2025 Ford Explorer: Buy or Skip?
The 2025 Ford Explorer continues the legacy of one of America’s most iconic SUVs, trusted by families for more than three decades. Since its debut in the early 1990s, the Explorer has evolved from a rugged off-road SUV into a refined, family-friendly three-row vehicle that combines comfort, technology, and everyday practicality. For 2025, Ford refreshes the Explorer with updated styling, a more premium interior, and an improved infotainment system, making it even more competitive in the crowded midsize SUV segment. Whether you're looking for a dependable family vehicle or an SUV capable of weekend adventures, the 2025 Explorer aims to deliver. In this review, we'll explore its biggest strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if it's the right SUV for you.
Best Suited For
The 2025 Ford Explorer is ideal for growing families and active drivers who need a spacious SUV that balances comfort, practicality, and performance. With seating for up to seven passengers and generous cargo space, it's well-suited for school runs, road trips, grocery shopping, and everyday commuting. Its impressive towing capacity also makes it a strong option for outdoor enthusiasts who regularly haul boats, campers, or trailers.
The refreshed interior offers a more premium feel with upgraded materials and modern technology, while available all-wheel drive provides extra confidence during bad weather or light off-road adventures. Whether you're a busy parent or someone who enjoys weekend getaways, the Explorer offers the versatility to fit a variety of lifestyles.
5 Pros
Spacious Three-Row Seating
The Explorer comfortably accommodates up to seven passengers, making it an excellent choice for larger families. The flexible seating layout provides plenty of room for passengers and cargo, making long trips more enjoyable.
Impressive Towing Capability
With a maximum towing capacity of 5,600 pounds, the Explorer easily handles boats, trailers, and small campers, making it ideal for weekend adventures.
Redesigned Interior with Modern Comforts
Ford has upgraded the cabin with higher-quality materials, improved ergonomics, and a cleaner dashboard design. The result is a more refined and comfortable driving experience.
Advanced Infotainment System
A standard 13.2-inch touchscreen offers a modern interface with responsive controls and seamless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, helping drivers stay connected on every journey.
Balanced Comfort and Capability
The Explorer delivers a smooth ride for daily commuting while remaining capable enough for road trips and light off-road driving, especially when equipped with available all-wheel drive.
5 Cons
Despite its many improvements, the 2025 Ford Explorer isn't without its drawbacks. Here are a few things to consider before buying.
Higher Price Point
The refreshed styling and upgraded features have increased the Explorer's price, making it more expensive than some competitors.
Tight Third-Row Space
Although it offers seating for seven, the third row is best suited for children or shorter adults, especially on longer journeys.
Average Fuel Economy
Fuel efficiency remains competitive but isn't class-leading, particularly with the more powerful V6 engine.
Learning Curve with New Technology
The upgraded infotainment system and digital displays are feature-rich, but first-time users may need time to become familiar with the controls.
Strong Competition
The midsize SUV segment remains highly competitive, with rivals like the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Kia Telluride offering compelling alternatives.
Fuel Consumption and Engine
The 2025 Ford Explorer offers two turbocharged engine options designed to meet different driving needs. The standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder produces 300 horsepower, delivering strong acceleration while returning an estimated 23–24 mpg combined in rear-wheel-drive models. It provides an excellent balance between everyday performance and fuel efficiency.
Drivers seeking greater performance can choose the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, which generates 400 horsepower. This engine significantly boosts acceleration and increases towing capability, though fuel economy drops to approximately 20 mpg combined.
Rear-wheel drive comes standard, while all-wheel drive (AWD) is available for improved traction in rain, snow, or light off-road conditions. This flexibility allows buyers to choose the setup that best matches their driving needs, making the Explorer equally suitable for commuting and outdoor adventures.
Hybrid Engine
For 2025, Ford has discontinued the hybrid version of the Explorer, simplifying the lineup to its two turbocharged gasoline engines. While this decision streamlines the buying process, it may disappoint shoppers seeking a more fuel-efficient hybrid SUV. Buyers prioritizing lower fuel consumption may need to consider earlier Explorer Hybrid models or competing three-row hybrid SUVs. Even without a hybrid option, the 2025 Explorer remains a strong choice thanks to its capable performance, spacious interior, advanced technology, and overall versatility.Your Ford Explorer is just a click away!You can also search the parts here