Following a bit of a delay, the refreshed 2025 Ford Explorer debuted this past February, bringing about a few welcome changes for the long-running model. As is typically the case with a mid-cycle refresh, these changes are more evolutionary than revolutionary, though the 2025 Ford Explorer does have a few notable updates such as the addition of the brand new Ford Digital Experience software, coupled with a pared-down powertrain lineup.
Ford Authority will be driving the 2025 Ford Explorer this week at a media drive event, giving us the chance to check out all of these changes up close and personal before the updated model officially launches. Thus, this gives us the perfect opportunity to ask our readers – what do you want to know about the refreshed 2025 Ford Explorer?
As a reminder, the 2025 Ford Explorer is available in Active, Platinum, ST-Line, and ST trim levels, and features a few minor styling updates, including a revised fascia that varies slightly by trim, slimmer LED headlights, and lower, wider air curtains. In the rear, the taillights now extend to the nameplate appliqué, while Platinum, ST-Line, and ST customers can also opt for a black-painted roof. The same goes for the interior, which gets new soft touch surfaces, available ActiveX seating, silver mesh accents, and a redesigned dashboard that’s been moved forward to increase front row legroom.
With no hybrid powertrain available – at least for now – 2025 Ford Explorer customers get two choices in that regard – the turbocharged 2.3L I-4 EcoBoost, which is standard in the Active, Platinum, and ST-Line, and the twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 EcoBoost, both of which are mated to the 10-speed automatic transmission.
Soon, we’ll have the chance to drive the 2025 Ford Explorer and check out all of these updates ourselves, meaning that we’ll also be able to answer all of your questions about the refreshed model in a few days. So until then, outline your burning questions below and we’ll be answering them soon!
We’ll have more on the 2025 Ford Explorer soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Explorer news and comprehensive Ford news updates.
Comments
Why are you putting HVAC controls in touchscreen when most prefer real buttons and knobs?
1) How does the new infotainment system compare to the Sync systems which it replaces? Pros and cons of that change. How buggy is the new system? Do CarPlay and Android integration work well?
2) Why is the 2025 Explorer shipping with BlueCruise 1.2, when 1.3 has been available on the Mach-E for almost a year? When will the 2025 Explorer receive BlueCruise 1.3? To that end, what does the future of BlueCruise look like? You have reported the Ford CEO saying they are close to Level 3 autonomous driving, and should have a product ready in 2026 – will that eliminate or replace BlueCruise? Will there be architecture or hardware changes which render current generations of BlueCruise immediately obsolete?
3) Are the EPA mileage estimates for the 3.0L V6 available, and if so, what are they?
4) Will the hands-free liftgate feature ever come back? Even as a dealer-installed option?
5) What types of sales incentives will the 2025 Explorer launch with, if any?
6) When does Ford expect the 2025 Explorer to be available in dealer stock? You have reported on the manufacture-and-hold process for quality checks – when will that process complete?
4) I seriously hope not….the amount of time that thing whacked me, or tried to dent the liftgate anytime you were messing with the hitch on our old Escape was infuriating….I would have turned it off it I could
Naturally interested in handling and overall performance of the ST version. Does it have the same solid feel cruising at 85mph+ that my Durango R/T does with ease? Looking for a potential replacement for the R/T in a year or two.
MY BIG QUESTION IS: WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO RELEASE THE 2025 EXPLORER’S BUILT IN MAY, MINE WAS BUILT MAY 23, HAS NOT LEFT “IN PRODUCTION” PHASE????
Everybody wants to know this. Mine finished production 6/5 and has been on quality hold ever since. I’m about ready to head out and buy a Mazda or Toyota. I’m giving them to the middle of August.
Your biggest mistake was buying a vehicle that hadn’t been built yet. Go to any used lot right now, pick one up, and drive it home today for less money.
Yes and will get much better gas mileage.
All of the above, but especially when are they going to start shipping the ones built in May and early June? And also the questions about Blue Cruise, and whether it’s going to be obsolete in a year.
Does the 10 speed automatic shift more smoothly than in past years of this generation?
Especially with the V6.
They have been manufacturing the 2025 since mid May but have shipped none of the estimated 30,000 built units.
When will the built 2025 models be shipped ?
My 2025 Explorer has been built with an ETA of July 10-16. The 16 is tomorrow. When can I expect my vehicle to arrive?? Order #4569
Wit, you ordered a vehicle and had to wait for it? You poor thing. If only you could just buy one, possibly used and at a discounted rate, at a dealership. Then you could just drive it home today.
Is the interior still a cheap penalty box? The 2020 Explorer was a huge step backward in interior trim appearance and feel.
As an owner of a 2020 Explorer ST which I do like very much I am very disappointed in the 2025 model. Ford has for some reason taken away many standard features on my car. Some are no longer available. The lack of a quality redesign of the interior is awful. Instead of a real state of the art dash design like the Chinese Explorer they continue to just stick a big screen in the middle which looks like an afterthought. The 2025 if more money for less vehicle. But mostly a disappointing interior for a vehicle costing 60K or more. No leather seats either. I can have any color interior as long as it’s black! Ford needs new interior designers. I have been a Ford customer for 35 years. It appears they no longer want my business. In another note stopping to make the Edge is another huge mistake. I know at least 6 people who will buy another brand since the Edge will soon be no longer available. What gives at Ford?
