2025 Ford Explorer Up Close: Sleeker Looks and New In-Cabin Technology

It’s been a few years since Ford last updated its venerable Explorer three-row family SUV, so we were due for a fresh version — and here it is. The 2025 Ford Explorer looks a little different (but not too much), should drive the same due to its carryover powertrains and mechanical bits, and should feel largely the same inside due to the lack of change in its second- and third-row passenger spaces. But it will certainly work differently thanks to a new dashboard, some new screens, new premium materials covering everything inside and some new equipment that makes driving just a little bit more stress-free.

Ford has replaced the Sync system with the all-new Ford Digital Experience, swapping the Explorer’s old vertical 10.1-inch touchscreen for a new 13.2-inch horizontal screen and using an Android Automotive operating system to run the whole shebang. That means a lot of connectivity for Google fans with the Google Play store, lots of downloadable apps, built-in streaming systems, even games and TV (when the Explorer is parked). If you have a long road trip ahead of you, the BlueCruise semi-autonomous hands-free cruise control is now available on the Explorer for the first time, as well. And while the new ‘25 Explorer gets a bit of a price bump, it also now comes with a lot more standard equipment — and Ford has simplified the trim levels to just four.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:22 Mild face-lift
0:43 Half the trim levels are gone
1:24 Powertrain options
1:58 Interior update
2:41 New screens everywhere
3:40 Color and material upgrades
4:19 Still a bit cramped
4:57 BlueCruise arrives
5:47 Climate’s in the touchscreen now
6:05 Ordering and pricing

Editorial mission:

[jonathanrodriguez]

I am digging with a refresh.🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻💯💯💯‼️‼️‼️

[ChristianC-gyym]

I confess to never actually owning a Ford but I've wanted to own several of them over the years. As a kid I've always liked the 03 to 04 svt mustang. Or the 2000's f150 lightning. Lately some of their products seem questionable but this new Explorer seems like a winner.

[midengineZ]

Looks really good in and out but
Ford should learn from many manufacturers that went to touch sensitive buttons on the climate controls
just about all of them went back to physical buttons next refresh cycle

[danielali-manzo]

I still think the Chinese model is better than the American edition. Those spread screens the Chinese model have is luxurious and gives it a classic look. I wish the American or global version will look like the Chinese model some day

[TonyTube]

I'm glad Ford FINALLY ditched Sync!!

[darknessislight]

Now it’s a more complete design front and rear 😊 I still prefer the previous generation over this one .

[redwood_shores]

Yet again no physical buttons, yet again an owner has to dig down the software touch panel shit even for basic operations!

[attinsona]

This in a nutshell is why Ford is so frustrating. After selling a subpar product for the last four years, they demonstrate they can produce a desirable version of it. But then it'll also get recalled like five times due to some stupid errors over the next few years.

[phillipbaker]

I’m not a fan of the floating infotainment screen so I wouldn’t get one of these. I like my F150 where my 12” infotainment screen is built into the dash.

[BigBossIvan]

It starts at 40 grand and tops out at 18 city 26 hwy mpg. The powertrain has proven unreliable, and Farley's Ford has nosedived in QA. Very nice review, but this is certainly not worth a buy.

[mojorisin]

The horizontal screen is much better looking then the ridiculous looking Tesla inspired vertical one. Looks less tacky and a last minute add on. Wished vehicle manufacturers would make the little useful liftgate glass open and provide some more utility I'm sure most people can appreciate and use often. Hopefully this refresh makes this model more reliable then past years.

[darknessislight]

Auto start/stop feature is a deal breaker 😵‍💫 I will never own another vehicle with this feature.

[shaneward]

Bring it to the U.K. Current range poor . Not everyone wants an electric vehicle

[kroatoaneight-four]

2.3L turbo from a manufacturer who spends alot on warranty cost and recalls. That alone should tell you to avoid this POS machine. Cosmetic changes is akin to putting lipstick to a warthog.

[youngcinfamous]

meh. compared to the new santa fe this interior looks old

[jameslester]

Good Overview of the new Explorer. Good Enough to know Ford just laid another turd !!!
With the 25 Explorer having No option for a Hybrid Engine AGAIN ! Another Price increase for a mediocre refresh. The interior, although they finally did away with the Ipad Stuck to the center of the dash, is now a clone of Every SUVs older outgoing style with the center infotainment screen STILL, although in Wide configuration, Stuck to the top of the dash like a after thought. Ford Engineers, are you all even alive out there? The addition of the HVAC controls as tiny chicklet icons across the bottom of the screen is almost mad crazy stupid ! Have you learned Nothing ?
The four trim choices, all but the top level tilted towards "Sport" is so bla. Sport models always mean Low level trim and to much engine. With this being a rear drive only platform, it really limits itself to being a Womans truck alternative to the F-150.

Ford, Listen up... You lost me and many others years ago with your dumb marketing decisions to totally do away with Cars, and now not offering anything comparable to import manufactures. You still have catch up tech. in your Trucks and SUVs, your Warranty is no value for the products you are manufacturing, your "new designs" are years behind others offerings. Your refusal to offer your vehicles with Hybrid Engines, Which is where more consumers are going, is really, really dumb ! Gas mileages on these things SUCK ! Sticking to Full Electric that still doesn't work for 95 % of people, and old gas Guzzling ICE Engines, in today's economy, all while pricing these SUVs 50k, 60k and up is having your customers moving to other auto companies. You are to Expensive for your offerings ! Your interiors are lackluster, and I'm being kind ! You FORD are running yourselves out of the market ! Even your Venerable F-150, is falling behind the times. Stop living in the past, look around, fire your Designers, and Engineers, and actually refresh your designs, and for goodness sake Design and offer EVERYTHING you Build as a More Efficient HYBRID power plant ! NOT Plug in, just HYBRID !

[conscientiousobserver]

That console looks like the X32 concept jet...it's horrible looking.

[evosolutionsllc.]

I wish they would leave stuff alone. This is hideous.

[maddie]

Thank you so much for everything you do! 😀