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 $33,439
• 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 luxury options.

• Avg. market price: $33,439 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 401 listings
• View Active RWD listings

Active AWD — "Who It's For"

The Active AWD is the choice for those seeking all-wheel drive capabilities without a significant price increase, making it a practical option.

• Avg. market price: $37,906 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 767 listings
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line RWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line RWD is ideal for shoppers who want a stylish SUV with standard features without stepping up to a higher price tier.

• Avg. market price: $37,325 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 401 listings
• View ST-Line RWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is perfect for those who desire a sporty feel with the added benefit of all-wheel drive, enhancing performance in various conditions.

• Avg. market price: $38,545 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,663 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 suited for buyers looking for a rugged vehicle with utility features, often favored by law enforcement.

• Avg. market price: $37,026 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 610 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is the choice for those wanting a luxury SUV experience with premium features and a powerful engine, ideal for families.

• Avg. market price: $46,440 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,602 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

ST RWD — "Who It's For"

The ST RWD is for shoppers who want a performance-oriented SUV with a powerful engine, though availability may limit options.

• Avg. market price: $44,753 (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 those seeking a high-performance SUV with ample features, making it the most popular choice in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $48,631 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 2,932 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST AWD

With 2,932 active listings, the ST AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Active RWD

At $33,439 avg market price — below the lineup median of $38,225 — 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 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2025 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 10.25% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 5,972 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $40,776.93, 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 V6 engine, stylish interior, and the strong feature set you get for the money. The expert review also points to a more appealing cabin, bolder styling, and easy-to-use technology as recurring strengths.

The main trade-offs are a cramped third row and the lack of a hybrid or plug-in hybrid option. In practical terms, that means it fits you best if you want a comfortable, tech-forward midsize three-row SUV and can live with less space in the back.

The market also looks reasonably healthy, with 32.8% 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.

The owner feedback also points to a vehicle that feels dependable and worth counting on, with praise centered on the overall package and the way it delivers a lot of features for the price. The expert review reinforces that impression by describing the Explorer as a better value than before and noting that the refreshed model fixes several of the old complaints.

Ford also positions the SUV as easy to live with, and the review highlights its improved interior quality and straightforward technology as part of that everyday dependability. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the third row remains a weak point if you regularly need full-family seating.

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 truck with optional equipment. Focus on interior condition, third-row usability, and whether the tech and driver-assistance features work as expected.

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 updated displays, but the ST-Line is the one that adds the more upscale appearance and unlocks the surround-view camera and BlueCruise.
• 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 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. All versions use a 10-speed automatic, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional.
• Safety package: Ford CoPilot 360+ is standard on every version 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, and BlueCruise is standard starting with ST-Line.
• Infotainment: You get a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation 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 OTA-style app flexibility are part of the setup.
• Fuel efficiency: The review does not provide official fuel-economy figures, but it notes a 23.8 mpg observed average for the turbo four-cylinder and 22.9 mpg observed average for 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 entry point, but it still benefits from the refreshed cabin, the new infotainment system, and the standard driver-assistance suite. It makes the most sense if you want the updated Explorer experience without paying for extra appearance or luxury upgrades.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the sportier look, the surround-view camera system, and BlueCruise. If you want the most complete mix of style, tech, and everyday usefulness, this is the one to target.
• 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 richer cabin matter more than sporty styling.
• ST: This is the performance-focused choice, with the twin-turbo V6 and the sport-tuned hardware that comes with it. Pick it if you want the strongest acceleration and the most aggressive driving character.

Ford’s safety package starts with CoPilot 360+ on every trim, while ST-Line and above add the surround-view camera and BlueCruise.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market.

• Deal availability: 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 5,972 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.25% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 94.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $40,776.93, 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 $40,759 sits slightly below last year's $45,413.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled enough to give you a better entry point now, but it also means future resale will depend heavily on how well the model holds demand after purchase. If you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you reduce the risk of taking a bigger depreciation hit later.

The Explorer’s broad appeal, updated tech, and strong owner satisfaction should help support demand over time. 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 side-impact ratings and four-star rollover resistance ratings from NHTSA.

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

Ford CoPilot 360+ is standard on every version, bringing adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist along with common driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems. If you move up to ST-Line or higher, you also get Ford CoPilot 360 2.0 with a surround-view camera system, and BlueCruise becomes standard starting with ST-Line.

One caveat is that NHTSA had not fully rated the 2025 Explorer at the time of review, so the available crash data is incomplete. That means you should treat the current safety picture as promising, but not fully finished.

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:

• 32.8% 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 10.25% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The refreshed model brings better interior quality, upgraded tech, and a simplified lineup.

Consider the 2026 if:

• It adds a Tremor model that replaces the Timberline as the most off-road-capable Explorer.

The bottom line: You should lean toward the 2025 if you want the refreshed cabin, strong tech, and better pricing momentum right now. If you’re specifically shopping for more off-road capability, the 2026 is the better path because it adds a dedicated Tremor model. For most used buyers, though, the 2025 is the smarter buy if you find a clean, well-priced example in the trim you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.