2025 Ford Explorer First Drive Review: A Big Step Forward

The Ford Explorer is America’s all-time best-selling SUV, in keeping with the Blue Oval. For over thirty years it has been hauling bigger households round, and Ford’s tried to maintain it updated over time – the most recent refresh, nevertheless, is one value speaking about.

The Ford Explorer will get an assortment of updates for 2025 to make this seven-passenger SUV higher all-around. Updates embrace a refreshed exterior, redesigned inside with extra premium supplies, and BlueCruise hands-free driving on choose trims. The Explorer additionally options the primary software of the all-new Ford Digital Expertise, and infotainment system that permits for higher personalization and seamless voice management.

This isn’t an all-new Explorer, so some issues are unchanged, together with the engine choices. Nonetheless, this can be a considerably improved Explorer that gives extra model, extra options, and extra causes we have been glad to get a while with it on the First Drive occasion.

First Drive occasions present our preliminary impressions of a car in a restricted atmosphere below sure time constraints. Control DrivingOnRoad for our complete Check Drive overview which is able to comply with quickly.

Exterior: All About That Grille

First impressions matter, so the Ford Explorer will get an exterior redesign to make it extra distinctive and extra eye-catching. The entrance finish particularly seems to be contemporary and options distinctive design components for every trim. What all of them get is a bigger grille, new slim LED headlamps, and wider air curtains. It’s an enormous enchancment and provides the Explorer extra character.

The bottom Energetic trim has a sawtooth design black mesh grille with chrome bars, whereas the ST-Line has a honeycomb sample in gloss black with a black mesh insert. Increased up within the vary, the Platinum will get a wing design grille in satin chrome and ebony, whereas the ST provides ST badging to the grille to assist set it aside.

This refresh provides the Explorer a extra premium look, which is one thing it sorely must compete with vehicles just like the Mazda CX-90 – an SUV bordering on premium standing lately. The identical may be mentioned for rivals like the brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee and Kia’s glorious Telluride. All however the base Energetic even have the choice for a black roof for further distinction. Round again, LED taillamps prolong towards the rear badging to complete off the design. It’s an enormous enchancment and makes the Explorer stand out within the section the place it used to mix in.

Inside: High quality And Fashion

We’ll be the primary to say that the inside of the earlier Explorer was considerably missing. It wasn’t that it was unhealthy, however that it did not have the visible punch and premium supplies of the competitors. That’s a disadvantage that Ford has largely corrected with the redesigned Explorer. It’s partly the supplies, but in addition partly the bodily area with a dashboard that’s additional away from passengers to make the inside really feel extra open and roomy.

Every trim within the lineup now has its personal commonplace theme. The Energetic will get a grey inside with bronze accent stitching, whereas the ST-Line will get a extra putting black with purple accent stitching and ActiveX artificial leather-based seats. The ST builds on that look with suede inserts to boost the sporty vibes it is supposed to present off. The Platinum will get a wealthy brown known as Mojave Nightfall leather-based with matching accent stitching – clearly the extra mature possibility within the lineup.

There’s much less plastic, which not solely seems to be higher, however feels higher. Particularly within the Platinum trim, this can be a snug, spacious inside that may make household highway journeys extra satisfying for everybody. Choices packages embrace premium leather-based seats, tri-diamond perforation, a heated second row, a power-folding third-row, and wi-fi charging relying on the trim stage.

Inside and Seating: Household Pleasant

There’s seating for as much as seven in each trim besides the ST, which has second-row captain’s chairs solely and area for six. The remainder of the lineup gives them as an possibility. If you really want seating for seven, then a second-row bench is the way in which to go, in any other case we favor the captain’s chairs.

They’re extra snug for adults by far, and so they put a bit of distance between the children to keep away from squabbles. It’s additionally higher for third row entry. It takes an grownup to maneuver the second row out of the way in which, regardless of the model of the seat. With captain’s chairs, kiddos can simply stroll proper by way of the center to get again there when you’ve gotten a full crew on board. In case your crew is eight passengers sturdy, you will must improve completely to the Explorer’s large brother, the Ford Expedition.

Up entrance, the seats are downright plush with loads of help. They’re precisely the sort of seats you need for lengthy household highway journeys or whereas ready for the children. The motive force’s seat has 10-way energy adjustability whereas the entrance passenger will get four-way energy seats. Each are heated, so there isn’t any worries about winter’s chill. Including to the consolation is a clean, compliant trip. It is the proper atmosphere for teenagers to go to sleep on lengthy journeys. Wind and highway noise are largely unnoticeable and tough pavement isn’t a hassle.

There’s room for cargo too, with 16.3 cubic ft behind the third row, 46.0 cubic ft behind the second row, and 85.8 cubic ft behind the primary row. The extensive tailgate opening accommodates cumbersome cargo and options a regular energy liftgate. There’s additionally a low load ground that makes getting heavy stuff into the Explorer simpler.

