The Explorer line up now feels complete with the debut of the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid. It feels like the Blue Oval is a little late to the Hybrid-SUV party, but the company has made sure to capitalise on all the hype the Explorer has created over the years and has launched the Explorer SUV in the Hybrid from with an acclaimed range of 500 miles!

A Hybrid With Impressive Specs

Although Ford flirted with the idea of a hybrid SUV with the Escape Hybrid a few years ago and even found a fair-share of success, the Blue Oval found itself ousted from this ever-growing market. However, it is back with a bang and this time, you can explore the roads for 500 miles before you run out of steam. Power will be sent to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission system. The Explorer Hybrid will have a top speed of 123 miles per hour. It is expected to return 24 miles per gallon, combined, and the automaker promises a 500 mile-range with a 19.3 gallon fuel tank. Mind you, this rating is only for the standard rear-wheel-drive version. The figures for the optional all-wheel-drive system variant are not out yet.

This Shows How Far Ford Has Come From the Hybrid Escape Days

Fortunately, Ford has been smart with its battery placement this time around. Just like the standard Explorer, the cargo space of the Explorer Hybrid is also rated at 18.2 cubic feet, which can grow to 87.8 cubic feet when the rear- seat rows are flipped. Interestingly, Ford has managed to keep the Explorer Hybrid quite light - even lighter than the 400 horsepower ST version – at 4,969 pounds.

The towing capacity has taken a hit slight hit, however. It is rated at 5,000 pounds; 300 pounds lesser than the gas-powered Explorer. However, this is much better than the 1,800 pound capacity of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Filled To The Brim With Creature Comforts

Talking about the feature-list, Ford has not cut corners here. In terms of safety, standard safety features will include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, evasive steering assist and speed sign recognition. Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ safety and assistance technologies will also be featured on the higher trims.

As It Should Be, The Interceptor Is Even Better Spec’d

The sexy-looking Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid will get better figures. The 2020 cop-version is tuned to sprint to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in 7.3 seconds and the 0-100 miles per hour figure can be touched in 17.7 seconds. This one tops out at 137 miles per hour, as tested by the Michigan State Police. Although the battery specs are not revealed, the testing showed the Explorer Hybrid to be 455 pounds heavier than the 3.0-liter EcoBoost all-wheel-drive variant of the Explorer Interceptor. Does this mean bigger batteries as well?

Final Thoughts

The price will of course be higher than the standard model, which begins at $34,000. So, we speculate it to be in the ballpark of $38,000, much in the vicinity of the Highlander Hybrid which retails around the same tag price. This family-hauler is expected to hit the showrooms in the summer this year. Share your thoughts on the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid in the comments section below.

Further reading

2020 Ford Explorer ST has 400 HP, wants to be taken seriously as a performance SUV

Read our full review on the 2020 Ford Explorer.

Read our full review on the 2016 Ford Explorer.

Six Generations of the Ford Explorer