All-New 2025 Ford Explorer Features Refined Interior and Exterior

Ford has announced the new 2025 Explorer lineup, featuring a redesigned interior, advanced new technology, and new exterior design elements.

The new 2025 Explorer lineup — from the Active, to the ST-Line, ST, and Platinum — has a refined cabin that features new color, texture, and material choices, and introduces the new Ford Digital Experience infotainment system.

“We have refined almost every part of the new Explorer – focusing on a redesigned interior, additional technology like BlueCruise hands-free highway driving and special editions like the 400 hp Explorer ST. It’s the right combination of delivering what the next generation of customers want and love in a large SUV," Ford Blue President Andrew Frick said.

Ordering for the new Ford Explorer is open now, with a starting MSRP of $41,220, including destination and delivery charges, according to a news release.

Interior Upgrades Designed for Driver Comfort

Redesigned interior with softer touchpoints and premium materials elevate vehicle ergonomics, making the drive more comfortable for fleet drivers.

Among the updates are new wrap-and-stitch soft-touch surfaces on the center console, door panels, and redesigned dashboard. Available ActiveX durable and premium synthetic seating material is an option.

The dashboard has been pushed forward to give front-row passengers a more open and spacious cabin. An integrated tray below the touchscreen houses an available wireless phone charging pad and there are USB connections to charge mobile devices in all three rows.

The Explorer also brings new standard interior color schemes across the lineup:

• Platinum: Mojave Dusk leather instrument panel, door panels, and console with matched accent stitching; or Mojave Dusk leather seats with matched accent stitching
• ST and ST-Line: Black Onyx instrument panel, door panels, and console with red accent stitching; or Black Onyx ActiveX seats with Miko suede inserts and red accent stitching
• Active: Ultra Dark Space Gray instrument panel, door panels, and console with Harvest Bronze accent stitching; or Dark Gray soft-touch seats with Black Onyx inserts and Harvest Bronze accent stitching

The ST Returns to the Explorer Lineup

Engineered by Ford Performance, the special edition Explorer ST continues as the most powerful Explorer ever with new options.

Powered by a specially tuned 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 400 hp and 415 lb.-ft. of torque, the Explorer ST comes standard as a rear-wheel-drive performance SUV. Four-wheel drive is available.

An available Explorer ST-Line special edition is an option for customers who prefer ST styling without the need for Ford Performance driving dynamics.

New for this year is Vapor Blue Metallic paint, available on ST, as well as ST-Line and Active models. Other new options include a black-painted roof and new 21-in. Magnetite-painted aluminum wheels.

Greater Vehicle Insights with the Ford Digital Experience

Explorer is the first Ford vehicle to include the new Ford Digital Experience, which allows customers to access their digital life inside the car.

It is designed to allow greater connection and personalization for customers through profiles, content, and apps.

The displays on the 13.2-in. touchscreen allow for easy control. Integration with Google Maps allows navigation screens to be displayed on both the touchscreen and the 12.3-in. digital cluster.

Designed to prioritize the use of voice, Google Assistant serves as the default voice assistant and Alexa Built-in is also available as an alternative for in-vehicle controls including to set in-vehicle temperature, search information, or find and set a destination. It can also help with tasks like setting a meeting.

The Ford Digital Experience platform is designed to enable more apps and services in the future and help make the vehicle better over time thanks to over-the-air software update capability, available for the first time to Explorer owners.

5G wireless technology brings fast connectivity and, with a Ford Premium Connectivity plan, it will provide the best possible in-vehicle experience. Customers also have the option to activate a Wi-Fi hot spot that gives Internet access to up to 10 mobile devices.

Those who opt for ST-Line, ST, and Platinum models will have access to Ford BlueCruise hands-free highway driving.

Standard features on the Explorer include:

• 10-way power, heated driver's seat
• 4-way power, heated passenger seat
• Ford Digital Experience infotainment system
• 13.2-in. LCD touchscreen
• 12.3-in. 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
• Rear-wheel drive (4WD available)
• Recalibrated 10-speed automatic transmission
• Power liftgate
• LED headlamps

Customization to Meet Your Fleet's Needs

A handful of custom packages are available to choose from:

Platinum Lux Leather Package:

• Adds Platinum badging on front-row seats, Premium Sanctuary Leather seating surfaces with Tri-Diamond Micro-Perforated inserts and accent stitching, piping, and quilting on seats and quilting and accent stitching on door panels
• Available in Mojave Dusk or Salt Crystal Gray interior environments

Platinum Ultimate Package

• Includes all Platinum Lux Leather Package content, plus a 400-hp 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine and 21-in. Dark Alloy polished aluminum wheels

ST-Line Premium Package

• Adds features such as power-folding side mirrors, heated second-row seats, PowerFold third-row seats, ambient lighting, rain-sensing wipers, and wireless charging pad

ST-Line Street Pack

• Adds 21-in. Magnetite-painted aluminum wheels, performance brakes, and red-painted performance front and rear brake calipers

Active Comfort Package

• Adds features such as heated steering wheel, LED fog lamps and signature lightning, and ActiveX seating material
• Light Space Gray vinyl instrument panel, door panels, and console with Harvest Bronze accent stitching available

Also available to choose from are seven wheel options, including:

• 18-in. Sparkle Silver-painted aluminum – standard on Active
• 20-in. Carbonized Gray-painted aluminum – available on Active
• 20-in. Ebony machined, painted aluminum – standard on ST-Line
• 21-in. Magnetite-painted aluminum – standard on ST, available on ST-Line
• 20-in. Luster Nickel-painted aluminum – standard on Platinum, available on Active
• 20-in. polished aluminum – available on Platinum
• 21-in. dark alloy polished aluminum – available on Platinum

What's Under the Hood and Moving the Explorer

Platinum

• 2.3-liter EcoBoost standard
• 400 hp 3.0-liter EcoBoost available
• Rear-wheel drive standard; four-wheel drive available

ST

• 400 hp 3.0-liter EcoBoost
• Rear-wheel drive standard; four-wheel drive available

ST-Line

• 2.3-liter EcoBoost
• Real-wheel standard; four-wheel drive available

Active

• 2.3-liter EcoBoost
• Real-wheel drive standard; four-wheel drive available

Beginning with the 2024 model year and on, the hybrid Explorer is no longer available for commercial or retail customers.

A Ford spokesperson recently told Government Fleet that in order to meet the demand for the Ford Police Interceptor Utility hybrid and other Ford hybrid vehicles, the other Explorer models will only be offered with the 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost and 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6.

According to the spokesperson, those two engines account for the majority of Explorer sales.

Vehicles are expected to start arriving in dealerships in the second quarter of 2024.