2025 Ford Explorer Platinum 4WD
Written by Marco V. Carvajal
The legendary model FORD EXPLORER keeps getting better with an extensive facelift, with more features, and a simplified lineup with fewer trim levels with low pricing from $39K to $54K, with three rows.
For over three decades, the Explorer continues as a leader defining SUV comfort, performance, and functionality.
As part of the launch for the new Explorer, Ford is offering employee pricing, normally reserved for employees and their families, to all US customers on many new Ford and Lincoln models. This “From America” initiative extends to car buyers until June 2nd, 2025.
The new 2025 Explorer is very attractive with its redesigned Interior, the All-New Ford Digital Experience, and the Available BlueCruise Hands-Free Highway Driving
After more than two decades, the Ford Explorer continues to meet the expectations of the most demanding motorists with its impeccable style, advanced technologies, and a qualitatively new level of premium comfort at a low price.
You can fold down the seats in the third row and enjoy more space during your trip, or keep the three rows and have more capacity.
The 2025 Ford Explorer is updated with the debut of a new smarter infotainment system. The refreshed Explorer’s improved materials and tech features are impressive.
The new Explorer design is the first major update since a 2020 redesign that switched the Explorer to a rear-wheel-drive platform, as opposed to the front-wheel-drive configurations that underpin the vast majority of Explorer competitors.
2025 Ford Explorer Platinum 4WD Highlights
- 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 Engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology, or
- 3.0L EcoBoost V6 Engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology
- Rear Wheel Drive or 4 Wheel Drive
- 10-Speed Automatic Transmission Standard
- BlueCruise Hands-Free Highway Driving
- Platinum Branded ActiveX Trimmed Seats with Leather Perforated Inserts
- Heated and Ventilated, Multicontour Seats with Active Motion Massage in the Front Row
- 8-Way Power Driver Seat
- Premium AudioBang and Olufsen Sound System, 980 Watt, 14 Speakers including Subwoofer
- Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist 2.0 with 360-Degree Camera
- 20″ Luster Nickel-Painted Aluminum Wheels
- Instrument Panel Cluster with 12.3″ Color LCD Productivity Screen
- MSRP Pricing Starting at $52,100
- 4 Trim Levels
Ford’s best-selling SUV sets a new standard again with an updated lineup of models, all featuring a redesigned interior, advanced new technology, and bolder exterior styling to create Ford’s best Explorer yet.
For more than three decades, the Explorer has been a popular choice due to SUV comfort, performance, and functionality. Explorer drivers who select the ST-Line, ST, and Platinum models can enjoy the convenience of Ford BlueCruise hands-free highway driving.
Performance and Powertrain
The base engine for most Explorer trims remains a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 300 hp and a nearly equivalent 310 lb-ft of torque.
Standard on the ST trim model Explorer, and available on the Platinum model, is a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that generates huge power of 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard across the board, with all-wheel drive available.
A 10-speed automatic transmission is the only option on the new Explorer.
Technology
Technology represents the Explorer’s biggest advantage on the new update, and it’s the kind of revision that would typically come with a redesign or a new model.
The 2025 Explorer is the first Ford to come with the Ford Digital Experience infotainment system.
The new Android-based system makes Google Maps its native navigation app and uses the Google Assistant for voice commands. Drivers also have the option to use Alexa to connect to home devices as needed.
The system also offers the ability to display Google Maps in the instrument cluster of your Ford Explorer, either within the native system or via Android Auto/Apple CarPlay (wireless connectivity for both is also standard).
The new system allows access to the vehicle-specific version of the Google Play Store, which also includes some Ford-specific apps, such as a driving game.
Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving system will also be available for the first time on the Explorer. This model will run version 1.2 of the system, which offers lane-change assist and lane-repositioning assistance, which will gently steer the vehicle away from vehicles in other lanes. Adaptive cruise control is also standard for a higher safety level.
Pricing and Trim Levels
I am driving the 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum model, which is a great car to own, and a great car to enjoy every ride. Beautiful design, power and style with three rows, at a low price of $52K.
For 2025, the Explorer’s family trim levels have been reduced from eight trim models to four models: Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and the performance-oriented ST model.
The base price has increased with additional standard equipment and the elimination of the previous base trim.
The base 2025 Ford Explorer Active model starts at $39,785, followed by the ST-Line at $44,595. Then the Platinum at $52,100, and the top-of-the-line ST model, as the premium and most expensive new member of the group, with a starting price of $54,240.
The new 2025 Explorer lineup is better, from well-equipped Active to stylish ST-Line to high-performance ST and top-of-the-line Platinum. It continues that legacy with a more refined cabin that features sophisticated new color, texture, and material choices. It introduces the new Ford Digital Experience infotainment system.
Interior Design
Ford has completely redesigned the Explorer’s dashboard, freeing up more space and making the front passenger area feel much more open and clean.
The interior quality also appears to have improved, with greater use of soft-touch materials at key touchpoints.
There are a pair of new displays: a 12.3-inch instrument cluster display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen. Below the displays is a new storage shelf wide enough to hold two phones.
Competition of The Ford Explorer
To compete with the new 2025 Ford Explorer is not an easy task. This fully charged and low priced 3-row SUV has been designed to win on the car-shopping battlefield, but there several SUVs you can buy in the same segment including the 2025 Dodge Durango, 2025 Toyota Highlander, 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2025 Chevrolet Traverse, 2025 GMC Acadia, 2024 Ford Expedition, 2025 Honda Pilot, 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2025 Hyundai Palisade, 2025 Hyundai Palisade, and the 2025 Kia Telluride.
It is hard to compare these SUVs with the Explorer, as each car has its pros and cons and value. One of the best competitors of the Explorer is the new Hyundai Santa Fe, which, just like the Explorer, offers a new redesigned style and tons of standard features and value.
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