First look at the 2025 Ford Explorer… thoughts?

Here it is! The brand-new 2025 Ford Explorer. I had the chance to visit Detroit and check out the redesign in person. It’s looking pretty impressive! What do you all think about it?

I think I like the front end of the current generation better.

Cade said:
I think I like the front end of the current generation better.

Same here. I have a 2023 Explorer, but I’m kind of wishing I waited for the upgraded interior on the 2025.

Leith said:

Cade said:
I think I like the front end of the current generation better.

Same here. I have a 2023 Explorer, but I’m kind of wishing I waited for the upgraded interior on the 2025.

The tech and interior upgrades are really nice, and the price isn’t too far off either.

@Skyler
Yeah, the 2025 model is only about $2-3k more than the 2023s and 2024s sitting on dealer lots.

Looks good overall. No regrets about my 2020 Limited, though. The center screen upgrade on the 2025 is tempting, but not enough to make me want to trade mine in.

Rin said:
Looks good overall. No regrets about my 2020 Limited, though. The center screen upgrade on the 2025 is tempting, but not enough to make me want to trade mine in.

My 2020 Limited has been a bit of a headache. I’ve had electrical issues with the driver’s side window and seat, the infotainment screen randomly staying off, rattling noises in the cabin, and even a piece of the sunroof randomly falling off. I’m seriously thinking about switching to the 2024 GMC Acadia.

Rin said:
Looks good overall. No regrets about my 2020 Limited, though. The center screen upgrade on the 2025 is tempting, but not enough to make me want to trade mine in.

I feel the same way. The interior upgrades are nice, and the new front end design is okay, but I’m not a fan of how much Ford is relying on the touchscreen and getting rid of physical buttons.

@Haven
Agreed. One of the things I love about my Ford is the real buttons. I’m not a fan of everything moving to touchscreens.

Rin said:
@Haven
Agreed. One of the things I love about my Ford is the real buttons. I’m not a fan of everything moving to touchscreens.

I get that touchscreens are the direction things are going, but I find them distracting while driving. People already don’t pay enough attention on the road.

@Haven
I’m not totally convinced touchscreens are the future. I’ve been noticing more cars bringing physical buttons back lately. Touchscreens just don’t work well ergonomically.

Rin said:
@Haven
I’m not totally convinced touchscreens are the future. I’ve been noticing more cars bringing physical buttons back lately. Touchscreens just don’t work well ergonomically.

I hear you, but look at things like SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft—it’s almost entirely touchscreen-controlled. While that’s an extreme example, it shows how vehicles, even complex ones, are moving in that direction. I wouldn’t be surprised if future Explorers have even fewer buttons, and eventually, cars will just be fully touchscreen-based.

@Haven
That works for something like SpaceX because it’s automated and the touch controls are mostly for emergencies. Until we have fully self-driving cars, physical buttons still make sense. Once self-driving becomes the norm, sure, touchscreens will probably take over completely—it’s cheaper for manufacturers.

@Rin
Fair point. Self-driving cars are already here in some ways, so maybe it won’t be too long before touchscreens dominate. Still, it’ll be interesting to see how quickly we get there.

Haven said:
@Rin
Fair point. Self-driving cars are already here in some ways, so maybe it won’t be too long before touchscreens dominate. Still, it’ll be interesting to see how quickly we get there.

I think fully self-driving cars are further out than people think. But yeah, that’s a whole other debate!

I’ve got a 2023 Explorer ST, and I’m glad they changed the radio layout to landscape mode for 2025. I never liked the portrait orientation.

Avery said:
I’ve got a 2023 Explorer ST, and I’m glad they changed the radio layout to landscape mode for 2025. I never liked the portrait orientation.

Completely agree.

Interesting choice to use 5-spoke wheels. Reminds me of my old 2007 Grand Prix GT!

No Timberline model this time… bummed about that.

Teo said:
No Timberline model this time… bummed about that.

There are hints that a Tremor model might replace it.