Used 2025 Ford Explorer for Sale nearKnoxville, TN

Compare 2025 Ford Explorer Trims in Knoxville, TN

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 $36,804
• 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: $42,835 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 60 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: $38,299 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 58 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: $42,835 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 37 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 features. It combines performance with practicality.

• Avg. market price: $36,804 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 128 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST-Line AWD listings

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

The Police Interceptor Utility AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a utility-focused vehicle with essential features. It's designed for durability and reliability.

• Avg. market price: $42,835 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 47 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 sporty performance. It offers a premium experience in the Explorer lineup.

• Avg. market price: $48,749 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 148 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-oriented features without the AWD. It delivers a sporty driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $42,835 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 8 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 the most complete performance package. It combines power and advanced features for an exhilarating drive.

• Avg. market price: $48,656 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 247 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST AWD

With 247 active listings, the ST AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST AWD listings

Best Budget Option — ST-Line AWD

At $36,804 avg market price — below the lineup median of $42,835 — 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 efficiency in the lineup with 20 MPG city and 29 MPG highway.

Browse Active RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2025 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 11.82% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,405 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable range of choices.

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 easy-to-use technology as recurring strengths.

The trade-offs are worth keeping in mind: 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. For you, that means the Explorer makes the most sense if you want a family-focused midsize three-row SUV with a more engaging driving character and a better cabin than before.

With 36.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop selectively.

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 ownership experience, with drivers highlighting the Explorer as a vehicle they feel good about living with over time. The expert review also reinforces that sense of confidence by describing the SUV as a well-rounded, family-friendly choice with strong everyday usability.

Ford’s performance notes also emphasize that the turbocharged powertrains deliver quick acceleration and decisive shifting, which supports a polished day-to-day driving experience. The cost-effectiveness review adds that Ford has improved the value proposition with the refreshed model.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about basic satisfaction and more about choosing the right configuration and condition, especially if you need the third row often.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with optional equipment. Focus on cabin condition, third-row wear, and whether the technology and driver-assistance features work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup is simplified to Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST, and the base trim now looks and feels much nicer inside than before. The ST-Line is about appearance rather than performance, while the Platinum adds a more upscale feel and the ST brings the performance-tuned character.
• Powertrain: Most versions use a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the ST gets a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is also optional on Platinum.
• Safety package: Every version gets Ford CoPilot 360+, which includes adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist and 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.
• Infotainment: You get a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 13.2-inch touchscreen with Ford Digital Experience, plus wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa Built-in, and available 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot support.
• Fuel efficiency: The ST-Line test vehicle averaged 23.8 mpg, and the Platinum with the twin-turbo V6 averaged 22.9 mpg in 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 entry point, but it still benefits from the refreshed cabin, the new infotainment setup, and the standard turbocharged four-cylinder. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost path into the redesigned Explorer and care more about the new tech than extra appearance or performance upgrades.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds a sportier look, the surround-view camera system, and BlueCruise. If you want the strongest mix of style, equipment, and everyday usefulness, this is the trim to start with.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the more upscale feel and the option to pair it with the twin-turbo V6. It suits you best if comfort and a more premium presentation matter more than sporty styling.
• ST: This is the performance-focused choice, with the twin-turbo V6 and sport-tuned hardware. It’s the right pick if you want the most powerful and engaging Explorer in the lineup.

Starting with ST-Line, all Explorers feature BlueCruise, and that trim-level safety step is a meaningful upgrade for highway driving.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,405 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.82% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 93.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $39,664, 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 $39,664 sits slightly below last year's $44,981.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy more confidently now. For a future seller, the softer pricing means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on trim, condition, and equipment rather than on broad market momentum alone.

The Explorer’s refreshed cabin, strong feature content, and broad appeal should help it stay relevant with used shoppers. 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 and four-star rollover resistance ratings from NHTSA.

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

Every version comes with Ford CoPilot 360+, which includes adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist and the usual collision-avoidance and driver-assistance features you’d expect in a modern SUV. 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.

One caveat is that the 2025 Explorer had not been fully rated by NHTSA at the time of review, and IIHS ratings were not yet published. That means you should lean on the standard safety equipment and trim-level differences when comparing used examples.

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:

• 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.82% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2025 model brings a major infotainment and safety upgrade, plus a nicer cabin and a simplified trim lineup.

Consider the 2026 if:

• It adds a Tremor model for more off-road capability.

The bottom line: If you want the most modern Explorer with strong pricing, the 2025 is the better buy. If you specifically want a more off-road-oriented version, it makes sense to wait for the 2026. For price-sensitive buyers, the 2025 still looks attractive because the market has softened and inventory is healthy.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 20, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.