The Ford Explorer is a name that may be familiar to those who’ve hung around the SUV scene for any amount of time. It has long held a solid reputation as the Escape’s bigger, roomier brother. Though the Escape will be discontinued in 2025, the Explorer is still going strong, with a variety of trim options and engine selections to choose from, allowing buyers to drive off the lot with either a practical family wagon or an affordable, no-expenses-spared luxury cruiser
Though there’s plenty of Explorers to choose from, it can be hard to narrow in on the one that’s right for you, and that’s where this review comes in! We’ll be looking at all the important specs of the 2025 Explorer, from its efficiency to its comfort, and laying out all of the options on the table to make sure you get the full picture of what this year’s Explorer has to offer.
Key Takeaways
- The Explorer has a wide suite of customization options, allowing buyers to choose from rear or all-wheel drive, either an i4 or v6 engine, and even an option for ventilated seats!
- This year’s Explorer combines killer looks with an exciting new suite of infotainment options that bring it closer in line with rivals like the Volkswagen Atlas and Chevrolet Traverse.
- The M.O. for 2025 is redesign and refine, and the Ford Explorer has done both very well at both aspects this year.
Is the Ford Explorer changing in 2025?
The Explorer comes with a wide host of changes this year, sporting an all new look and a revamped interior as part of a mid-cycle refresh. Additionally, new options for wheels and paint selections have been made available. But by far the biggest change for the Explorer is its new interior - which has been almost completely revamped from the ground up.
New surface materials, wireless charging pads, and unprecedented online connectivity are among the changes for 2025 the see the Explorer shift from just another SUV, to a Luxury-lite experience that allows you to stream videos from youtube and amazon, surf the web on Google Chrome, and even play video games with a bluetooth-connected controller!
The best part? All of these changes are standard on the base Active trim, and only get better the higher up the ladder you go, making the 2025 Explorer an exercise in indulgence.
What is the ultimate package on the 2025 Explorer?
For 2025, the ST is the ultimate package being offered for the Explorer. Before we go into specifics about just what makes the ST so special, though, it’s worth exploring all of the options to see what each individual trim offers.
For starters, the Active trim brings a starting MSRP of $41,350. It comes with the 2.3 liter turbocharged inline four as standard, which provides a decent 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Active is the lightest and most efficient trim of the Explorer, pushing a combined MPG of about 24. From there is the ST-Line, which starts at an MSRP of $46,110, and comes recommended by Car and Driver magazine for its improved cosmetics and upgraded 20 inch wheels, two inches larger than the ones available on the Active. Furthermore, it allows for Ford BlueCruise to be installed, a hands free driving system that should prove convenient for those running late to their next business meeting.
From there, the Platinum is up to bat, with an MSRP of $53,250, which adds heated, multicontour seats, and opens access to the Ultimate Package, which adds the 3.0L 400 Horsepower Ecoboost V6.
Finally, we come to the ST. Starting at an MSRP of $57,100, it spares nothing in the way of performance with its stiffened suspension, and spares even less in terms of comfort with its exclusive ST-Line seats. Car and Driver similarly rates the handling on this trim, calling it a “bona fide performance SUV”, and is surely a must-buy for those looking for the SUV that can perform both the Sport and Utility aspects in equal measure. A 5000-pound towing capacity is only the cherry on top.
Summary
In short, the 2025 Explorer is vastly improved over its predecessor, and though it finds itself swimming in particularly deep waters in 2025, the Explorer can swim in comfort knowing it’s able to compete with even the hungriest sharks in the midsize SUV class.