When the refreshed 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator debuted earlier this year, there was one glaring omission from both lineups – the presence of a hybrid powertrain option. As Ford Authority reported earlier this month, the automaker stated that this decision was made amid high demand for the hybrid version of the law enforcement-focused Police Interceptor Utility, which comes standard with the electrified option for the new model year. However, that doesn’t mean the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator hybrids are gone forever.
Rather, as part of its broad strategy shift announcement this morning, Ford announced that it has canceled plans to build a pair of planned three-row all-electric crossovers for North America. At the same time, the automaker also revealed that it was shifting those resources to “develop a new family of electrified three-row SUVs which will include hybrid technologies that can offer breakthrough efficiency, performance benefits, and emissions reductions versus pure gas vehicles and extend the range of the vehicle on road trips relative to pure electric vehicles.”
While Ford didn’t specifically mention the Explorer and Aviator here, it could very well be referring to those two models, particularly since we already know that it plans to offer a hybrid powertrain option across its entire ICE-focused Ford Blue lineup by 2030. It is notable that this is the first time we’re hearing that hybrids will explicitly replace the canceled EV models, too.
It’s also worth noting that FoMoCo’s other three-row SUVs – the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator – are slated to get hybrid powertrains at some point in the future as well, though the refreshed 2025 Navigator just debuted without one. Ford’s master contract agreement with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union last fall produced a product roadmap noting that hybrid variants of both are slated to be added to the assembly line at some point, in fact.
We’ll have more on the 2025 Ford Explorer soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Explorer news, Lincoln news, Lincoln Aviator news, and comprehensive Ford news updates.
Comments
Great minds think alike, if you look back at my previous remarks, you’ll find where I said that to me it makes better sense to only produce Hybrids across the board to elevate the need of re-charging stations for road trips. (better fact check that) I know I said something very similar to that, but I may have added more to it.
Hybrids are electric vehicles with an engine generating the energy to charge tbe battery. The electric motor is what moves the wheels. You can search for the several Ford hybrid transmissions or transaxles and see where the electric motor is in the power train and what it does. I have a 2014 Fusion Hybrid (a HEV) and its HF35 is very famous and very bulletproof. If the battery is bigger and has an onboard charger, it would be a PHEV and it is the Fusion Energi model, which competed against the Chevy Volt in sales. So Ford can convert any hybrid into a future electric just by eliminating the engine and its vestigial components, and add a larger battery. Electrics will arrive later.
Here’s hoping they fix the stupid front seats on the Aviator, and expand the addressable market beyond petite housewives. That could have been a really good offering without some terrible design blunders.
Have you seen / driven the all new Lincoln Nautilus hybrid SUV ? Nicest in its class inside & out. Selling very well too not surprisingly. Love the seats in our ’22 Edge AWD. Though really want new Nautilus hybrid AWD. Reviews are stellar.
Ford needs new interior designers who know what they are doing. The Explorer interior design is 2nd class at best. Terrible dash design not to mention no more leather seating and any color you want for the interior as long as its black. What happened to the beautiful camel color seating for the Explorer. Ford interior designers are awful. Especially the ones designing the ST
You haven’t seen the completely refreshed ’25 Explorer yet Gary? New front & rear styling. All NEW interior. Its absolutely amazing in my opinion & ppl that have reviewed early pre production vehicles. Game changing to say least. The all new Lincoln Nautilus hybrid is selling well & class leading.. check out online reviews. Possibly my next vehicle very soon. 💯
Hmmm it’s best selling in its class & the refreshed ’25 version has huge changes inside & out. Hard to beat the luxury & performance of Explorer ST. Facts.
So Ford is 5 years behind Toyota, as usual.
We have a 25 Explorer ST. We feel the refresh is ahead of a Toyota Grand Hylander. Overall the ST is awesome. Fantastic powertrain. Can’t to get 500 miles on it so I stand on. This vehicle wants to go, you can feel it babying it for now.