I read a article that said the 2020 Ford Explorer will be going back to a rear wheel drive platform. The turbocharged 4 will be the standard engine with the turbocharged V-6 optional.

I saw that too. We have a 2014 and will be checking out the new ones. We like ours ok , but it's a glorified car not an SUV.

blownstang01 wrote:I saw that too. We have a 2014 and will be checking out the new ones. We like ours ok , but it's a glorified car not an SUV.The new one is still more of a glorified car. It is unibody, not body on frame like 2010 and before. The V6 engine and 10 speed transmission are the same as the F150. The turbo 4 cylinder engine are the same as the Ranger. The rest of the "underpinnings" rely heavily on the new Mustang.If you want a "real" 4WD vehicle, buy a Ranger or F150 or wait until the Bronco comes out. The explorer should be for sale in fall of 2019, the Bronco will not be out until 2020.

Here's a TFL video on the new Explorer. I do like that they went back to a rear wheel drive platform.Link

theoldwizard1 wrote:blownstang01 wrote:I saw that too. We have a 2014 and will be checking out the new ones. We like ours ok , but it's a glorified car not an SUV.The new one is still more of a glorified car. It is unibody, not body on frame like 2010 and before. The V6 engine and 10 speed transmission are the same as the F150. The turbo 4 cylinder engine are the same as the Ranger. The rest of the "underpinnings" rely heavily on the new Mustang.If you want a "real" 4WD vehicle, buy a Ranger or F150 or wait until the Bronco comes out. The explorer should be for sale in fall of 2019, the Bronco will not be out until 2020.Different engine than the F-150. It is a 3.0 litre twin turbo in the Explorer. Same engine as the Lincoln Aviator.

theoldwizard1 wrote:blownstang01 wrote:I saw that too. We have a 2014 and will be checking out the new ones. We like ours ok , but it's a glorified car not an SUV.The new one is still more of a glorified car. It is unibody, not body on frame like 2010 and before. The V6 engine and 10 speed transmission are the same as the F150. The turbo 4 cylinder engine are the same as the Ranger. The rest of the "underpinnings" rely heavily on the new Mustang.If you want a "real" 4WD vehicle, buy a Ranger or F150 or wait until the Bronco comes out. The explorer should be for sale in fall of 2019, the Bronco will not be out until 2020.I get that. My abbreviated reply was more about it no longer being a front wheel drive platform with a relatively small driveshaft and rear end like it was an after-thought.

Ford Explorer going back to rear wheel drive platform

Lessmore
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2019
I like it, looks like the previous Explorer and to my eye, that's good. Always thought the Explorer was the nicest looking mid size SUV. I do like the fact that it's going to be rear wheel drive. I prefer RWD to FWD.

But I have one question. As both Ford and GM are going gung ho on replacing their internal combustion engines within the next 10 years..is this the swan song for the IC Explorer ?
OH48Lt
Explorer
Jan 11, 2019
The seating and the interior appointments in the Explorers is the reason the wife went to the Edge. Used to buy a new Explorer every 3 years, but the last two purchases have been the Edge due to the interior ergonomics in the Explorer. Not sure what we'll do in 2020, now that they no longer offer the 3.5 in the Edge. We sure don't want that 4 cylinder Eco.
K-9_HANDLER
Explorer
Jan 11, 2019
Drive an 18 daily for work. Seat bottoms seem like they are not long enough, contact is too far up the back of my thigh.
JAC1982
Explorer
Jan 11, 2019
I'm not sure I like how big the hood is. Also I really don't like those rotary shifters, have had them in a few rental cars and I just don't like them. And no more Sport model? Boo.
JAC1982
Explorer
Jan 11, 2019
blownstang01 wrote:
dodge guy wrote:
Doesn’t make a difference as long as the seats are more comfortable than the current models. My 13 limited is terrible!

You're not kidding, ours is great for my wife to haul all her donation stuff and her back and forth to work. Long trips, not so much.

I find them very comfortable! But different strokes for different folks. I'm short so maybe that's why?
blownstang01
Explorer
Jan 11, 2019
dodge guy wrote:
Doesn’t make a difference as long as the seats are more comfortable than the current models. My 13 limited is terrible!

You're not kidding, ours is great for my wife to haul all her donation stuff and her back and forth to work. Long trips, not so much.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jan 11, 2019
Fordlover wrote:
Tow rating will go from 3,500 on current model to >5,000 so much better in my book.

Still incredibly shy of the 7,000 rating my 2002 Explorer has.
I believe the tow rating for the V-6 365hp is 5600# for the New Explorer .
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jan 11, 2019
Doesn’t make a difference as long as the seats are more comfortable than the current models. My 13 limited is terrible!
alexleblanc
Explorer
Jan 11, 2019
its nice to have real 4wd and not the intelligent **** that you get with a FWD based 4wd system.
Fordlover
Explorer
Jan 11, 2019
Tow rating will go from 3,500 on current model to >5,000 so much better in my book.

Still incredibly shy of the 7,000 rating my 2002 Explorer has.