The 2025 Ford Explorer remains a family favorite and one of the best-selling SUVs of all time. It has a well-established reputation for delivering value and features to meet almost any budget, and although trim choices have been narrowed to just four this year, there’s still much to like.
The 2025 Explorer comes in Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum trims. They feature seating for either six or seven, and all have a max tow rating of 5,000 pounds. The Active, ST-Line, and Platinum derive power from a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower. The EPA rates the base engine at up to 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway/24 mpg combined. The racy ST gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 that knocks out a healthy 400 hp (optional on the Platinum).
The Explorer’s competition remains stiff, including newer models like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, longtime rival Chevrolet Traverse, and resale champs Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.
What’s New:
The Explorer seems less adventurous these days, with a trim lineup reduced to four well-equipped models: Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum. All get a slight refresh with a new face and some interior upgrades. There’s more standard and optional equipment, most notably Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving assistant now on all but the Active trim. A new software program called Ford Digital Experience allows video streaming and internet access when parked.
Our Recommendation:
The ST-Line offers a nice blend of standard features and available upgrades. Performance fanatics should skip right to the ST.
These are the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) and include the $1,595 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge). Prices are current at the time of publishing.
Explorer Active
Starts at $41,220 | See 2025 Ford Explorer Active for Sale
- 300-hp 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine
- Co-Pilot360 technologies
- LED headlights
- Power liftgate
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- 10-way power driver’s seat
- 3-zone automatic climate control
- Ford Digital Experience with 13.2-inch touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Heated front seats
- See more
Explorer ST-Line
Starts at $45,980 | See 2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line for Sale
- ST exterior styling
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- ActiveX upholstery
- Co-Pilot360 Assist+
- Heated steering wheel
- Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker audio
- LED fog lights
- 8-way power passenger seat
- See more
Explorer Platinum
Starts at $53,120 | See 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum for Sale
- Diamond-pattern leather upholstery
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Power-folding third-row seat
- Power tilt/telescoping steering wheel
- Ambient interior lighting
- Heated and ventilated massaging front seats
- Power folding side mirrors
- Bang & Olufsen 14-speaker audio
- See more
Explorer ST
Starts at $56,800 | See 2025 Ford Explorer ST for Sale
- 400-hp EcoBoost V6
- ST appearance package
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Leather and microfiber sport front seats
- Sport suspension
- Performance brakes
- See more
2025 Ford Explorer Active: $41,220
The entry-level Active replaces last year’s XLT trim. It has a 300-hp 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine backed by a 10-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the rear wheels. All-wheel drive is available.
The standard Tow Package features a Class III hitch, enabling a 5,000-pound tow rating.
Standard features on the Active include rear privacy glass, a power liftgate, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated power exterior mirrors, Intelligent Access keyless entry, and wiper-activated LED headlights.
Standard amenities include one-touch up/down power front windows, 3-zone automatic climate control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a message center and trip computer.
Cloth upholstery covers heated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat, a 4-way power passenger seat, and a folding 35/30/35-split second-row bench. The third row divides in a 50/50 split with a fold-flat feature.
There are eight USB charge ports, including one USB-A and one USB-C in the front media bin and two USB-C ports in the center floor console and the second and third rows.
The Explorer comes with a 6-speaker AM/FM radio that includes SiriusXM satellite radio. It’s connected to Ford’s Digital Experience, which includes a 13.2-inch color touchscreen with pinch and zoom capability, FordPass Connect apps, voice recognition abilities, Google Assistant, Google Maps, Alexa Built-in, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
On the safety and driver-assist front, the Explorer comes standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 Assist+, which includes adaptive cruise control with stop/go and lane centering, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist.
Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, a blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert with braking are also included. Automatic high-beam headlights, a driver attention monitor, a rear backup camera, hill descent control, hill start assist, trailer sway control, and rear parking sensors complete the package.
The Active Comfort Package’s optional equipment includes a remote start, LED fog lights, a heated steering wheel, Active X seat upholstery, a universal garage door opener, second-row captain’s-chair seating, and an 8-way power front passenger seat.
Models equipped with 4-wheel drive (4WD) can add a panoramic twin-panel moonroof and 20-inch wheels.
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2025 Ford Explorer Active monthly payment starts at $778. See 2025 Ford Explorer Active models for sale near you
2025 Ford Explorer Active includes:
10-way power driver’s seat – This seat makes finding the perfect driving position easy and includes power lumbar support.
Power liftgate – The Explorer’s height-adjustable power liftgate opens at the touch of a button on the gate or key fob.
Adaptive cruise control – This upgraded system maintains a set speed and distance from the traffic ahead. If necessary, it can even bring the Explorer to a complete stop without driver intervention.
2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line: $45,980
The ST-Line brings more style to the Explorer.
Building off the Active with the Active Comfort Package, the ST-Line adds a black mesh grille, unique ST-Line exterior styling elements, 20-inch ebony machined painted aluminum wheels, dual chrome exhaust tips, and acoustic laminated front side windows.
