With more and more consumers looking to buy a midsize SUV, Ford is rolling out a fresh version of its iconic Explorer model. Unveiled Wednesday in New York, it's the first all-new version of the Explorer in eight years. "The company thrives when we have fresh product, it is just as simple as that," Ford's president of global markets, Jim Farley, told CNBC after unveiling the new Explorer. "With this new line-up of utilities from top to bottom, it is just really going to allow us to grow." The 2020 Explorer has been redesigned with special features, new technology and creature comforts SUV owners have come to expect. That includes Ford Co-Pilot360 which provides driver assistance to avoid collisions. In addition, Ford increased the towing capacity by 66 percent while making the Explorer lighter and more fuel efficient. Starting at $33,000, the new model goes on sale this summer, Ford said. "The new Explorer is very important for Ford," said Jeff Schuster, analyst at automotive consulting firm LMC Automotive. "Even though the Explorer is the top-selling midsize SUV, there's a lot more competition and new models coming in the next couple of years." While there were 21 midsize SUV's available in the U.S. last year, LMC Automotive expects that number to climb to 26 next year and to 30 models by 2022. That competition will be looking to cut into the Explorer's No. 1 position in the midsize SUV market. Last year, Ford sold more than 261,000 Explorers. An impressive number considering the model has not had a major makeover in years. "The Explorer is really in the sweet spot of the market," said Schuster. "Last year, midsize SUVs made up almost 14 percent of the market and we think the segment will keep growing." Whether or not the Explorer remains the leader of the SUV market remains to be seen, but the new model should position Ford to continue doing well in that segment. That's critical since Ford will be relying on its trucks and SUVs to generate profits while it restructures its business, investing billions in future technology like autonomous drive vehicles. "We are on our toes again," said Farley. "We will grow more revenue, better profitability, you know, this is when the car business is great." Questions? Comments? .<doc-sep>The all-new 2020 Ford Explorer looks a lot ike the old one, and that’s intentional. As one of the original popular SUVs, and the best-selling large utility in recent years, it’s earned icon status and Ford doesn’t want to disappoint its faithful fans. But it’s a radically-different vehicle under the skin. The new Explorer is built on a rear-wheel-drive platform it shares with the upcoming Lincoln Aviator. This improves its performance and capability compared to the old front-wheel-drive setup and allows for a longer wheelbase that increases its interior space, even though it’s not any bigger one the outside. All-wheel-drive will be available, of course, and there is a selection of powertrains that includes a 300 hp turbocharged four-cylinder, a hybrid, and a 365 hp V6 turbo, each equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Pedestrian-detecting automatic emergency brakes come standard, along with a blind-spot warning system, backup camera, power liftgate and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which can be replaced by a 10.3-inch tablet-style screen on higher trims. And adaptive cruise control system that reads speed limit signs and adjusts its speed accordingly is optional, and you can set it to go as high as 10 mph over the limit. (You might be tempting fate if you do, as there will also be a law enforcement version of the Explorer.) An available hands-on lane-centering assist system does its best to turn the Explorer into a slot car, while a self-parking feature can pull into a perpendicular or parallel space without the driver needing to steer, brake or shift. FORD'S NEW COP CAR IS FAST AND FRUGAL Although the Explorer is primarily aimed at family car duty, the cargo area is wide enough to accommodate a 4-foot-wide sheet of plywood and it can tow up to 5,600 pounds with the V6. Prices will start at $33,860 for a four-cylinder, rear-wheel-drive Explorer when it goes on sale this summer, which is just $400 more than the outgoing model.