5 Things You Should Know About The 2020 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer 2020 is the sixth installment of Ford in the growing history of the SUV. There's plenty more to know about the latest Explorer - about its hybrid and performance variants debuting at the Detroit Auto Show - but there's plenty more information you can pass on to Explorer's standard explorer.

Here are five of the most interesting changes to the 2020 Ford Explorer:

1. Body Construction

This may not be what you think about when you sign on the dashed line and drive your new car home, but engineers spend a lot of time finding the right herbs and spices for the metals that surround you. To save weight, Ford uses more aluminum and high-strength steel throughout Explorer. The true star of the 2020 Explorer body is the 25 percent ultra-high-strength boron steel. The steel is so hard in Explorer's A-pillar (the windshield frame area) that Ford had to consult with the manufacturers of twist drills to find a way to drill for police pickups. While you probably do not need a spotlight, this is a closer A-pillar, which is still strong.

2. Flood Of New Standard Equipment

In the past, basic models of cars and trucks provided the precondition for automakers to roll out the bare necessities. (Power windows? Not on my Ford Escort!) Well, times have changed and Ford's Basic Explorer gets a host of new comfort and security features. The Explorer receives namely a standard suite for driver assistance techniques, the Ford Co-Pilot360 calls. These include pre-collision assistant with automatic emergency braking, information on blind spots with cross traffic, lane departure warning, a rear-view camera with lens washing system and automatic headlamps with automatic high beam. The Explorer also comes with a standard 8-inch touchscreen that runs the Sync 3 infotainment system and a tailgate.

3. 10.1-inch Touch Screen Portrait

The Explorer follows the trend of massive, vertical touchscreens with a 10.1-inch monster mounted in a dashboard. Of course, the screen is optional, but it should help you to better see maps as you navigate unknown roads. Like the infotainment screen on the new Ram 1500, you can essentially divide the screen into two screens - one part of the screen taking care of your entertainment needs and the other part navigating. The screen should feel like a massive iPad would stick to the dashboard, considering that Ford designed it to feel like our smartphones and tablets. Like the smaller standard screen, Sync 3 will also run on the 10.1-inch screen.

4. Rear-Wheel Drive Platform

Contrary to the trend towards crossing with front-wheel drive, the Explorer returns to a rear-wheel drive format. In discussions with engineers, Ford's people claim that this change allows the Explorer to get longer without penalizing the SUV's turning circle. Regardless of the reasons why it's so exciting that Ford is bringing back lovers' beloved rear-wheel drive. Of course, there is an all-wheel drive system for those who need extra traction.

5. Active Parking Assistant 2.0 and Reverse Brake Assist

You may be familiar with Ford Active Park Assist - the feature that helps you with your parking requirements. With the old system, you still need to apply throttle and brake while the vehicle takes control of the steering wheel. With the advanced Park Assist 2.0 you can now delegate throttle and brakes to the vehicle, ie you press a button and the parking spaces for you. We are curious how this works in the wild, but it is interesting to live in densely populated cities. The Explorer gets another new option - the Brake Assist. Basically, it's the same as the Brake Assist front, but for the rear. So, if you do not get as much attention as you should - or if something unexpectedly gets in your way, the 2020 Explorer should slow you down and hopefully avoid an accident.