095 in delivery fees

U.S. Platinum-model Price: $59,345, including $1,095 in delivery fees

CAN Estimated Base-model Price: $45,500

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Two separate Ford recalls have been announced affecting various models.

The first recall affects 2,418 vehicles in North America, with 2,195 in the U.S., nine in federalized territories, 39 in Mexico and 175 in Canada. Affected vehicles include the 2017 Ford F-150, Ford Explorer and Ford Super Duty, all of which could have an inadequate weld between the driver seat and the manually operated seat back recliner mechanism. Ford says in the affected vehicles, a driver seat back frame that has been improperly welded may fail to comply with certain federal motor vehicle safety standards, and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.

The American automaker is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated to the recall, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver seat back frame as necessary at no cost.

SEE ALSO: 2017 Ford F-150 Review

The second recall is for certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150 and Ford F-250 to F-550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with aftermarket chrome exterior door handle covers that were purchased as an accessory from a Ford dealer. In those affected vehicles, the exterior door handle fitted with an aftermarket chrome cover may not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards, and may experience inertial loads that could cause it to unlatch during a side impact, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Ford has identified 551 kits sold through dealerships, including 247 in the U.S. and 304 in Canada. The company is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated to the issue and the dealers will remove the covers from affected units and reimburse customers for the cost of the covers and labor.

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The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is inching its way toward what could be a massive recall of Ford Explorers.

An initial probe kicked off in 2016 after owners entered numerous complaints of an unpleasant exhaust smell in the cabin into the NHTSA database.

Formal grievances swelled into the hundreds by the end of the year and continued growing into 2017. The issue was so serious, one California police officer faulted it for overpowering him while behind the wheel of his Explorer-based Interceptor Utility, resulting in a crash last February. He wasn’t alone. On Thursday, the NHTSA announced at least three other wrecks could be attributed to carbon monoxide exposure inside the vehicle. All in all, the agency stated it is aware of 41 injuries and over 2,700 complaints linked to the issue.

While the injuries are mostly instances of nausea, severe headache, and dizziness, those symptoms pose a serious risk while driving. Concerned the problem could result in another crash, the NHTSA has broadened the probe to encompasses 1.33-million vehicles from 2011 to 2017 and upgraded it to a complete engineering analysis.

SEE ALSO: Ford F-150 Becomes the First Pursuit-Rated Pickup Truck for Police

According to Reuters, the agency says it has “no substantive data or actual evidence,” such as a blood test “supporting a claim that any of the alleged injury or crash allegations were the result of carbon monoxide poisoning.” But early testing hints that CO levels may be present in the cabin, rising to elevated levels in certain driving scenarios.

Proof aside, the sheer number of complaints is enough to warrant further investigation. Additionally, the Austin Police Department pulled 40 Interceptor SUVs from service this month after eight officers became ill, reportedly due to carbon monoxide exposure.

The NHTSA says it is “actively working with law enforcement agencies that use these vehicles to determine if this issue is related to a potential safety defect.” It noted that police variants of the Explorer suffer from manifold cracking, “which appear to present a low level of detectability, and may explain the exhaust odor.”

Ford has issued multiple service bulletins related to the exhaust issue, hoping to address complaints from police fleets and other owners. The automaker says it will cooperate with the agency. In its most recent statement, Ford claims a dedicated company team is working with police and the NHTSA on the problem.

A version of this story originally appeared on The Truth About Cars

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Ford is working with police departments to resolve the issue with its Police Interceptor SUVs.

Ford has assembled five squads of investigators to help police departments cope with the growing number of reports of exhaust fumes incapacitating on-duty officers in Explorer-based Interceptor Utility vehicles. While the problem appears to exist in civilian spec SUVs as well, police vehicles are getting the most attention from Ford and the press, especially after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cited three wrecked patrol vehicles and numerous drivers looking green in the gills.

The NHTSA ramped up its engineering analysis since then, which could lead to a recall on all Explorer-based models from 2011 to 2017. But Ford hopes to get out ahead of the issue by making good on an earlier promise, dispatching its own investigative teams to ensure police departments don’t look to other automakers the next time they need to replenish their fleets.

According to Ford, it’s already making headway in solving the problem.

Bill Gubing, chief engineer for the Explorer, told the Detroit Free Press Tuesday that Ford investigators are discovering police vehicles with holes and exposed areas near the taillights or rear hatch that could allow carbon monoxide to seep into the cabin of some Interceptor Utility vehicles.

The manufacturer blames improperly installed aftermarket modifications — common on patrol cars — for the improperly sealed cabins. This would explain why the issue affects police vehicles more often than their civilian counterparts, distancing the company from the problem.