<doc-sep>UPDATE 1/14/19: Ford has announced more information about the Explorer hybrid and we have updated our story accordingly. The Ford Explorer all but established the four-door mid-size-SUV segment when it replaced the Bronco II at the dawn of the 1990s. Derived from the Ranger pickup, the Explorer used rear-wheel-drive architecture—although most, of course, were equipped with four-wheel drive—through its first two generations. When the market eventually moved to embrace more carlike architecture, with unit-body construction and transverse-engine, front-drive-based powertrains, the Explorer followed suit with the third-generation model that arrived for 2011. Although that remains the layout for the overwhelming majority of entries in this class, the redesigned 2020 Explorer switches back to a longitudinal-engine, rear-drive-based configuration. The new architecture is shared with the new Lincoln Aviator—and possibly other new models down the road. Although only fractionally longer overall, the wheelbase grows by six inches, and Ford claims the new Explorer has more passenger space in each of its standard three rows. The company also boasts that, with all seats folded, the Explorer with the available second-row bench can fit four-foot-wide building materials flat on the floor for the first time ever. (Second-row captain's chairs also are offered.) The reversible load-floor surface has carpet on one side, vinyl on the other, while a power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats again are available. View Photos Michael Simari Car and Driver The turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-four returns as the base engine, but output increases from today's 280 horsepower to 300, with torque remaining at 310 lb-ft. It mates to a new 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or all-wheel drive. Its max tow rating increases to 5300 pounds, up from 3000 for the outgoing four-cylinder Explorer. A turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 comes on the Platinum trim and replaces the previous 3.5-liter unit. It makes the same 365 horses along with 380 lb-ft of torque, versus 350 for the previous turbo V-6. It, too, mates with a 10-speed automatic and sees an increase in towing capacity, to 5600 pounds, versus today's max of 5000 pounds. A new ST model will offer even more power from the 3.0-liter V-6—400 hp and 415 lb-ft, to be specific. As in the Aviator, there's a hybrid powertrain on tap as well, although the Explorer's gas-electric drivetrain is more about fuel economy than performance. It has just a bit more power than the base turbo-four, at 318 horsepower combined, from a naturally aspirated 3.3-liter V-6 engine and some sort of electric motor (Ford is not sharing any other information about the electrified part of the powertrain other than the fact that it uses a lithium-ion battery pack mounted under second-row seats). The hybrid has a 10-speed automatic, is available with either rear- or all-wheel drive, and presumably will get around the same 24 mpg combined as the Police Interceptor hybrid. View Photos Ford The 2020 Explorer will come in five trim levels: base, XLT, Limited, ST, and Platinum. The starting price for the base model rises by $400, to $33,860 (prices for other trim levels have yet to be released). Standard kit includes pre-collision warning, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic headlamps, along with 4G LTE Wi-Fi with connections for up to 10 devices. The FordPass Connect app allows the driver to lock, unlock, and start the car using a smartphone. Other available tech features include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless device charging. The Explorer boasts as many as four USB ports (including type-C), a trio of 12-volt outlets, and a 110-volt outlet. Moving the Explorer to rear-drive architecture is not without risk for Ford, given that the Explorer is the top-selling model in its segment. But it allows for better design proportions, and it makes the Explorer a more credible donor platform for its new Lincoln stablemate. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io<doc-sep>The Ford Explorer gets a complete overhaul for the 2020 model year, with big improvements in terms of tech, safety and styling. This all-new Explorer looks to not only maintain the crossover's popularity, but expand its appeal even further. That's important, since the three-row crossover segment is one of the most competitive in the automotive space. When the new Explorer goes on sale this summer, it'll face fierce competition from the likes of the Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Kia Sorento and Toyota Highlander, among others. Let's take a look at how the 2020 Explorer is positioned against these well-known rivals. Engine, transmission and towing At launch, the 2020 Explorer will come standard with a 2.3-liter, turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. It's not the most powerful standard engine in the segment -- the Traverse's V6 beats it by a mere 10 horsepower -- but the Explorer offers substantial power compared to its rivals. The standard four-cylinder engines in the Highlander