2025 Ford Explorer Active vs ST-Line

• The 2025 Explorer lineup now includes five trims: Active, ST-Line, ST, Tremor, and Platinum.
• A rumored major redesign didn’t happen, but the SUV gains a few new features for '25.
• Every Explorer features a 300-horsepower turbo four-cylinder paired with a 10-speed automatic.
• Max towing remains 5,000 pounds with the Class III Tow Package.

This year’s changes are more about polish than overhaul. The Explorer's front and rear get a subtle restyling, while the cabin finally feels more cohesive, with softer surfaces, better fit and finish. Ford also offers a new infotainment interface built around Google services. The move to a simplified lineup means fewer redundant trims to sort through. It’s now a matter of choosing how much luxury or sport you want, not sifting through endless combinations.

The Active may be the starting point, but it doesn’t feel basic with heated power front seats, a 13.2-inch touchscreen, and a digital driver display as standard. There’s space for seven, and the layout’s flexible enough for carpooling, cargo, or both.

It also comes with LED lights, roof rails, and 18-inch wheels, plus a power liftgate. Tech-wise, it includes Ford’s full Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system featuring adaptive cruise control, lane centering, blind-spot alerts, collision mitigation, and rear cross-traffic warning. An optional Comfort Package brings a heated steering wheel, synthetic leather seats, and power adjustability for the front passenger.

Step up to the ST-Line and the Explorer’s personality changes. It trades chrome for black accents, bumps wheel size to 20 inches, and adds sport seats with red stitching. The dashboard gets upgraded materials, and the audio jumps to a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen setup.

The ST-Line also includes advanced features like front and side parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a version of adaptive cruise control that can read speed-limit signs. BlueCruise hands-free driving is available too, giving it a semi-autonomous edge on longer highway drives. With the Premium Package, you can tack on massaging front seats, ambient lighting, heated rear seats, and a power-folding third row, all of which turn it into a near-luxury SUV without the badge markup.