2025 Ford Explorer Review

With ample passenger and cargo space, the Ford Explorer has always been a family favorite. It seats six or seven people in style.

This year the comfortable cabin has more soft touches, including the wrapped side panels and dash. A unique Harvest Bronze provides an accent on these elements and the Dark Gray fabric seats. Special black seat inserts add more softness and more color contrast to the package.

For a luxurious look, the Explorer offers leather or Nappa leather.  Ventilated seats add extra cooling on our hottest summer days.

The reclining second row seats give teens and growing kids more ways to relax. There’s easy access to the third row even with the 3-person second-row bench. However, it’s even more spacious with the center row captain’s chairs.

Stepping up to meet the future, Ford introduces its Digital Experience platform. For starters, the driver cockpit has a digital instrument display that nearly matches its large touchscreen in size.

SPACE

 Ford has actively sought to integrate functions that make life more fun and ensure the easiest interface for users. Compared to the 2024 models, the new system has about 5 times the computing power and about 14 times the graphics processing capability.

Navigation via Google Maps is easy to use via the 13.2-inch touchscreen and the 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel. An available hotspot can provide WiFi to ten devices.  A wireless charger and USB ports keep phones ready for use.

Drivers can take advantage of Google Assistant to find what they need quickly and effectively. Alternatively, they can use Amazon Alexa to accomplish these goals. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can add your favorite apps to the already rich menu of choices.

With Google Play apps, drivers can enjoy entertainment from a variety of subscription sources including Audible and Spotify. When parked, owners can surf the web via the Vivaldi Browser app. They can watch movies or play games. Over-the-air updates will help keep the system current in the new Ford Explorer at Rodeo Ford.

The tier-one trim level is the 2025 Ford Explorer Active. It comes packed with the whole Digital Experience, including its two large screens and many features. Drivers will appreciate a 10-way power chair, and their companion will have their own 4-way power chair. Both have power-heat functions, too.

Favorite standards include Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ and the trailer tow package. Exterior features include a skid plate and LED headlamps. The power liftgate has an updated appearance with a horizontal nameplate tying together the LED taillamps.

You can go for the Active Comfort package and add favorite ST-Line features, such as Active X upholstery. Unique to the Active, you can choose a Light Space Gray vinyl to cover the cockpit and doors.

Explorer prices start at $41,220 MSRP for the Active trim. ST-Lines and Platinums are slotted between the Active and the Explorer ST. Explorer ST prices start at $56,800 MSRP. For more information, talk to the staff at our Rodeo Peoria store, your Phoenix Ford dealership.

The second-tier ST-Line takes on the sporty attitude of the top-tier Explorer ST. However, the top performance engine is reserved for the ST driver.

Black Onyx ActiveX covers the instrument panel, door panels, and console in the ST-Line. The ActiveX seats wear sport fabric inserts. In the regular ST or ST-Line special edition, the seats are covered in real leather with Miko inserts. Leather continues on the dash, doors and console.

All models have red accent stitching to add to their athletic charm. Plus shoppers can add a black-painted contrast roof. The 2025 Ford Explorer ST has standard ambient lighting with seven color choices to change the cabin atmosphere at night.

If you want more luxuries for the ST-Line, you can choose the Premium Package or go for the ST-Line Street Pack. A special edition equips the ST-Line with the luxuries of the ST without the extra expense of the ST’s performance engine.

With its focus on luxury, the Explorer Platinum wears a Mojave Dusk leather on its seats, instrument panel, doors and console. Matched accent stitching adds a subtle contrast. Platinum exteriors feature an upscale grille in satin chrome and ebony.

Ford further differentiates this ride with a unique wing design and 20-inch Luster Nickel-painted aluminum wheels. It’s also eligible for the black-contrast roof option.

Shoppers can go for the Platinum Lux package with its special Sanctuary leather. Or, they can step up to the Platinum Ultimate Package for the Lux goodies, the exciting ST powertrain, and 21-inch Dark Alloy polished wheels.

Ready to trade? Use our trade-in-tool to find out how much you can get for your current ride.

Ford packs the Explorer with advanced safety features, including a brand-specific function other vehicles don’t have. An emergency autobrake can sense an impact and will act to reduce the vehicle’s speed. This has been shown to reduce the chances of a second impact.

As for Ford CoPilot360, there are cameras and sensors ready to help the driver avoid collisions completely. These include a forward collision watch that can trigger an emergency autobrake and a lane departure warning that may trigger a lane keeping assist.

Helping the driver recognize side traffic dangers, it has a blind spot monitor. In reverse, a rear cross-traffic alert helps drivers avoid collisions with cars coming from the side.

New for 2025, BlueCruise is a complimentary 3-month subscription on the ST-Line, Platinum and ST models. This system can handle driver duties, even lane changes, under certain conditions.

To find out the price for the Active, ST-Line, ST or Platinum trim levels, you should use this quick quote tool.  You’ll find good deals on the 2025 Ford Explorer at Rodeo Ford.

For 2025, Ford has recalibrated and improved its remarkable 10-speed automatic transmission. The Ecoboost engine cranks out 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.

If you step up to the ST, the performance engine spits out 400 horses and 415 lb-ft of torque. If you need to pull a trailer, tow ratings are still an ample 5,000 pounds.

Both engines have terrain management features as part of Ford’s rear-wheel drivetrain. RWD is one way the Explorer sets itself apart from its more boring front-wheel drive competitors.

Of course, you can get the available four-wheel drivetrain to get the maximum terrain management and traction assistance. 

If you want to see the exciting new changes on the 2025 Ford Explorer, you are invited to schedule a test drive at Rodeo. Our Peoria store is your Phoenix Ford dealership destination.

Explorers offer more for families than almost any other SUV today. The 2025 model year covers everything that parents need and much more. 

Are you ready to discover exceptional comfort and advanced technology?  The best way to learn more is to experience the Explorer first hand. Book your test drive today at Rodeo Ford!