Used 2025 Ford Explorer for Sale nearSanta Cruz, 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 $33,236
• 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: $33,236 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 466 listings
• View Active RWD listings

Active AWD — "Who It's For"

The Active AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive capability without a significant price increase over the base model.

• Avg. market price: $37,090 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 887 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 the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $36,300 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 408 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 features and all-wheel drive without the full performance price tag.

• Avg. market price: $37,713 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,736 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 rugged SUV with utility features, ideal for demanding environments.

• Avg. market price: $36,349 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 645 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxury SUV experience with premium features and advanced technology.

• Avg. market price: $45,914 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,632 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 powerful engine options without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $43,065 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 101 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 a fully loaded SUV with performance features and the most extensive selection in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $47,739 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 2,873 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST AWD

With 2,873 active listings, the ST AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Active RWD

At $33,236 avg market price — below the lineup median of $37,401 — 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/MPGe.

Browse Active RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2025 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 11.70% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,237 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing 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 engine, stylish interior, and strong feature content for the money. The expert review also points to its improved interior quality, bolder styling, and more modern technology as major strengths. In use-case terms, it fits you well if you want a family-friendly midsize three-row SUV that still feels engaging to drive.

The trade-offs are clear: the third row is cramped, and the lineup does not include a hybrid or plug-in hybrid option. Even so, the Explorer’s broad updates make it feel more competitive than before, especially if you value comfort, tech, and driving enjoyment.

With 37.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market offers a decent number of attractive opportunities.

Is the 2025 Ford Explorer reliable?

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

User feedback points to a vehicle that feels powerful, well-equipped, and satisfying to live with over time. The expert review also emphasizes that the Explorer’s turbocharged powertrain is quick and that the 10-speed automatic delivers decisive shifts, which supports a dependable day-to-day driving experience. Ford’s first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house, which helps reduce early ownership friction.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about choosing a well-kept example with the right equipment and condition.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.9% — 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 cabin condition, third-row wear, and whether the technology and driver-assistance features work as expected. If you want the best ownership experience, pay close attention to how the vehicle was optioned and whether the features you care about are present.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup is simplified to Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST, and the base trim is the one most likely to leave you wanting more equipment.
• 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 hp and 415 lb-ft; the V6 is optional on Platinum.
• Safety package: Ford CoPilot 360+ is standard, and it 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 starts on ST-Line.
• Infotainment: You get a 13.2-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa Built-in, and over-the-air-friendly connected features through Ford Digital Experience.
• Fuel efficiency: Official fuel economy estimates are pending, but the ST-Line test vehicle averaged 23.8 mpg, and the Platinum test vehicle averaged 22.9 mpg in observed driving.

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 value-oriented starting point, and it makes the Explorer’s updated cabin, standard safety tech, and core family-SUV usefulness accessible without pushing you into pricier equipment.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value trim if you want the strongest mix of style, tech, and everyday appeal; it adds a sportier look, BlueCruise, and the surround-view camera system, while still keeping the standard turbo four-cylinder.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the more upscale feel and the available twin-turbo V6; it’s the trim that best suits buyers who want luxury-leaning comfort and stronger acceleration.
• ST: This is the performance choice, pairing the twin-turbo V6 with sport-tuned hardware and the most aggressive character in the lineup.

Ford CoPilot 360 2.0 and BlueCruise begin with ST-Line trim or higher.

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 patiently but still move quickly on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 37.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,237 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.70% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 93.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $39,972, 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 $39,972 sits slightly below last year's $45,269.

That price drop suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, that also means resale value may depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim choice rather than broad market momentum alone. Well-equipped examples with desirable features should hold buyer interest better than stripped-down versions.

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 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 comes with Ford CoPilot 360+, which 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 is standard from that trim upward. One caveat is that NHTSA had not fully rated the vehicle at the time of review, so the available crash-test picture is 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:

• 37.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.70% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings a major tech and interior upgrade, plus a simplified trim lineup that makes shopping easier.

Consider the 2026 if:

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

The bottom line: You should lean toward the 2025 if you want the better-value version of the refreshed Explorer, especially with its stronger tech, nicer cabin, and softer pricing. If you’re specifically waiting for a more rugged Explorer, the 2026 is the better path; otherwise, the 2025 is the smarter buy for most shoppers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.