The all-new 2025 Ford Explorer is a three-row SUV offered that can seat up to seven. Buyers have a choice of four trims: Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST. The first three are set up with a standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder that puts out 300 hp and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, but the ST gets a more spirited 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 producing 400 hp and 415 lb.-ft. of torque (it’s available for the other trims). Both engines pair with a recalibrated 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is the default drivetrain, with four-wheel drive (4WD) available as an upgrade.
Ford’s remarkable Terrain Management System makes a welcome return, giving drivers the option to switch between Normal, Eco, Sport, Tow/Haul, Slippery, and Trail drive modes (an additional mode for Deep Snow/Sand joins the list in conjunction with 4WD). Ford’s Class III Trailer Tow Package comes standard, allowing every trim to pull as much as 5,000 pounds.
The entry-level Active mixes basic features with some extras. That equipment list includes cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, a power liftgate, rear privacy glass, heated side-view mirrors, LED headlights and taillights, and a 35/30/35-split second-row bench seat. The performance-inspired ST-Line is improved with remote start, ActiveX-upholstered seats with cloth inserts and red contrast stitching, a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, and a universal garage door opener.
The Platinum takes a more luxurious turn with leather seats featuring micro-perforated inserts, wireless phone charging, power-folding side mirrors with driver’s-side auto-dimming and position memory, rain-sensing wipers, a twin-panel moonroof, multicontoured front seats with driver’s-side position memory, heated second-row captain’s chairs, a power-folding third-row seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, adaptive LED headlights, a 110-volt power outlet, ambient interior lighting, and second-row sunshades.  The ST goes without the leather upholstery and twin-panel moonroof (the moonroof can be added back as an option), but it gains a sporty mesh grille, ActiveX upholstery with unique stitching, and a heated sport-style steering wheel.
The Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system is installed in every ’25 Explorer trim. With it, you’ll get adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rear cross-traffic braking, rear parking sensors, evasive steering assist, intersection assist, lane keeping assist, driver attention alert, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, dynamic brake support, and post-collision braking. The ST-Line and Platinum receive the enhancements of the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 suite, which adds a 360-degree camera with split view, front and side parking sensors, lane keeping assist with road edge detection, and adaptive cruise control with predictive speed assist.
The big news this year is the introduction of the BlueCruise hands-free driving system. This self-driving technology works on 97% of controlled access highways in the U.S. and Canada and is offered with the ST-Line, Platinum, and ST (buyers can opt for either a one-year paid subscription or a complimentary 90-day trial). Once the subscription or trial is over, you can choose to reactivate either annually or monthly.
The redesigned 2025 Explorer comes with the new 13.2-inch Google built-in Ford Digital Experience infotainment system. This sophisticated setup features Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play Store, as well as Amazon Alexa, a 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Active trim gets a basic six-speaker sound system, while the ST-Line is heightened with a superior 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen (B&O) setup. At the upper end of the trim hierarchy, the Platinum and ST are treated to a 14-speaker B&O system.
Buyers looking to increase the ‘25 Explorer’s appeal will appreciate the upgrade packages that Ford offers for the respective trims. Buyers of the Active can opt for the Comfort Package, which contains ActiveX upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, remote start, a universal garage door opener, signature LED headlights, and LED fog lights. The ST-Line qualifies for the Street Package (performance brakes with red calipers) and the Premium Package (a 110-volt power outlet, ambient interior lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-folding side mirrors with position memory and driver’s side auto-dimming, rain-sensing wipers, position memory for the driver’s seat, multicontoured front seats, heated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, second-row sunshades, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and a wireless phone charger). The Lux Package is available to outfit the Platinum trim with special badges and unique leather upholstery with special quilting and piping.