Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Ford Explorer ST 4WD
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover
Shade: Speedy Crimson Metallic
Seating Capability: 6
Miles pushed: 261
Actual-world gasoline economic system: 20.4 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Economic system | B |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 400-horsepower 3.0-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged V6 |
| Transmission | 10-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 20/18/25 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Common gasoline
Base value: $56,260 (not together with $1595 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at car: Solar and Sound Bundle ($2995) particular paint ($495), 12-month BlueCruise subscription ($495)
Worth as examined: $61,840
Execs and Cons
The good: Roomy, refined, loads of energy
The great: Upscale cabin, European-style experience and dealing with
The not so good: We weren’t prepared for a $60,000 Explorer
Assessment
Query: How would you like your 2025 Explorer? Your choices included inexpensive however sort of premium, sporty wanting, severely premium, or really sporty. Searching for extra to select from? Sorry, Ford severely simplified the Explorer lineup as a part of a major 2025 freshening.
Adjustments for 2025
The ’25 replace contains replace styling in and out, a newly obtainable black roof possibility, and the supply of Ford’s BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving system. Gone for 2025 are the XLT, Restricted, off-road-oriented Timberline, and leather-infused King Ranch trim ranges.
Costs and Trim Ranges
A equally outdoorsy Temor trim stage is anticipated to exchange the departed Timberline sooner or later, seemingly for the 2026 mannequin 12 months. For 2025, the Explorer lineup appears like this:
- Energetic (base, $1,450)
- ST-Line (sporty wanting, $46,210)
- Tremor (coming quickly)
- Platinum (luxurious, $53,845)
- ST (sporty, $55,855)
Engine
All however the ST characteristic a 310-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Normal on the ST, and obtainable on the Platinum is a 400-horsepower turbocharged 3.0—liter V6. Each engines mate to a 10-speed automated transmission. Rear-wheel drive is the usual power-delivery setup on all Explorers, with AWD obtainable (a $2000 add).
Ford Edge Discontinued
Explorer turns into the one midsize crossover in Ford dealerships this 12 months, with the 2-row Edge having been discontinued after 2024. And whereas the off-road oriented Bronco technically serves as a midsize SUV, it lacks the cabin house, mechanical refinement, and gasoline economic system to serve a household in addition to the Explorer.
Shopper Information just lately spent every week behind the wheel of a 2025 AWD Ford Explorer ST in Speedy Crimson. Outfitted with particular paint (Speedy Crimson), a 1-year BlueCruise subscription ($495) and the Solar and Sound Bundle ($2995) our take a look at truck got here to $61,345 together with vacation spot.
Design
From the skin, our take a look at ST appeared the a part of a sporty crossover. The pink paint and black wheels work effectively collectively, the truck appears hanging even from a distance. Likewise, inside, the black leather-based upholstery with pink stitching comes off as each stylish and athletic.
Passenger House
Stepping into and out of the cabin is simple sufficient; the Explorer is loads giant and roomy, and the large door openings make egress easy. There may be ample house even for bigger adults in each ahead seating rows, much less so within the 3rd row. That stated, even spry excessive schoolers will discover the far-back seating sufficient for even longer missions.
Cabin
Ford up to date its infotainment system for the brand new 12 months, and it really works effectively. The largish touchscreen gives up clear and easy icons, and there’s no delay in responding to the touch inputs. The driving force seating place is superb, no less than for this huge editor, who discovered it simple to regulate the seat for optimum consolation and outward visibility.
Controls and Connectivity
Extra cabin tidbits: Most-used controls fall simply handy, cabin supplies feel and appear substantial and upscale, and the usual (on ST) Band & Olufsen-brand audio system is superb. We do want, nonetheless, that the up to date touchscreen interface integrated extra shade, and fewer black display screen space. Although simple to learn, the display screen presentation is surprisingly dreary.
Journey and Dealing with
On the street, the Explorer ST seems like a well-engineered sporty crossover. The experience and dealing with stability is superb, with no complaints from us concerning the sport suspension messing up experience freeway consolation. There’s some actual heft to the steering, in addition to properly managed lean in corners, and robust, reassuring feeling brakes. The cabin is quiet, too, making for relaxed longer journeys.
Energy and Efficiency
Now we have complained prior to now about this drivetrain’s uneven energy ship, however discovered our explicit take a look at automotive freed from that situation. Certainly, the Explorer ST delivers loads of clean and progressive energy, and makes fast work of passing and merging conditions. The turbocharged V6 makes some fairly compelling noise within the course of. To not work, the engine quiets down totally in routine driving. As an added bonus, we averaged higher than 20 mpg over 263 miles of largely metropolis driving.
BlueCruise
We didn’t have the chance to completely consider the BlueCruise driving system on this take a look at car, however have loved prolonged use of the know-how on different Ford land Lincoln merchandise. We have been impressed by relaxed a protracted drive may be with BlueCruise in operation, and loved the journey extra due to it. That stated, $495 is a major amount of cash for one thing you might not use. Make sure your common automotive use would justify the expense.
Worth
Whereas we discover the Explorer’s commonplace 2.3-liter engine totally satisfying in common driving, we will whole-heartedly endorse the obtainable V6 for extra energetic commuting. Moreover, the ST’s dealing with and braking upgrades do little to compromise the car’s ambient goodness. We just like the ST, however maybe barely choose the extra relaxed Platinum trim stage. You possibly can learn our assessment of that Explorer right here.
For customers unwilling to decide to the ST with its efficiency upgrades, think about the more-affordable ST-Line, which remains to be loads fast, and prices much less.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Ford Explorer Platinum Footage
Click on under for enlarged photos
