First Look at the Modernized 2025 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer has always been a mainstay of the midsize SUV segment since its introduction in 1991, and a new refreshed model will help it remain so for the 2025 model year. This latest version of the Explorer keeps what current customers like about their vehicle, such as powertrains and driving dynamics, while updating the on-board tech and the looks of the Explorer for a more modern package.

Revised design

The 2025 Ford Explorer receives significant appearance changes that make it instantly distinguishable from the current model while keeping the athletic and muscular profile the Explorer is known for. At the front, the SUV gains a new grille that is larger and more distinctive, similar to the one found on the current Escape. The standard LED headlamps are also new, and so are the front and rear bumpers. Speaking of the rear, new taillamps that extend toward the center of the liftgate, which has also received a few changes. From the side profile, the 2025 Explorer remains mostly unchanged, apart from new alloy wheel designs and an available black roof on ST and ST-Line models.

A more modern interior

Cosmetic changes don’t stop outside of the new 2025 Ford Explorer. In fact, the cabin of this popular model has seen more changes than the outside has, including a new dashboard layout and the extended use of high-quality soft-touch materials. New colourways for the upholstery and finishers are also introduced, along with an available ambient lighting system that features seven selectable colours. Front and center of the new Explorer’s dashboard is a 13.2-inch infotainment screen that utilizes the new Ford Digital Experience Infotainment system, a bundle of technologies which allow the driver and passengers to stay more connected than even when out on the road, thanks to features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 5G wireless connectivity, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and native support for Google Maps, which can also be displayed in the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Available BlueCruise Hands-free driving

The new 2025 Ford Explorer will be the first Explorer to benefit from the inclusion of BlueCruise hardware in some trim levels. Available through a subscription, this technology makes long highway drives easier and more pleasant by taking care of the acceleration, the braking, and the steering of the vehicle, as long as the driver is paying attention to the road. This system uses multiple sensors and a database of all major highways in North America to allow the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel for long periods, even during lane changes.

Four trim levels, and two robust powertrains

The new 2025 Ford Explorer will be offered in four trim levels : Activ, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum. In all models except ST, the standard powertrain will be the same 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine found in the current model, where it delivers 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The other engine option is a 3.0L EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 that delivers 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. This engine is standard in the ST model and available in the top-of-the-line Platinum, where it now makes the same horsepower figure as in the ST. Both of these powertrains come standard with all-wheel drive and a 10-speed automatic transmission, further enhancing the capabilities of the new Explorer.

The new 2025 Ford Explorer will arrive on sale in the second quarter of 2024, with a starting MSRP of $50,535.

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