2025 Ford Explorer ST Road Test and Review

2025 Ford Explorer ST ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

One of the first mid-size sport-utilities introduced some three and a half decades ago, the Ford Explorer has remained a top-selling entry ever since. More than 8 million have been sold by Ford since the SUV’s debut as a 1991 model. The current-generation Explorer, reverted to a rear-drive layout with available four-wheel drive (4WD), broke cover for the 2020 model year. The 2025 model year gets a facelift, featuring a taller grille, slit-like LED headlamps, and a broader lower front fascia. Inside, there’s a more premium-looking dashboard and console with available seven-color ambient lighting, a new infotainment system design, and expanded driving assistance systems, including Ford’s hand’s-free Blue Cruise semi-autonomous cruise control available on most 2025 Explorer models.

For 2025, Ford simplifies the Explorer model lineup to just four trims: base Active, sporty-looking ST-Line, enhanced-performance ST, and luxury-focused Platinum. Assembled in Ford’s Chicago plant, Explorer base prices range from slightly more than $40,000 to the mid-$50,000s.

The subject of this review, the Explorer ST, continues to offer sportier handling and upgraded performance while not compromising the mid-size SUV’s overall utility. 

Twin-Turbo V6 Power

Not quite a Raptor but leaning to the sporty side, the ST is the only Explorer model equipped with a standard twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6. It’s optional in the Platinum, but other Explorer models must make due with a 300-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo engine. With 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque available, the ST’s EcoBoost V6 is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds. This is same as with the EcoBoost four-cylinder in the other Explorer models,
but the ST sounds a bit more eager to the task.

As with other Explorers, the ST uses a 10-speed automatic transmission, but adds steering wheel-mounted manual shift paddles for drivers who can swap gears themselves, a sporty touch and handy when driving on twisty mountain roads. The ST also brings shorter final-drive gearing for improved acceleration with 60 mph achievable from rest in the low 5-second range. That’s about a second quicker than the EcoBoost four-cylinder can accomplish the task.

The Environmental Protection Agency rates the ST 3.0-liter V6 at 20-21 mpg in combined city/highway driving, about 3 mpg less than the 2.3-liter four-cylinder. I saw an average 21.7 mpg in a week’s driving.

2025 Ford Explorer ST ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Putting On the Lux

Compared to last year’s model, the 2025 Explorer’s cabin is more upscale and pleasing to the eye. Front and center is an all-new horizontal-themed dashboard with bands of complementary colors and textures. In the ST, a fabric-covered horizontal panel on the upper part of the ST dash is actually a sound bar. The driver’s display, now digital and configurable, is sharp and colorful, measuring 12.3 inches. The lux treatment continues to the edges of the dash, center console, and door armrests where wrapped, soft-touch surfaces greet areas the occupants are likely to make contact with. Ambient accent lighting with seven selectable hues on the ST’s dash, console, and doors adds a muted stylistic effect that’s best enjoyed during night driving. The Explorer ST’s flat-bottom, leather-wrapped, thick-rim sport steering wheel feels good in your hands and has ergonomically shaped thumb rests right where you want them. Usually found only in higher-end luxury models, all Explorers feature power-operated steering wheel tilt and telescope functions.

Adding convenience for front-seat occupants, a new open shelf in the dashboard’s center stack with a rubberized non-slip surface Ford dubs the “drop zone” features a wireless cellphone charger in the left slot and on the passenger side a convenient storage spot for a second phone, snacks, keys, or any manner of trip detritus. Climate controls are accessed via a band of small virtual buttons at the bottom of the infotainment screen instead of larger, physical buttons. This mostly works despite the climate control icons tiny size, but finding the air recirculation mode control requires diving into secondary screen menus, not fun when you’re in a hurry to find it driving through dust or stuck behind a smelly, smoky diesel. 

2025 Ford Explorer ST ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Shifting Infotainment to the Horizontal

New this year is the Ford Digital Experience, which includes a standard landscape-format 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen in all models. This larger screen takes the place of last year’s 8-inch one in base models and a portrait-format 10.1-inch infotainment display in upper trims. I like the new Explorer’s landscape format because it helps keep the driver’s eyes higher on the dash and the road ahead. Google built-in is new as well and provides easy access to Google Maps, and the real-time database Google Assistant voice command uses is great for finding point-of-interest locations. Also standard are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto cellphone mirroring and an AM/FM stereo with a free trial of Sirius/XM 360 with genre-selective programming. Ford thoughtfully kept the easy-to-use rotary volume knob for predictable gain and quick adjustments on the fly.

The Explorer ST was equipped with a 980-watt 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system offering crystal clear fidelity, depth, and separation. The system includes a fabric covered sound bar that runs across the upper part of the dash and delivers an audio experience that makes you feel like you’re in the room with the musicians, immersed in music, never blaring, muffled, or distant.

Also new is the ability to stream television shows and movies, or play video games if the Explorer is in Park when the owner subscribes to Premium Connectivity.

2025 Ford Explorer ST ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Hands-Free BlueCruise

Ford has been expanding the availability of its hands-free semi-autonomous cruise-control system in recent years, and its latest iteration (BlueCruise 1.2) arrives in the Explorer for the first time this year. It’s offered on ST, ST-Line, and Platinum models free of charge for a 90-day trial, after which it’s available via subscription at $495 per year. Infrared camera technology ensures that the driver’s eyes stay mostly on the road.

