It's hard to argue with the heritage of the Ford Explorer. Since hitting the market in the early 90s, the Explorer has earned a reputation as a driver favorite, outselling the competition to become the country's best-selling SUV. From holiday trips to the Sinterklaas Festival Day to summer concerts at the Fisher Center, the Explorer is a mainstay of the Rhinebeck community. But Ford isn't resting on its laurels when it comes to the Explorer. While it would be easy to roll out the same model year after year, Ford has taken a more proactive approach with its flagship SUV, redesigning the Explorer to keep up with emerging technology, trends, and styles.
The sixth-generation Explorer hit the market back in 2020, but Ford is treating drivers to a mid-cycle refresh for 2025 that sees the SUV gain a long list of new features. Between a brand-new infotainment system, the Explorer debut of Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving tech, and a revamped trim ladder that makes finding the right model easier than ever, the 2025 model makes a compelling case for seeking out a Ford Explorer for sale in Rhinebeck. There's a lot to cover when it comes to the new Explorer, so let's dive in and see what sort of new features the popular SUV has in store this time around.
Streamlined Trim Options
Ford has simplified the Explorer's trim ladder going into the 2025 model year, axing half of the 2024 options to create a more streamlined buying experience. While this might not sound like an improvement, Ford has taken a measured approach, reducing the number of available trims without losing any of the capability or customization that has long made the Explorer such a favorite. Those looking to create a one-of-a-kind SUV still have plenty of available features and equipment packages to choose from, but in nixing the Base, XLT, Timberline, Limited, and King Ranch trims, the automaker has actually done drivers a service. Popular features are now less likely to be limited to certain models, allowing customers to create an Explorer that fits their own driving needs without having to shell out for a bunch of equipment they might not need.
The Active
So, where does that leave us when it comes to the 2025 trims? It all starts with the base offering dubbed the Explorer Active. This well-rounded trim is a real value in the three-row SUV segment at $39,755 while delivering a long list of features that make it feel like anything but an entry-level option.[a] From heated front seats with 10-way power adjustment and LED signature lighting to a potent, 300-horsepower 2.3L EcoBoost engine, an advanced Terrain Management System and Ford's Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), the Active is a well-equipped SUV ready to show off its value.
The ST-Line
Stepping up a level, you'll find the ST-Line. A sportier take on the standard version of this Ford SUV, the ST-Line adds available performance brakes, available red-painted performance front and rear brake calipers, and a standard premium ten-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, as well as some eye-catching features like 20-inch machined, ebony-painted aluminum wheels and a matching ebony interior with red stitching. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is upgraded to Co-Pilot 360 Assist 2.0 with 360-Degree Camera.
The ST
The ST trim is the high-performance version of the fan-favorite SUV. A sport-tuned suspension with a lower center of gravity improves the Explorer's handling, but it's the addition of the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 that really sets it apart. With 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque under the hood, the Explorer ST is the rare three-row model that can rocket from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. Add in a top speed of 146 mph, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and available Intelligent 4WD, and you've got a family-friendly SUV that can still provide its fair share of thrills. The company has also given the Explorer a track-ready makeover with the addition of quad chrome exhaust tips, 21-inch Magnetite-painted aluminum wheels, and an exclusive optional Ford Performance hood graphic.
The Platinum
Ford rounds out the 2025 lineup with the Explorer Platinum, a luxury-focused trim that manages to integrate an impressive number of performance-minded features. The interior is decidedly plush with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats and heated second-row seats, not to mention a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a twin-panel moonroof. Those seeking the ultimate blend of comfort and performance will appreciate the ability to add the 400-horsepower EcoBoost V6, which allows the Platinum to be almost as speedy as the rubber-burning ST.
Exploring with BlueCruise
Since 2022, Ford's BlueCruise technology has been allowing drivers to take a more hands-off approach to driving. The automated system can perform a vast majority of the typical driving duties, from accelerating and braking to keeping a set distance from other vehicles and piloting the Explorer through curves on over 130,000 miles of compatible roads (or "Blue Zones") across the US and Canada. While BlueCruise was initially limited to a selected number of Ford models like the Mustang Mach-E, Expedition, and F-150 Lightning, the technology is now expanding to the Explorer as an available feature on the ST-Line, ST, and Platinum trims. Whether you're headed for a little fun Upstate or driving south to take in a Broadway show, BlueCruise will ensure a stress-free driving experience that'll have you feeling fresh and ready for whatever the day might have in store.
