Don't mess with success goes the old adage. There are times when success needs to be enhanced.

The Ford Explorer is one of America's top-selling SUVs, so you may not expect big changes in a redesign, but thankfully Ford made plenty of changes to its sixth-generation 2020 Explorer, including adding a hybrid variant, a suite of driver-assisting safety technology, and a host of engineering updates that significantly improve the driving dynamics on roads and trails.

The 2020 Explorer sits on a completely new unibody platform, and its drivetrain orientation has changed. Rather than relying on a transversely-mounted engine and front-wheel drivetrain, as it did with the fifth generation, the 2020 Explorer shifts to a longitudinal engine orientation and rear-wheel drivetrain.

The change improves the three-row SUV's weight balance, which immediately makes the SUV feel less top heavy. The vehicle feels more planted on the roadway, and more confidently takes corners and the twisty roads of the Columbia River Gorge, where Ford hosted a media drive.

New Powertrains, Including Hybrid

Ford is essentially offering four new powertrains in its six trim grades. Two new models enter the fray, including a gasoline-electric hybrid that has become standard issue for law enforcement agencies that order the Police Interceptor Utility and the 400-horsepower ST that replaces the Sport trim.

The base engine that's also available on XLT and Limited remains a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine that now puts out 300 hp (an increase of 10 hp). The hybrid uses a 3.3-liter V-6 paired with a 44-hp electric motor. ST and Platinum are powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 with different power ratings.

The hybrid kept pace with its gasoline counterpart during the road courses Ford set up along twisty roads, as well as an off-road course that required short passes through 14 inches of water, some mud, and a 25-degree slope. Unless you listened closely for the barely audible clicks from the electric motor, the performance between the vehicles was nearly identical. I easily achieved 23 miles per gallon with the hybrid on a longer pavement drive.

You can order the hybrid as its own trim model, or you can order the powertrain with the Explorer Limited.

All engines are paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission jointly developed by Ford and General Motors.

Technology Upgrade

As we detailed in our earlier article, "2020 Ford Explorer: 5 Fleet Features," fleet managers should embrace plenty of new safety and technology features. This Explorer is the first to get Ford's CoPilot 360 suite of advanced safety technologies that include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert on all models. Higher trim models add traffic sign recognition, reverse brake assist, and a 360-degree camera.

One safety feature I particularly enjoyed helped alert me about vehicles on the road ahead based on following time. This following-time indicator shows a vehicle silhouette at less than 0.9 seconds ahead. A yellow road appears from 0.9 to 0.6 seconds, and the road turns red at less than 0.6 seconds. The radar-based system assumes 80 feet of following distance for 0.9 seconds at 60 mph.

I will acknowledge that the 10.1-inch portrait touchscreen took a bit of adjustment, but kudos to Ford for offering this as an option on ST and Platinum. It shows a larger map and more detailed turns for navigation, and looks like a tablet resting on the dashboard rather than an integrated screen.

For buyers who don't opt for the tablet-style screen, the base screen has been increased to 8 inches from 4 inches.

2020 Ford Explorer Specs

• Engines: 2.3L turbo I-4 (300 hp, 310 lb.-ft.), 3.3L hybrid (319 hp, 322 lb.-ft.), or 3.0L turbo V-6 (400/365 hp, 415/380 lb.-ft.)

• Transmission: 10-speed automatic

• All-Wheel Drive: Optional on all trims, standard on ST

• Cargo Space: 18.2 cu.-ft., 87.8 cu.-ft. with third seating row folded