The Ford Explorer, a pillar of the American automotive industry, traces its roots back to 1990. Over the decades, it has evolved from a rugged utility vehicle to a sophisticated midsize SUV that appeals to diverse drivers. Strategically positioned within Ford’s SUV lineup, it bridges the gap between the compact Escape and the full-size Expedition, offering a unique mix of comfort, efficiency, and capability.
The 2025 Explorer faces stiff competition in the midsize SUV segment, contending with popular models such as the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Chevrolet Traverse. The 2025 model aims to reassert its dominance in this highly competitive segment with fresh innovations and enhanced features. Our team at Jim Burke Ford compiled this comprehensive guide to showcase the latest Explorer’s impressive interior.
What’s New in the 2025 Ford Explorer Interior
For the 2025 model year, the Explorer receives several noteworthy updates and enhancements, including a redesigned interior. Ford focused on enhancing the driving experience, offering additional comfort features, upgraded materials, and advanced technologies, such as a new infotainment system. The 2025 Explorer elevates luxury without sacrificing its rugged capability.
Detailed Review of the 2025 Ford Explorer Interior
The 2025 Explorer’s interior boasts an array of premium materials. Leather seating, soft-touch surfaces, and optional wood accents adorn the cabin, creating a luxurious and inviting atmosphere. With its exceptional quality and durability, the Explorer distinguishes itself as a serious contender in a competitive market.
The interior of the 2025 Explorer prioritizes driver and passenger comfort and convenience. It features a revised dashboard layout, making the cabin feel more spacious and a modernized center console.
With three rows of seating, the 2025 Explorer comfortably accommodates up to seven occupants. It provides a generous 43 inches of first-row legroom, while your second- and third-row passengers will enjoy 39 inches and 32.2 inches, respectively. Access to the third row is easy thanks to the fold-flat rear seats.
The 2025 model also brings upgraded upholstery materials, new surfaces on the door panels and center console, and refreshed interior color schemes. Each trim offers unique material and color combinations, allowing you to personalize the cabin to your tastes.
Technology and Connectivity Features
Central to the 2025 Explorer’s tech suite is the new 13.2-inch touch-screen display complementing the 12.3-inch digital cluster. Ford has revamped the user interface for simplicity, offering features such as advanced navigation and voice commands.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the 2025 Explorer lineup, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. A 5G Wi-Fi hot spot and multiple USB ports make it easy for you and your passengers to charge your devices and stay connected while on the road. All models come with a high-quality audio system, and you can upgrade to a premium model if you seek superior sound quality.
h2>Innovations in Comfort and Convenience
You can transform the mood inside your 2025 Explorer with the available seven-color ambient lighting feature, making the driving experience more enjoyable for you and your passengers.
The tri-zone automatic climate control system allows those in the rear to control their temperature settings independently from you and the front passenger. A keyless entry system with push-button start functionality adds convenience, eliminating the need to fumble with keys.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Technologies
The 2025 Explorer is the first to offer BlueCruise hands-free driving on the ST-Line, ST, and Platinum trims. It comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, a suite of advanced safety and driver-assist features, including the following:
- Precollision assist with automatic emergency braking
- Ford’s Blind-Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert
- A lane-keeping system
- A rearview camera
- Auto high beams
Select trim levels offer premium technologies, such as adaptive cruise control with stop and go and lane centering, evasive steering assist, and post collision braking.
The 2024 Ford Explorer received an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ award, reaffirming its position as one of the safest vehicles in its class. While the IIHS has yet to rate the 2025 model, we expect last year’s score to carry over.
Cargo Space and Storage Solutions
The versatile, three-row 2025 Explorer has exceptional cargo space, offering an expansive 85.8 cubic feet with all the rear seats folded. There’s 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, and you get 46 cubic feet with the middle row in place.
In addition to its ample cargo volume, the Explorer offers smart storage solutions. The SUV includes various strategically placed compartments throughout the cabin for your belongings, including a storage bin in the first-row center floor console and door pockets. The following table shows how the 2025 Explorer stacks against two of its top rivals:
| Feature | 2025 Ford Explorer | 2025 Honda Pilot | 2025 Chevrolet Traverse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo Space Behind Third Row (cubic feet) | 16.3 | 18.6 | 22.9 |
| Cargo Space Behind Second Row (cubic feet) | 46 | 48.5 | 56.6 |
| Cargo Space Behind First Row (cubic feet) | 85.8 | 87 | 97.6 |
| Maximum Seating Capacity | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Best For | Luxury amenities, functional versatility | Spacious seating, family-friendly features | Best-in-class cargo volume |
Trim Levels and Pricing
Ford offers the 2025 Explorer in several trim levels, each offering unique interior styling elements. Optional features and packages allow you to customize the SUV to your needs and preferences. These are the available models and their respective starting MSRPs:
- Explorer Active: $39,855
- Explorer ST-Line: $44,615
- Explorer Platinum: $52,250
- Explorer ST: $54,260
Is the 2025 Ford Explorer Interior Right for You?
With its generous cargo capacity and passenger volume, this versatile seven-seater is ideal if you have a large or growing family or need extra room for your gear. The available second- and third-row fold-flat seating in the SUV provides optimal flexibility, while upscale materials, spacious seating, and luxury features create an inviting and relaxing. If you’re a tech enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the large touch-screen infotainment system and advanced connectivity options. The 2025 Explorer combines comfort, functionality, practicality, and intuitive tech, making it a compelling choice.
Explore the 2024 Explorer at Jim Burke Ford in Bakersfield, California
The 2025 Ford Explorer impresses with its upscale interior, offering a harmonious blend of cutting-edge technology and stylish design. We invite you to visit our Jim Burke Ford dealership to experience this remarkable vehicle firsthand. Contact us today to schedule a test-drive, explore finance options, and discover why the Ford Explorer remains a top choice in the midsize SUV market.