and Sorento look downright anemic by comparison. For those wanting more oomph, the Explorer's optional 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 leads the class in horsepower and torque. The V6 boasts a 5,600-pound tow rating, which is slightly better than most other entrants in this segment. Only the Dodge Durango and Nissan Pathfinder do better with towing, the former able to tow as much as 8,700 pounds thanks to its optional V8 engine. Engine, transmission and towing comparison Vehicle Engine Power (hp) Torque (lb-ft) Transmission Towing (lbs.) Ford Explorer 2.3 EcoBoost 2.3-liter turbo I4 300 310 10-speed automatic 5,300 Ford Explorer 3.0 EcoBoost 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 365 380 10-speed automatic 5,600 Toyota Highlander 2.7-liter I4 185 184 6-speed automatic 1,500 Toyota Highlander V6 3.5-liter V6 295 263 8-speed automatic 5,000 Honda Pilot 3.5-liter V6 280 262 6- or 9-speed automatic 5,000 Chevrolet Traverse 2.0-liter turbo I4 255 295 9-speed automatic 1,500 Chevrolet Traverse V6 3.6-liter V6 310 266 9-speed automatic 5,000 Kia Sorento 2.4-liter I4 185 178 6-speed automatic 2,000 Kia Sorento V6 3.3-liter V6 290 252 8-speed automatic 3,500 Styling The front fascia is the area that's undergone the most transformation, but it's arguably the blandest-looking bit of the whole package. The new crossover's flanks are more sculpted than the current Explorer's, which is a nice touch, but the rear looks pretty much identical to the 2019 model. When it comes to the competition, there's not a rotten-looking apple in this bunch, but they have their quirks. Winning the award for most minivan-looking of the group is the Highlander, but the Sorento is a close runner-up. The Traverse is blocky-looking, especially in its base trim riddled with black plastic and small wheels. The Honda Pilot, on the other hand, looks the most windswept and unique. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so it's perfectly fine if your design interpretations are the inverse of what's written above. Enlarge Image Nick Miotke/Roadshow Tech and safety The 2020 Ford Explorer represents a major upgrade in compulsory tech compared with the current Explorer. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Waze navigation integrated into an 8-inch touchscreen now come standard. The 2019 model only comes with a 4.2-inch screen and no phone mirroring unless you're willing to shell out extra dough. The 2020 Explorer also comes standard with four USB ports (two of which are USB-C), as well as 4G LTE Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices. More in line with the current Explorer, the Toyota Highlander is pretty stingy with its standard tech, offering just a 6.1-inch touchscreen. The Honda Pilot is a shade more stingy, offering just a 5-inch LCD screen. The Chevrolet Traverse is much more accommodating with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a 7-inch touchscreen, plus 4G LTE Wi-Fi for up to seven devices. Despite having the lowest price in this comparison, the Kia Sorento brings its tech essentials to the party. Those essentials include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a 7-inch touchscreen. Enlarge Image Ford In concert with stepping up its standard tech game, the 2020 Explorer now offers a belly-full of standard safety systems, which is in stark contrast to the 2019 Explorer which offers no standard driver-assistance systems. The new Explorer comes with pedestrian-detecting collision-mitigation braking, blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams and a rearview camera that can wash itself if things get murky out on the trail. Those standard safety features make the base Explorer much more competitive with the well-equipped Highlander and Pilot, which both come with compulsory collision-mitigation braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and automatic high-beams. The Traverse mirrors the current Explorer by offering no standard driver-assistance systems. The same goes for the Sorento. Cargo space With 87.