The active driving assistance system has earned top marks from leading critics like Consumer Reports, which ranked BlueCruise as the industry's top hands-free driving system. In the 2023 study, BlueCruise beat out similar offerings from GM, Nissan, Honda, and Toyota, logging an impressive score of 84 out of 100 in an exhaustive review of competing systems. Ford's hand-free driving software has only improved since then, with the automaker introducing BlueCruise version 1.2 in 2023 on the Mustang Mach-E. With the ability to automatically change lanes and reposition the vehicle to stay centered within the lane, BlueCruise 1.2 now provides Explorer drivers with an even safer, more convenient driving experience.
BlueCruise earned rave reviews for its capabilities, performance, and clarity, but it's the system's driver-monitoring system that marks one of its biggest advantages. BlueCruise is a Level 2 hands-free system, which means that it still requires drivers to keep their eye on the road and be ready to take control should the need arise. The driver-monitoring system accomplishes this by constantly observing your eyes and head position, sending a warning if it detects that your attention is starting to slip. If this warning isn't heeded, BlueCruise will automatically disengage the system, sounding a clear alert before returning full control to the driver. It might not be the fully self-driving technology promised in countless sci-fi movies, but with Level 3 hands-free systems still largely limited to the testing phase, it's about as close as you can get on today's market.
A Technological Update
The 2025 Ford Explorer's dashboard infotainment display represents another major upgrade over the 2024 model, but the improvements go far beyond the screen itself. We'll start with the most obvious development: Ford has replaced the SUV's standard 8.0-inch touchscreen display with a generous 13.2-inch version that makes viewing directions and navigating the system's apps a breeze. Standard on every version of the 2025 Explorer, the 13.2-inch display is even larger than the 10.1-inch vertically oriented screen that was previously available as an optional add-on for some of the upper-tier trims. This new, expansive display allows the Explorer to remain competitive in a segment where such infotainment systems are becoming a make-or-break feature for the average driver and helps Ford maintain its reputation as a leader when it comes to in-vehicle technology.
The new 13.2-inch display might give the Explorer's dashboard a decidedly modern feel, but just wait until you turn it on. Ford has replaced its outgoing Sync 4 infotainment system with an all-new platform called the Ford Digital Experience (FDE). This Google-based system features improved hardware for faster processing, graphics, and memory, giving drivers the ability to access their favorite apps and monitor important safety and convenience features like BlueCruise with virtually no lag. From Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and voice control to popular apps like Google Maps, Audible, and Spotify, the FDE has all the features drivers have come to expect from a contemporary infotainment system, plus a whole lot more. The system leverages the Explorer's 5G Wi-Fi hotspot to give passengers the chance to stream a wide range of media when the vehicle is safely parked. In addition to catching up on your favorite content from Prime Video and YouTube, you can also connect up to 10 devices and access the web via the infotainment display, thanks to the built-in Vivaldi Browser or Google Chrome.
The FDE addresses one of the most common issues drivers have cited when it comes to in-vehicle infotainment systems. While having access to the wide world of apps, media, and vehicle data is certainly convenient, it can also be a little overwhelming. The complexity of today's infotainment systems can be a little overwhelming for some drivers and might even be a risky distraction for those too preoccupied with menu-diving and scrolling to keep their eyes on the road.
Ford has addressed this by separating the display into three primary zones. The Critical zone, located closest to the driver, displays vital operational and safety data like speed and the BlueCruise interface, while the Supportive zone handles navigation and other information drivers might need to access in real-time. On the far right is the Glanceable zone, where you'll find less-pertinent information like media settings, weather, tire pressure, and other customizable widgets. It might seem like a simple change, but we think it could go a long way in elevating the driving experience while simplifying the way drivers interact with infotainment technology.
Looking Forward to Exploring 2025
There's a lot to be excited about when it comes to the 2025 Ford Explorer. Ford's best-selling SUV has been a mainstay atop the sales charts since the early 1990s, and the 2025 version seems destined to find the same sort of success. The new Ford Digital Experience infotainment system and the Explorer debut of BlueCruise make the Explorer one of the most tech-savvy models on the market and give it a resume that can go toe-to-toe with any other SUV in the hotly contested segment. The new slate of trim offerings makes finding the right Explorer a breeze, especially for those in the market for a performance-focused model like the ST. If you're headed downtown for an afternoon of window shopping or taking the family to one of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome's famous air shows, the Ford Explorer will get you there in comfort and style while allowing for a few thrills along the way. Contact us today to learn more or set up a test drive.
