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 automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score 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 sort: Common fuel
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
Execs and Cons
The good: Roomy, refined, loads of energy
The nice: Upscale cabin, European-style trip and dealing with
The not so good: We weren’t prepared for a $60,000 Explorer
Evaluate
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 automobile chassis—the Explorer now battles for patrons in a category of some 25 automobiles, every of which has it deserves.
Updates
However regardless of the competitors, and new showroom accountability, 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. Curiously, regardless of protecting for the departed Edge, Ford has really minimize the variety of trim ranges provided for ’25.
Additionally of curiosity, Ford has chosen to drop the hybrid powertrain from the 2025 Explorer engine bay, although it’s nonetheless provided in police variations of the automobile. Count on to see a more-efficient hybrid choice 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 anticipated to get replaced sooner or later by an analogous Tremor trim degree. A Tremor package deal is already provided on the Ford F-150 giant pickup, and we anticipate to see the package deal/trim degree ultimately develop all through the Ford mannequin portfolio.
Obtainable on some trim ranges are 2nd-row captains seats, which reduces complete 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. Hassle engines mate solely to a 10-speed computerized transmission. Hassle engines are provided with rear-wheel drive or AWD.
Choices
Client Information just lately frolicked with an AWD 2025 Explorer Platinum in Agate Black and outfitted 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 concerning the Explorer stylewise, we like the brand new, bolder grille, and respect how the non-obligatory 21-inch wheels match the grille and physique trim. The up to date Explorer seems 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 disillusioned, nonetheless, by the shortage of coloration on the touchscreen, discovering the overall black-and-white motif a bit of drab. That stated, the system is effectively organized and easy to make use of, and the display screen is straightforward to learn even in brilliant gentle. The display screen additionally responds instantly to the touch inputs.
Cabin
The overall atmosphere is upscale, and like so many upper-trim-level popular-brand crossover nowadays, the Explorer Platinum very a lot fills the function 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 glorious impact. This can be a stylish crossover.
There’s additionally loads of area—an indicator of Explorer possession. Even large guys will discover loads of area within the first and second seating rows, and enormous door openings assist make getting into and exiting the Explorer simple. The third row is beneficiant sufficient, and even nimble high-school boys will be capable of sneak in again with little difficultly. Adults might wish to confine themselves to the entrance rows.
Energy and Efficiency
We have now complained previously about uneven low-speed energy supply from the EcoBoost 3.0-liter engine. We’re glad to report that the problem appears to have been resolved, as our take a look at Explorer proved to be hassle 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 ample 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.
Experience and Dealing with
For years now, bigger Ford merchandise have at all times been among the many finest dealing with automobiles of their respective courses. That is true for the F-150 giant pickup, the Expedition giant 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, trip. Lengthy-trip consolation is superb, due to glorious 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 largely 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 in style midsize crossover is as useful as ever, and, if ordered with the Platinum trim degree, capabilities as a cut price luxurious automobile. In case your finances doesn’t enable for such extravagance, we expect you’ll discover extra a extra reasonably priced trim degree, outfitted with the responsive 4-cylinder engine, almost as satisfying. So, glad 34th birthday, Ford Explorer. You grown as much as be a effective crossover.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Ford Explorer Platinum Footage
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