How much does the 2025 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 9.39% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 5,809 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing trims and prices.

If you find a listing below $41,324.84, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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 engine, stylish interior, and strong feature content for the money. The expert review also points to a more polished cabin, easier-to-use technology, and a more appealing overall package than before. The main trade-offs are a cramped third row and the lack of a hybrid or plug-in hybrid option.

For you, that means the Explorer makes the most sense if you want a family-size SUV that feels modern, well equipped, and enjoyable to drive rather than one optimized for maximum passenger space or electrified efficiency. With 33.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2025 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

The user feedback points to a vehicle that feels strong, well equipped, and satisfying to live with over time. The expert review also describes the Explorer as comfortable and easy to use, with a powertrain and chassis setup that should feel dependable in everyday driving. Ford’s maintenance coverage language also suggests a helpful ownership perk for early service.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about basic durability and more about whether the vehicle has been maintained carefully and used in a way that matches its three-row mission.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.4% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and verify that the specific vehicle you’re considering has a clean maintenance and accident record. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important if you’re shopping a higher-mileage example or one with more advanced equipment. Focus on cabin condition, third-row usability, and whether the features you want are actually present on the trim you’re looking at.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Active trim starts the lineup, while ST-Line adds a sportier appearance and more equipment. Platinum brings a more upscale feel, and ST is the performance-focused choice. The base trim is the one most likely to leave you wanting more if you care about premium touches and advanced convenience features.
• Powertrain: The standard turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 makes 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder should satisfy most buyers, but the V6 is the one to seek if you want stronger acceleration.
• Safety package: Ford CoPilot 360+ is standard and includes adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist plus 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 13.2-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Google Built-in. The system also supports Amazon Alexa Built-in and over-the-air app access through Google Play.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbo four-cylinder averaged 23.8 mpg in testing, while 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:

• Base trim: Active gives you the core Explorer experience, but it’s the least likely to deliver the upscale feel and extra convenience features that make this model year stand out.
• Sweet-spot trim: ST-Line is the best balance for many shoppers because it adds a sportier look, BlueCruise, and the surround-view camera system while staying below the luxury and performance trims.
• Premium/top trim: Platinum is the best choice if you want the most upscale version with the available twin-turbo V6 and the richer audio setup.
• Off-road trim: There isn’t a dedicated off-road trim for this model year, so daily drivers who want a more rugged look or trail focus should look elsewhere in the lineup.

BlueCruise starts with ST-Line, so that’s the trim where the safety and convenience story gets notably stronger.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 5,809 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.39% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 94.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $41,324.84, 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 $41,312 sits slightly below last year's $45,591.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled enough to help you buy more selectively today, but it also means future sellers may face a softer resale environment than owners saw a year ago. Even so, the Explorer’s updated tech, improved cabin, and broad appeal should help support demand if you keep the vehicle in strong condition. Trim choice and equipment level will matter, especially for buyers who want the newer infotainment and safety features.

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?

It earns five-star ratings in side-impact testing and four-star rollover resistance ratings from NHTSA.

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

Every version of the 2025 Explorer has Ford CoPilot 360+, which includes adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist along with 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 expert review also notes that BlueCruise performed well in testing, though it was not always perfectly consistent around large trucks.

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:

• 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.4% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.39% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings a simplified lineup, upgraded tech, and improved interior quality.

Consider the 2026 if:

• It adds a Tremor model and an updated BlueCruise system.

The bottom line: The 2025 is the better buy if you want the freshest-feeling Explorer at a softer price and you value the updated cabin, tech, and safety story. If you’re willing to wait or pay more for the next model year’s Tremor and updated driver-assist tech, the 2026 is the alternative to watch. For most used shoppers, though, the 2025 hits the sweet spot between value and newness.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.