Jun 9, 2025
Red 2025 Ford Explorer ST parked on a trail

The 2025 Ford Explorer offers exciting updates, making it the ideal SUV for your family excursions and weekend adventures. In this Ford Explorer review, our John Kennedy Ford Phoenixville team breaks down what’s changed, what’s available, and what makes each trim unique to help you choose the best model for your lifestyle.

Key Updates From the Previous Model Year

The 2025 Ford Explorer features a new grille, sharper headlights, and revised lower air inlets that give it a bolder look. The cabin is luxurious, offering soft-touch materials and fresh color schemes. Other features include Ford Digital Experience with a 12.3-inch touch screen for streaming, browsing, and apps, as well as the BlueCruise hands-free driving system that works on most highways. Ford has also simplified the lineup, offering fewer but more distinct choices.

2025 Ford Explorer Trims

Ford has trimmed the Explorer lineup to just four distinct models: the Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST. Each one targets a different type of driver. Whether you’re looking for a practical family hauler or a luxury-minded performance vehicle, there’s a model for you.

2025 Explorer Active

The Active starts at an MSRP of $39,785. It has a gutsy 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower. The interior features a 13.2-inch touch screen, heated front seats, and a 5G Wi-Fi hot spot as standard. This model offers several advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies. The Ford Co-Pilot360 package is standard and includes features such as lane-keep assist, precollision warning, and automatic emergency braking to provide peace of mind on your Phoenixville commutes.

2025 Explorer ST-Line

At a starting price of $44,595, the ST-Line features distinct design accents that make it stand out. It also has a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine but adds performance-inspired details such as unique wheels and sporty front seats. Other features include an upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system, advanced driver-assistance technologies, a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, and 20-inch Ebony machined-painted aluminum wheels.

2025 Explorer Platinum

The Platinum trim has a starting MSRP of $52,100. The interior features leather upholstery with tri-diamond micro-perforated inserts and accent stitching, as well as an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat. Other features include a wireless charging pad, multicontour seats with Active Motion, remote start, and a 12.3-inch color LCD productivity screen with Ford Digital Experience. The Platinum offers a standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder that generates 300 horsepower or an optional 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 that produces 400 horsepower, allowing you to prioritize fuel economy or performance.

2025 Explorer ST

The Explorer ST starts at an MSRP of $54,240. It has a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6 engine that delivers 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The ST features a specially tuned suspension for tighter handling, eye-catching 21-inch Magnetite-painted aluminum wheels, and red brake calipers. The interior offers various standard features such as a wireless charging pad, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, several USB ports, and SiriusXM with 360L.

Explorer Performance and Capabilities

The 2025 Explorer offers two capable engines. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder delivers 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque for everyday driving. The more powerful 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6 produces 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. With the 2.3-liter engine, rear-wheel-drive versions achieve 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, while all-wheel-drive models reach 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Regardless of the drive type, the V-6 engine gets 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

All trims come with a Class III Trailer Tow Package standard, including a hitch, wiring, and sway control. With a towing capacity of 5,600 pounds, you can confidently pull boats, campers, and whatever else you need for weekend fun while the terrain management system provides peace of mind in various driving conditions from rainy summers to icy winters.

Interior and Cargo

The 2025 Ford Explorer’s interior offers three rows of seats that comfortably accommodate seven passengers. All trims come standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which includes safety features such as lane-keep assist and precollision warning with automatic emergency braking. The Explorer features 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row for shopping runs and 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, which expands to a maximum of up to 87.8 cubic feet with all seats down.

The 12.3-inch screen with Ford Digital Experience provides seamless smartphone integration and easy access to numerous apps for comfort and convenience on long journeys.

Exterior Design and Color Palette Options

The 2025 Explorer features a redesigned grille, sleeker headlights, and updated lower air inlets. You have a choice between several exterior paint colors, including Agate Black Metallic, Carbonized Gray Metallic, Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Vapor Blue Metallic, Star White Metallic Tri-Coat, and Space White Metallic. You can also choose from various wheel designs, from 18-inch painted aluminum on the base trim to 21-inch Magnetite-finished alloys on higher models. Add-ons enhance your adventures, such as a panoramic sunroof for an open-air feel or roof rails to transport bikes or kayaks.

Experience the 2025 Ford Explorer Today!

The 2025 Ford Explorer stands out in the competitive midsize SUV market by combining power, comfort, and cutting-edge technology, which is ideal for both your commute and weekend adventures. If you’re in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, we invite you to visit us to experience this exceptional SUV firsthand. Our knowledgeable team will be happy to walk you through the different trims and answer your questions. Contact us today to explore our extensive inventory and to schedule a test-drive to help you decide whether the 2025 Ford Explorer is for you.

Image from ford.com