During the past three decades, upwards of eight million Ford Explorer Crossovers/Sport Utility Vehicles have rolled off assembly line, many right here in the Windy City.
Chicago's hometown hero returns for the 2025 model year with a mid-cycle refresh in which the interior cabin undergoes significant swank with soft-touch materials draping the dash and making their way to the side doors. All trims receive an ultra-modern 12.3-inch digital instrument gauge and a center-mounted multi-function center screen extending up from the upper dashboard. A class III tow package now comes standard across the board welcoming a respectable 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity. Exterior updates include a new black mesh insert within the front grille flanked by LED-style jewel-like headlights.
Ford Motor Company's doing something right as Explorer rates as one of the best-selling crossovers/SUVs of all time. The 2025 model year effort bases upon a sixth-generation effort introduced in the 2020 model year.
Ford's Chicago Assembly plant on the far Southeast side ranks as the longest-operating assembly facility within Ford's global portfolio. In fact, Ford pays homage to the Windy City with an embossed skyline sketch found on the Explorer's far right-side dashboard visible when opening the passenger front door. The driver's side settles for Detroit's skyline
Within Ford's 2025 product line, void of four-door sedans, Explorer rates as one of numerous five-door crossover including the compact Escape, compact Edge, mid-size Bronco, Bronco Sport and larger Expedition. All currently power via internal combustion engines (ICE) with all-electric EV choices relegated to the F-150 Lightning pickup truck and Mustang Mach E here in the States.
The three-row Explorer ranks as Ford's second best-selling vehicle behind the industry's perennial leader, the F-150 light duty pickup. In 2023 the Chicago Assembly line cranked out approximately 186,000 mid-sized, three-row Explorer units. Explorer's called Chicago home since 2011.
Trim level hierarchy simplifies in 2025 with half as many choices when compared with 2024. A new 'Active' trim serves as the 2025 entry point joined by ST-Line, performance-minded ST (including an upgraded sport-tuned suspension and performance brake pads with red painted front and rear calipers) and top-notch Platinum all with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive a $2,000 option in all trims. Retired trims include XLT, Timberline and King Ranch.
Two engine choices return, a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 and 2.3-liter inline turbocharged four cylinder. Both mate to a conventional recalibrated 10-speed automatic transmission with the V-6 offering steering wheel 'manumatic' paddle shifters allowing manual gear play without a foot clutch. Fuel economy rates middle of the road. A gas-electric hybrid (the non-plug-in variety) option got dropped from the lineup last year.
Active, ST Line and Platinum include the two-liter four-cylinder engine standard while the Sports-minded ST includes the V-6 standard (it's also optional in Platinum) providing all the power one desires and demands from a mid-size crossover.
The V-6 engine includes a 20.2-gallon capacity while the four-cylinder settles for a 17.9-gallon variety. Both include a capless refill system where the gasoline pump nozzle pushes its way through a self-sealing circular plate. Premium fuel is recommended for optimal performance although regular 87-octane will suffice.
In the fifth-generation Explorer redo introduced in the 2011 model year, Ford introduced a car-based uni-body structure, retiring the bulky and heavier body-on-frame design popular among pickup trucks. When Explorer debuted in 1992, Ford's Ranger pickup served as a platform twin and Explorer drove like the truck it was based upon. The 2025 version sports superior handling and a much quieter interior experience thanks to laminated front glass. Even with the larger V-6 engine under hood, engine rumble reaching the cabin remained minimal, not always noticeable within Ford products but very apparent within Explorer's confines.
Pricing for the entry Active trim complete with popular basic requests, rear-drive and four-cylinder power starts at a chunky $39,755. Pricing elevates quickly from there. Our Rapid Red Metallic ST with all-wheel drive had a starting price of $56,260. A Sun and Sound option package unique to ST added $2,995 as each trim offers up to two option packages. Also optional in all trims sans Active, and part of our ST, Ford Blue Cruise Hands Free Highway driving experience ($495). With a $1,595 destination charge, the bottom line reached $61,395.
The front dashboard now pushes forward giving the two-person first row better leg comfort. The 12.3-inch all digital instrument panel provides animated vehicle information. Seven different ambient lighting choices are available through the center touchscreen's easy-to-follow tutorial. This comes standard in our ST trim as well as Platinum while optional in the ST Line.
Each trim offers their own interior color scheme and fabric choices with ST opting for a black Onyx instrument panel and door panel with red stitching and perforated seats featuring micro-perforated Miko seating surfaces mimicking a suede texture. Soft-touch materials abound on the doors, armrests and dashboard.
The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts via a circular electronic dial between front bucket seats with illuminated lettering on top (PRND). To the rear is an electronic parking brake pull tab and circular dial selecting a half-dozen drive modes: normal, eco, sport, tow/haul, slippery and off-road. Dual inline beverage holders reside to the right.
