Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2021 Ford Explorer

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

2021 Ford Explorer 4-door SUV
2020 Ford Explorer shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Superior
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Superior
Optional system
Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2020-24 models built after May 2020

Tested vehicle: 2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4-door 4wd

The Ford Explorer was redesigned for the 2020 model year and the Lincoln Aviator was introduced in the same model year.

Two tests of a 2020 Explorer were conducted. In the first test, forces recorded on the dummy's left lower leg were high, leading to a poor lower leg/foot injury rating and an overall acceptable rating. In response, Ford modified the left and right front subframe structure to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes beginning with cars manufactured after May 2020 (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door).

In the second test of an Explorer built after the structural modifications were in place, the lower leg/foot rating improved to acceptable and the overall rating improved to good.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the second driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the second crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

Forces during the second crash contributed to a moderate risk of injury to the dummy's lower leg/foot.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN2006
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Footrest (cm) 21
Left toepan (cm) 17
Brake pedal (cm) 15
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Upper dash (cm) 5
Lower instrument panel (cm) 7

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN2006
Head
HIC-15 97
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 5
Maximum Nij 0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 1.9
Right 1.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 4
Right 3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.60
Right 0.64
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.7
Right 4.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 83
Right 105

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2020-24 models built after May 2020

Tested vehicle: 2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4-door 4wd

The Ford Explorer was redesigned for the 2020 model year and the Lincoln Aviator was introduced in the same model year. Beginning with vehicles manufactured after May 2020 modifications were made to the left and right subframe structure to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door).

Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Ford.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP2009
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 2
Footrest (cm) 9
Right toepan (cm) 8
Center toepan (cm) 8
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 2
Upper dash (cm) 2
Right lower dash (cm) 2

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP2009
Head
HIC-15 220
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm) 14
Maximum Nij 0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm) 24
Femur (kN)
Left 1.2
Right 1.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.47
Right 0.59
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.0
Right 2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 106
Right 121

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP2009
Head
HIC-15 95
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.5
Extension bending moment (Nm) 7
Maximum Nij 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 22
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.34
Right 0.24
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.7
Right 0.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 56
Right 31

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2020-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4-door 4wd

The Ford Explorer was redesigned for the 2020 model year and the Lincoln Aviator was introduced in the same model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Ford.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1914
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 2
Left (cm) 3
Center (cm) 4
Right (cm) 2
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -4
Rearward (cm) -9
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1914
Head
HIC-15 109
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 13
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 21
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.4
Femur force - right (kN) 0.4
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.53
Maximum tibia index - right 0.31
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.2
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 56
Right 49

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2020-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4-door 4wd

The Ford Explorer was redesigned for the 2020 model year and the Lincoln Aviator was introduced in the same model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Ford.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1916
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -22.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1916
Head HIC-15 74
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Compression (kN) 0.7
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 28
Lateral force (kN) 1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 30
Average deflection (mm) 28
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.10
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.34
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.8
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.3
Combined force (kN) 2.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.6
L-M moment (Nm) 72
A-P moment (Nm) -22

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1916
Head HIC-15 74
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 12
Lateral force (kN) 1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 14
Average deflection (mm) 10
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.86
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.12
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.2
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.0
Combined force (kN) 2.0
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.5
L-M moment (Nm) 55
A-P moment (Nm) 15

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2020-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Ford Explorer XLT 4-door 4wd

The Ford Explorer was redesigned for the 2020 model year and the Lincoln Aviator was introduced in the same model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2209
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -24.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2209
Head
HIC-15 86
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 23
Lateral force (kN) 0.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 27
Average deflection (mm) 24
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.19
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.26
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 4.4

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2209
Head
HIC-15 168
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 25
Lateral force (kN) 1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 34
Average deflection (mm) 25
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.02
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.69
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.7

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2020-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4-door 4wd

Rating applies to both the Ford Explorer (tested) and the structurally similar Lincoln Aviator.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight4,395 lbs
Peak force24,237 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.51

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 10
Distance below top of head (mm) -6
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 11.7
Head contact time (ms) 51
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 461

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Platinum trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Platinum trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2020-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 77.9 m None
Straightaway left edge 43.4 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 89.8 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 45.6 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 74.7 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 44.8 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 135.4 m
Straightaway left edge 131.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 105.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 81.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 81.1 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 68.1 m

Trim level(s)

  • XLT trim
  • Limited trim
  • ST trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp right curve and inadequate on the gradual right and both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • XLT trim
  • Limited trim
  • ST trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2020-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 97.2 m 12.7%
Straightaway left edge 43.0 m 12.7%
250m radius right curve, right edge 47.1 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 43.6 m None
150m radius right curve, left edge 47.5 m None
150m radius left curve, right edge 42.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 178.3 m
Straightaway left edge 158.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 72.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 73.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 61.1 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 59.8 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

  • Optional Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

Package name

  • Optional Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-23 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision.

System details

  • Standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

Package name

  • Standard Ford Co-Pilot360™

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-23 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

System details

  • standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2020-24 models

Superior
Superior

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision. A warning was issued 2 seconds before impact.

System details

  • optional Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2020-24 models of the following trim lines: XLT trim equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, Limited trim, ST trim, Platinum trim

Advanced
Advanced
with optional equipment

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph. A warning was issued 2 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2020-24 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimXLT
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 4 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimXLT
Seat type cloth
1 3 6 4
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
4
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
6
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 19
Clearance angle (degrees) 87
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 22
Clearance angle (degrees) 89
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 17
Clearance angle (degrees) 88
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 11
Clearance angle (degrees) 92
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 31

6

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 10
Clearance angle (degrees) 85
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 11
Clearance angle (degrees) 87
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 33

4

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 10
Clearance angle (degrees) 85
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 15
Clearance angle (degrees) 87
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation