This week I was sporting the 2025 Ford Explorer ST Line, and compared to my whip of last week, I can only describe this guy as beefy. Not big enough to need a ledge to step up and into, but it definitely makes you feel small sitting and driving within.
The cabin is spacious, with the capacity for five additional passengers. Two individual seats for the second row and a love seat for the third. All of which were easy to pull down. A push of a button for the back row and an easy release latch for the second. This created enough cargo room for us to fit a men’s large recreational bicycle in the back.
The Explorer was built with comfort and extended driving in mind between the wider cushions and extended lumbar, plus the massaging seats for the driver and front seat passenger. I am familiar with the latter in their sister brand Lincoln, but this was my first Ford vehicle with such luxury. It was nice to be able to have my back splayed out across the wider seat and enough surface area to really enjoy the kneading of the massager rolling.
Other thoughtful considerations include a large moon roof, your choice of ambient lighting, and a colder air conditioning with temperatures that goes beyond 16 degrees Celsius, unlike other such vehicles. There are also built-in shades for the back window. Pull up covers that latches on to hooks.
I loved the bespoke, detail on the front windshield. An outline of the Ford Explorer’s profile merged into the black trim glass.
I also really liked the tiered storage on the dash. There was an elevated rubber tray for wireless charging and assorted bits, and a closed compartment with spring open/close below it. Within are also outputs for both C and USB style charging. As for the centre console, it was a deeper and larger bin, which I prefer. All topped with ample elbow rest padding.
The 2025 Ford Explorer was stylish, it definitely feel elevated from the Ford Explorers I have known in the past. The cabin was a mix of media from cloth seats, plastic trim, and leather detailing that spread across the dash. The plastics were highlighted in a variety of silver stains and textures for detailed visual interest.
As for the way it drove, this heavy duty SUV was equal parts power and speed. A little bulky on turns, but it picks up speak quickly on acceleration. I barely had to push down the pedal to get gusto. The wheel was meaty, the grip meant for larger hands. It was touch sensitive with the likelihood of oversteering.
With the variety of weather we had this week I was able to check out how the Explorer did in rain. Sturdy and steadfast, I felt safe on winding roads. Having the driver assist guide and keep me within the lines of the road meant I didn’t lose speed on turns. Likewise I saved time by being able to simply turn off the car instead of going through park first.
As expected, it was heavier on the gas, and I had to fill up a quarter of the way through the week. I was surprised that despite the size of the vehicle, it only gave me 420km to the tank.
