The Ford Explorer has been one of America’s best-selling SUVs for over three decades. It blends size, capability, and family-ready practicality in a way that few rivals can match. For 2025, Ford is giving the Explorer a much-needed update — not a total overhaul, but a careful redesign aimed at improving the tech, comfort, and overall experience.
Whether you’re upgrading from an older model or looking for your first three-row SUV, the 2025 Explorer brings more refinement and smart updates while keeping the space and performance that drivers expect. Here’s everything we know about the refreshed Explorer and why it matters in today’s SUV market.
A Familiar Face, Sharpened for 2025
At first glance, the 2025 Explorer looks familiar. It still wears its confident SUV stance, but the updates to the front and rear give it a more modern, upscale appearance.
Up front, you will find a larger grille, redesigned headlights, and a cleaner lower fascia. The new LED signature lights are slimmer and more defined, giving the Explorer a sharper, more sophisticated face. The rear gets revised taillights and a reworked tailgate design for better visual balance.
The Explorer’s size and shape remain mostly unchanged, which is good news for those who appreciate its generous interior space. Wheel sizes range from 18 to 21 inches, and each trim gets unique design touches to help distinguish them.
Ford is not chasing trendy curves or aggressive over-styling here. The 2025 Explorer keeps its strong, upright profile and enhances it with crisp detailing that makes it look current without trying too hard.
Interior Overhaul: Bigger Screens and Better Materials
The most noticeable changes for 2025 are found inside. Ford has completely redesigned the dashboard, focusing on technology and comfort. Every model now includes a new 13.2-inch touchscreen running the latest version of Ford’s Sync infotainment system. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is also standard, replacing the traditional gauges with a sleek, configurable display.
The center console has been simplified, and materials throughout the cabin have been improved. Soft-touch panels, new trim choices, and redesigned climate vents give the cabin a more refined feel.
Storage space is still excellent, with deep door pockets, a large center bin, and under-floor storage behind the third row. Cupholders and USB ports are plentiful in all three rows.
For those who use their SUV for long family trips, the cabin upgrades make a big difference. It now feels more like a premium vehicle than a fleet workhorse.
Trim Levels: Four Core Options
Ford has streamlined the Explorer lineup for 2025, now offering four main trims:
- Active
- ST-Line
- Platinum
- ST
The Active model is the new base trim, replacing the XLT. It comes with all the major updates, including the large screens, upgraded materials, and advanced safety features.
The ST-Line offers sportier styling without the full ST performance upgrades. It includes blacked-out trim, unique wheels, and a more aggressive front fascia.
The Platinum trim is aimed at buyers who want maximum comfort and luxury. It features upgraded upholstery, ambient lighting, a premium sound system, and more chrome detailing.
The ST model remains the most powerful, offering real performance with unique tuning and sporty upgrades.
This new lineup makes it easier to pick the Explorer that fits your needs, whether you want something practical, sporty, or luxurious.
Powertrain and Hybrid Options
Under the hood, the 2025 Explorer keeps its familiar engines, but a new hybrid setup is returning to the lineup.
Standard models come with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.
The Explorer ST retains its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, generating 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine gives the Explorer real punch, with a zero-to-sixty time under six seconds.
The big news is the return of the hybrid powertrain. Ford is bringing back the 3.3-liter V6 hybrid setup with improved efficiency and better integration into the Ultium-based electrical systems. While final specs are not confirmed, Ford says the 2025 hybrid will deliver better fuel economy and more seamless electric assist, especially in city driving.
This makes the new Explorer one of the few three-row SUVs to offer a real hybrid alternative that doesn’t compromise power or towing capability.
How It Drives
The Explorer has always had a composed, balanced ride for a large SUV, and that continues in the 2025 version. Thanks to the rear-wheel-drive platform, handling remains confident, especially on winding roads or when towing.
The turbocharged engine delivers quick acceleration and quiet cruising, and the 10-speed transmission is smoother than previous versions. Braking is strong and predictable, and the steering has been refined to feel more natural and responsive.
All-wheel drive improves traction and makes the Explorer feel more secure in poor weather or on loose surfaces.
The hybrid model, in particular, stands out for its quiet operation in city driving, switching between gas and electric smoothly. It is ideal for commuters and families looking to reduce fuel costs without sacrificing space or comfort.
Tech and Features
Every 2025 Explorer comes loaded with new tech. The standard 13.2-inch touchscreen runs Ford’s latest Sync system, which now supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, real-time traffic, Google integration, and over-the-air updates.
Voice recognition is improved, and the menus are simpler and faster than in older Ford models.
The digital instrument cluster is customizable and gives easy access to navigation, safety alerts, and performance data.
Available features include:
- Bang & Olufsen premium audio
- Head-up display
- Surround-view camera system
- Wireless charging pad
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row seats
- Panoramic sunroof
- Remote start and digital key
Ford has finally caught up with rivals in terms of infotainment and driver connectivity. These upgrades make the 2025 Explorer feel modern and competitive in a tough segment.
Safety and Driver Assistance
The 2025 Explorer includes Ford Co-Pilot360 as standard across all trims. That means every model comes equipped with:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Blind spot monitoring
- Lane-keeping assist
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Forward collision warning
- Adaptive cruise control
Higher trims add stop-and-go traffic assist, lane centering, and Ford’s hands-free BlueCruise system for highway driving. This system uses GPS mapping and driver monitoring to allow you to take your hands off the wheel on approved routes.
With these features standard or available across the lineup, the Explorer now matches or beats many rivals in advanced driver assistance.
Towing and Utility
One of the Explorer’s strengths has always been its towing capability. For 2025, that continues.
- Standard models can tow up to 5,300 pounds
- The ST model can tow up to 5,600 pounds
- The hybrid version is expected to tow up to 5,000 pounds
That is more than most midsize competitors, making the Explorer a solid choice for those who tow boats, trailers, or campers regularly.
Cargo space remains strong, with over 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 with the third row folded, and 87.8 with all rear seats down. It is one of the roomiest in its class, and the new power tailgate and flat-folding system make loading easy.
Pricing and Availability
Ford has not released final pricing for all 2025 Explorer trims, but early estimates put the base Active model at around $41,000. The ST-Line and Platinum trims will likely land in the upper $40,000s to mid $50,000s, while a fully loaded ST could approach $60,000.
The hybrid model’s pricing will likely fall somewhere between the base and the Platinum trim, giving buyers a more efficient option without a steep premium.
Production begins in mid 2024, with dealer arrivals expected in fall. Pre-orders may open sooner depending on region and trim.
Final Thoughts: Is the 2025 Explorer Worth It?
The 2025 Ford Explorer may not be revolutionary, but it is exactly the kind of thoughtful update the model needed. Ford has taken what works — space, power, utility — and improved the areas where the old Explorer was starting to feel behind: tech, interior quality, and hybrid options.
For families, commuters, and even drivers who tow or go off-road occasionally, the Explorer now offers a more refined and modern experience without losing its core SUV strengths.
With a cleaner interior, updated tech, smart safety features, and the return of a hybrid powertrain, the 2025 Explorer stands as one of the most balanced and complete SUVs in the midsize three-row segment.
