A new 2025 Ford Explorer has been revealed with a new interior, the ability to watch a show when parked and a hands-free driving option.
[Related content: First Look at 2025 Ford Explorer ST, Platinum]
2025 Ford Explorer gets a new interior
The first big change people are going to notice with the 2025 Ford Explorer is the interior.
Ford Motor Co. has redesigned it to create a more open and spacious cabin. It did this by pushing the dash further forward and putting a tray below the 13.2-inch touchscreen for an available wireless charger.
Also, the interior materials have been upgraded with a new “wrap-and-stitch soft-touch surfaces” on the center console, door panels and new available ActiveX synthetic seating materials. Silver mesh accents are found through the interior to give it more of a premium feel.
The materials vary by trim level:
- Platinum
- Mojave Dusk leather instrument panel, door panels and console with matched accent stitching
- Mojave Dusk leather seats with matched accent stitching
- ST
- Black Onyx instrument panel, door panels and console with red accent stitching
- Black Onyx ActiveX seats with Miko suede inserts and red accent stitching
- ST-Line
- Black Onyx instrument panel, door panels and console with red accent stitching
- Black Onyx ActiveX seats with cloth inserts and red accent stitching
- Active
- Ultra Dark Space Gray instrument panel, door panels and console with Harvest Bronze accent stitching
- Dark Gray soft-touch seats with Black Onyx inserts and Harvest Bronze accent stitching
Finally, standard on Platinum and ST, and available on ST-Line, you can choose from seven ambient lighting options: Ice Blue, Orange, Soft Blue, Red, Green, Blue and Purple.
Improved technology offerings
For the first time in a Ford vehicle, the Ford Digital Experience debuts. This system allows for more customization when tied to a driver profile like with content and apps.
Google Maps is now part of the 13.2-inch touchscreen as well as the 12.3-inch digital cluster. This means you’ll be able to pull up the map to either screen.
The big addition has to be the ability to stream YouTube, Prime Video or search the web when parked on the touchscreen. This streaming while parked ability has been an aftermarket item for a long time, and Ford is now offering it as a feature.
With the built-in 5G wireless technology available through a subscription plan, the 2025 Ford Explorer is even more like a rolling computer on wheels.
Hands-free BlueCruise
Another addition is Ford’s BlueCruise system on upper trims.
This system allows for hands-free driving on certain roads, and it also has a Lane Change Assist feature to allow the driver to switch lanes by simply tapping the turn signal.
There is also a In-Lane Repositioning system that works to provide more space by subtly shifting away from vehicles in adjacent lanes.
This feature is free for the first 90-days, and then there will be a subscription fee.
More standard equipment
Ford has also added a variety of standard equipment to the Explorer:
- 10-way power, heated driver’s seat
- 4-way power, heated front passenger seat
- Ford Digital Experience infotainment system
- 13.2-inch LCD touchscreen
- 12.3-inch color LCD digital cluster
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless compatibility
- Alexa Built-in
- 8 USB ports–including two for third-row passengers
- Three 12-volt powerpoints
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+
- FordPass Connect embedded modem
- Class III Trailer Tow Package
Plus:
- Rear-wheel drive (4WD available)
- Recalibrated 10-speed automatic transmission
- Power liftgate
- LED headlamps
Exterior changes
The 2025 Explorer gets a new front end with a larger grille, redesigned LED headlamps, front skid plate and lower, wider air curtains that help lower the SUV’s visual center of gravity.
Each trim will have its own unique grille:
- Platinum: Unique wing design, satin chrome and Ebony grille
- ST: Honeycomb gloss black grille with black mesh insert and ST badging
- ST-Line: Honeycomb gloss black grille with black mesh insert
There is also a new black-painted roof option for Platinum, ST and ST-Line.
It also appears, the 2025 Ford Explorer will drop the Timberline and King Ranch versions.
On the rear, there’s an updated liftgate with LED taillamps extending from the corners across the liftgate.
Wheels range from 18-inch to 21-inches depending on trim and options.
Streamlined options
Ford has also streamlined the choices with the 2025 Ford Explorer.
Platinum
- 2.3-liter EcoBoost standard
- 400 horsepower 3.0-liter EcoBoost available
- Rear-wheel drive standard; four-wheel drive available
- 20-inch luster nickel-painted aluminum wheels standard ST
- 400 hp 3.0-liter EcoBoost available
- Rear-wheel drive standard; four-wheel drive available
- 21-inch Magnetite-painted aluminum wheels standard
ST-Line
- 2.3-liter EcoBoost
- Rear-wheel drive standard; four-wheel drive available
- 20-inch Ebony machine-painted aluminum wheels standard
Active
- 2.3-liter EcoBoost Rear-wheel drive standard; four-wheel drive available
- 18-inch Sparkle Silver- painted aluminum wheels standard
Order books are open now with a starting MSRP of $41,220 including destination fee and you can build and price the SUV on Ford’s website. It is expected to start arriving in dealerships in the second quarter of 2024.
The bottom line
The refreshed Ford Explorer should be a hit with a variety of smart upgrades and changes like pushing the dash further away to create more room. Interestingly, the hybrid option is dead for the 2025 model, and there are only the non-hybrid EcoBoost turbocharged engine options.