A flat, wireless Qi Smartphone charging pad comes standard in ST and Platinum, optional in ST-Line but not available in Active. Its integrated design below the touch screen and a pair of horizontal air vents includes a green light indicator when charging. Enough room exists for two Smartphones to rest side by side but only one region of the shelf boasts wireless charging power. Fast 5G wireless technology speeds along screen selections.
Row one also include USB-Type A and Type C ports standard with both the second and third row include a pair of USB-Type C ports. The circular electronic engine start/stop resides on the dash between the steering column and lower screen.
The reimagined 13.2-inch multipurpose touch flatscreen screen extends up from the center dash in handsome landscape fashion replacing a vertical portrait format from last year. The HVAC climate controls now dial up from the screen but have an omnipresence along a bottom row with direction, fan speed and temperature icons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless compatibility come standard and part of the 'Ford Digital Experience'. A volume/on/off twist button resides below the screen/air vents sharing a row of push buttons including the hazard button, traction control on/off and exterior surround view camera feed.
The upper dash features a long narrow belt line speaker hub with14 speakers stretching from end to end benefitting the audio system and the ears that worship them with a gray hue and texture reminiscent of speaker covers popular in dorm rooms from past eras.
Shopper have a choice of six or seven seat configuration. Both ST and Premium include a pair of second-row Captain's Chairs standard while Active and ST Line include a fold-flat three-person bench. The third-row 50/50 split bench folds manually in Active and ST-line while power activated via right-side cargo wall push buttons in ST and Platinum. Rear side doors swing open nice and wide assisting entry to both second and third row.
Our second-row captain's chairs manually slid forward via a vertical floor track once the seat backs tilt and push forward. The further forward the power-motoring front seats get set, the further forward second seats move creating an aisle into the two-passenger third row. My six-foot one-inch frame maneuvered easily with about two inches of head room remaining. Third row leg room needs negotiating with middle row riders, but compared to other mid-size crossovers, this third row easily handles two medium-sized adults although seat cushions measure relatively close to the floor.
Front seat hip points situates a bit higher than a recently tested Subaru Outback mid-sized crossover, but maneuvering into front buckets from a standing position is a comfortable effort.
Side door pull-strap type grab handles share the body color hue and work in tandem with a relatively high side belt line running through the door handles. A power liftgate comes standard in all trims with a body-colored spoiler atop. Quad chrome exhaust tips come standard in ST (optional in top-trim Platinum). Wheel wells enjoy a circular style framed by black protective cladding that extends down to side doors and bumpers. At night, puddle lights beaming down from the side-view mirrors broadcasting the ST log onto the pavement. Six available exterior colors are offered.,
The redesigned front end includes a larger grille with each trim level expressing its own uniqueness flanked by sleeker headlight housing employing a pair of jewel-like LED bulbs. Above, a brow-like frosted line does double duty as amber turn signal blinkers and white daytime running lights. A narrow and wide air dam/curtain resides below. The 'Explorer' name is spelled out at the hood's lower nose. Our ST tester featured a honeycomb black mesh insert design and ST badging along with a center blue oval logo. Separate fog light housing reside lower down flanking the air dam.
In back, diminutive red LED taillights include a half-dozen lowercase inline 'r's replete with serifs on the driver's side with a mirror image of the lower case inline 'r' parade on the passenger side with both meeting up with to the 'Explorer' name in the liftgate's middle. This replaces boxy, rectangular portrait style shapes at each end from 2024.
All trims including the base version include Ford Copilot 360 Plus with a substantial array of safety and convenience including radar-enhanced adaptive cruise control which automatically speeds and slows Explorer down based upon the distance of the car ahead, lane keeping assist, rear cross traffic alert and braking, pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection and post-collision braking among others. An available 2.0 version adds a 360-camera feed and front parking sensors.
This past August, Ford invited members of the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) and other notables covering the transportation beat for an onsite in-person tour and carnival-like celebration with employees and their families highlighting the facility's historic 100th anniversary of continuous operation. In 1924, the plant assembled Ford's mass-produced Model T. In total, close to 16 million cars, trucks and crossovers have rolled off the assembly line on Chicago's far Southeast side adjacent to the Calumet River. Besides the 2025 Ford Explorer, the plant currently churns out the Lincoln Aviator (sister vehicle to Explorer) and police interceptor versions of Explorer. Chicago now remains the sole plant worldwide building the five-door Explorer.
2025 Ford Explorer ST
Price as tested: $61,395
Engine: 3.0-liter turbo V-6
Horsepower: 400
Wheelbase: 119.1 inches
Overall Length: 198.7 inches
Overall Width: 89.3 inches
Overall Height: 69.8 inches
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway
Curb Weight: 4,631 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
Assembly: Chicago
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