2025 Ford Explorer Platinum 4WD

The Ford Explorer has been around for an eternity in the vehicle world. It was introduced way back in 1991 and played a significant role in making SUVs so popular in the U.S. For 2025, the Explorer gets refreshed and offers nimble handling, a spacious and comfortable cabin, and many modern amenities. But it’s still not as posh as some of the newer three-row SUVs including the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride.

Base Price: $53,655
As Tested: $59,865
Horsepower: 400
Mileage: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway/21 mpg combined

The midsize SUV segment has changed dramatically in the decades since the Explorer debuted. And recent additions including the Palisade and Telluride meant that mainstays such as the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander really had to up their game to be competitive.

The Explorer was last fully redesigned for the 2020 model year and is in its sixth generation. It gets a midcycle refresh for 2025 including updated front and rear fascia, a new dashboard, an updated infotainment system with Google Assistant, and the availability of Ford’s BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving technology. The Explorer also becomes the first Ford to offer the Ford Digital Experience, which integrates the vehicle’s technology with the driver’s digital devices.

The number of trims is smaller for 2025. The Explorer now comes in just four trims:

Active, ST-Line, Platinum and ST. Gone are the XLT, Limited, Timberline and King Ranch trims. Starting prices range from $39,755 to $59,200. Rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive is available on each trim.

There’s room for six or seven passengers in three rows of seating, depending on whether you get captain’s chairs or bench seating in the second row.

The three lower trims are powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The ST comes standard with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that cranks out 400 horses and 415 pound-feet. This engine is also available on the Platinum trim. The transmission on all trims is a 10-speed automatic.

Performance is a strong suit for the Explorer. Both engines provide plenty of power for zippy handling whether you’re driving in town or cruising on the highway. My Platinum test vehicle has the available V6. Hit the accelerator and the Explorer quickly gets up to speed with lots of oomph for merging and passing. Steering is accurate and there’s little body roll when cornering. The ride is mostly smooth over all but the bumpiest roads. The 10-speed shifts quickly and accurately.

When properly equipped, the Explorer can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Fuel economy is average for the class. EPA ratings for my 4×4 tester are 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with a combined rating of 21. I got 20 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving. Rear-wheel drive models do better at 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined.

The cabin is much improved over the outgoing Explorer but still lags behind top contenders in the class such as the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. Materials have a nice look and feel and many are soft-touch. A 12.3-inch digital display and 13.2-inch touchscreen stretch across the dash. Seats in the front row are spacious and supportive, and passengers enjoy good leg- and headroom. Things aren’t quite as plush in the second row but it can accommodate most adults. The third row is cramped and best suited for smaller kids.

Standard features include keyless entry, push-button start, rearview camera, tri-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, infotainment system with 13.2-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, eight USB ports, Google-based navigation, voice recognition, Amazon Alexa, Wi-Fi hot spot, and automatic high-beam headlights, 

Available features include remote start, surround-view camera system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, synthetic leather upholstery, real leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, heated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated steering wheel, 12- or 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, HD Radio, wireless device charging, ambient LED interior lighting, universal garage door opener, adaptive headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a moonroof.

Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, vehicle exit warning, and driver-attention monitoring.

Available driver assistance technologies include reverse automatic emergency braking, front parking sensors, Intersection assist (this technology can help prevent crashes in intersections), Blue Cruise (Ford’s semi-autonomous driving system that works on certain roadways), and evasive-steering assist (can help steer the vehicle to avoid a crash).

The infotainment system looks great with its large 13.2-inch touchscreen and sharp graphics, and it’s easy to see and reach. The system responds quickly to touch and voice commands. Menus are logically arranged so the system is mostly user-friendly. One peeve, though, is that climate settings require touch controls, which means having to look down briefly while making adjustments.

Cargo space is about average for a midsize SUV. There are 18.2 cubic feet with all three rows of seating in place, 47.9 cubes with the third row folded, and 87.8 cubes with the third and second rows folded. A power liftgate is standard.

The good:

Potent powertrains

Peppy performance

Smooth ride

Decent towing capability

Many standard and available features and tech

Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Available Blue Cruise semi-autonomous driving system

The not-so-good:

Cramped third row

Cabin not as upscale as some rivals

Pricing info:

My tester starts at $53,655. The Ultimate package is $4,615 and includes Lux Leather Package with premium sanctuary leather seating surfaces, piping and quilting on seats, quilting and stitching on door panels, and 21-inch dark alloy polished aluminum wheels. The destination fee is $1,595, bringing the grand total to $59,865.

Bottom line:

The Ford Explorer is a tried-and-true favorite in the midsize SUV category, and the 2025 refresh makes it more competitive. The Explorer boasts handsome looks, peppy performance, a much-improved cabin, and many standard features and tech. Still, there are many solid offerings in this class so check them out before making your choice.

WordPress Gallery Plugin