2025 Ford Explorer – The Ford Explorer has come a long way since its debut in 1991. This original model, built on a rugged truck platform, replaced the two-door Bronco II Since then, Ford has sold more examples of the mid-size four-door SUV than any other sport utility vehicle in US history and is currently the best-selling model. behind the car maker’s F-series.
The 2025 Ford Explorer is a three-row crossover SUV with seating for seven, a large cargo area, and competitive towing capacity. This year, it receives significant updates, including a new exterior design, updated interior, a new infotainment system and a long list of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
2025 Ford Explorer
Ford invited me to Chelsea, Michigan to spend time with the 2025 Explorer lineup, learn about the changes and experience them. After spending a day driving the updated Jeep, I think it’s a better car. That means the updated Explorer will have to hold its own against rivals like the updated Chevrolet Traverse, the three-row Jeep Grand Cherokee L, the attractive Kia Telluride and the very large Toyota Grand Highlander.
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By 2025, Ford is simplifying the Explorer lineup, offering the SUV in base Active, sporty ST-Line, upscale Platinum and performance-enhanced ST trim levels. Prices range from the low $40,000s to the mid-$50,000s, and all versions have rear-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option.
Engine options carry over from the 2024 model year. The Active, ST-Line and Platinum are powered by a 300-horsepower 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, while the ST comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine that makes 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. A powerful V6 is available as an option on the Explorer Platinum. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, up from the 2024 peak of 5,600, but still competitive with most rivals.
For this review, I had the opportunity to drive all 2025 Explorer models, but most of my time was spent in the 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum. My test car included the optional all-wheel drive, turbocharged V6 engine, and the Ultimate package for a total manufacturer’s suggested price of $59,865, including $1,595 shipping from the Chicago assembly plant to your dealer.
The Ford Explorer has been updated — not redesigned — so it’s in many ways the same SUV as last year, but with a new design that gives it a modern look.
2025 Ford Explorer Trim Levels
At the front, an impressive new radiator grille with square sides harmonizes with elegant LED headlights and makes the Explorer appear wider. Ford also incorporates an air intake into the design of the lower instrument panel, while LED fog lights recessed into the edges of the body add to the Explorer’s spacious appearance.
Each trim level has a different grill style. The Explorer Active has a black mesh design with chrome cross bars, while the more luxurious Platinum has a satin chrome chain link with a black background. ST-Line and ST models get black grilles, the latter with a red ST emblem.
Interior changes are more significant and give the SUV a sense of increased quality and sophistication even over the base Active model. All 2025 Explorers come with a new 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system that blends in better with the dashboard, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument display is standard on all models.
One of my favorite features in the 2025 Explorer is the new storage tray that extends from the dashboard to the infotainment screen. It is not only stylish but also perfect for storing small items. A cell phone charger is located in this area if the Explorer has this feature.
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Improved materials create a premium feel with soft-touch surfaces and elegant stitching on the doors, center console and dashboard. There’s plenty of storage space for the driver and front passenger, including a covered storage compartment on the front of the center console. Unfortunately, its position makes opening the cover difficult, and the cover itself is thin, so it doesn’t look like it will last long.
My Explorer Platinum test car featured a high-quality leather interior with an attractive quilted pattern. However, the cloth seats of the ST-Line were more comfortable and offered better support. Second-row captain’s chairs are standard, and the optional second-row seat allows for a seven-passenger configuration.
Ford has been using the Sync infotainment system since 2008, but the Microsoft-based technology has reached its limits in this SUV. Instead, the all-new Google-based Ford Digital Experience platform will debut in the 2025 Explorer.
Thanks to integrated Google technology, the new Ford Digital Experience features Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play apps. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless compatibility are standard on all trim levels, and the system also offers Alexa built-in if you prefer that technology.
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The infotainment system features a new 13.2-inch touchscreen, with static screen shortcuts to the main page, vehicle settings and an app library on the left side of the screen for easy reference and use. At the bottom of the screen there is a bar for the touch climate system, which is available for all necessary adjustments. Fortunately, Ford has retained the physical stereo volume controls, but most of the other switches are gone.
Some entertainment options are only available when Explorer is parked. For example, install the YouTube or Prime Video app and you can stream movies or TV shows to the center screen. With the integrated Vivaldi browser, you can surf the Internet.
There are even games to download and play, including Asphalt Nitro 2, which is exclusive to Ford. I quickly found and downloaded this racing game from the Google Play Store and was ready to play in just a few minutes. The graphics and frame rate are impressive, and you can play with a touchscreen or Bluetooth controller.
Not all of the Explorer’s technology upgrades apply to the infotainment system. Safety features such as adaptive cruise control with stop function, lane departure warning, lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring with trailer coverage are standard on all Explorers.
2025 Ford Explorer Makes Its Public Debut In Chicago
Additionally, the 2025 Explorer is the latest Ford to offer BlueCruise, a hands-free semi-autonomous driving system. BlueCruise is available as standard on all trim levels except the base Active trim and includes a 90-day trial subscription. Once the free trial period ends, a monthly or annual subscription to the service is available.
I tested the latest version of BlueCruise on a 25-mile drive on Interstate 94. Once I hit the highway, I set the adaptive cruise control to 70 mph and the digital instrument display indicated that BlueCruise was active. When this shift happened, I was able to take my hands off the steering wheel.
Every time I pulled up behind a slower car, the Explorer dropped its speed to maintain a safe distance. By pressing the left turn signal, the system automatically checked if it was safe to change lanes, and if so, steered me into the next lane and gently returned the SUV to its original set speed.
While the system can handle most curves in the road, there were a few curves on this route that proved too tight for the BlueCruise. The technician asked me to take the wheel and once the road cleared, BlueCruise automatically reactivated.
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The most impressive act I witnessed was when traffic stopped due to an impending accident. BlueCruise slowed the Explorer until it stopped, then moved slowly with the traffic. As soon as the traffic stopped, he accelerated to 70 miles per hour without my intervention.
It is important to note that BlueCruise requires the driver to pay attention to the road and be ready to take control immediately if necessary. A camera-based monitoring system ensures driver attention. During my BlueCruise test, a warning popped up when I looked away for just a few seconds.
While the 2025 Ford Explorer gets significant updates, it retains its spacious interior, versatile seating, practical space, satisfying performance, comfortable ride and sporty handling. These and other features help make it as popular a vehicle today as it was when it was first sold nearly 35 years ago.
There are many competitors in this segment, and midsize three-row SUVs are generally competitive in terms of performance, features, and more. What sets them apart is design, comfort, performance, technology and utility.
2025 Ford Explorer Is Revised From The Ground Up With Lots Of Tech
With its turbocharged engines, new design, nicer interior, Ford Digital Experience and available BlueCruise, the Explorer should easily compete with alternatives like the GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder and Volkswagen Claim Atlas.
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