2025 Ford Explorer ST Review

It’s been five years since the first pandemic-induced lockdown in Canada, and to say a lot has changed since then would be a gross understatement.

The last vehicle I reviewed before that fateful March was the Ford Explorer ST, and I came away impressed. In the half-decade that’s passed since, the segment it competes in has changed considerably, too. All of the major players have undergone updates, and impressive new ones have entered the field. Ford finally spruced up the Explorer for 2025, and nearly five years after my last test I found myself once again behind the wheel of the highest performing trim in the lineup, not to mention one of the only SUVs like it on the mainstream market.

Styling: 7/10

The Explorer’s overall shape is unchanged, and it’s tough to distinguish this new one from the old in profile, with only the star-like wheels giving it away. The nose was nipped and tucked, with the shape of the headlights more blob-like, and the grille reaching deeper into the bumper. I’m not sure these fixes improve upon the Explorer’s previously handsome visage, and it looks decidedly less sporty than before. 

The rear end looks better, with the taillights bleeding into the Explorer wordmark that bisects the tailgate. Finished in white like this tester, the Explorer ST tends to make fellow motorists slow down to make sure it’s not a police cruiser. [If ever there was a reason to order one in red or blue, this is it.–Ed.]

The dashboard is now more interesting to look at thanks to a host of new shapes and surface textures, plus some bold red double-stitched seams. The changes were necessitated by the new, horizontal infotainment screen, but it’s an attractive design nonetheless. Unfortunately, closer inspection reveals what touching most of these surfaces confirms: there’s a lot of cheap hard plastics, with sharp seams and edges here and there.

Features: 8/10

In ST trim, the Explorer comes with features like a panoramic sunroof, 14-speaker stereo, and massaging front seats, all of which were optional before but now come standard. The front and second-row seats are heated, as is the steering wheel. The front seats are also ventilated, while the third-row seats can be folded electrically.

The biggest feature update is the addition of the latest generation of Ford’s so-called BlueCruise. The system allows for hands-free highway driving and automated lane changes when a driver simply taps the turn signal stalk. The Explorer ST is equipped with BlueCruise 1.2, but after an initial 90-day trial period there’s a $900/year subscription fee.

Safety: 9/10

The Ford folks have done a good job on the safety front. There’s a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids that includes automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and keeping assistance, driver attention monitoring, and parking sensors. The 2025 Explorer received a five-star safety rating from the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

User-Friendliness: 7/10

The 13.2-inch touchscreen offers bright, crisp graphics. It’s mounted nice and high on the dashboard for easy visibility, too, but the physical climate controls from before are gone. Instead, they’ve been integrated within the touch interface in a regression of ergonomics. The stereo’s tuning dial is gone, too, but at least the volume knob is still there.

The infotainment system is straightforward to operate, and I like that there’s a dock of shortcuts for key functions, but the main menu has so many features that all the icons end up being very small. When stationary, it’s a slick, responsive system, but when the vehicle is in motion it requires too much attention to use. Otherwise, the seating position and outward visibility are decent, and the little tray to wirelessly charge a smartphone is well-situated just below the screen.

Comfort: 7/10

The front and middle rows offer abundant real estate to keep four adults comfortable. The seats are decent, too, and while they’re simpler than they used to be, they’re also comfier — plus the massage function is a bonus. The third-row seats are tighter than the ones in some key competitors, but there’s a surprising amount of headroom back there. 

The Explorer does a good job of hushing wind and road noise, but the engine noise is louder than in some competitors, which is in keeping with this ST trim’s sporty nature. The Explorer ST’s ride is also sporty, which means it isn’t as compliant as some of its softer-riding rivals like the Toyota Grand Highlander. While firm, it’s never harsh, and it feels like Ford’s engineers spent a lot of time giving this version a very European flair.

Practicality: 8/10

The Explorer ST’s towing capacity of 2,540 kg (5,600 lb) bests most in the segment, and it comes with a standard tow package. When the both sets of back seats are folded there’s a cavernous 2,416 L of space available, while there’s 516 L behind the third row. 

Driving Feel: 7/10

For such a large and heavy machine, the Explorer ST offers surprising handling prowess. Its bulk precludes it from ever feeling like a high-performance hatchback, but the way the suspension manages the 2,200-kg (4,850-lb) curb weight is impressive, maintaining its composure when pushed around corners in a way that’s expected of a BMW X5. The steering isn’t as precise, but this Explorer stands out in the mainstream segment. Sadly, the brakes are just as grabby as before.

Power: 8.5/10

Something else that hasn’t changed is the Explorer ST’s drivetrain. Clearly its most impressive asset when I drove it five years ago, the twin-turbocharged V6 certainly didn’t need more power — and it didn’t get any. With 400 hp to go with 415 lb-ft of torque, it comes with bragging rights as the hotrod in the category. Even the Dodge Durango’s 5.7L V8 can’t match those numbers, though the ridiculous Hellcat version easily surpasses them. Amusingly, the top trim of Toyota’s Grand Highlander comes close on the torque count, with its powerful hybrid cranking out 400 lb-ft of it.

The Explorer ST accelerates very swiftly — but also smoothly — away from a stop, plus the 10-speed automatic transmission is generally smooth and well-sorted.

Fuel Economy: 6.5/10

Unsurprisingly, all that turbocharged power comes with a thirst for fuel. At 13.3 L/100 km in the city, 9.6 on the highway, and 11.6 combined, the Explorer ST is at least more frugal than the V8 Durango. In fairness, while it falls well behind the Grand Highlander Hybrid, it’s still close to the consumption rates of other key players like the Hyundai Palisade, Honda Pilot, and Chevrolet Traverse. The big difference is that this Ford demands pricier premium-grade gas that the others don’t.

Value: 7/10

At first glance, that the Explorer ST’s base price has increased more than 15 per cent in only five years might seem tough to swallow, especially considering the modest changes it has received. But then Ford has made some previously optional equipment standard, and compared to the top trim’s of its rivals it isn’t far off, plus it offers a lot more performance for the price.

The Verdict

In the five years since the Explorer ST first came out, the segment it competes in has grown to be more impressive than ever. But while most SUVs this size have leaned into pseudo-off-road trims, the 2025 Ford Explorer ST remains as unique as it was at the start of the pandemic. While the styling updates may not have added much, the new technology is sure to be appreciated by buyers wanting something a little spicier in their family hauler.