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows of seats folded, the Explorer offers respectable cargo room, beating most of its competitors except for the Chevy, which is huge inside. In fact, its 98.2 cubic-foot max falls between the Chevrolet Tahoe and the Ford Expedition, both of which are one vehicle class larger. The Pilot and Highlander, with their middle-of-the-road pricing, also offer middle-of-the-road storage volume, while the value-positioned Sorento is certifiably cargo-cramped. In fact, the Honda CR-V, one size class down, offers more maximum volume than the Sorento. Cargo volume comparison (cubic feet) Vehicle Seats up 3rd row folded 2nd and 3rd rows folded Ford Explorer 18.2 47.9 87.8 Toyota Highlander 13.8 42.3 83.7 Honda Pilot 16 47 83.9 Chevrolet Traverse 23 57.8 98.2 Kia Sorento 11.3 38 73 Headroom and legroom If you have a big head -- hopefully not in the personality sense -- and you're a passenger in the 2020 Explorer, you're in luck, as the new Ford offers best-in-class second- and third-row headroom. In every other measurement delineated below, the new Explorer remains competitive. If you gave into temptation a little too much this past holiday season, the Explorer has your back(side), too, by offering best-in-class first- and second-row hip room. Being the space king that it is, it's no surprise the Chevy boasts some top measurements on this chart, namely with front headroom and third-row legroom.<doc-sep>
Check out the latest Ford earnings call transcript. Ford Motor (NYSE:F) revealed its all-new 2020 Explorer SUV at an event in Detroit on Wednesday evening. The popular three-row crossover has been completely redesigned on a new rear-wheel-drive architecture, with more room and more towing capacity. The new Explorer is a big deal. The Explorer has been a huge seller for Ford for years, generating hearty profits especially in upscale trims, but sales (and profits) sagged last year as newer rivals stole sales. The company is betting that the all-new Explorer will reverse those trends when it begins arriving at U.S. dealers this summer. Here's what we know. What's new about the 2020 Explorer: Everything While it looks a lot like the current model, the all-new Explorer really is all-new. It's built on a new rear-wheel-drive architecture that gives it a distinctive look, as well as more towing capacity and more room inside. (The new Lincoln Aviator SUV is built on the same architecture.) Why rear-wheel drive, when nearly all of the Explorer's competitors are built on front-wheel-drive platforms? That question contains one of the answers: It's a competitive differentiator. These days, rear-wheel drive is associated with luxury vehicles. But there are practical advantages as well: In addition to the added towing capacity, the new architecture will give four-wheel-drive versions of the new Explorer improved rough-weather and off-road capabilities. But while the new Explorer has a bit more "truck" added to its feature set, it's a far cry from the truck-based Explorers of old. This new Explorer should be quite refined on the road, thanks to its unibody construction, a new 10-speed automatic transmission, and a long list of standard comfort and convenience features. The current Explorer isn't exactly cramped, but the new model is roomier inside. Notably, it's a bit wider -- with the seats folded down, it can carry a 4- by 8-foot sheet of plywood, a feat the outgoing model can't manage. The new Explorer comes standard with Ford's well-regarded 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, which will make 300 horsepower and 310 pounds-feet of torque in this application. With an optional trailer-towing package, Explorers with the 2.3-liter engine will have 5,300 pounds of towing capacity, up from just 3,000 pounds in current base-model Explorers. A 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 making 365 horsepower and 380 pounds-feet of torque is part of the top-level Platinum trim. Explorers with the 3.0-liter engine will have towing capacity of 5,600 pounds. Like the outgoing model, the all-new Explorer will be built at the automaker's Chicago Assembly Plant. It'll arrive in U.S. showrooms this summer. What it means: A strong new entry in a hugely important segment Simply put, one of America's favorite family haulers is gaining a lot of new capability without a huge price hike: The new Explorer will start at $33,860, up $400 from the outgoing model -- a price that should keep it competitive with key rivals like Toyota's (NYSE:TM) Highlander and General Motors' (NYSE:GM) Chevrolet Traverse. The new Explorer is arguably arriving just in time. While sales of the current model have remained fairly strong, it has lost some ground to rivals for one simple reason: The current Explorer was first introduced in 2011, and it has lost a few steps to newer competitors. Vehicle 2018 U.S. Sales Change vs. 2017 Ford Explorer 227,732 (4.3%) Toyota Highlander 244,511 13% Honda Pilot 159,615 25.4% Chevrolet Traverse 146,534 18.6% Kia Sorento 107,846 8.2% Crucially, note that the Highlander outsold the Explorer in the U.S. for the first time last year. Ford -- and its shareholders -- hope that the all-new Explorer will give the Highlander and other rivals much stiffer competition when it arrives this summer. On paper at least, it looks ready for the challenge.