Interior highlights include ambient lighting, ebony and gloss-black accents, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, and upgraded ActiveX seat fabric with Miko inserts and red stitching. The standard audio gets upgraded with a 10-speaker B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen.
The ST-Line comes standard with Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, which adds a 360-degree camera with split-screen capability and a 90-day trial subscription to Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving assistant.
The optional Premium Package adds auto-folding power side mirrors, an auto-dimming driver’s side mirror, rain-sensing wipers, a wireless charging pad, and a 110-volt outlet. Also included are Multicontour massaging front seats with driver’s seat memory, heated second-row seats, a power-folding third-row seat, ambient interior lighting, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and second-row sunblinds.
The ST-Line Street Pack adds 21-inch wheels, red-painted calipers, and performance brakes.
Standalone options beyond those offered on the Active include a one-year subscription to BlueCruise and a black-painted roof.
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line monthly payment starts at $868. See 2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line models for sale near you
2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line includes:
BlueCruise – Ford’s semi-autonomous driving program lets you take your hand off the wheel (but not your eyes off the road) on over 97% of controlled access highways across the United States and Canada.
B&O Audio – This upgrade will bring a smile to every music lover’s face and even a forced grin from those who claim music doesn’t matter.
360-degree camera – The ST-Line’s surround view monitor helps you avoid accidents by providing a clear view all around the vehicle.
2025 Ford Explorer Platinum: $53,120
The Platinum is the ultimate Explorer for drivers who want premium features but don’t have the budget for a 3-row luxury SUV. It contains all the equipment from the Active trim with the Active Comfort Package and much of the optional equipment from the ST-Line, but we’ll go over it so you don’t have to jump around.
The Platinum’s standard engine is the 2.0-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder, but buyers can opt for the more powerful 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6.
Starting with the exterior, the Platinum features adaptive LED headlights, a twin-panel power moonroof, a satin finish on the door handles, grille, and roof rack, plus 20-inch Luster-Nickle painted alloy wheels.
The Platinum Explorer’s profile adds upscale features such as ambient interior lighting, heated and ventilated massaging front seats, heated second-row captain’s chair seating, leather upholstery with Miko microfiber inserts, and a leather-wrapped power tilt/telescoping heated steering wheel.
Auto-folding power side mirrors with a driver’s side auto-dimming mirror come standard, as does a 360-degree camera with a split-view screen. Platinum’s equipment roster also includes a Bang & Olufsen 14-speaker audio system, rain-sensing wipers, second-row sunblinds, a 110-volt outlet, front and side parking sensors, and a wireless charging pad.
Ford’s CoPilot360 2.0 is also standard, adding a 360-degree monitor, front parking sensors, and Intersection Assist 2.2 to the CoPilot360+ suite.
Optional equipment includes the Lux Leather Package, which adds premium quilted leather upholstery with contrasting piping. Other options include 20-inch polished wheels, a black painted roof, and a second-row 35/30/35-split bench seat.
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum monthly payment starts at $1,002. See 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum models for sale near you
2025 Ford Explorer Platinum includes:
Adaptive headlights – These LED headlights point in the direction of the front wheels, helping to illuminate dark corners.
Twin-panel moonroof – This huge twin-panel glass roof opens the Explorer interior to more light and fresh air.
Heated and ventilated massaging front seats – What more needs to be said? The Platinum’s front seats keep you cool in summer, warm in winter, and comfy year-round.
2025 Ford Explorer ST: $56,800
The Explorer ST trim is for people who like sharp handling and rapid acceleration. Its 400-horsepower 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine hooks to a SelectShift 10-speed automatic transmission that allows for manual gear changes via steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Building off the ST-Line, the ST gains a 20.2-gallon fuel tank, 21-inch alloy wheels, and blackout treatment for the headlights and taillights.
The ST interior touts ActiveX heated and ventilated multicontour massaging front sport seats with microfiber inserts. A power tilt/telescoping heated sport steering wheel, unique interior colors and materials specifically designed for the ST, and a wireless charging pad are also standard.
Additional amenities include ambient lighting, second-row heated captain’s chairs with an E-Z Entry feature, a power-folding third-row seat, second-row sunblinds, a 110-volt outlet, and power-folding side mirrors with driver’s auto-dimming glass.
In keeping with its athletic intentions, the ST gains a sport suspension with stiffer shocks and springs, performance brakes, and red-painted calipers.
Finally, music lovers will be thrilled by the advanced 14-speaker B&O audio system, which boasts a 980-watt amp and separate subwoofer.
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2025 Ford Explorer ST monthly payment starts at $1,072. See 2025 Ford Explorer ST models for sale near you
2025 Ford Explorer ST includes:
Sport suspension – With stiffer shocks and springs, this lowered suspension improves cornering and stability at high speeds.
Configurable digital instrument cluster – This 12.3-inch digital cluster replaces traditional analog gauges with digital reproductions, allowing various display configurations showing things like adaptive cruise control settings, navigation, and vehicle information.
Bang & Olufsen upgrade – The ST’s B&O system adds more speakers and power, waking up even the most sedate tunes.
