2025 Ford Explorer

Pros 

• Lots of power that can make things go faster. 
• Do not fall. 
• There are a lot of tools and functions that can help you drive. 

Cons 

• The second and third rows are not as roomy as those in other SUVs of the same type. 
• Only members who pay extra can use the hands-free BlueCruise system.

What about the way the Explorer is pushed? If you want a fast ride, the Explorer is the best three-row SUV. The ST version moves faster, drives better, and steers better than the others in this group. The 2.0-liter supercharged V6 engine in the ST and Platinum models makes 400 hp. Our Explorer ST test car went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. One more thing: the base turbo four-cylinder engine is faster than the V6 engines in the Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride. 

It’s a wonder the Explorer can turn corners. It feels strong and sporty, and this Ford SUV goes fast. Driving the Explorer is pretty smooth every day, but the auto stop-start system is annoying at stoplights because it takes too long for the engine to start up again after you let off the gas. Even though you can turn it off, it’s annoying that it always works while you’re moving.

How nice and cozy does the Explorer look? Which row you sit in on the Explorer makes a big difference in how cozy you are. If you can get one of the front seats that are strong and well-padded, you’ll be happy. The seat coolers feel just as solid as the ones we love in Ford cars. If they keep you warm and cool, they’re both great. The front seats of some trims are massage seats, but they are loud and don’t work. 

However, sitting in the second or third row is less fun. The ST captain’s chairs need more padding so people can slide around in them. They’re too small for anyone but a child to enjoy. The third-row seat bottom is too close to the ground for your legs. It’s also not comfortable to sit in, and the chairs don’t have pillows. 

There is a way to go for each trim level. Because the ST is more focused on speed, it rides rougher than most SUVs, so there are more bumps and ruts in the road. The people riding in the grades that aren’t ST can be more relaxed and at ease.

What’s the inside like? The Explorer’s second and third rows are less roomy than those in the Volkswagen Atlas and Kia Telluride. It is hard to get into the third seat, which makes the problem even worse. There isn’t much room for your legs or head, and there isn’t much space between the back of the second-row seats and the car’s body. 

The touchscreen on the Explorer is mostly where you’ll find the temperature settings. They are usually easy to use and only take up a little space on the screen. The system also works very quickly. Because the Explorer is a three-row SUV, it has good vision outside. The available surround-view camera, which shows a picture that is so clear it takes up almost the whole screen, is very helpful for driving.

How does it work? The Explorer’s newest guidance system is a big improvement. It has two screens: a standard 13.2-inch tablet in the middle and a 12.3-inch screen on the dashboard. Google is also built in; Google Assistant takes voice commands, and Google Maps is the main travel app. You can now connect your phone wirelessly if you still want to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new tech is very quick and easy to use. Large groups of USB ports inside the car make it easy for everyone to charge their gadgets. 

Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free system can be added to the Explorer, and the car’s driver assistance features don’t usually get in the way. This new version works well and sometimes lets you take your hands off the wheel while you’re driving on the highway.

How is the storage going? It’s not as big as most of the other cars behind the third row—only 16.3 cubic feet of space. What about the cargo area? It has a big storage bin under the floor and a cover that can be switched to have a side that isn’t carpeted in case you need to move dirty or wet things. When both rows are taken down, there is 85.3 cubic feet of space for a load. 

It’s big enough to hold little things. People in the first row have more secret shelves and bins than people in the second and third rows. It’s easy to put car seats in the second row because the doors are big, and the top and bottom LATCH hooks are close at hand. But there is little room for a child seat in the third row.

How much gas does it take? The Explorer is believed to get a little better gas mileage than the average midsize SUV. The base engine with rear-wheel drive can get up to 24 mpg, but the V6 engine with all-wheel drive can only manage 20 mpg. But we know that these Ford turbocharged engines can drink gas when they’re pushed hard, so you might need to ease off on the gas if you want to meet these goals.

Is the Explorer on sale? The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride offer better warranties than the Explorer, so the Explorer can’t compete with them. However, we still think this is a good buy, considering its features and quality. Some of the Explorer’s options are a bit too pricey.

If we had to choose just one midsize SUV with three rows of seats, we’d pick the Explorer. It would be a great car to drive if the V6’s exhaust sound was more exciting. The Explorer, on the other hand, looks like any other car. The only real difference between the Explorer and the ST is a few small ones that make it stand out.

Every Explorer comes with many great options, like heated front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can get by with the base Active trim, but the slightly higher price is worth it for the ST-Line’s more upscale look and extra driver assistance features like BlueCruise hands-free calling. If you want to pull bigger trailers, you should get the Platinum or ST form of the Explorer with the V6 engine.