Ford Explorer (2025) Review

On paper the Explorer should win. It is rear drive based, which gives it better proportions and towing manners than the front drive crossovers it competes with, the 2.3 litre turbo four makes 300 horsepower and pulls hard, and the ST version with the twin turbo V6 is genuinely fast for a family car. The 2025 refresh tidied the dashboard, added a large landscape screen and improved the material quality that was the previous car's most obvious weakness. Space in rows one and two is generous.

The record is the problem. This generation launched badly and has carried a long list of recalls and technical service actions covering everything from rear camera failures to door latches and powertrain control software, and owner satisfaction surveys have consistently placed it below the Japanese and Korean competition. Third row space is merely acceptable for the exterior size. Heavy fleet and rental volume then compounds the damage at resale, so values fall faster than a Highlander or Telluride. It is a decent drive undermined by everything that happens after you sign for it.