Ford has already shored up vehicles at the Auburn Police Department in Massachusetts. Last week the department was forced to remove several SUV from service after carbon monoxide exposure hospitalized three officers. It has since moved onto Austin, Texas, where the local police stopped using SUVs entirely after eight officers became ill.

SEE ALSO: NHTSA Expands Ford Explorer Probe After Reports of Carbon Monoxide Exposure in Cabin

A department in Portsmouth, New Hampshire expressed similar concerns this week and is considering suspending usage of its own Interceptor Utility fleet until Ford gets around to helping them.

“We are all concerned from the front-line officers all the way up to the chief,” explained Eric Benson, Portsmouth’s training officer. “We want to get this solved. We certainly don’t want to wait until something happens. We want to take all measures we can to ensure that not only all the officers are safe but the public as well.”

Ford stated it would pay for the cost of specific repairs to any police vehicle in any city that experienced similar issues.

“By no means is our investigation complete,” Gubing said in a statement. “We’re doing everything we can to figure out what issues are out there and how we can help.”

The Blue Oval currently carries the largest share of the police vehicle market — but less than it did when the venerable Crown Victoria was still in production. Still, when you have a feather in your cap, you’re going to want to leave it there. Ford’s scramble to right the wrong, as well as its continued broadening of its law enforcement lineup, shows it aims to keep the police on its good side.

Gubing said he doesn’t see any reason for worry among Explorer drivers not wearing a badge. “From a carbon monoxide perspective, the police duty cycle is very different than what a retail customer drives,” he said.

“It creates more combustion gas at the back of the vehicle because the engine’s working harder and faster,” Gubing continued. “At the same time, there are modifications done to the back of the vehicle that certainly provide leak paths when those modifications are not done properly.”

With no holes drilled to affix additional lighting or communication equipment on civilian SUVs, Ford assumes the general public is fine. However, that won’t stop the NHTSA from investigating more than 2,700 complaints of unpleasant exhaust odors in Explorer cabins.

A version of this story originally appeared on The Truth About Cars

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At least 859 complaints about exploding sunroofs have been filed in the past 22 years.

Consumer Reports recently conducted a study into exploding sunroofs, finding that the safety standards and regulatory oversight of sunroofs have not kept pace with dramatic size and design changes over recent years. The publication used data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation’s vehicle owner complaint database from 1995 to September 2017 to determine the vehicles with the most complaints.

The list included at least 208 models of cars from 35 different automakers with the Scion tC being the most popular with 71 complaints. Hyundai topped automakers with 119 complaints, with Ford coming in second at 85 and Nissan in third with 82. Other vehicles that had frequent complaints include the Hyundai Veloster (54), Kia Sorento (43), Nissan Murano (28), and Kia Optima (25).

One of the biggest issues with shattering sunroofs is that consumers are left on their own to deal with it if it occurs. Consumer Reports found little consistency in how dealerships or automakers acknowledge or resolve the issue, or even worse, who should pay for it.

SEE ALSO: Hyundai Sonata Recalled for Sunroof Issue

Exploding sunroof complaints increased steadily from 1995 until 2013, when they spiked through 2015. Many of those complaints came from Kia and Hyundai owners, although complaints have declined since then.

If you’re interested in protecting yourself, Consumer Reports has published some tips including asking the dealer if a sunroof is made with laminated glass before you purchase a vehicle. In addition, you should ask about the vehicle’s warranty and specifically if it covers shattering sunroofs, and listen for warning signs such as popping sounds coming from the sunroof area.

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Ford has issued two safety recalls, two safety compliance recalls, and has expanded an existing recall in North America.

The largest of the recalls affects approximately 202,274 2016 Ford F-150 and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with front power seats. According to the American automaker, the upper left-hand pivot bolt for the front power seat adjuster may loosen or fall out. If the pivot bolt is loose or falls out, the front seat cushion may experience additional movement in a crash, and not properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury. The company is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue and approximately 177,264 of the affected units are in the U.S., 22,620 in Canada, and 2,390 in Mexico.

To resolve the issue, dealers will measure the torque of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt. If the bolt passes the torque inspection, dealers will remove and clean the bolt, apply a new threadlock, and reinstall the bolt to the specified torque. If the bolt fails the inspection however, the threadlock will be added and the bolt will be reinstalled as an interim repair until a final repair is available. The final repair will include replacing the lift link with new bushings and fasteners. All repairs will be done free of cost to the customer.

The next recall affects 2017 Ford motorhome and commercial stripped chassis incomplete vehicles, equipped with an antilock brake system. A total of 392 units are affected and they could have missing valve block ball plugs in brake hydraulic electronic control units. The hydraulic electronic control unit may leak brake fluid or ingest air during electronic brake distribution and/or antilock brake system activation. Sufficient loss of brake fluid may result in increased pedal travel and/or increased stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will inspect the hydraulic electronic control unit for missing valve block ball plugs and missing plugs will be replaced at no charge. Of the 392 units, 390 are in the U.S. and two are in Canada.

