Used 2025 Ford Explorer for Sale nearDurham, NC

Compare 2025 Ford Explorer Trims in Durham, NC

The 2025 Ford Explorer offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to performance-oriented models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $35,564
• Best MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Most Popular: ST AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

Active RWD — "Who It's For"

The Active RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV without breaking the bank. It offers great value with essential features.

• Avg. market price: $43,149 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 32 listings
• View Active RWD listings

Active AWD — "Who It's For"

The Active AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag. It balances features and affordability well.

• Avg. market price: $35,585 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 45 listings
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line RWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a standard trim with solid features. It offers a good mix of comfort and technology.

• Avg. market price: $37,740 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 35 listings
• View ST-Line RWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want an AWD option with great tech features. It combines performance with practicality.

• Avg. market price: $35,564 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 92 listings
• View ST-Line AWD listings

Police Interceptor Utility AWD — "Who It's For"

The Police Interceptor Utility AWD is the pick for shoppers who need a utility-focused vehicle with police features. It's built for durability and performance.

• Avg. market price: $43,149 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 45 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features with all-wheel drive. It offers a premium experience for families.

• Avg. market price: $49,320 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 128 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

ST RWD — "Who It's For"

The ST RWD is the pick for shoppers who want performance without the AWD premium. It delivers a powerful engine and sporty features.

• Avg. market price: $44,454 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 6 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View ST RWD listings

ST AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a trail-ready SUV with robust features. It's the most popular trim for a reason, offering performance and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $47,113 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 227 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST AWD

With 227 active listings, the ST AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST AWD listings

Best Budget Option — ST-Line AWD

At $35,564 avg market price — below the lineup median of $43,149 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse ST-Line AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Active RWD

The Active RWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 20/29 MPG/MPGe.

Browse Active RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2025 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 11.75% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,292 listings available, which suggests solid inventory availability.

Is the 2025 Ford Explorer a good car?

Yes — the 2025 Ford Explorer earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Technology and Safety.

Drivers consistently praise its powerful V6 engine, stylish interior, and the strong feature set you get for the money. The expert review also points to a more modern cabin, improved interior quality, and a more engaging driving feel than many three-row SUVs.

There are trade-offs, though: the third row is cramped, there’s no hybrid or plug-in hybrid option, and the lineup does not include an off-road trim level. Even so, the Explorer’s family-friendly layout and updated tech make it a compelling choice if you want a midsize three-row SUV that feels more polished than before.

With 35.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding a competitive price.

Is the 2025 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a dependable-feeling SUV with strong everyday appeal, and the expert review reinforces that the Explorer’s updated powertrains and modern cabin help it feel like a vehicle you can count on. The 2025 model also benefits from a simplified lineup and a more refined overall package, which can make ownership feel less complicated.

Ford’s updated technology and broad standard equipment should help the Explorer feel current for years, but used buyers should still pay close attention to maintenance history and overall condition, especially on higher-mileage examples.

What should I look for when buying a used 2025 Ford Explorer?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and verify that the specific example you’re considering has a clean title and consistent service records. A pre-purchase inspection is especially useful on a three-row SUV like this, since you’ll want to check the cabin, electronics, and seating surfaces carefully. Focus on how well the interior has held up, because the 2025 update makes cabin quality a major part of the appeal.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST. Active is the value-oriented starting point, while ST-Line adds a sportier look and more equipment, Platinum leans upscale, and ST is the performance-focused choice. The base trim gets the core family-SUV formula, but higher trims bring more visual polish and richer features.
• Powertrain: Most versions use a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The ST gets a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, and that engine is optional on Platinum. All versions use a 10-speed automatic, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional.
• Safety package: Every version gets Ford CoPilot 360+, which includes adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist and other common driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems. ST-Line and higher add Ford CoPilot 360 2.0 with a surround-view camera system, and BlueCruise is standard starting with ST-Line. The base trim does not get the surround-view camera or BlueCruise.
• Infotainment: You get a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 13.2-inch touchscreen with Ford Digital Experience. Wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa Built-in, SiriusXM 360L, and app support are included, and a 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is available.
• Fuel efficiency: The expert review does not provide official MPG figures, but it notes an observed 23.8 mpg from the turbo four-cylinder and 22.9 mpg from the V6 during testing.

Which 2025 Ford Explorer trim should I buy?

The 2025 Ford Explorer is offered in 4 trim levels: Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST.

Here's the short version:

• Active: This is the trim to start with if you want the lowest entry point into the refreshed Explorer. You still get the updated cabin, the new infotainment system, and the standard safety suite, so it covers the essentials well. It makes the most sense if you care more about value than extra style or luxury touches.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds a sportier appearance, BlueCruise, and the surround-view camera system while staying below the luxury and performance models. It also gets the stronger visual presence that fits the Explorer’s refreshed design. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the one to target.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the more upscale version of the Explorer and are willing to pay for it. It leans into comfort and refinement, and it can be paired with the available twin-turbo V6 for stronger acceleration. This is the trim for buyers who want a more premium-feeling family SUV.
• ST: Pick this if you want the most performance-oriented Explorer. It comes with the twin-turbo V6 and the sport-tuned setup that gives the SUV its strongest driving character. If you care most about power and a more athletic feel, this is the trim that delivers it.

Starting with ST-Line, all Explorers feature BlueCruise, and that trim and above also get the surround-view camera system.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2025 Ford Explorer?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,292 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.75% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 93.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $39,832, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2025 Ford Explorer's resale value?

The current average of $39,832 sits slightly below last year's $45,133.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help future buyers but may limit upside for a seller who paid closer to last year’s average. If you’re planning to resell later, the current pricing environment means condition, mileage, and trim choice will matter even more.

Well-equipped versions with desirable features should hold attention better than stripped-down examples, especially if they’ve been maintained carefully. A clean history and strong presentation will matter a lot in a market where shoppers have plenty of listings to compare.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2025 Ford Explorer safe?

The 2025 Ford Explorer earns five-star side-impact ratings and four-star rollover resistance ratings from NHTSA.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Every version gets Ford CoPilot 360+, which includes adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist plus other common driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems. Starting with ST-Line, you also get Ford CoPilot 360 2.0 with a surround-view camera system, and BlueCruise is standard from that trim upward with a 90-day subscription included.

One caveat is that NHTSA had not fully rated the 2025 Explorer at the time of review, so the available crash-test picture is incomplete. Even so, the standard safety tech is broad, and the higher trims add useful visibility and hands-free highway-driving capability.

Should I buy a 2025 Ford Explorer or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2025 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2025 if:

• 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.75% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2025 update brings a much nicer cabin, new infotainment, and stronger safety tech.

Consider the 2026 if:

• It adds the return of an off-road-focused Tremor model.

The bottom line: If you want the freshest cabin, the strongest tech, and a market that’s already softened, the 2025 is the better buy. If you specifically want an off-road-oriented Explorer, the 2026 is the more relevant choice, while price-sensitive shoppers should keep an eye on well-priced 2025 ST-Line and Active listings.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.