Driven: 2025 Ford Explorer Delivers Luxury And Comfort At A Mainstream Price

Ford launched the Explorer back in 1990 as a direct replacement for the Bronco II, but the nameplate has changed considerably since then. Now in its sixth generation, released in 2019, the 2025 Ford Explorer recently received a facelift to make it more competitive with other mid-size three-row crossovers on the market. Ford simplified the lineup, reducing the trim count to four and eliminating the hybrid powertrain. Buyers have a choice between an EcoBoost four-cylinder or a V6, sending power to the rear wheels or optional all-wheel-drive. The former is strong for the segment with 300 horsepower, while the latter is class-leading at 400 hp.

Performance was never the issue with the outgoing Explorer; instead, reviewers criticized it for outdated technology, a lack of transmission refinement, and cheap-feeling materials inside. For the 2025 refresh, Ford addressed many of these issues, improving the interior, retuning the powertrain, and updating the infotainment. The Explorer also aims directly at the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia by adding BlueCruise, Ford’s hands-free driving software, as standard on most trims. To find out if these changes now make the 2025 Explorer more competitive, we drove it over 1,000 miles from Florida to North Carolina.

Exterior: Different Faces

Ford offers the Explorer in four trim levels, each of which comes with its own unique styling. The grille gets larger on all trims, and the new LED headlights are sleeker than before. The Active acts as the new base trim with a simple horizontal slot grille and 18-inch wheels (20-inch wheels are available). Buyers who want a sportier appearance can opt for the ST-Line, which gets more show without any extra go. A honeycomb blacked out grille and standard 20-inch wheels (with 21s as an option) dramatically improves curb appeal over the Active.

The Platinum trim embraces premium styling on the borderline of being considered tacky. There’s a wing design grille with satin chrome accents, paired with either 20-inch or optional 21-inch wheels. Lastly, the ST mimics the ST-Line with a honeycomb black grille, adding ST badging and standard 21-inch wheels.

The Explorer’s color pallette is fairly limited with only five hues, not all of which are available on every trim. Agate Black Metallic and Carbonized Gray Metallic are the only no-cost colors, while Star White Metallic Tri-Coat, Vapor Blue Metallic, and Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat are all extra. Ford also offers a black painted roof, but it’s priced extremely high at $4,895.

Interior: Platinum Package

Like the exterior, each trim offers various unique touches inside. Ford packs a ton of standard features, even on the base model, with heated power driver and passenger seats, eight USB ports, Co-Pilot 360 safety suite, and more. An Active Comfort Package adds a heated steering wheel, ActiveX seating material (synthetic leather), and Light Space Gray accents on the instrument panel, doors, and console. The ST-Line gets ActiveX standard with red accents and available heated rear seats.

Stepping up to the Platinum rolls in heated and ventilated leather seats with massage, finished in a dark burgundy color called Mojave Dusk. Salt Crystal Gray leather is available as part of a Lux Leather Package for $1,695, which also requires the addition of 21-inch wheels. That package also adds nicer seating material with diamond inserts. We love the massage seats because they do not shut off after a certain time limit, meaning you don’t have to continuously restart them. Finally, the ST gets black/red seats like the ST, but with the addition of heating, ventilation, and massaging like the Platinum.

Every Explorer trim now gets a 13.2-inch Sync4 infotainment system that improves over the outgoing system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Amazon Alexa integration. This system is similar to the one in the Lincoln Nautilus, powered by Android Automotive. It features entertainment features like YouTube, a web browser, and a racing video game that can be played on the infotainment screen. A six-speaker audio system comes standard, while higher trims get either a 10- or 14-speaker B&O audio system by Bang & Olufsen, the latter of which sounds great for a non-luxury vehicle.

Practicality: Big – Not Huge

With so many strong competitors in the three-row mid-size SUV space, not every vehicle can be class-leading. The Ford Explorer’s cargo area will be plenty for most buyers, but it’s not the largest in the segment. 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row lags behind competitors like the Chevrolet Traverse and Kia Telluride. Folding the third row can be done manually on the lower trims or using power-operated buttons in the trunk, optionally. There’s also a small amount of storage available under the floor.

With the third row stowed, the Explorer yields a more competitive 46 cubic feet of space, matching the Telluride but still far behind the class-leading Traverse. Folding the second row, which can contain a bench or captain’s chairs, can only be done by opening the rear doors. With all seats folded, the Explorer has 85.8 cubic feet of storage, more than the Subaru Ascent but less than the aforementioned Telluride and Traverse.

Overall legroom is generous in all three rows, but not at the top of the segment. You get a competitive 42.9 inches in the front row, a middling 38.3 inches in the second row, and a below average 32.2 inches in the third row. There are larger options available if passenger or cargo volume is a high priority.

