Used 2025 Ford Explorer for Sale nearSan Luis Obispo, CA

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 $32,428
• 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: $32,428 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 508 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: $36,314 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 934 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 a good mix of features without going for the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $36,069 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 417 listings
• View ST-Line RWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want more features and all-wheel drive without stepping up to the performance trims.

• Avg. market price: $37,182 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,673 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 SUV with police-grade features for utility purposes.

• Avg. market price: $37,633 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 687 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 all-wheel drive in their SUV.

• Avg. market price: $45,510 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,685 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 without the added weight of AWD.

• Avg. market price: $42,227 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 102 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 top performance trim with all-wheel drive for enhanced capability.

• Avg. market price: $47,368 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 2,907 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST AWD

With 2,907 active listings, the ST AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Active RWD

At $32,428 avg market price — below the lineup median of $37,407 — 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 city / 29 hwy MPG/MPGe.

Browse Active RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2025 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 12.10% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,266 listings available, which suggests you should have a healthy 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 engine, stylish interior, and strong feature content for the money. The expert review also highlights its fun-to-drive character, comfortable ride, and easy-to-use technology. On the other hand, the review notes that it does not offer a hybrid or plug-in hybrid option, and the third row is cramped.

For a family SUV, that means you get a modern-feeling three-row model that fits daily duty well, especially if you value tech and driving enjoyment. It also looks properly priced relative to rivals, which helps its case further.

The market looks reasonably favorable, with 35.7% 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 SUV with strong appeal for the price, and the review summary also emphasizes the model’s overall strength and feature content. The expert review adds that the Explorer’s updated package feels well sorted and that the SUV’s improvements make it a more convincing long-term family choice.

Ford also gives you a broad set of standard driver-assistance and convenience features, which can help reduce day-to-day ownership stress. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright reliability and more about choosing the right configuration for your needs, especially if you want more third-row comfort or electrified efficiency.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re shopping higher-mileage examples or vehicles with optional equipment. Focus on cabin condition, third-row usability, and whether the features you want are actually present on the trim you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup is simplified to Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST, with the base trim emphasizing value and the higher trims adding more upscale or sport-oriented equipment. The base trim is the one most likely to leave you wanting more if you care about appearance or premium content.
• 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-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder is the volume choice, and the V6 is the stronger pick if you want more punch.
• 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 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 13.2-inch touchscreen with Ford Digital Experience, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. Google Built-in and Amazon Alexa Built-in are included, and over-the-air capability is part of the modern setup.
• Fuel efficiency: Official fuel economy estimates are pending, but the test vehicle averaged 23.8 mpg, and the Platinum test vehicle averaged 22.9 mpg.

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 and the core Explorer experience. It gives you the updated design, the new tech, and the standard safety package without pushing the price up as quickly as the higher trims.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds a sportier look, surround-view camera capability, and BlueCruise standard. If you want the sweet spot between price and features, this is the one to focus on.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the more upscale feel and available V6 power. It suits you best if comfort and a richer cabin matter more than keeping the budget tight.
• ST: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the twin-turbo V6 and the most athletic setup in the lineup. It makes sense if you want the strongest acceleration and don’t mind paying for it.

Starting with ST-Line, all Explorers include BlueCruise, which is an important safety and convenience note if hands-free highway driving matters to you.

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 carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 35.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,266 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.10% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 93.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $39,255, 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 $39,255 sits slightly below last year's $44,661.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at the right price now, you reduce the chance of taking a steep depreciation hit from today’s market level. Strong feature content and broad appeal should help keep demand steady, especially for well-equipped trims.

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 Explorer earns a five-star side-impact rating and a four-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA.

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

Ford CoPilot 360+ is standard on every version and includes adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, along with 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 becomes standard as well.

One caveat is that the 2025 model had not been fully rated by NHTSA at the time of the review, so you should treat the available crash-test picture as incomplete.

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:

• 35.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.10% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2025 brings a major tech and interior upgrade that makes it feel more modern.

Consider the 2026 if:

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

The bottom line: If you want the better-value buy right now, the 2025 is the smarter path because it combines softer pricing with strong inventory and a major refresh. If you specifically want the newest off-road-focused option or the latest driver-assist update, it makes sense to wait for the 2026.

How does the 2025 Ford Explorer compare to the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2025 Ford Explorer:

• Pros: Fun to drive, Comfortable, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: No hybrid or plug-in hybrid option, No off-road trim level, Cramped third-row.

2025 Chevrolet Traverse:

• Pros: Stylish design, Plenty of cargo space, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Irritating engine sound, Interior materials feel cheap, Poor value for money.

Our experts score the 2025 Ford Explorer 8/10 and the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse 7.2/10. The Explorer looks like the better all-around pick if you care about driving enjoyment, comfort, and user-friendly tech. The Traverse counters with more cargo space and a stylish design, but the Explorer’s stronger expert score and better value impression give it the edge for most shoppers.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.