Venerable Ford Explorer rolls well in hybrid package

 Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- The Ford Explorer's reputation goes beyond the typical sport-utility vehicle.  In literary terms, it's a lengthy, respected novel.

How so? It's the all-time best-selling SUV for starters.  And over the years, it has withstood some highly publicized challenges to its safety and reliability.  The evolution of the SUV can pretty much be linked to the history of the Explorer, if you think about it.

My recent week in the 2020 Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid RWD added a couple more pages to the novel.  Good ones, I might add.

In fact, other reviewers -- even those who didn't necessarily rave about the Explorer in general -- expressed love for the 2020 hybrid version.  Totally understandable, I say.  Here's why:

The power plant is anchored by a 3.3-liter hybrid engine, with a V-6 configuration.  With the hybrid motor assist, you get a combined 318 horsepower equivalent.  That makes for a peppy performer and one that gets an admirable 27 miles per gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

I found the ride pleasingly powerful on city streets, freeways and wide open roads winding through rural landscapes.  It was fun to drive -- nicely responsive and just the right level of firmness coming through the steering wheel.

One other thing: the tester looked big, but drove small ... in a good way.  My ride was as easy to handle as a midsize sedan.

The hybrid is a nice offering between the basic four-cylinder Explorer and the sporty ST version, which churns out a max 400 horsepower.

I was frankly stunned at the number of standard features, from interesting to exotic, on the tester.  The lineup included dual chrome-tipped exhausts, a hands-free liftgate, a windshield wiper de-icer, rain-sensing wipers, leather-trimmed seats, ambient lighting/illuminated entry feature, power/fold third-row seat, power/tilt steering column and tri-zone climate control.

Gear changes are managed with a rotary dial, although I prefer a floor-mounted stick shifter when I'm enjoying an outing. The dial is not a deal-breaker.  Just wishful thinking.

Worth noting: An optional twin-panel moonroof and a Class III Trailer Tow Package helped swell the bottom line on the tested Explorer to $55,880 ... a hefty price but generally fair given the solid hybrid power package and generous interior/exterior perks.

Simply put, the Explorer lives up to its storied history, providing an enjoyable SUV experience.  Ford has had a long time to get it right.  And this hybrid version of the Explorer only adds to the legend.