Performance: EcoBoost Or EcoBoost

Ford will no longer offer an Explorer Hybrid for 2025, except in the Police Interceptor, leaving two EcoBoost engines as the available powertrains. A 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder acts as the base setup, delivering competitive output figures of 300 hp and 315 lb-ft, the latter of which is impressive compared to naturally aspirated V6 engines in the segment. This engine should push the Explorer to 60 mph in the mid six-second range. A 10-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels as standard, a rare quality in this category, but all-wheel-drive is available on every trim for $2,000. Fuel economy for the four-pot is surprisingly competitive, rated at 20/29/24 MPG city/highway/combined with RWD or 20/27/23 with AWD.

A 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 is optional on the Platinum trim or standard on the ST, and it’s a beast of an engine. This is the same motor found in the Bronco Raptor and the Lincoln Aviator, and here it produces 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Ford claims the ST can hit 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds, and in our Platinum RWD tester, we recorded a brisk 5.64-second time, which is quick for the class. Despite the rapid performance, fuel economy in the V6 isn’t terrible at 18/25/21 with RWD or AWD.

We averaged 23.8 MPG and saw up to 27.8 MPG on the highway at one point during a road trip from Florida to North Carolina. Ford doesn’t even ask for premium fuel to achieve this stellar power figure; the Explorer will run on 87 octane.

Driving Impressions: Hands-Free Comfort

If you hop into the Explorer hoping to be rewarded with a 400-hp rear-drive sports SUV with three-rows, prepare for disappointment. Despite what those numbers may suggest on paper, the Explorer drives like a normal family SUV. There’s not much feedback through the steering, and even with the traction control turned off, the rear end doesn’t want to step out without provocation. Perhaps the ST is tuned to be more lively, but the Platinum is soft and cushy. You don’t even get paddle shifters to change gears manually here, but we didn’t really miss them based on the driving experience.

It may not light your hair on fire the way a Dodge Durango SRT 392 would, but the Explorer is enjoyable in other ways. The EcoBoost V6 delivers smooth acceleration that you’d expect from a luxury SUV with a nice howl to accompany the acceleration. Reviews of the pre-facelift Explorer dinged it for clunky shifts from the 10-speed transmission, but they have been completely fixed here thanks to a new tune. The Explorer now delivers effortless passing power that puts more expensive SUVs to shame.

On the highway, the Platinum exhibits very little wind or road noise, creating a tranquil cabin that could have easily come from Lincoln. We had ample opportunity to use BlueCruise, Ford’s hands-free driving software, as we took the Explorer over 1,000 from Florida to North Carolina and back. BlueCruise functioned well for most of the trip, with one stretch of highway in NC causing the system to deactivate frequently for about 40 minutes. Besides that, the only deactivations came in construction zones with barely viable lane markers, which is to be expected. BlueCruise can change lanes automatically, but only when you trigger it via the turn signals.

GM’s Super Cruise still holds a slight advantage, being able to pass slower traffic and getting back into the original lane by itself. Having tested both systems, Super Cruise still seems to be slightly more reliable, but it’s also riskier with its lane changes. It would often signal to move into the passing lane with faster moving traffic approaching, cutting off another vehicle in the process. BlueCruise will wait for the faster moving car to pass before going into the new lane.

Pricing: Luxury For Less

There is no more “base” model for 2025, as the outgoing Explorer base has been replaced by a new Active trim. The price has gone up considerably, from $36,860 to $39,755, but you now get a lot more standard equipment that used to be optional. This pricing puts the 2025 Explorer in the upper echelon of mid-size mainstream SUVs, but it’s not the most expensive in the segment, even at the high end. The ST-Line is a compelling option at $44,515, adding sportier styling and more equipment.

Quoted pricing excludes options and destination fees

If you want a true luxury experience at a non-luxury price, the Platinum trim starts at $52,150. It can go much higher with the addition of our tester’s Platinum Ultimate Package ($4,615), which bundles upgraded leather, the V6 engine, and 21-inch dark alloy wheels. If you want the Explorer Platinum with the bigger motor, expect to pay around $60,000. Alternatively, the Explorer ST starts at $54,160 with the V6 already included, but it can also exceed $60,000 with options.

At its current price, the 2025 Explorer represents somewhat of a bargain. It delivers luxury amenities like massage seats and hands-free driving, which make it a more compelling road trip vehicle than the majority of more expensive luxury SUVs. With the EcoBoost V6, it even goes like a luxury car, making naturally aspirated engines from premium brands seem outdated. If you want a luxury experience without the high price tag, the 2025 Ford Explorer is a stellar option.