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 economic system: 22.4 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
| Match and End | A- |
| Gasoline Financial 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. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 400-horsepower 3.0-liter |
| Engine Kind | Turbocharged V6 |
| Transmission | 10-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 18/25/21 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline sort: Common fuel
Base worth: $54,250 (not together with $1595 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Final Bundle ($4615)
Value as examined: $61,155
Professionals 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
Evaluation
It’s arduous to not empathize with the Ford Explorer. Now 34 years outdated, Ford’s midsize crossover not solely bears the burden of legacy (the 1991 Explorer was arguably the nation’s first mainstream, family-friendly, right-size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 throughout the 2024 mannequin yr.
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 purchasers in a category of some 25 automobiles, every of which has it deserves.
Updates
However regardless of the competitors, and new showroom duty, 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. Apparently, regardless of masking for the departed Edge, Ford has really reduce 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. Anticipate to see a more-efficient hybrid choice when the Explorer is totally redesigned for the 2027 or 2028 mannequin yr.
Costs and Trim Ranges
About these trim ranges: For 2025 the Explorer is obtainable because the entry-level Energetic ($41,350), sporty ST-Line ($46,110), plush Platinum ($53,745), and high-performance ST ($55,755).
Gone are the Base (changed by the Energetic), XLT, Restricted, Timberline, and King Ranch. The off-road themed Timberline is anticipated to get replaced sooner or later by the same Tremor trim degree. A Tremor package deal is already provided on the Ford F-150 massive pickup, and we anticipate to see the package deal/trim degree finally broaden all through the Ford mannequin portfolio.
Obtainable on some trim ranges are 2nd-row captains seats, which reduces whole 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. Trouble engines mate solely to a 10-speed automated transmission. Trouble 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 informed, 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 in regards to the Explorer stylewise, we like the brand new, bolder grille, and recognize how the optionally available 21-inch wheels match the grille and physique trim. The up to date Explorer appears just a bit cleaner and sportier than the earlier model did.
Connectivity
Inside, the Explorer nonetheless seems like a Ford crossover, although the bigger touchscreen and reorganized controls assist to simplify the panorama considerably. This creator was disillusioned, nevertheless, by the dearth of coloration on the touchscreen, discovering the final black-and-white motif just a little drab. That stated, the system is effectively organized and easy to make use of, and the display screen is straightforward to learn even in shiny mild. 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. It is a elegant crossover.
There’s additionally loads of area—an indicator of Explorer possession. Even huge guys will discover loads of area within the first and second seating rows, and huge door openings assist make getting into and exiting the Explorer simple. The third row is beneficiant sufficient, and even nimble high-school boys will have the ability to sneak in again with little difficultly. Adults could need to confine themselves to the entrance rows.
Energy and Efficiency
We have now complained up to now about uneven low-speed energy supply from the EcoBoost 3.0-liter engine. We’re comfortable to report that the difficulty appears to have been resolved, as our check Explorer proved to be trouble polished and highly effective, with V6 supply loads of muscle, and the 10-speed automated offering easy and well timed shifts. Whereas we discover the Explorer’s 4-cylinder engine greater than adequate for crossover obligation, the potent V6 severely 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 greatest dealing with automobiles of their respective lessons. That is true for the F-150 massive pickup, the Expedition massive SUV, and the Explorer. For 2025, the Explorer stays true to type, and serves up balanced and arguably sporty strikes, whereas nonetheless delivering a agency, however very refined, trip. Lengthy-trip consolation is great, because of glorious freeway composure, comfy 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 economic system. Over 150 miles of principally metropolis driving, our check AWD Explorer with the optionally available V6 engine returned higher than 22 mpg, spectacular given this crossovers measurement 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 widespread midsize crossover is as purposeful as ever, and, if ordered with the Platinum trim degree, capabilities as a discount luxurious automobile. In case your funds doesn’t permit for such extravagance, we expect you’ll discover extra a extra inexpensive trim degree, outfitted with the responsive 4-cylinder engine, practically as satisfying. So, comfortable 34th birthday, Ford Explorer. You grown as much as be a high-quality crossover.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Ford Explorer Platinum Footage
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