Typically, vehicles get more expensive with each passing year. This is especially true with brand new models, as we saw recently with the 14th-generation 2021 Ford F-150. But the 2021 Ford Explorer, which will be the current model’s second year of production, will receive price cuts across the board.
A Ford Authority analysis comparing 2021 Ford Explorer pricing with that of the 2020 model reveals that every trim level will be cheaper, at least as it relates to starting prices. In fact, the 2021 Explorer will be on average $2,572 more affordable than the 2020 model.
The amount of 2021 Ford Explorer pricing reductions varies based on trim level. For instance, the base rear-wheel-drive Explorer becomes $540 cheaper for the 2021 model year, with a starting MSRP of $32,225 versus $32,765 for the 2020 model.
Both the XLT rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models get a $2,925 price cut with the model year changeover, while the Limited RWD and AWD see a $3,670 reduction. The 2021 Limited Hybrid RWD will start at $2,675 less, while the AWD version gets a bigger discount of $2,875.
The high-performance Explorer ST receives a price cut of $2,135 for the 2021 model year while the range-topping Platinum becomes $3,770 cheaper. It’s also worth noting that Equipment Group 202A will also see a big discount with the 2021 Explorer, as it will cost $600 less than it did in 2020.
| Trim Level | 2021 Ford Explorer | 2020 Ford Explorer | + / – 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| RWD | |||
| Base RWD | $32,225 | $32,765 | $-540 |
| XLT RWD | $34,000 | $36,925 | $-2925 |
| Limited RWD | $44,710 | $48,380 | $-3670 |
| Limited HEV RWD | $49,855 | $52,530 | $-2675 |
| AWD | |||
| Base AWD | $34,225 | $34,765 | $-540 |
| XLT AWD | $36,000 | $38,925 | $-2925 |
| Limited AWD | $46,710 | $50,380 | $-3670 |
| Limited HEV AWD | $51,855 | $54,725 | $-2870 |
| ST | $52,605 | $54,740 | $-2135 |
| Platinum | $54,480 | $58,250 | $-3770 |
| Averages | $43,667 | $46,239 | $-2572 |
| Other | |||
| Equipment Group 202A | $3,540 | $4,140 | $-600 |
| Destination & Delivery | $1,245 | $1,245 | $0 |
These 2021 Explorer pricing reductions will coincide with a few minor changes to Ford’s bread-and-butter three-row crossover, including a few new exterior colors and a handful of enhancements to the interior of the Explorer ST. Additionally, the XLT Sport model will return in 2021, and recent spy photos seem to indicate that an off-road focused model – possibly an FX4 model – is in the works.
As Ford Authority was first to report, 2021 Ford Explorer order banks opened on July 13th, 2020. Production will begin on September 21st, 2020 at the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant, where the Explorer is built alongside the Lincoln Aviator. The sixth-generation Ford Explorer is all-new from the ground up, and rides on the same Ford CD6 platform as the Aviator.
We’ll have much more on the Explorer soon, so be sure to subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Explorer news and non-stop Ford news coverage.
Comments
That’s good. This thing was overpriced. My lease on my 2017 Explorer just expired and I had to find something new. I wanted to move to a purchase this time. The Explorer XLT was the same price as an F-150 XLT Sport FX4 quad cab. I only need the size of an Explorer. But for the price, guess which one I chose? The F-150. And I’m thrilled with it.
Lower prices are good to hear. Now, if they would do something about that hideous
infotainment screen, I’d be interested. Keeping my 2019 for now.
This poorly managed company that doesn’t know to build sedans profitably is now forced to cut prices on the 2021 Explorer, which means they will have to give rebates as high as $10,000 to sell the leftover 2020 models, and at the end of the 2021 MY they will have give additional rebates to
make room for the 2022 models, those rebates will just eat into the profits of this overpriced SUV. Who knows, this overpriced SUV might meet the safe fate as the overpriced Edge.
This poorly managed company that does not know how to make sedans profitably is now forced to lower the price of the 2021 Explorer (its overpriced to begin with). This means they will have offer up $10,000 in rebates on the 2020 Explorer to make room for the 2021s. Then at the end of the 2021 MY they will have to offer more rebates to make room for the 2022s. Looks like profits on this vehicle are going down the drain. Who knows, the Explorer might meet the same fate as the overpriced Ford Edge.
The company that forgot how to build sedans profitably is now cutting the price of the 2021 Ford Explorer, when you factor in rebates/discounts as high as $10,000 on 2020 models, there goes the profits.