It’s been nearly five years since Ford introduced the sixth-generation Explorer back in 2019, with the mid-size SUV being one of the most popular models in its class. For the 2025MY, the Explorer has received what’s known in the industry as a mid-cycle facelift, bringing with it a fresh face and a thoroughly reworked interior.
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The subtly updated exterior looks very similar to the Chinese-spec Explorer, while the interior has undergone a significant overhaul, featuring a larger 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen. Additionally, Ford is streamlining the SUV’s trim structure, although the powertrain options remain mostly unchanged, except for the discontinuation of the hybrid variant.
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2025 Ford Explorer ST
The highlight of the exterior is the new face, featuring a much larger grille that is flanked by a pair of smaller LED headlights and revised bumper intakes. The profile is carried over from the outgoing Explorer but the taillights have sharper graphics and extend into the redesigned tailgate.
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The 2025 Ford Explorer is offered in Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST trims, each featuring unique grilles and different wheels to set them apart. Although the Timberline trim is not currently included in the lineup, Ford has teased the upcoming introduction of an off-road-focused trim in the near future.
New for 2025 is the Vapor Blue Metallic paint that is available for all trims besides the Platinum, plus the black-painted roof option and 21-inch wheels with a Magnetite finish for the sporty-looking ST.
Overhauled Interior, More Kit
Facelifted models usually have minor changes inside by the 2025 Ford Explorer breaks the mold by introducing a completely redesigned dashboard that has been pushed forwards leaving more space for the front passengers.
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The centerpiece is a new free-standing 13.2-inch central touchscreen in landscape orientation, combined with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The screens are standard equipment for all trims of the Explorer and integrate new Google-based “Ford Digital Experience” infotainment. The system is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay / Android Auto, supporting Google Assistant or Alexa Built-in for voice commands. Users can watch videos or play videogames on the main screen, while the digital instrument cluster can now display the map.
Ford designers also improved the quality of the materials and added dual wireless charging pads on the center console, in addition to eight USB-C ports and three 12-Volt outlets.
The SUV comes standard with a comprehensive ADAS suite (Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+) but the big news is the addition of Ford’s BlueCruise system adding hands-free driving compatibility on the highway. However, the latter is available through a subscription-based scheme that costs $800/year after an initial 90-day free trial, or a discounted $700/year at the time of purchase.
The 400-HP Engine Of The ST Is Now Available For The Platinum
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2025 Ford Explorer Platinum
Despite the visual and technological upgrades, Ford engineers didn’t do much to the Explorer’s underpinnings. The carry-over turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder Ecoboost powertrain produces 300 hp (224 kW / 304 PS) and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque in the Active, ST-Line and Platinum models. The ST features the more potent 3.0-liter Ecoboost V6 that makes 400 hp (299 kW / 406 PS) and 415 lb-ft (563 Nm) and is now optionally available in the luxurious Platinum.
Both of the EcoBoost powertrains are exclusively mated to a “recalibrated” 10-speed automatic gearbox, with the ST getting paddle shifters. Rear-wheel-drive is standard in all trims, with 4WD offered as an option. As mentioned above, the Explorer Hybrid is gone, which means that fans of electrification will have to wait for the next generation of the popular SUV.
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The first examples of the 2025 Ford Explorer will arrive in US dealerships in the second quarter of the year. Order books are now open, with prices starting from $41,220 including destination charges.
This is a developing story and will be updated
