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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 gasoline 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 stage evaluated, and will not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based 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 gasoline financial system: 18/25/21 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas sort: Common fuel
Base worth: $54,250 (not together with $1595 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Final Bundle ($4615)
Worth as examined: $61,155
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Roomy, refined, loads of energy
The nice: Upscale cabin, European-style journey 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 through the 2024 mannequin yr.
Having actually created the section—some credit score goes to the Toyota Highlander for first making use of a unibody automotive 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 duty, the Explorer appears prepared for enterprise, having not too long ago hit the spa for a reasonably vital makeover. The 2025 Explorer options up to date trim, a brand new and bigger infotainment touchscreen, in addition to an up to date heart console. Curiously, regardless of protecting for the departed Edge, Ford has truly reduce the variety of trim ranges supplied for ’25.
Additionally of curiosity, Ford has chosen to drop the hybrid powertrain from the 2025 Explorer engine bay, although it’s nonetheless supplied in police variations of the automobile. Count on to see a more-efficient hybrid possibility 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 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 predicted to get replaced sooner or later by the same Tremor trim stage. A Tremor package deal is already supplied on the Ford F-150 massive pickup, and we count on to see the package deal/trim stage finally increase 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. Hassle engines mate solely to a 10-speed computerized transmission. Hassle engines are supplied with rear-wheel drive or AWD.
Choices
Shopper Information not too long ago 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 in regards to 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 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 dissatisfied, nonetheless, by the shortage of shade on the touchscreen, discovering the overall black-and-white motif somewhat drab. That mentioned, the system is properly organized and easy to make use of, and the display screen is straightforward to learn even in vibrant gentle. The display screen additionally responds instantly to the touch inputs.
Cabin
The final atmosphere is upscale, and like so many upper-trim-level popular-brand crossover today, 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 wonderful 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 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 to sneak in again with little difficultly. Adults could wish to confine themselves to the entrance rows.
Energy and Efficiency
We’ve got complained prior to now about uneven low-speed energy supply from the EcoBoost 3.0-liter engine. We’re joyful to report that the difficulty 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 clean and well timed shifts. Whereas we discover the Explorer’s 4-cylinder engine greater than adequate for crossover responsibility, the potent V6 significantly ups the midsize Ford’s energy sport, making simple work of freeway merging and passing; it additionally sounds good when pushed.
Trip and Dealing with
For years now, bigger Ford merchandise have at all times been among the many greatest dealing with automobiles of their respective courses. 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, journey. Lengthy-trip consolation is great, because of wonderful 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 gasoline 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 gasoline 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 well-liked midsize crossover is as useful as ever, and, if ordered with the Platinum trim stage, features as a cut price luxurious automobile. In case your funds doesn’t permit for such extravagance, we predict you’ll discover extra a extra inexpensive trim stage, outfitted with the responsive 4-cylinder engine, almost as satisfying. So, joyful 34th birthday, Ford Explorer. You grown as much as be a effective crossover.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Ford Explorer Platinum Photos
Click on under for enlarged photos
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