2025 Ford Explorer Buyer’s Guide: Redesigned Interior, Exterior, and Advanced New Technology
The engines remain the same, but the 2025 Ford Explorer ups the comfort and technology game with features such as BlueCruise.
The Ford Explorer is America’s all-time best-selling SUV. So, to say it is popular would be an understatement. Any little change made to the model is big news. And the 2025 Ford Explorer has been redesigned from the inside out and is packed with new technology. In other words, this is pretty big news. In fact, so much has changed that it might be easier to start with what remains the same. The engines and the transmission carryover unchanged except for a minor transmission calibration update. And of course, it is still called the Ford Explorer. But beyond that, the 2025 Ford Explorer differs quite a bit from the outgoing 2024 model. We will cover these changes for you here.
“For nearly 35 years, families have chosen the Ford Explorer, making it America’s all-time best-selling SUV. We have refined almost every part of the new Explorer – focusing on a redesigned interior, additional technology like BlueCruise hands-free highway driving and special editions like the 400 horsepower Explorer ST. It’s the right combination of delivering what the next generation of customers want and love in a large SUV,” said Andrew Frick, president, Ford Blue. Does the 2025 Ford Explorer really deliver everything you want and love in a large SUV? Continue reading to learn about all the new changes and then decide for yourself.
2025 Ford Explorer Lineup
The first big change is with the simplified Explorer lineup. In 2024 a total of eight Explorer models were offered. For 2025 it is trimmed down to just four. Active replaces the Explorer as the base model. From there it goes up to the ST-Line, Platinum, and ST at the top. That is a change in positioning as for the 2024 model year the Platinum was the most expensive model. Pricing for each 2025 model is below and includes the $1,595 destination charge. Due to the packaging and content changes, it is difficult to directly compare 2024 prices to 2025. But the least expensive 2024 Explorer started at $38,455 including destination charges, so it will be $2,765 more expensive to get into a 2025 model.
- Active – $41,220
- ST-Line – $45,980
- Platinum – $53,120
- ST – $56,800
2025 Ford Explorer Interior Changes
Before we get into the changes for the individual models, we want to call out some of the changes across the board for 2025. All Explorers have a redesigned interior with softer touchpoints. “The dashboard has been pushed forward to give front-row passengers a more open and spacious cabin. An integrated tray below the touchscreen houses an available wireless phone charging pad and there are USB connections to charge mobile devices in all three rows.” The interior also is available with ActiveX durable and premium synthetic seating material. Silver mesh accents complete the updated look of the interior.
ST-Line, ST and Platinum buyers can get Ford BlueCruise for hands-free highway driving. The Ford Digital Experience infotainment system has a new integrated native experience so drivers can access apps and services from Google and Amazon. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included. Navigation screens can be displayed on both the 12.3-inch digital cluster and 13.2-inch touchscreen.
2025 Ford Explorer Exterior Changes
The exterior look has also been changed for 2025. “Uniquely styled front ends include a larger grille, sleeker all-LED headlamps, front skid plate and lower, wider air curtains that help lower the vehicle’s visual center of gravity.” The liftgate has also been redesigned with LED taillamps and a horizontal nameplate that runs the width of the liftgate. Buyers of Platinum, ST, and ST-Line models can opt for a new black-painted roof option. The new Explorer will offer seven different wheel options which are listed below.
- 18-inch Sparkle Silver-painted aluminum – standard on Active
- 20-inch Carbonized Gray-painted aluminum – available on Active
- 20-inch Ebony machined, painted aluminum – standard on ST-Line
- 21-inch Magnetite-painted aluminum – standard on ST, available on ST-Line
- 20-inch Luster Nickel-painted aluminum – standard on Platinum, available on Active
- 20-inch polished aluminum – available on Platinum
- 21-inch dark alloy polished aluminum – available on Platinum
2025 Ford Explorer Standard Equipment
The new Explorer models will be loaded with standard features. Below is a list of some of the highlights that will be on every 2025 Explorer.