The system worked only on the interstate, which is really the best use of this technology anyway with long, boring stretches of limited-access highway and no cross traffic, parking lots, or pedestrians to worry about. The hands-free lane-change feature requires the driver to hold the turn-signal lever down or up for a few seconds; a quick tap won’t get it done. It worked for both left and right lane changes from the middle lane of a six-lane freeway stretch, but not for taking the exit ramp. 

2025 Ford Explorer ST ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Sporty Front Seats

The Explorer ST is available with supportive power-operated Multicontour Sport front seats with an Active Motion massage function. The shape of the front buckets is definitely more SUV than performance vehicle with minimal bottom seat bolstering, although lateral seatback bolsters aid lower torso and shoulder support. All ST seats are Onyx with red accent stitching. The ST’s front buckets feature velour-like Miko micro-perforated inserts that are both comfortable to the touch and butt-gripping in corners. ActivX faux-leather trim and contrasting red stitching around the edges add a premium touch. Aiding comfort across the temperature spectrum, the seats are heated and ventilated. In addition to power fore/aft, recline, and lumbar adjustments, the driver’s seat includes power bottom cushion tilt and a memory feature.

2025 Ford Explorer ST ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Second-Row Captain's Chairs

Nearly as comfortable as the front buckets but with less bolstering, the six-passenger ST features standard heated second-row captain’s chairs with the same velour and ActivX faux-leather coverings. Power adjustments and power seatback folding add convenience. A manually activated EZ folding feature facilitates sliding the seats forward to access the third-row chairs. Second-row passengers get folding inboard armrests, their own climate control pane, and a 12-volt outlet and USB-C ports for charging mobile devices. For those buyers needing more passenger space, a three-passenger second-row bench seat is available but only in the Explorer’s Active, ST-Line, and Platinum models.

2025 Ford Explorer ST ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Way Back Seats

The Explorer’s two-passenger 50/50 split third-row bench is vinyl-covered and as flat as a park bench with no bolstering. Kids likely won’t mind the aft perches, but adults over 6 feet will have a tough time getting comfortable back there. The bottom cushion is akin to sitting on the floor, so adults, even when they fit, are sitting with their chins on their knees. Making travel in the third row a bit more convenient are open cubbies on the sides for storage and USB-C ports for keeping small electronics charged.

So the best use of the Explorer’s third row is as an occasional seat that when lowered triples cargo space to 46 cubic feet. Or owners can lower just one of the 50/50 split seatbacks, gaining cargo space while keeping a seat for one small person. Facilitating this in the ST are power-folding seat controls on the passenger side of the cargo area.

2025 Ford Explorer ST ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Cargo Flexibility

Aside from seating six or seven people, the main reason buyers choose a mid-size or larger SUV is cargo capacity. Here, the Explorer does not disappoint, featuring approximately seven feet of cargo length behind the front seats and more than 85 cubic feet of space with the second- and third-row fold-flat seats lowered to the cargo floor. With the second- and third-row seats in use, cargo space behind the third row shrinks to a manageable 16.3 cubic feet (about the size of a mid-size sedan’s trunk), ideal for three or four airport roller bags. 

If not equipped with the optional spare tire and vehicle jack, there’s a generous amount of concealed space under the cargo floor for valuables such as a computer bag, purse, or shopping bags. Additional storage cubbies at the rear corners of the cargo area are great for carrying large beverage jugs. Loading and unloading is convenient due to the cargo floor’s low liftover height and large cargo area opening via a standard power-operated lift gate.

2025 Ford Explorer ST ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Driving the Explorer ST

The 2025 Ford Explorer ST is more than just a sporty looking SUV. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 delivers lively power and seamless torque that’s accessible with a toe tap across the engine speed range. It speaks with authority, too, with an engine sound that’s engaging without being overbearing. The 10-speed automatic transmission delivers snappy, clipped shifts, especially in Sport mode.

ST chassis upgrades complement the added power and include a sport suspension with stiffer springs, retuned dampers, and thicker front and rear anti-roll bars resulting in predictable dynamics that border on being entertaining and ride quality that’s firm but not harsh. Performance brakes with larger front and rear rotors and red-painted calipers deliver sure-footed stopping ability with snappy top-of-pedal response, while upsized 275/45R21 Pirelli Scorpion Zero all-season tires on great-looking 21-inch alloy wheels are more than up to the task for everyday driving duties, even with the standard rear-wheel drive. Buyers from snowy regions can upgrade to the Explorer’s optional on-demand Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive. The ST’s steering effort is a bit on the stiff side, however, but otherwise the new Explorer ST’s tight structure and predictable responses to inputs make it a driver’s delight.

2025 Ford Explorer ST ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Verdict

Roomy, solidly built, and attractive inside and out, the made-in-America Ford Explorer continues to be Ford’s best-selling SUV. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives it a full five stars overall, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates it as Good in frontal and side-impact collisions. The ST trim also brings pleasing performance and adds a fun-to-drive quotient without detracting from the Explorer's core mission as a capable, everyday mid-size SUV for people and cargo.

2025 Ford Explorer ST ・ Photo by Ron Sessions