Used 2025 Ford Explorer for Sale nearWilmington, NC

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 $33,263
• 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: $33,263 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 434 listings
• View Active RWD listings

Active AWD — "Who It's For"

The Active AWD is the choice for families needing all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag.

• Avg. market price: $37,303 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 812 listings
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line RWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line RWD is ideal for those seeking a standard SUV experience with a few extra features at a reasonable price.

• Avg. market price: $37,146 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 416 listings
• View ST-Line RWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is perfect for shoppers wanting a sporty feel with the added benefit of all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $38,118 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,734 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 those needing a robust vehicle with essential features for utility purposes.

• Avg. market price: $36,018 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 666 listings
• View Police Interceptor Utility AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is for buyers looking for a luxury SUV experience with advanced features and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $45,859 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,589 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Platinum AWD listings

ST RWD — "Who It's For"

The ST RWD is the choice for performance enthusiasts wanting a powerful engine without the all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $42,901 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 104 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 high-performance SUV with extensive features and capabilities.

• Avg. market price: $48,364 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 18 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 2,862 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST AWD

With 2,862 active listings, the ST AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Active RWD

At $33,263 avg market price — below the lineup median of $37,710 — 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 24, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2025 Ford Explorer cost?

Prices have softened 11.40% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,160 listings available, which suggests you should have a healthy number of options to compare.

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.

You get a lot of the qualities shoppers tend to want in a family SUV: drivers praise its powerful V6 engine, stylish interior, and competitive feature content. The expert review also highlights that it is fun to drive, comfortable, and easy to use, while the updated cabin and tech make it feel more modern than before.

The main trade-offs are that there is no hybrid or plug-in hybrid option, the third row is cramped, and the ST-Line is more about appearance than added performance. For you, that means the Explorer makes the most sense if you want a mainstream three-row SUV with strong tech and a polished feel rather than maximum efficiency or third-row space.

With 33.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is enough market activity to shop selectively without feeling rushed.

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 emphasizing strong performance and a well-liked overall package. The expert review also describes the Explorer as a solid, mainstream family SUV that feels better sorted for 2025, which supports the idea that it should be easy to live with over time.

Ford’s updated cabin and technology should help the SUV feel current for longer, and the simplified lineup may make ownership decisions easier. 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 better fuel economy.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.1% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are considering a higher-mileage example or one with more equipment. Focus on cabin condition, third-row usability, and whether the features you want are actually present on the trim you are looking at.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup is simplified, with Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST trims. The base trim gets the new interior and tech improvements, while ST-Line adds a sportier look, Platinum leans more upscale, and ST is the performance-tuned version.
• 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 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is optional on Platinum.
• Safety package: Ford CoPilot 360+ is standard, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. 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, wireless Android Auto, Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa Built-in, and available 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot support.
• 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 during the review drive.

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 core 2025 Explorer updates at the lowest entry point. It gives you the new interior, the updated tech, and the standard turbocharged four-cylinder, making it the most straightforward value play.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds a sportier appearance, BlueCruise, and the surround-view camera system while keeping the standard powertrain. It suits you if you want the most appealing mix of features and price without stepping into luxury territory.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the more upscale feel and the option to upgrade to the twin-turbo V6. It is the right pick if comfort and premium presentation matter more to you than outright performance.
• ST: Pick this if you want the strongest performance character in the lineup. It gets the twin-turbo V6 and the sport-tuned setup, so it is the trim for buyers who care most about acceleration and driving enjoyment.

Starting with ST-Line, all Explorers include BlueCruise, and that trim also adds the surround-view camera system.

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 with some leverage if you are patient.

• Deal availability: 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,160 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.40% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 94.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $40,325, 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 $40,325 sits slightly below last year's $45,511.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a better entry point today. For a future seller, it also means resale value may depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim choice rather than broad market momentum alone.

Because the Explorer is still drawing strong owner satisfaction and offers updated tech and styling, well-kept examples should remain appealing to used shoppers. If you buy smart now, you may be better positioned to preserve value later by choosing a desirable trim and keeping the vehicle in clean condition.

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.

Ford CoPilot 360+ is standard, and it 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 the 2025 Explorer had not been fully rated by NHTSA at the time of the review, and IIHS ratings were not yet published. That means you should lean more heavily on the available driver-assistance equipment and the partial crash-test results when evaluating safety.

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:

• 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.1% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.40% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings a major tech and interior upgrade, plus a simplified lineup that makes shopping easier.

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 more modern-feeling Explorer and you value current pricing, the 2025 is the better buy path. If you specifically want the most off-road-capable version or the latest BlueCruise update, it makes sense to wait for the 2026. For price-sensitive buyers, the 2025 still looks attractive because the market has already softened and the lineup is easier to shop than before.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.