The recent debut of the 2025 Ford Explorer marks that long-running model’s latest mid-cycle refresh, one that brings forth a host of updates inside and out. However, as is always the case in the automotive world, it’s only a matter of time before the Explorer is treated to a full-blown redesign. A report from August 2022 indicated that this was likely to happen in 2026, but a new report now claims that the Ford Explorer redesign will occur a bit later.
According to Automotive News, the Ford Explorer is now due for a redesign in 2027, though it didn’t provide any additional information as to what that action might entail. Regardless, there are a few notable changes that took place in the 2025 model year that could preview the future of the Ford Explorer – chiefly, the off-road-focused Timberline is expected to be replaced by a new Tremor variant, and the now-gone hybrid powertrain (at least for retail models) should be making a comeback at some point, too.
This small delay isn’t a huge surprise given the fact that the latest Explorer refresh was originally slated to occur in the 2024 model year, but was later pushed back to 2025. The last Ford Explorer redesign took place in 2020, however, meaning that it will be quite a few years by the time the next one arrives, if this report turns out to be accurate. As Ford Authority previously reported, both the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator are slated to continue to be built at the Chicago Assembly plant for the foreseeable future, according to the United Auto Workers (UAW) latest contract agreement with the automaker.
In the meantime, the 2025 Ford Explorer ushered in a host of changes including revised exterior styling, as well as a revamped cabin with a new dash, a larger 13.2-inch infotainment screen coupled with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, the new Ford Digital Experience software, and various other updates.
Comments
As far as I am concerned the 2025 Explorer was a step backwards. Not nearly as good as my 2020 ST. Worse interior design. Terrible dash design. Less towing capacity. More expensive. Disappointed in Ford right now. Worst of all every Ford seems to be defective. Quality has been terrible. Last of all every review is awful.
I agree I called the CEO at ford and of course didn’t talk to him but was always impressed with the long imfortainment system that one that go across the dash from the drver side to the massager side they put the screen in the mustang and in the Avator but not the explorer I even ask if I could build it with the long screen of course that will be a no why they went backwards on the 2025 explorer is beyond me it was there one hundred year anniversary that would have been a good time to make there number one selling vehicle come out on top but naw guess it was to much like right
This interior was a mix of huge let down, and huge improvement.
Anything is better than that garbage vertical screen they had before. It was just total garbage, in every way. That said, the new double shelf looks terrible. Removing the physical HVAC controls was a step backwards (obvious cost cutting). Pricing at the top end is realistically about the same as last year, 61-62k fully loaded, it’s been that price since like 2021.
Hope the next model does not go down the unibody path. That would be the end of the Explorer. Do it right and don’t cobble it together with leftovers from the parts bins.
Of course it will be unibody. If they wanted BOF, they’d just bring the Everest stateside.
Still waiting for a 4×4 or AWD Explorer Hybrid that’s recreationally towable.
So darned tired of waiting.