2025 Ford Explorer Review: Why Less Towing & No Hybrid Option?

One of America’s original and best-selling SUVs, the 2025 Ford Explorer, gets refreshed this year. New Explorers are shipping to dealers as we speak. The 2025 model gets light exterior update and a significant interior and technology upgrade on the inside. Ford simplifies the lineup to four trim levels and two powertrain options. The new Explorer has a slightly lower tow rating than before and the Hybrid is no longer available for consumers. We have all of the answers and details for you here. Let’s dig in!

The 2025 Ford Explorer is a refresh of the 6th-generation. The 1st-generation Explorer came out in 1991. Remember the original Jurassic Park movie from 1993? The 1st-gen Ford Explorer was part of the movie, along with the Jeep Wrangler. Fast forward to today, and the Explorer is once again based on a rear-wheel-drive architecture. It has one of the longer wheelbases in the segment (just over 119 inches). It has available 4WD/AWD that costs $2,000.

The Explorer has a new front fascia and rear tail-lamp design. There is an updated 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine under the hood with 300 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm and 315 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 rpm. It’s mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. This is the base powertrain. There are currently four trim levels available: Active, ST-line, Platinum, and ST. A new off-road trim should be joining the lineup soon. We do not yet know if it will be called Timberline or Tremor, but we should learn more about this later this year.

The optional power plant is the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 hp @ 5,500 rpm and 415 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 rpm.

This engine is also mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s available with Platinum and ST trims. The V6-powered Explorers gets a slightly larger fuel tank than the four-cylinder version. The V6 gets slightly worse fuel economy (24-26 MPG on the highway versus 28-29 MPG), but the larger tank ensures it still has plenty of driving range.

The big difference is on the inside! The front dash, screens, technology, and console are redesigned. There is a new 13.2-inch landscape center infotainment screen. The length of the dash is a sound-bar material that houses the audio system speakers. The gauge cluster is also a digital screen. There is no more SYNC. The infotainment system is now Google-based. It’s called the Ford Digital Experience. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are still there.

Most of your 2025 Ford Explorer questions are also answered in this deep dive TFL Car Chat podcast:

The new 2025 Explorer is rated to tow up to 5,000 lbs. The previous Explorer was rated to tow up to 5,300 lbs or 5,600 lbs. I asked why the lower tow rating, and the Ford team said that Explorer customers did not prioritize towing heavy trailers. 5,000 lbs of towing is a competitive number when you look at the Toyota Highlander/Grand Highlander, Honda Pilot, and others. Every new 2025 Explorer gets a 2-inch hitch receiver and 4pin/7pin trailer wiring. There is not trailer brake controller available, so you will have to install an aftermarket one if you need to tow over 3,000 lbs (that is the law in most states).

The Explorer Hybrid is no longer available for civilian consumer duty.

The 2025 Explorer Hybrid will continue to be offered for police duty or for fleets with a similar demand. Many competitors are switching to gas/electric hybrids. I asked Ford about this and they said that the police fleet needs can and will consumer the entire Explorer Hybrid production capacity. Civilian customers were not choosing the Explorer Hybrid in high numbers. The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid gets up to 36 MPG combined. Hopefully, the Ford Explorer will have a high efficiency model soon.

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