The Explorer is Ford’s midsize SUV, being one of the best options in the class if value is your main concern this year. Exemplifying this pursuit of value excellence is the Active, the base model this year, and in this review of the 2025 Ford Explorer Active trim features, we’ll be going in-depth on why this is one of the best options in the class for value-conscious buyers in 2025.
Key Takeaways:
- The Explorer is simplified this year, with the Active representing the new base model of the revised lineup.
- The Explorer Active starts at under $50,000 this year, making for an incredible value point in the SUV class.
- The Active is the trim for the buyers who need value first, with the SUV providing it in spades.
Is the 2025 Explorer redesigned?
For 2025, the Ford Explorer has been simplified to four core trims: the base Active, the sporty ST-Line, the high-performance ST, and the premium Platinum. A fifth option, the rugged Tremor trim, is set to arrive later. The exterior receives subtle updates, including a revised grille, new headlights, lower air intakes, and refreshed taillights. Buyers of the ST-Line, ST, and Platinum models can now opt for a stylish black-painted roof.
Interior improvements focus on enhancing comfort and visual appeal, with new soft-touch materials on the center console and door panels, along with updated color schemes. The 2025 Explorer also debuts the Ford Digital Experience—Ford’s new infotainment platform that allows seamless integration of favorite apps and enables native streaming and web browsing while the vehicle is parked.
What is the Explorer Active package?
The 2025 Ford Explorer Active RWD delivers much of what shoppers want in a midsize SUV. It offers comfortable seating for up to seven passengers (or six with optional second-row captain’s chairs), a generous 85.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and solid towing capability of up to 5,000 pounds thanks to its EcoBoost engine. Essentially, it provides the core strengths of pricier Explorer trims—just with a leaner feature set, less weight, and a more accessible price.
With a starting price of $41,380 and a well-equipped test vehicle coming in at $44,790, the Explorer Active remains competitively priced in today’s market, especially for buyers seeking a roomy, versatile family SUV.
What is the difference between Explorer Active and ST Line?
The 2025 Ford Explorer offers two distinct trims to cater to different types of buyers. The Explorer Active is aimed at value-conscious shoppers who want a well-equipped, practical SUV. It comes standard with 18-inch wheels, LED exterior lighting, a power liftgate, and a Class III trailer hitch.
Inside, it features heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and durable ActiveX seating material. Tech highlights include a 13.2-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ (which adds adaptive cruise control and lane centering), and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Meanwhile, the Explorer ST-Line targets buyers who prefer a sportier design and more premium features. It stands out with a blacked-out grille, dark exterior accents, black lower-body cladding, and larger 20-inch wheels.
The cabin includes sporty ActiveX upholstery with cloth inserts and red stitching, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel also stitched in red, and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. Technology upgrades include a 360-degree camera with split-view capability, along with the same wireless smartphone connectivity features found on the Active trim.
Is the 2025 Ford Explorer Active a Good Buy?
The Explorer Active is no life changer, but it's a solid SUV that keeps value at the forefront of its list of concerns, making for a model that provides long-term value by keeping things simple and functional without adding on unnecessary bells and whistles. It’s the perfect car for those looking for a solid SUV that does its job and doesn’t break the bank, meaning value-conscious buyers are well taken care of with the Active trim. Here at Banner Ford of Monroe, we want to help you find a solid SUV.