Ford Explorer sales decreased in the United States but increased in Canada and Mexico during the first quarter of 2025.
| MODEL | Q1 2025 / Q1 2024 | Q1 2025 | Q1 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | -19.07% | 47,314 | 58,465 |
| MODEL | Q1 2025 / Q1 2024 | Q1 2025 | Q1 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | +7.17% | 2,572 | 2,400 |
| MODEL | Q1 2025 / Q1 2024 | Q1 2025 | Q1 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | +104.71% | 565 | 276 |
| MODEL | Q1 2025 / Q1 2024 | Q1 2025 | Q1 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | +12.75% | 168 | 149 |
Ford Explorer sales led the mainstream large three-row crossover segment in Q1 2025 among 13 models when ranked by sales volume.
The Explorer (see running Ford Explorer sales) maintained its lead despite experiencing a not-insignificant 19 percent drop to 47,314 deliveries. It was followed by the Honda Pilot in second place with a nine percent upswing to 32,642 units. The Kia Telluride, the first of two models from the Hyundai Motor Group, posted a 17 percent increase to 29,843 sales to place third. The Chevy Traverse (see running Chevy Traverse sales) took fourth with a 62 percent jump to 28,331 units. The Hyundai Palisade, the second entry from the Hyundai Motor Group, saw sales grow four percent to 26,235 deliveries, placing fifth. The Toyota Grand Highlander followed in sixth with two percent uptick to 25,718 units. The VW Atlas was next in seventh place as sales grew once percent to 25,591 units. The rest of the field posted less than 20K deliveries each, including the GMC Acadia (see running GMC Acadia sales), the Traverse’s corporate cousin and platform mate, which placed 11th with a 73 percent leap to 13,257 units.
| MODEL | Q1 25 / Q1 24 | Q1 25 | Q1 24 | Q1 25 SHARE | Q1 24 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD EXPLORER | -19.07% | 47,314 | 58,465 | 16% | 19% |
| HONDA PILOT | +8.62% | 32,642 | 30,051 | 11% | 10% |
| KIA TELLURIDE | +16.67% | 29,843 | 25,578 | 10% | 8% |
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | +62.12% | 28,331 | 17,475 | 9% | 6% |
| HYUNDAI PALISADE | +3.88% | 26,235 | 25,255 | 9% | 8% |
| TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER | +2.32% | 25,718 | 25,136 | 9% | 8% |
| VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS | +1.05% | 25,591 | 25,326 | 9% | 8% |
| NISSAN PATHFINDER | +3.41% | 19,661 | 19,012 | 7% | 6% |
| MAZDA CX-90 | +51.77% | 15,153 | 9,984 | 5% | 3% |
| DODGE DURANGO | -9.44% | 13,701 | 15,129 | 5% | 5% |
| GMC ACADIA | +72.75% | 13,257 | 7,674 | 4% | 3% |
| TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | -62.49% | 12,017 | 32,033 | 4% | 11% |
| SUBARU ASCENT | -12.65% | 11,079 | 12,683 | 4% | 4% |
| TOTAL | -1.07% | 300,542 | 303,801 |
The Explorer earned a 16 percent segment share, down three percentage points year-over-year. The second-place Pilot posted an 11 percent share, up one percentage point, while the Telluride earned a 10 percent share, up two percentage points. The Traverse, Palisade, Grand Highlander, and Atlas each recorded a nine percent share. The rest of the field earned a seven percent share or less, including the Acadia, which posted a four percent share, up one percentage point.
The mainstream large three-row crossover segment contracted one percent to 300,542 units in Q1 2025, meaning Ford Explorer sales underperformed the segment average.
Combining GMC Acadia sales with those of the Chevy Traverse totaled 41,588 deliveries for a combined 13 percent segment share, placing GM third overall in terms of sales volume, about 6K units behind Ford.
| MODEL | Q1 25 / Q1 24 | Q1 25 | Q1 24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | +62.12% | 28,331 | 17,475 |
| GMC ACADIA | +72.75% | 13,257 | 7,674 |
| TOTAL | +65.37% | 41,588 | 25,149 |
Hyundai Motor Group, which offers the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, recorded a combined 56,078 sales for a cumulative 19 percent segment share, putting the automaker in first place overall, ahead of The Blue Oval.
| MODEL | Q1 25 / Q1 24 | Q1 25 | Q1 24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIA TELLURIDE | +16.67% | 29,843 | 25,578 |
| HYUNDAI PALISADE | +3.88% | 26,235 | 25,255 |
| TOTAL | +10.32% | 56,078 | 50,833 |
Toyota’s two entries in this space, the Highlander and Grand Highlander, saw 37,735 combined deliveries for a 13 percent segment share, placing fourth overall, behind GM.
| MODEL | Q1 25 / Q1 24 | Q1 25 | Q1 24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | -62.49% | 12,017 | 32,033 |
| TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER | +2.32% | 25,718 | 25,136 |
| TOTAL | -33.99% | 37,735 | 57,169 |
For informational and comparative purposes, we provide sales figures for midsize crossovers that overlap with larger models like the Explorer – either in price, seating capacity, or both. Despite the fact that these models are physically smaller than the Explorer and its direct rivals, they are often cross-shopped. These overlapping vehicles include:
| MODEL | Q1 25 / Q1 24 | Q1 25 | Q1 24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | -11.00% | 48,465 | 54,455 |
| HYUNDAI SANTA FE | +20.34% | 31,401 | 26,094 |
| CHEVROLET BLAZER | -12.56% | 14,510 | 16,595 |
| MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER | -13.39% | 11,992 | 13,846 |
| FORD EDGE | -94.09% | 2,078 | 35,157 |
| NISSAN MURANO | +84.13% | 8,702 | 4,726 |
The Jeep Grand Cherokee, which includes the two-row Grand Cherokee and extended-length, three-row Grand Cherokee L, outsold the Explorer yet again, albeit barely this time by roughly 1K units. However, the Jeep’s two-row variant is an Edge rival, while the three-row one is an Explorer competitor.
