Used 2025 Ford Explorer for Sale near North Carolina

Compare 2025 Ford Explorer Trims

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 $33,393
• 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 budget-friendly SUV with essential features without paying for extras.

• Avg. market price: $33,393 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 414 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.

• Avg. market price: $37,760 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 769 listings
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line RWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a stylish SUV with standard features without stepping up to a sportier model.

• Avg. market price: $37,272 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 405 listings
• View ST-Line RWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance with the added benefit of all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $38,318 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,694 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 need a rugged vehicle with utility features at a competitive price.

• Avg. market price: $36,329 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 621 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 and a premium driving experience in an SUV.

• Avg. market price: $46,053 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,627 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 a performance-oriented SUV with a powerful engine and sporty features.

• Avg. market price: $43,728 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 96 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 ultimate performance and features in the Explorer lineup.

• Avg. market price: $48,505 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 2,890 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST AWD

With 2,890 active listings, the ST AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Active RWD

At $33,393 avg market price — below the lineup median of $38,039 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Active RWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Active RWD

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

Browse Active RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2025 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 10.91% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 5,927 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for you to compare trims and prices.

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 price. 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 clear: the third row is cramped, and there’s no hybrid or plug-in hybrid option. That matters most if you want maximum family-hauling flexibility or better efficiency.

For you, that makes the Explorer a strong fit if you want a mainstream three-row SUV that feels more polished and more enjoyable to drive than before. It also looks well positioned in the market, with 33.8% of listings marked as good or great deals.

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 SUV’s strong powertrain and the confidence that comes from a well-liked package overall. The expert review also emphasizes that the Explorer feels easier to use and better sorted than before, which supports the impression of everyday dependability.

Ford’s updated cabin and technology should help the Explorer feel current for longer, and the simplified lineup may make ownership easier to live with. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about basic durability and more about whether the vehicle’s features and packaging match your needs over time.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re shopping higher-mileage examples or a trim with more equipment. Focus on overall condition, how the tech works, and whether the third row and cargo area fit your real-world needs.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup is simplified to Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST. The base trim gets the nicer interior and displays, but the ST-Line and above add the surround-view camera system and BlueCruise, which are meaningful upgrades if you want more convenience and driver assistance.
• 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.
• Safety package: Every version includes Ford CoPilot 360+, which adds 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 for the 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. Wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa Built-in, and a 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot are part of the setup.
• 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 twin-turbo 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 updated Explorer experience at the lowest entry point. You still get the improved interior, the new digital displays, and the standard driver-assistance package, so it covers the essentials well.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the surround-view camera system and BlueCruise while keeping the more affordable turbo four-cylinder. It also gives you a sportier look without pretending to be the performance model.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the more upscale feel and the available twin-turbo V6. It’s the trim that leans most into comfort and premium presentation.
• ST: Pick this if you want the strongest performance in the lineup. It gets the twin-turbo V6 as standard, along with the sport-tuned setup that makes it the enthusiast choice.

Ford CoPilot 360+ is standard on every trim, while ST-Line and higher add Ford CoPilot 360 2.0 and BlueCruise.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully rather than rush.

• Deal availability: 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 5,927 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.91% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 94.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $40,616, 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 $40,616 sits slightly below last year's $45,590.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may limit upside if you’re thinking about short-term resale. If you buy well and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you’re starting from a more favorable entry price than last year’s shoppers.

The Explorer’s updated tech, improved interior, and strong owner satisfaction should help support demand when it’s time to sell. 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 includes Ford CoPilot 360+, which brings 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 for the surround-view camera system, and BlueCruise is standard starting with ST-Line.

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.

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:

• 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.91% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2025 brings a major tech and cabin upgrade, plus a simplified trim lineup.

Consider the 2026 if:

• It adds the return of an off-road-focused Tremor model and an updated BlueCruise system.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2025 is the smarter buy because it combines lower prices, strong inventory, and a much improved cabin. If you specifically want the newest off-road-oriented Explorer or the updated driver-assist setup, it makes sense to wait for the 2026. For most shoppers, though, the 2025 gives you the more compelling mix of price and everyday usability.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.