The Ford Explorer is one of the most popular and best-selling SUVs in America, with a history of over three decades. For the 2025 model year, the Explorer gets a mid-cycle refresh that brings notable changes and improvements to the three-row family hauler. Here are some of the highlights of the 2025 Ford Explorer, which is expected to go on sale in the summer of 2024.
New Exterior Design and Colors
The 2025 Ford Explorer retains its rugged and muscular appearance but with some subtle tweaks to the front and rear fascias. The grille, headlights, and taillights are redesigned to give the SUV a more modern and refined look. The Explorer also offers some new exterior colors, such as Cactus Gray, Carbonized Gray, and Atlas Blue. Additionally, the Explorer features new wheel designs and sizes, ranging from 18 to 21 inches.
Improved Interior Quality and Comfort
One of the main criticisms of the previous Explorer was its lackluster interior quality and design. Ford has addressed this issue by upgrading the materials, finishes, and features of the Explorer’s cabin. The dashboard, center console, and door panels are revised to create a more ergonomic and user-friendly layout. The 10.1-inch vertical touchscreen that was optional on the previous model is replaced by a standard 12.3-inch horizontal touchscreen that is easier to use and provides a better view of the backup camera. The Explorer also offers more comfort and convenience features, such as heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Enhanced Technology and Safety
The 2025 Ford Explorer is equipped with Ford's latest technology and safety systems, making it one of the most advanced SUVs in its class. The Explorer comes with the Ford Digital Experience, which is a new infotainment system that features:
- Sync 4A software that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as over-the-air updates
- FordPass Connect app that allows remote access and control of the vehicle, such as locking and unlocking, starting and stopping, and locating the vehicle
- Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0 suite of driver-assist features that includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, reverse brake assist, and rearview camera with washer
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package that adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane-centering, speed sign recognition, evasive steering assist, and voice-activated navigation
The Explorer also offers an optional feature new to the Ford lineup: BlueCruise. This hands-free driving system works on over 100,000 miles of pre-mapped highways in the U.S. and Canada. The system uses a camera and radar to monitor the road and the driver’s attention and allows the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel and relax on long trips.
Revised Powertrain and Performance
The 2025 Ford Explorer offers two engine options: a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque and a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that produces 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Explorer can tow up to 5,000 pounds with the optional Class III Trailer Tow Package.
The Explorer also offers different drive modes that can adjust the performance and handling of the vehicle according to the road conditions and driver preferences. The drive modes are:
- Normal for everyday driving
- Eco for maximizing fuel efficiency
- Sport for enhancing throttle response and steering feel
- Tow/Haul for optimizing power and stability when towing
- Slippery for improving traction on wet or icy roads
- Trail for tackling off-road terrain
- Deep Snow/Sand for driving on loose or soft surfaces
New and Updated Trim Levels
The new Ford Explorer is available in six trim levels: Base, XLT, Limited, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum. The Base, XLT, and Limited trims come with a 2.3-liter engine, while the ST-Line, ST, and Platinum trims come with a 3.0-liter engine. The ST-Line is a new trim level that replaces the ST as the sporty option, while the ST becomes the performance-oriented option. The Platinum is the most luxurious and expensive option.
The 2025 Ford Explorer also offers a new package called the Active Comfort Package, which is available on the XLT and Limited trims. This package adds:
- Active Motion multi-contour front seats with massage function
- Active Park Assist 2.0 system that can steer, brake, and accelerate the vehicle into and out of parallel and perpendicular parking spaces
- 360-degree camera system that provides a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle and its surroundings