The debut of the new 2020 Ford Explorer is definitely one of the most expected vehicle debuts of this year. It happened. President and CEO of Ford, Jim Hackett and Executive Vice President Jim Farley, presented the new car in Detroit in casual attire. Visually similar to its predecessor, the sixth generation Ford Explorer goes back to its roots with a rear wheel drive platform, longitudinal engine layout, and far more athletic appearance than ever before.

I compiled a list of little-known facts about the new 2020 Ford Explorer that just shows how dedicated Ford engineers and designers have been with the creation of the most advanced Ford Explorer of all time.

The 2020 Ford Explorer Is The First All-New Explorer in Eight Years

We’ve waited long enough for the new generation of the Ford Explorer. Eight years to be exact. And the reason is the most logical you can actually imagine. Last year alone Ford sold 261,000 Explorers. A bit less than Honda managed to do with the Pilot, but impressive for an old SUV nevertheless. Actually, just to prove how big a seller the Explorer is, I will tell you that Ford sold nearly 8 million Explorers since its introduction in 1990. Ladies and gents, the Explorer is the best-selling SUV in history.

The 2020 Ford Explorer Rides on a New RWD Platform

Why the sudden move to the RWD platform?

Well, the reasons I’ve discovered are quite logical once again. Let me list the reasons:

-* This is the same platform shared with the Lincoln Aviator. Shared platforms save a lot of money.

-* The RWD platform saves a bit of room for the cabin. This way, the cargo room, and the cabin space have been considerably improved compared to the predecessor

-* The RWD platform also enables Ford designers to create a car with longitudinal engine layout. This makes it possible to move the front wheels forward which is the main reason for the six-inch stretch of the wheelbase.

They’ve been able to create a far more athletic appearance and design. Actually, I think this may be one of the biggest reasons behind the nature of the RWD Explorer. In the end, visual and emotional appeal is what sells the most.

Finally, thanks in part to its RWD architecture, the Ford Explorer has far better towing capacity than before.

The 2020 Ford Explorer Has 66-Percent Better towing Capacity

The 2019 Ford Explorer with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine has a towing capacity of 3,000 pounds. That’s one hell of an improvement. Yet, it is not the only improvement. The 2020 Ford Explorer Platinum with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged engine can tow more as well. This one, with all of its 365 horsepower, can tow up to 5,600 pounds (600 pounds up compared with the similarly powerful predecessor).

The 2020 Ford Explorer Beats Out Most of the Competitors In Terms of Cargo Space

Here's How the 2020 Ford Explorer Compares with its Competitors in Terms of Cargo Space. Study it.

Not only that, but the carpet on the floor is plush on one side and covered with vinyl on the other. Simply use the side you find most suitable for your needs.

The 2020 Ford Explorer has Best-in-Class Second- and Third-Row Headroom

I know this isn’t exactly what Y'all have been dying to find out, but it is a nice little fact you should know about the latest Ford Explorer. Again, I will give you a rather nice sheet so you can compare the headroom and the legroom with that of its closest competitors.

The 2020 Ford Explorer Features Top-of-the-Line Connectivity

The new Ford Explorer is equipped with a state-of-the-art 4G modem that can support up to 10 devices. In short, ten tablets, smartphones, or similar gadgets can be connected to the Internet thanks to this modem. The Wi-Fi spot actually emits a signal in a 50-foot radius. Quite something isn’t it!?

Ford Co-Pilot360 Comes As Standard Equipment In The 2020 Ford Explorer

Commitment to make the Ford Explorer as safe as humanly possible led Ford engineers to integrate Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suit as standard equipment. Those technologies include:

-* Blind-spot monitor with a cross-traffic alert system,

-* Lane-keep assist,

-* Automatic high-beam headlights,

-* Forward collision system with automatic braking

-* Pedestrian detection

Optionally, you can gear up with stuff such as:

- Adaptive cruise control system with lane-centering technology

- Automatic rear braking system

- Ford’s latest parking assistant - Active Park Assist 2.0 (tech that can parallel or perpendicularly park the Explorer completely automatically)

The 2020 Ford Explorer Starts Out at Less Than $34,000

Honestly, it is only slightly more expensive compared to the 2019 model. Obviously, it is not exactly the least expensive among family SUVs, but it is a convincing package nevertheless. The new Ford Explorer will go on sale in summer 2019, and it will join more than 20 similar SUVs currently on the market. In fact, the market will boom in the coming years. Experts at LMC Automotive expect up to 30 similar SUVs to roam the market. I cannot say anything else except, bye, bye, sedans.

The 2020 Ford Explorer is Designed to be Family Friendly Above All Else

As I have said before, Ford engineers really made the Explorer's cabin comfortable and inviting. At the presentation, Jim Hackett and Jim Harley noted some of the cool features on the inside. To get a better picture of the cabin, get this:

-* Powered second-row seat

-* Standard power liftgate

-* Four USB ports

-* Three 12-volt outlets

-* 110-volt outlet in the rear

-* Load-floor surface covered with a carpet on one side and vinyl on the other

-* Cup holders can serve as juice holders as well

-* There’s a special iPad/tablet holder in the center

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2020 Ford Explorer.

Read our full review on the 2016 Ford Explorer.

Six Generations of the Ford Explorer