Used 2022 Ford Explorer for SaleNationwide

Compare 2022 Ford Explorer Trims

The Explorer lineup offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to fully loaded models, all featuring versatile AWD capabilities.

• Starting at $18,842
• Best MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Most Popular: XLT AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

Police Interceptor Utility AWD — "Who It's For"

The Police Interceptor Utility AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option with essential features without paying for luxury.

• Avg. market price: $18,842 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 11 city / 15 hwy
• Inventory: 690 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

XLT RWD — "Who It's For"

The XLT RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded family SUV without the added cost of AWD.

• Avg. market price: $22,806 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,789 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLT RWD listings

XLT AWD — "Who It's For"

The XLT AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a balance of features and all-weather capability without stepping up to a higher trim.

• Avg. market price: $25,425 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 7,678 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View XLT AWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty features and performance without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $29,013 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,692 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST-Line AWD listings

Timberline AWD — "Who It's For"

The Timberline AWD is the pick for shoppers who want off-road capability and rugged features without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $29,466 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 21 hwy
• Inventory: 645 listings
• View Timberline AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and comfort without the highest price point.

• Avg. market price: $27,897 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,895 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Limited AWD listings

ST AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST AWD is the pick for shoppers who want high performance and sporty features without going for the top luxury trim.

• Avg. market price: $33,520 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 2,890 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the ultimate luxury experience in an SUV without compromise.

• Avg. market price: $31,959 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 1,700 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — XLT AWD

With 7,678 active listings, the XLT AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse XLT AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Police Interceptor Utility AWD

At $18,842 avg market price — below the lineup median of $28,455 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — XLT RWD

The XLT RWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 20/28 MPG.

Browse XLT RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2022 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 12.20% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,836 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

Is the 2022 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — the 2022 Ford Explorer earns a 4.9/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, performance, practicality, spacious interior, and cargo capacity, especially for family use. The Explorer’s broad lineup also gives you multiple powertrain options and a family-focused package that can fit different priorities.

The trade-offs are clear: the third row is cramped, the infotainment technology feels outdated, and the value equation is not especially strong. For you, that means the Explorer makes the most sense if space, safety, and versatility matter more than having the newest cabin tech or the sharpest price-to-equipment ratio.

The market still shows 32.8% good or great deals, so there are worthwhile listings if you shop carefully.

Is the 2022 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience for many shoppers, with comfort and practicality showing up repeatedly in the praise. That kind of long-term confidence matters when you’re looking at a used three-row SUV that may have already seen family-duty miles.

The test-drive notes also support that impression by describing the Explorer as robust and composed in daily driving, with a powertrain lineup that gives you flexibility to match efficiency or performance to your needs. Ford also includes useful ownership-minded features such as MyKey and post-collision braking.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about choosing a well-kept example with the right equipment and condition.

What should I look for when buying a used 2022 Ford Explorer?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 85.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free listings are common but not universal. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important on a three-row SUV like this, where family use can mean heavier wear on brakes, suspension, and interior surfaces. Focus on overall condition, feature operation, and whether the vehicle has the equipment you want.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup spans from a value-oriented base model to Platinum, with ST-Line, Timberline, and King Ranch also mentioned. The base trim is the one most likely to leave you wanting more equipment, while higher trims add more luxury and personality.
• Powertrain: You can choose among a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, a hybrid based on a 3.3-liter V6, and a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The hybrid is the best blend of power, efficiency, and capability, while the V6 is the choice if you want stronger acceleration and maximum towing.
• Safety package: Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard and includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist.
• Infotainment: The Explorer uses Sync 3 with either an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. Wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a surround-view camera system are mentioned, but the system is dated compared with newer setups.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbocharged 2.3-liter engine returns up to 24 mpg in combined driving, the hybrid returns as much as 27 mpg in combined driving, and the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 reaches up to 21 mpg in combined driving.

Which 2022 Ford Explorer trim should I buy?

The 2022 Ford Explorer is offered in 8 trim levels: Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, Timberline, ST, Platinum, and King Ranch.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the entry point, and it makes sense if you want the Explorer’s core space, safety, and family utility at the lowest starting point. It is also the trim most likely to feel light on features compared with the rest of the lineup.
• XLT: This is the better everyday pick for many shoppers because it sits in the middle of the range and benefits from the Explorer’s broad equipment spread without pushing you into luxury pricing.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a sportier look to the XLT formula, so it suits you if appearance matters and you want a more expressive version without going all the way to the performance model.
• Limited: This is the trim to consider if you want a more upscale balance of features and value, and it is also one of the trims that can be paired with the hybrid powertrain.
• Timberline: Choose this if you want the most rugged-looking Explorer and the extra off-pavement confidence described in the test-drive notes.
• ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the sport-tuned setup and available High-Performance package for buyers who care most about driving engagement.
• Platinum: This is the luxury-leaning choice, and it is the trim to consider if you want the most premium-feeling Explorer without the King Ranch’s distinctive interior theme.
• King Ranch: This is the most distinctive upscale trim, with exclusive Del Rio leather, unique branding, and a more specialized cabin presentation for buyers who want something different.

Every version gets Ford Co-Pilot360, and Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is the safety-package upgrade to look for if you want more advanced driver assistance.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2022 Ford Explorer?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and deal activity to reward careful shopping.

• Deal availability: 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,836 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.20% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 85.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $27,248, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2022 Ford Explorer's resale value?

The current average of $27,248 sits slightly below last year's $31,033.

That price movement suggests the Explorer has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. For a future seller, that means your biggest advantage is likely to come from choosing a clean, well-equipped example rather than expecting the market to rebound quickly.

The broad trim spread and family-friendly appeal should help keep demand steady, especially for versions with strong equipment and desirable safety features. But the current softness also tells you that resale value will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the vehicle was optioned.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.9/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2022 Ford Explorer safe?

The 2022 Ford Explorer earns a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.

It earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard, and it brings forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist.

A caveat to keep in mind is that complete NHTSA crash-test ratings for this model year were not published in the source material, so you should lean on the IIHS result and the standard safety equipment when evaluating a used example.

Should I buy a 2022 Ford Explorer or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2022 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2022 if:

• 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 85.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.20% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2022 adds the ST-Line, Timberline, and King Ranch trims while keeping the Explorer’s broad family-focused appeal.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $23,301, the 2021 costs less than the current year's $27,248 average.
• It offers multiple powertrains and a spacious third row.

The bottom line: If you want the broader trim spread, stronger current market data, and the newer 2022 lineup, this is the better primary choice. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2021 is the more budget-friendly path.

How does the 2022 Ford Explorer compare to the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2022 Ford Explorer:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Plenty of cargo space, Great safety ratings.
• Cons: Cramped third row, Outdated infotainment technology, Unimpressive value equation.

2022 Chevrolet Traverse:

• Pros: Stylish design, Plenty of cargo space, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: Noisy, Excessive "float" on uneven pavement, Interior materials feel cheap.

Our experts score the 2022 Ford Explorer 7.5/10 and the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse 7.2/10. The Explorer has the edge if you want multiple powertrain choices and stronger safety credentials. The Traverse counters with easier-to-use technology and a lower average used price, but its ride and interior quality draw more criticism.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.