- 10-way power, heated driver’s seat
- 4-way power, heated front passenger seat
- Ford Digital Experience infotainment system
- 2-inch LCD touchscreen
- 3-inch color LCD digital cluster
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless compatibility
- Alexa Built-in
- 8 USB ports – including two for third-row passengers
- Three 12-volt powerpoints
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+
- FordPass Connect embedded modem
- Class III Trailer Tow Package
- Rear-wheel drive (4WD available)
- Recalibrated 10-speed automatic transmission
- Power liftgate
- LED headlamps
2025 Ford Explorer Active
Key standard and optional features and design elements specific to the Explorer Active include the below.
- Ultra Dark Space Gray instrument panel, door panels and console with Harvest Bronze accent stitching
- Dark Gray soft-touch seats with Black Onyx inserts and Harvest Bronze accent
- stitching
- Grille design: Saw-tooth design, black mesh grille with chrome bars
- 2.3-liter EcoBoost
- Rear-wheel drive standard; four-wheel drive available
Options:
- Active Comfort Package
- Adds features such as heated steering wheel, LED fog lamps and signature lightning and ActiveX seating material
- Light Space Gray vinyl instrument panel, door panels and console with Harvest Bronze accent stitching available
- Vapor Blue Metallic paint
2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line
Key standard and optional features and design elements specific to the Explorer ST-Line include the below.
- Black Onyx instrument panel, door panels and console with red accent stitching
- Black Onyx ActiveX seats with cloth inserts and red accent stitching
- Grille design: Honeycomb gloss black grille with black mesh insert
- 2.3-liter EcoBoost
- Rear-wheel drive standard; four-wheel drive available
- Ford Performance Racing School’s ST Driving Experience
Options:
- ST-Line Premium Package
- Adds features such as power-folding side mirrors, heated second-row seats, PowerFold third-row seats, ambient lighting, rain-sensing wipers and wireless charging pad. Also includes ambient lighting with seven ambient lighting options: Ice Blue, Orange, Soft Blue, Red, Green, Blue and Purple
- ST-Line Street Pack
- Adds 21-inch Magnetite-painted aluminum wheels, performance brakes and red painted performance front and rear brake calipers
- Vapor Blue Metallic paint
2025 Ford Explorer Platinum
Key standard and optional features and design elements specific to the Explorer ST-Line include the below.
- Mojave Dusk leather instrument panel, door panels and console with matched accent stitching
- Mojave Dusk leather seats with matched accent stitching
- Grille design: Unique wing design, satin chrome and Ebony grille
- 2.3-liter EcoBoost
- Rear-wheel drive standard; four-wheel drive available
- Ambient Lighting
Options:
- Platinum Lux Leather Package
- Adds Platinum badging on front-row seats, Premium Sanctuary Leather seating surfaces with Tri-Diamond Micro-Perforated inserts and accent stitching, piping and quilting on seats and quilting and accent stitching on door panels
- Available in Mojave Dusk or Salt Crystal Gray interior environments
- Platinum Ultimate Package
- Includes all Platinum Lux Leather Package content, plus a 400-horsepower 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine and 21-inch Dark Alloy polished aluminum wheels
2025 Ford Explorer ST
Key standard and optional features and design elements specific to the Explorer ST-Line include the below.
- Black Onyx instrument panel, door panels and console with red accent stitching
- Black Onyx ActiveX seats with Miko suede inserts and red accent stitching
- Grille design: Honeycomb gloss black grille with black mesh insert and ST badging
- 400 hp 3.0-liter EcoBoost
- Rear-wheel drive standard; four-wheel drive available
- Ambient Lighting
- Ford Performance Racing School’s ST Driving Experience
Options:
- Vapor Blue Metallic paint
If you like what you see, the order books are open now and deliveries are expected in the second quarter of 2024.
Images: Ford
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