Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Ford Explorer Platinum 4WD
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover
Shade: Agate Black Metallic
Seating Capability: 8
Miles pushed: 151
Actual-world gas financial system: 22.4 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
| Match and End | A- |
| 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 replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 400-horsepower 3.0-liter |
| Engine Kind | Turbocharged V6 |
| Transmission | 10-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 18/25/21 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Common gasoline
Base value: $54,250 (not together with $1595 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Final Bundle ($4615)
Worth as examined: $61,155
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Roomy, refined, loads of energy
The nice: Upscale cabin, European-style experience and dealing with
The not so good: We weren’t prepared for a $60,000 Explorer
Assessment
It’s exhausting to not empathize with the Ford Explorer. Now 34 years previous, Ford’s midsize crossover not solely bears the burden of legacy (the 1991 Explorer was arguably the nation’s first mainstream, family-friendly, right-size “SUV”), the favored 3-row Ford should now cowl for the 2-row Edge, which was dropped from the Blue Oval lineup in the course of the 2024 mannequin 12 months.
Having actually created the phase—some credit score goes to the Toyota Highlander for first making use of a unibody automotive chassis—the Explorer now battles for patrons in a category of some 25 autos, every of which has it deserves.
Updates
However regardless of the competitors, and new showroom duty, the Explorer appears prepared for enterprise, having just lately hit the spa for a reasonably important makeover. The 2025 Explorer options up to date trim, a brand new and bigger infotainment touchscreen, in addition to an up to date middle console. Apparently, regardless of overlaying for the departed Edge, Ford has really lower the variety of trim ranges supplied for ’25.
Additionally of curiosity, Ford has chosen to drop the hybrid powertrain from the 2025 Explorer engine bay, although it’s nonetheless supplied in police variations of the automobile. Anticipate to see a more-efficient hybrid possibility when the Explorer is totally redesigned for the 2027 or 2028 mannequin 12 months.
Costs and Trim Ranges
About these trim ranges: For 2025 the Explorer is obtainable because the entry-level Lively ($41,350), sporty ST-Line ($46,110), plush Platinum ($53,745), and high-performance ST ($55,755).
Gone are the Base (changed by the Lively), XLT, Restricted, Timberline, and King Ranch. The off-road themed Timberline is predicted to get replaced in some unspecified time in the future by an analogous Tremor trim degree. A Tremor package deal is already supplied on the Ford F-150 massive pickup, and we anticipate to see the package deal/trim degree finally broaden all through the Ford mannequin portfolio.
Obtainable on some trim ranges are 2nd-row captains seats, which reduces whole passenger capability from seven to 6.
Engines
Explorer energy comes from both a 2.3-liter “EcoBoost” turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, or a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 additionally dubbed EcoBoost. The smaller engine is rated at 300 horsepower, whereas the V6 boasts 400. Trouble engines mate completely to a 10-speed computerized transmission. Trouble engines are supplied with rear-wheel drive or AWD.
Choices
Shopper Information just lately frolicked with an AWD 2025 Explorer Platinum in Agate Black and geared up with the Final Bundle. The Final Bundle brings with it the V6 engine, 21-inch “darkish alloy” wheels, the Lux Leather-based Bundle, and Ford’s Blue Cruise semi-autonomous driving system. All instructed, our well-equipped Explorer got here to $61,155 together with vacation spot cost.
Design
Whereas we by no means discovered a lot to dislike in regards to the Explorer stylewise, we like the brand new, bolder grille, and recognize how the non-obligatory 21-inch wheels match the grille and physique trim. The up to date Explorer appears to be like just a bit cleaner and sportier than the earlier model did.
Connectivity
Inside, the Explorer nonetheless appears like a Ford crossover, although the bigger touchscreen and reorganized controls assist to simplify the panorama considerably. This creator was dissatisfied, nevertheless, by the shortage of colour on the touchscreen, discovering the overall black-and-white motif somewhat drab. That mentioned, the system is nicely organized and easy to make use of, and the display screen is straightforward to learn even in vibrant mild. The display screen additionally responds instantly to the touch inputs.
Cabin
The final atmosphere is upscale, and like so many upper-trim-level popular-brand crossover lately, the Explorer Platinum very a lot fills the position of luxurious automobile. The Lux Leather-based Bundle, included within the Final Bundle brings with it such niceties as improve leather-based seating surfaces, quilted-look door inserts, and contrasting leather-based stitching, all to wonderful impact. It is a elegant crossover.
There’s additionally loads of house—a trademark of Explorer possession. Even large guys will discover loads of house within the first and second seating rows, and huge door openings assist make coming into and exiting the Explorer simple. The third row is beneficiant sufficient, and even nimble high-school boys will be capable to sneak in again with little difficultly. Adults could wish to confine themselves to the entrance rows.
Energy and Efficiency
We’ve got complained up to now about uneven low-speed energy supply from the EcoBoost 3.0-liter engine. We’re glad to report that the difficulty appears to have been resolved, as our take a look at Explorer proved to be trouble polished and highly effective, with V6 supply loads of muscle, and the 10-speed computerized offering easy and well timed shifts. Whereas we discover the Explorer’s 4-cylinder engine greater than adequate for crossover responsibility, the potent V6 critically ups the midsize Ford’s energy recreation, making simple work of freeway merging and passing; it additionally sounds good when pushed.
Trip and Dealing with
For years now, bigger Ford merchandise have all the time been among the many finest dealing with autos of their respective lessons. That is true for the F-150 massive pickup, the Expedition massive SUV, and the Explorer. For 2025, the Explorer stays true to kind, and serves up balanced and arguably sporty strikes, whereas nonetheless delivering a agency, however very refined, experience. Lengthy-trip consolation is great, because of wonderful freeway composure, snug seats, and a really quiet cabin. A pleasant shock, too, and one thing that may make prolonged street journeys much more nice was our noticed gas financial system. Over 150 miles of principally metropolis driving, our take a look at AWD Explorer with the non-obligatory V6 engine returned higher than 22 mpg, spectacular given this crossovers dimension and energy. And, Ford recommends regular-grade gas for the Explorer, no matter engine.
Worth
The tweaks for 2025 don’t essentially change the character of the Ford Explorer, and that’s OK with us. Ford widespread midsize crossover is as practical as ever, and, if ordered with the Platinum trim degree, features as a discount luxurious automobile. In case your price range doesn’t enable for such extravagance, we expect you’ll discover extra a extra reasonably priced trim degree, geared up with the responsive 4-cylinder engine, almost as satisfying. So, glad 34th birthday, Ford Explorer. You grown as much as be a tremendous crossover.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Ford Explorer Platinum Footage
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