The 2025 Ford Explorer serves as a cornerstone of the Ford lineup, positioned as a versatile midsize three-row SUV that bridges the gap between the compact Escape and the full-size Expedition. Its target market primarily consists of active families and dual-income households who prioritize a balance of towing capability, advanced safety tech, and interior flexibility for up to seven passengers. Throughout the 2024 calendar year, Ford sold 222,706 units of the Explorer in the United States. This reflects a 14.7 percent increase over the previous year, solidifying its status as America’s best-selling three-row SUV.
- Base Trim Engine
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2.3L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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10-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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300 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
- Fuel Economy
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18/26 MPG
- Make
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Ford
- Model
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Explorer
- Segment
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Midsize SUV
Opting for a one-year-old used 2025 model in 2026 is a particularly appealing strategy because it allows you to benefit from the significant updates, while letting the first owner absorb the steepest year of depreciation. Furthermore, since the 2026 model retains the same core mechanical components and cabin architecture, a used 2025 provides a nearly identical experience and modern feature set at a more affordable price point.
Ford’s Retro-Futuristic Update
The 2025 Ford Explorer update introduces new refinements, including a more commanding exterior presence, characterized by a larger grille and a modernized front fascia. The redesigned LED headlights are now sleeker and integrated into the upper corners of the grille, creating a wider, more cohesive look. This updated aesthetic is complemented by air curtains at the front corners that improve aerodynamics while enhancing the SUV’s sporty stance.
At the rear, the updated LED taillights extend further inward toward the center of the tailgate, and the model name is prominently featured on a new horizontal trim piece. The design maintains its athletic, rear-wheel-drive proportions with short front overhangs, while the updated surfacing across the body panels gives the SUV a more premium, tech-forward appearance.
Ford introduces the Active trim as a new entry point, coming standard with 18-inch Sparkle Silver-painted aluminum wheels, a black mesh grille with chrome bars, and a power tailgate. Stepping up to the ST-Line adds a distinct blackout treatment to the headlamps and taillamps, along with 20-inch Ebony machined-painted aluminum wheels and gloss black exterior accents.
The performance-oriented 2025 Ford Explorer ST trim adopts 21-inch Magnetite-painted aluminum wheels, quad chrome exhaust tips, and available red-painted brake calipers. The flagship Platinum trim features a unique satin chrome and ebony grille, 20-inch Luster Nickel-painted wheels, and a standard twin-panel sunroof.
Across all models, Ford offers a sophisticated palette of six exterior paint colors: Agate Black Metallic, Iconic Silver Metallic, Carbonized Gray Metallic, Vapor Blue Metallic, Star White Metallic Tri-Coat, and Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat. Lighting is standardized with full LED illumination, including automatic high beams and signature daytime running lights, though higher trims like the 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum and ST feature adaptive headlamps that swivel with steering input. Wheel options are extensive, ranging from the base 18-inch rims up to 21-inch wheels standard on the ST and optional for the ST-Line and Platinum. Additional functional exterior trimmings include black or silver-painted front and rear skid plate elements, roof-rack side rails, and power-folding door mirrors that include ST projection lamps on the sportier models.
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A More Digital-Centric Cabin
The 2025 Ford Explorer was also subject to a comprehensive redesign, introducing a cleaner and more digital-focused aesthetic and a significant leap in integrated technology. The dashboard has been pushed forward to create a more open feel, and it now features a new fabric-wrapped soundbar that conceals the audio components behind the dashboard surface. High-quality soft-touch materials are now standard on the center console and door panels, while the redesigned seats offer improved ergonomics and updated stitch patterns. The cabin’s focal point is the brand-new Ford Digital Experience, which pairs a 13.2-inch center touchscreen with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster to provide a unified, high-definition interface that supports native Google apps, wireless smartphone integration, and high-speed 5G connectivity.
Across the lineup, standard comfort and convenience features are remarkably generous, even on the entry-level Active trim, which includes heated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat, and three-zone automatic climate control. The ST-Line and performance-oriented ST trims introduce a sportier atmosphere with Onyx-colored ActiveX seating surfaces, Miko micro-perforated inserts, and bold red accent stitching. For those seeking maximum luxury, the Platinum trim features multicontour Active Motion massaging front seats with ventilation, premium leather upholstery with diamond-pattern quilting, and a standard twin-panel sunroof. Practicality remains a core strength, with a standard PowerFold third-row bench on higher trims and a versatile seating configuration that allows for either a second-row bench for seven passengers or captain’s chairs for six passengers across most models.
