Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Ford Explorer ST 4WD
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover
Coloration: Speedy Pink 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 degree evaluated, and will not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” 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 computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 20/18/25 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Common fuel
Base value: $56,260 (not together with $1595 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Solar and Sound Bundle ($2995) particular paint ($495), 12-month BlueCruise subscription ($495)
Worth as examined: $61,840
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Roomy, refined, loads of energy
The great: Upscale cabin, European-style journey and dealing with
The not so good: We weren’t prepared for a $60,000 Explorer
Evaluate
Query: How would you like your 2025 Explorer? Your choices included reasonably priced however type of premium, sporty wanting, significantly premium, or really sporty. On the lookout for extra to select from? Sorry, Ford dramatically simplified the Explorer lineup as a part of a big 2025 freshening.
Adjustments for 2025
The ’25 replace consists of replace styling inside and outside, a newly obtainable black-roof possibility, and the provision 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 degree is predicted to switch the departed Timberline sooner or later, probably for the 2026 mannequin yr. For 2025, the Explorer lineup seems to be like this:
- Energetic (base, $1,450)
- ST-Line (sporty wanting, $46,210)
- Tremor (2026?)
- Platinum (luxurious, $53,845)
- ST (sporty, $55,855)
Engine
All however the ST function a 310-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Customary on the ST, and obtainable on the Platinum is a 400-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. Each engines mate to a 10-speed computerized 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 yr, 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.
Client Information lately spent every week behind the wheel of a 2025 AWD Ford Explorer ST in Speedy Pink. Outfitted with particular paint (Speedy Pink), a 1-year BlueCruise subscription ($495) and the Solar and Sound Bundle ($2995) our check truck got here to $61,345 together with vacation spot.
Design
From the surface, our check ST appeared the a part of a sporty crossover. The pink paint and black wheels work properly collectively, and the truck seems to be putting even from a distance. Likewise, inside, the black leather-based upholstery with pink stitching comes off as each stylish and athletic.
Passenger House
Entering into and out of the cabin is straightforward sufficient; the Explorer is a lot giant and roomy, and the massive 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 association ample for even longer missions.
Cabin
Ford up to date its infotainment system for the brand new yr, and it really works properly. The largish touchscreen provides 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 straightforward to regulate the seat for optimum consolation and outward visibility.
Controls and Connectivity
Extra cabin tidbits: Most-used controls fall simply at hand, cabin supplies feel and appear substantial and upscale, and the obtainable Bang & Olufsen-brand audio system is superb. We do want, nevertheless, that the up to date touchscreen interface included extra shade, and fewer black display space. Although straightforward to learn, the display presentation is surprisingly dreary.
Journey and Dealing with
On the street, the Explorer ST looks like a well-engineered sporty crossover. The journey and dealing with steadiness is superb, with no complaints from us concerning the sport suspension messing up total 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
We now have complained prior to now about this drivetrain’s uneven energy ship, however discovered our specific check automobile freed from that situation. Certainly, the Explorer ST delivers loads of easy and progressive energy, and makes fast work of passing and merging conditions. The turbocharged V6 produces some fairly compelling noise within the course of. To not fear, the engine quiets down totally in routine driving. As an added bonus, we averaged higher than 20 mpg over 263 miles of principally metropolis driving.
BlueCruise
We didn’t have the chance to totally consider the BlueCruise driving system on this check automobile, however have loved prolonged use of the expertise on different Ford and Lincoln merchandise. We have been impressed by how relaxed a protracted drive will be with BlueCruise in operation, and loved the journey extra due to it. That stated, $495 is a big sum of money to spend for one thing it’s possible you’ll not use. Ensure your common automotive routine would justify the subscription value.
Worth
Whereas we discover the Explorer’s customary 2.3-liter engine totally satisfying in common driving, we are able to whole-heartedly endorse the obtainable V6 for extra energetic commuting. Moreover, the ST’s dealing with and braking upgrades do little to compromise the automobile’s ambient consolation and refinement. We just like the ST, however maybe barely desire the extra relaxed Platinum trim degree. You possibly can learn our assessment of that Explorer right here.
For customers unwilling to decide to the ST with its efficiency upgrades, contemplate the more-affordable ST-Line, which seems to be good, continues to be a lot fast, and prices much less.
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2025 Ford Explorer Platinum Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures