Ford Explorer gets a big refresh for 2025

With many markets around the world becoming crossover-crazy, the Ford Explorer has become a more important nameplate for the blue oval brand. To keep it competitive, it has just received a refresh for the 2025 model year.

First unveiled in 2020, the current generation Ford Explorer was introduced to the Philippine market in 2021, and remains a popular model among those looking for a nicely-sized crossover, without the harshness of a pickup-based one. This update brings plenty of changes in terms of styling both inside and out, as well as new technologies.

Starting with the exterior, the 2025 Ford Explorer gets different changes all around. It gets a bolder front fascia with a larger grille and new headlight clusters. It also gets a new set of wheel designs, and its taillights get a similar design as those of the Ranger-based Everest midsize SUV.

The interior has also received a large revamp with a completely new dashboard that wears a more horizontal theme. Ford has done away with the pre-refresh Explorer’s optional portrait touchscreen infotainment system (not available in the Philippines) and instead went with different screen size options of 12.3- or a larger 13.2-inches.

The new infotainment screens also feature built-in Google Assistant and Alexa as an alternative for adjusting vehicle functions through the use of voice. Apps such as Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, and iHeart Radio can also be downloaded through Google Play. These are on top of other functions which make the system a lot like smartphones or laptop computers.

Powering the updated Ford Explorer is the option of a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost gasoline engine, or a 3.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 gasoline engine that makes 400 horsepower and 563 Nm of torque. Both powertrains are mated to a recalibrated 10-speed automatic transmission.

Driving select variants of the updated Ford Explorer is also more convenient as it can now be driven on the highway hands-free through Ford BlueCruise. These features combine the functionalities of adaptive cruise control and lane change assist to reduce driving stress and fatigue.

The 2025 Ford Explorer is expected to arrive in US dealerships by the second quarter of the year. As for here in the Philippines, it might take a bit longer especially since Ford Philippines just very recently announced that they’ve stocked-up on more units of the pre-refresh version.

_{PHOTOS FROM FORD.}