The entertainment and optional tech suite is centered on the Bang and Olufsen Sound System, which is available in a 10-speaker configuration or a flagship 14-speaker, 980-Watt version. Standard tech includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L, and USB ports in all three rows to keep every passenger connected. For better convenience, the Active Comfort Package on the base trim adds a heated steering wheel and remote start, while the Premium Package for mid-tiers includes a wireless charging pad and ambient interior lighting with multiple color presets.
2025 Ford Explorer Interior And Exterior Picture Gallery
With two powertrains options, unique look for each trim, and a very spacious cabin, the 2025 Ford Explorer is an ideal choice for families out there.
How Much The 2025 Explorer Sells For Today
When the 2025 Ford Explorer first arrived on the market, its base MSRP for the new entry-level Active trim was set at $40,050, excluding the $1,695 destination fee. The flagship all-wheel drive ST sold for $56,770. According to current data from J.D. Power, used 2025 models are currently trading between $37,046 and $59,585, depending on the model’s condition, specification, and mileage. The publication issues this model with a 79/100 consumer-verified overall score, consisting of 77/100 for quality and reliability, 78/100 for the driving experience, 83/100 for resale, and 80/100 for the dealership experience.
iSeeCars suggests that you can expect the Explorer to lose $19,263 or 50.1 percent of its value after five years and 60,000 miles. Edmunds suggests that the base front-wheel-drive Active trim loses $24,121 of its value over the same period, while CarEdge quotes a $29,562 five-year depreciation estimate for the entire range.
Warranty And Maintenance Costs You Can Expect
The 2025 Ford Explorer is backed by a standard three-year or 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, alongside five years of 24-hour roadside assistance. Ford’s recommended maintenance follows a 10,000-mile interval guided by the Intelligent Oil Life Monitor, with basic services including oil and filter changes, tire rotations, and multipoint inspections typically costing between $100 and $180 per visit. More intensive milestones occur at 30,000 miles, at which point you’ll need new engine and cabin air filters. At 60,000 miles, you’ll need to conduct a brake fluid and coolant service, while major items like spark plugs and coolant flushes are slated for 100,000 miles, followed by accessory drive belts and transmission fluid at 150,000 miles.
According to RepairPal, the Explorer maintains an Above Average reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0, ranking 19th out of 26 midsize SUVs, with an average annual repair cost of approximately $732. Similarly, Kelley Blue Book notes that routine maintenance is affordable, but long-term costs are higher due to the complexity of the EcoBoost engines and available all-wheel drive systems. iSeeCars highlights that the Explorer will run for 9.3 years or 138,984 miles with a 14.2 percent probability of reaching 200,000 miles.
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A Pair Of Potent EcoBoost Engines
The 2025 Ford Explorer features a powertrain lineup centered around two turbocharged EcoBoost engines, both paired exclusively with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. The standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder is available in the Active, ST-Line, and Platinum trims, producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, enabling a 0 to 60 MPH acceleration time of 6.8 seconds, depending on the configuration.
If you’re after higher performance, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 is the engine to go for. This is standard on the ST and optionally available on the Platinum, elevating output to 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, propelling the SUV from 0 to 60 MPH in 5.2 seconds.
The driveline remains versatile with a standard rear-wheel-drive architecture that provides athletic handling, while an intelligent four-wheel-drive system is available across all trims to enhance traction. While most models are electronically limited to a top speed of 122 MPH for safety and stability, the performance-tuned ST variant features a higher limit of approximately 143 MPH.
EPA Estimates Appropriate For The Segment
There are four different fuel consumption groups for the 2025 Ford Explorer range, according to the EPA. The rear-wheel drive 2.3-liter model is the most efficient, consuming an estimated 20/29/24 MPG on the city/highway/combined cycle, while covering 430 miles of range from its 17.9-gallon tank. Opting for the all-wheel drive system changes consumption to 20/27/23 MPG with a 412-mile range estimate.
The 3.0-liter V-6 models feature the same consumption estimate, regardless of drivetrain. This comes in at 18/25/21 MPG with a 424-mile range figure from a 20.2-gallon tank. If you select the Platinum trim, this changes to 18/25/20 MPG and 404 miles of range.
Sources: J.D. Power, iSeeCars, CarEdge, Edmunds, RepairPal, Kelley Blue Book, and EPA.