Infotainment: The Ford Digital Expertise

Debuting within the 2025 Ford Explorer is the Ford Digital Expertise. This isn’t merely an up to date model of the Sync setup, however relatively a complete new system. It features a new instrument cluster, new infotainment display, and Google apps and providers with Google Assistant and Google Maps.

It gives personalization with particular person profiles, so the content material you need to see is at all times available. There’s a regular 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, each of which might show navigation, so it is much less doubtless you’ll miss your flip.

The system focuses on voice management, prioritizing Google Assistant, but in addition has Alexa performance. A easy voice command controls all the things from cabin temperature to texting to managing related gadgets at dwelling. There’s additionally wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Normal USB ports in each row together with wi-fi charging and a handy spot for 2 gadgets up entrance make staying related straightforward for everybody. This appears like an infotainment system we need not complain about.

Moreover, when parked, you possibly can watch movies, stream content material, surf the online, and even play video games with a keyboard related through Bluetooth to make it as straightforward as potential. Over-the-air (OTA) updates maintain issues up-to-date whereas 5G connectivity with the flexibility to hotspot as much as 10 gadgets makes positive nobody is overlooked.

Connectivity is more and more necessary after we’re in our vehicles and this technique is an enormous step ahead for Ford. The massive display, complete app providing, and skill to make use of voice management make it much less distracting and supply the sort of connectivity that makes the transition from dwelling to automotive seamless. It’s straightforward to make use of, with clear menus and a responsive touchscreen, and good voice management. We additionally liked the side-by-side storage for smartphones up entrance that maintain them in straightforward attain and safe so they do not slide round.

Powertrain: Nothing New Right here

One factor that’s unchanged is powertrain choices. Base trims get a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. A 3.0-liter V6 engine with 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque is non-compulsory. Each are paired to a 10-speed computerized transmission with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The bottom engine does the job with out grievance, however when you’re on the lookout for higher responsiveness, then go together with the V6 – simply know it isn’t obtainable on all trims.

You may get the V6 on the Platinum as an possibility, but it surely’s the one selection on the ST, so that you do have a little bit of a worth enhance to get that efficiency. Whichever you select, the engine is quiet and well-mannered with clean shifts. Even below heavy acceleration, it doesn’t sound strained.

That clean engine is paired with responsive dealing with that makes driving this SUV on winding roads straightforward. There’s not a lot physique roll with steering that isn’t sporty however isn’t so relaxed that it’s sloppy. The trip stays managed whether or not cruising the freeway or a rustic highway. Each engines permit for max towing of as much as 5,000 lbs, which can be nice for household holidays with a trailer hitched.

Drive Impressions: Easy and Stable

The Ford Explorer has snug seating that’s straightforward to place for a very good view of the highway and a revised dashboard that creates extra open area. It is a large, three-row SUV, and it appears like one whether or not you are sitting within the entrance seats or the second row. Even the third row, although smaller than the remainder, is roomy sufficient for adults to be snug so long as the journey is not a really lengthy one.

Enhancements to the inside are dramatic. There’s much less plastic and extra mushy contact surfaces, so the spots the place you relaxation your arms and elbows are extra snug. It is also quiet, with a minimal of highway and wind noise. A wet evening earlier than our drive left moist roads and loads of puddles, however the noise of driving by way of all of it did not create a racket within the cabin.

The 2 engine choices have an enormous distinction in horsepower, however even the bottom engine has loads of stand up and go, so you will not be upset within the 4-cylinder. For those who do step as much as the V6, count on improved acceleration that is aggressive whenever you mash the fuel.

The Ford Explorer options loads of driver help applied sciences together with obtainable BlueCruise 1.2, which is the most recent model of its Degree 2 hands-free driving system. It is a large enchancment over the prior model with extra intuitive motion, together with in-lane repositioning. This subtly adjusts lane centering when there’s a big car within the adjoining lane so you do not really feel prefer it’s too shut. There’s additionally new assisted lane change. Merely faucet the flip sign and the system checks to see that it is clear earlier than making a lane change. It is a terrific characteristic on highway journeys.

Conclusion: A Massive Step Up

Though this is not an all-new model of the Ford Explorer, it nonetheless exhibits off some fairly large modifications. The outside redesign is sweet, however the inside redesign makes it a way more engaging SUV – the distinction is dramatic. Pricing begins at below $40k, however you will pay greater than $55k for the top-spec ST with the V6 engine. These costs exclude choices and $1,595 vacation spot charge.

BlueCruise 1.2 with its improved performance makes lengthy drives much less tiring and the brand new Ford Digital Expertise makes the infotainment system a precedence relatively than an afterthought. Reasonably priced pricing additionally retains it nicely throughout the household funds, making the 2025 Ford Explorer value a more in-depth look.