Automotive journalists recently shared their reviews of the new 2025 Ford Explorer following a drive experience hosted by Ford in the Ann Arbor, Michigan, area.
Ford recently invited about 80 members of the automotive media to the Ann Arbor, Michigan, area to test-drive the new 2025 Ford Explorer. The event highlighted Explorer’s redesigned interior, the all-new Ford Digital Experience infotainment system, and BlueCruise 1.2 hands-free highway driving technology. The immersive and hands-on experience included an on-road drive, light trail driving, and a dedicated route to experience BlueCruise hands-free driving. The day wrapped with an autocross session in the Explorer ST.
Here’s a taste of what the media had to say about Explorer. (A handful of Ford team members were recently among the first to experience the new SUV. Click here to read their impressions.)
Raves
“We’ll be the first to say that the interior of the previous Explorer was somewhat lacking. It wasn’t that it was bad, but that it didn’t have the visual punch and premium materials of the competition. That’s a drawback that Ford has largely corrected with the redesigned Explorer.” – CarBuzz
“Our first drive loop took place in an Explorer Platinum with the 2.3-liter engine and AWD. First impression: This thing sounds quite good, better than a turbo-four has business sounding. It is, in fact, reminiscent of the EcoBoost sound in the Mustang, and encouraged us to get on the accelerator hard whenever the opportunity arose.” – Autoblog
“The updated 2025 Explorer builds on what was already a solid base. This three-row SUV provides more driving enjoyment than most while offering impressive people- and cargo-hauling capabilities. And for 2025, it benefits from an upload of high-tech goodies, including available BlueCruise (a hands-free driving mode) and an all-new infotainment system.” – U.S. News & World Report
“The interior is a big upgrade over the ’24 models. The new standard infotainment screen takes center stage, with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster handling your driving info needs. The 13.2-inch touchscreen handles, well, your media. Ford expanded its media system’s skill set to better handle the wants and needs of prospective customers.” – Autoweek
“A big addition to the 2025 Explorer is the availability of Ford’s BlueCruise 1.2 hands-free driving assist. During a short test of the system, I was impressed with how far BlueCruise has come in a couple of years.” – The Drive
“The ST handles itself surprisingly well on the autocross course. It’s kind of like if a hippo took ballet lessons. It can figure out the curves without hurting itself or anyone else, and it’s capable of breaking out into a sprint if it needs to.” – SlashGear
Rants
"Despite the myriad enhancements, you’ll probably need to see the 2025 Explorer parked next to last year’s version to spot the exterior differences. The new model’s head- and taillights have been subtly restyled, as have their model-specific grilles. But that’s about the extent of it.” – Car and Driver
“BlueCruise on the Explorer works the same as on other Ford models, which is to say, it works reasonably well most of the time, but still falls short of GM’s Super Cruise system.” – Forbes
“But while Ford did improve the 2025 Explorer’s cabin materials, its interior quality still can’t match that of posh rivals like the Mazda CX-90 and Jeep Grand Cherokee L.” – U.S. News & World Report
"The 2025 Ford Explorer’s welcome new features add function to an already good midsize SUV. The absence of a hybrid model is unfortunate." – Detroit Free Press