SEE ALSO: Ford Performance Releases a Bunch of Parts for the Mustang, Fiesta and Focus

The next recall is for 43 units of the 2018 Ford Transit Connect in Canada in order to replace their driver and passenger side air curtains. Ford says a tear in the fabric of the side air curtain may occur during deployment, causing a reduction in the duration of the side air current inflation. If the side air curtain does not inflate correctly, it may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. No vehicles are currently in possession of customers, so the automaker is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue. The automaker and its dealers will replace the driver and passenger side air curtains.

The fourth recall affects approximately 566 2018 Ford Expedition SUVs in North America. Those vehicles are being recalled for second-row seat track travel concerns, involving improperly installed assembly bolts that attach the seat back to the seat base. An incorrectly located latch may allow the second-row outboard seats to be positioned forward of the intended position, resulting in improper occupant positioning. In addition, those seats may have an improperly installed bolt, resulting in inadequate seat retention. Either issue could increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue and dealers will inspect the seats for proper seat adjustment travel and for proper installation of the bolt. If necessary, dealers will replace the seat frame assembly and/or the bolt will be removed and reinstalled properly at no cost to the customer.

Lastly, Ford is expanding a safety recall in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, adding approximately 3,396 2011-2012 Ford Explorer vehicles to replace their rear suspension toe links. A previous recall was announced in April 2017, which included the 2013-2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles. The recall’s total affected vehicles now sit at 24,114 units.

Ford is aware of three accidents, one with injuries, associated with the issue, which consists of unique mud accumulation in the rear frame pocket where the rear suspension toe link attaches to the frame. That mud can impede articulation of the toe link, resulting in a toe link fracture, causing noise and unusual vehicle handling characteristics and increasing the risk of a crash. To fix the issue, dealers are replacing the left- and right-hand rear suspension toe links with a redesigned unit.

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently conducted its passenger-side small overlap front crash test on several midsize SUVs.

Introduced last year, the passenger-side small overlap front crash test has just the front corner of a vehicle striking another vehicle or object, such as a tree or utility pole. IIHS has been rating vehicles in driver-side small overlap crashes since 2012, resulting in significant improvements by automakers. But passengers aren’t always afforded equal protection, IIHS found, so it began testing the passenger side last year.

The latest batch of vehicles include the 2019 Kia Sorento, 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, 2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Toyota Highlander, 2018 Nissan Pathfinder, 2018 Honda Pilot, 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2018 Ford Explorer. The results weren’t pretty for some vehicles, with IIHS discovering a wide range of issues, from structural collapse to airbag nondeployment.

One of the most popular models in the segment, the 2018 Ford Explorer, delivered disappointing results. According to IIHS, the 2018 Ford Explorer rates poor because its structure was seriously compromised, with intrusion reaching 15 inches at the lower door hinge pillar and 13 inches at the upper door hinge pillar and the dashboard. The door sill was also pushed in six inches towards the crash dummy, and measures taken from the dummy showed a high likelihood of injuries to the right hip in a real-world crash of the same severity. There were also signs of possible left lower leg injuries.

The Explorer also had poor structural performance in the driver-side test and earns an overall rating of marginal for driver-side small overlap protection. The American automaker is redesigning the Ford Explorer and has said the new model will improve small overlap protection on both sides.

SEE ALSO: IIHS Evaluates Seven Small SUVs in New Crash Test

Another vehicle that struggled was the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with maximum intrusion of 10 inches at the lower door hinge pillar. But what was more alarming was that the passenger dummy’s head hit the dash hard through the front airbag, and since the side curtain airbag didn’t deploy, the door opened. During rebound, the dummy actually moved outside the vehicle since the door was opened. Measures taken from the dummy found right leg injuries would be likely in a crash of this severity, and a head injury would be possible.

The passenger dummy in the Honda Pilot also indicated possible head injuries, with the head sliding off the front airbag and moving just far enough to hit the dashboard hard. The Pilot however, does have good structural performance, helping it earn an overall rating of acceptable, along with the Toyota Highlander and the Nissan Pathfinder.

Three of the models tested earned a good rating: GMC Acadia, Kia Sorento, and Volkswagen Atlas. Although the Acadia had maximum intrusion of just two inches, the passenger dummy’s head did slide off the right side of the front airbag, leaving it vulnerable to contact with the forward structure.

Kia updated the Sorento for the 2019 model year to improve protection in the passenger-side small overlap front crash. The Korean automaker reinforced the passenger-side toepan and door sill, resulting in a structure that was maintained well, with maximum intrusion of four inches on the right side of the toepan. As a result, the 2019 Kia Sorento is the only one to earn an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award out of the newly-rated SUVs.

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