Since the chassis of the 2024 and 2025 are the same…why did the towing capacity drop from 5600 to 5000 pounds?
Have they resolved the differential single bolt recall issue?
Wish they had a normally asperated 6cyl. No need for turbos for my drivung needs. My 6cyl 2013 Explorer had plenty of power.
Will they have a rear wheel only drive system available?
Will they have models without a sun roof?
Lastly, I agree with an earlier post, I prefer tactile rather than digital climate controls.
My Explorer had a build week of 7-8, last week. Did not get built? As others have mentioned WHY have no vehicles been shipped? Come on Ford, what’s the delay.
Order# 9710. I sincerely hope we might actually get some answers.
And I would like to add, A $64,000 plus MSRP and no leather interior. Yes, I’m waiting for a ST. Also, why does China get all the good or better stuff?
As asked above. When will they be shipped. The lack of communication has been a real deal. Mine was to be at dealer June 27-July 4th what’s up with the process of following through with your words?
I understand that the 2025 Explorer will be shipping with BlueCruise 1.2. Will an update to the 1.3 version be made available on the Explorer, and when?
Most important question we all need answers too is when are they going to ship? Mine has been stuck in the “in production” phase since 6/14, with no updates on the tracker site. Ford customer service has no other information.
In addition to no leather seats being available in an ST, there’s no 2nd row bench seat in a 2025 ST. You can get a bench seat in a Platinum version, but only if you get the 2.4L engine, not the 3.0L engine. How irritating.
I own a 2016 Explorer Sport. Love the HP and its a great car to drive from Ohio to Florida and back 6 months later. The current style with the sloping roof line and screen that looks like and after thought disgust me. Considering an 2025 Expedition. The ST is, as has been noted before, more money for less car.
Does it start and also, why is it so ugly?
Will the PCMs be locked for tuning?
1) 4 bolt subframe or 3 bolt subframe?
2)Ford performance tune for 2024 and 2025 models?
3) 2025 more refined compared to 2024 or the same?
4) flex pipe issue fixed?
Will a second row bench be available with the 3.0? The online builder doesn’t allow this configuration. If it’s not available I will probably need to go to a competitor.
Can you program the door locks to open when the explorer is put in park? I had it on my 2016 pilot but not on my 2019 Explorer Sport.
How does the new 2.3L compare to the old one in terms of power delivery, fuel economy, etc. and how does the transmission retuning feel compared to the old one?
Is there “active noise cancellation” in any of the 2024/2025 models? I currently drive a 2011 Exploader (not a typo) Limited (my 3rd Exploader) and was seriously looking at a replacement but the issue of a) no more Hybrid, b) no more Limited, c) difficulty getting the 60/40 2nd row in the higher end, d) not wanting a glass roof at all, e) heated/cooled leather (and heated 2nd row) seating with driver/co-pilot electrical seating, and f) a vertical (not horizontal) START button.
I was actually looking for a way to disable “active noise cancellation” if it is part of the Platinum/ST build.
Add one more request for info on when they will start shipping the first ones built. Our’s has been “In Production” since the first week in June.
Like to see comments on all of the issues mentioned since I’m thinking about purchasing one
I think Ford wants to open the option list, if you are buying a new vehicle, you should be able to pick the item’s of trim, colour, button’s, etc., otherwise people will change the brand.
How is the road noise on the freeway compared to the 20-24 ones any improvements?
Amen. I had a 2022 Explorer, and it was quite loud at freeway speeds, much more so than the 2019 Edge I had previously. The engine noise through the firewall at all speeds was way too intrusive, and driving in anything more than light rain was like being in a tin shack. Sound deadening material can’t be that expensive, so I would think there’s opportunity for a lot of bang-for-the-buck there.
I went back to a 2024 Edge after turning in the ’22 Explorer, btw.
Is the sound system any better? Why no heads up display at the upper trim price points?
I’ve owned a lot of Explorers over a 35 year period being in the business 13 of those years. I would like to know is the rough shifting 3-4 gear better, is down shifting any better. I’ve had a 2020 ST & a 2023 ST & have never been satisfied with the shifting in the ST. Why only 5 colors 2/3 of which are just ugly. One ugly wheel option on ST. No leather now? How does it look and feel. Like the Escape? They need to improve the interior not go backwards and just change dash with more tech. Does the 3D rear camera have a full screen now or still a split 1/4 of the screen still. Are there still 5k sensors and relays on it that you can hear outside the vehicle when approaching, doesn’t make it sound or feel like a quality vehicle. Also, waited for years to get a black roof option, but for 5K? Really, when everyone else is 500-700 dollars? I thought when prices came out it was a typo.
Sounds like we don’t like the ST but actual really like it. Just some of the things we don’t. Hope to hear back, thx
Title intro wants all of our burning questions so hear’s mine. Where do I take it to get it burned? It’s a very expensive piece of junk.
Hybrid availability date ?
Does it rattle as much of my 2021 does, especially the sunshades in the rear doors?
How many features are locked behind a subscription paywall? One is enough for me to buy elsewhere.
When can Ford answer all these questions about Delivery of the 2025 Explorers to the dealership, mine ws ordered back in Febuary 5 2025 and its built and sitting in Chicago ?
I have seen 2025 Explorer Platinum and ST, but I wanted to see the rear view of the ACTIVE and see if they have visible exhaust pipes or are they hidden behind plates??