Ford Explorer sales experienced a precipitous drop during Q1 2025, while continuing to lead the segment on an individual basis. The downturn might be related to availability issues, and we expect the refreshed 2025 Explorer to return the nameplate to growth in the coming quarters (barring any roadblocks like impacts from tariffs and production issues stemming from them).
And although the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride from the Hyundai Motor Group together outsold the Explorer, Ford’s crosstown rival GM couldn’t catch up, recording about 6K deliveries less when combining sales of the Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia. Toyota was behind even more with its two Highlanders.
The 2025 Ford Explorer debuts with new tech and a redesigned interior. The model range has been culled down and simplified to just Active, Platinum, ST-Line, and ST trim levels, each with a slightly different look on the outside thanks to a few minor styling updates. Gone are the Base, Limited, King Ranch, and Timberline trims. Instead, a first-ever Tremor off-road variant is on the way, with the SUV having recently been spotted testing for the first time.
For 2025, the BlueCruise semi-autonomous driver assistance system is available on the Explorer for the first time ever, available on Platinum, ST-Line, and ST trims. Additionally, the 2025 Explorer is the first Ford-branded vehicle to get the new Ford Digital Experience software, which was developed in conjunction with Google. It runs on a larger 13.2-inch infotainment screen, which is coupled with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Pricing of the 2025 Explorer shows that the most expensive configuration costs over $65K. In February, the lineup gets mid-year price adjustments with trims now more and less expensive depending in variant.
Two powertrain choices are available on the 2025 Explorer, with the turbocharged 2.3L I-4 EcoBoost offered as standard on Active, Platinum, and ST-Line trims, and the twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 EcoBoost offered as standard on ST and optional on Platinum. Output remains the same, with the V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are mated to the 10-speed automatic transmission, and all four trims come standard with rear-wheel-drive, with all-wheel-drive available as an option. Here we outline engine availability.
Check out the Ford Authority guide to every package on the 2025 Explorer, along with every exterior paint color and interior colorway, plus wheels and grilles.
Looking ahead, a Ford Explorer redesign is on track for a 2027 debut.
Interest-free financing and more on the compact crossover.
Providing a way to keep using electric power only.
All while usage continues to rise.
Due to soaring prices and high interest rates.
It managed to complete the race, too.
View Comments
If you are going to combine the Kia and Hyundai sales figures together to compare against the Explorer, then the Lincoln Aviator should be included in the total sales figures for Ford.
You’d think, but Lincoln is a premium nameplate and plays in a different sandbox. Interesting to me is that the Chevy Traverse gained almost an identical number of sales to the Ford’s loss. Slid right across. Ford quality has to be a factor, but GM has big recalls too.
Lincoln belongs in the mix because it's What a "Mercury" Was To Be
If you throw in Lincoln, then you must throw in Genesis into the Hyundai/Kia mix... Just sayin.
It's overpriced. I was in the market for one earlier this year and I couldn't justify the cost. I ended up getting another Escape instead. I would've preferred something with more cargo space, but not at Explorer prices.
I don't think sales will get any better with a 'refreshed' version. There just might be too many similarly sized and priced SUVs on the market, and with the amount of recalls (again) and a lack of a hybrid model, it might be a tough sale to get any better.
Mabe the recalls are having a effect...one of most recalled suvs..Ford quality seems to get worse not better..
Though I've been a Ford owner for 45 years, the state of the company is disheartening, and almost embarrassing at times. It looks like Hyundai/Kia is doing what Ford should be doing, and their sales prove it. Good quality and design at a good price. Full line of SUV's, expanding line of EV's for those that prefer those, and hey, they actually sell sedans as well!
This is very simple, I have had 6 Explorers and I will never buy another one. The QC is terrible, the amount of recalls is staggering. Let me define QC, upon delivery on one of my Explorers all four wheels were different versions of the same wheel design. Dealer had to order 4 new wheels, how does that get out of the Plant? The 2021 Explorer refresh pushed out SYNC3 it was and still is a disaster multimedia platform. My 21 Explorer arrived at the dealership with glovebox completely misaligned with the dash. The passenger rear window had a wind noise so loud back passenger couldn't hear any interior conversations. Then they want you to pay $65,000. Look at the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse and what you get for that same money and there is no comparison. That's why the Traverse sales are up 62% and Explorer is plummeting.
One can to look at the reliability record of Ford and other American car manufacturers and see that buying one is not a good investment. I have a 2017 Mazda CX-5 and it has not been in the shop foir any repairs. And yet the UAW saw fit to receive a minimum 25% increase in wages over their contract's duration, with some workers seeing increases of up to 160% For what? Turning out junk!
Constant recalls and read about the QC process and what gets out of the factory its insane.
I’m a Ford fan but the lack of styling changes for 2025, stories about poor quality, and high price led me to buy a 2025 Mazda CX-90. I’m happy with my decision. Hoping Ford improves.