Ford Explorer SUV, starting at 39,800 $

The Ford Explorer SUV impresses with 400 HP and an attractive starting price of 39,800 $ . Here are all the details at a glance.

from $39,800
Explorer

Ford Explorer

  • Engine Type : Gasoline
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Rear Wheel, All Wheel
  • Power HP : 300 - 400 HP

Big Shoulders, Clean Lines

The Ford Explorer leans into its rear-drive proportions with a long hood, short front overhang, and a planted stance that looks purposeful in any driveway. At 198.8 inches long and 78.9 inches wide, it carries real presence without straying into bus-size territory. Trim personalities are clear: ST-Line goes sporty, Platinum turns up the polish, and the ST brings the heat with darker details and bigger wheels. It’s a familiar shape, refreshed with crisper lighting and a grille that telegraphs confidence rather than aggression.

Cabin Life, Simplified

Inside, a widescreen 13.2-inch display and a clean dash layout make everyday tasks straightforward, not fiddly. Materials and switchgear feel sturdier than before, and storage is smartly scattered around the cabin for phones, cups, and road-trip snacks. Wireless smartphone integration, a standard digital cluster, and over-the-air updates keep the tech feeling current. The driving position is natural, with good outward visibility and controls that fall to hand without a learning curve.

Seats for Seven, Stuff for Days

Whether configured for 7 with a bench or 6 with captain’s chairs, the Explorer does family duty with ease. Adults fit fine in the first two rows, while the third row suits kids or shorter stints for grown-ups. Cargo space is generous: roughly 18.2 cu ft behind the third row, about 47.9 cu ft with it folded, and up to 87.8 cu ft max, so weekend projects and camping gear are no drama. The low load floor and power tailgate make Costco runs painless.

RWD Bones, Confident Moves

A rear-drive platform gives the Explorer a balanced feel, with predictable handling and steady highway manners. The 10‑speed automatic prefers smooth shifts, though it can hunt a bit on steep grades; sport modes help keep it decisive. The 2.3‑liter turbo four makes 300 hp and 310 lb‑ft, good for 0–60 mph in the high‑6 to ~7‑second range, while the ST’s 3.0‑liter twin‑turbo V6 serves 400 hp and 415 lb‑ft and dashes to 60 in the mid‑5s. Ride comfort is solid across trims, though the ST’s firmer tune and larger wheels trade a touch of plushness for sharper response.

Fuel Stops and Real-World Range

Expect mid‑20s mpg combined from rear‑drive four‑cylinder models and a tick lower with 4WD; ST models usually land around the high teens to ~20 mpg combined. With fuel tanks of 18.6 to 20.2 gallons, highway stints can stretch past 400 miles in the four‑cylinder and into the mid‑300s in the ST before a refill. Those figures mean fewer interruptions on long family drives and predictable costs in daily commuting. Properly equipped, towing of up to around 5,600 pounds adds real versatility for boats and small campers.

Screens, Smarts, and a Calm Co-Pilot

Ford’s latest interface is quick to respond, clearly laid out, and supports features like voice assistance, cloud navigation, and wireless updates. Standard driver aids include blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping, and automatic emergency braking, while available adaptive cruise with lane centering smooths out highway slogs. Hands‑free driving on mapped highways via BlueCruise is offered on upper trims, with a trial period and subscription after. A 360‑degree camera and parking assistants take the stress out of tight garages and parallel jobs.

Who Should Buy It

The Explorer targets families who want real space, calm road manners, and a dash of rear‑drive driving feel that many crossovers skip. Available as the Active, ST-Line, ST, or Platinum with rear- or all‑wheel drive, it offers a 300‑hp turbo‑four for efficiency or a 400‑hp V6 for performance. Daily drivers will appreciate the four‑cylinder’s balance of power and economy, while enthusiasts and frequent towers will gravitate to the ST. If the wish list reads “roomy, confident, tech-savvy, and not a chore to drive,” this checks the boxes without shouting about it.

Costs and Consumption

Price
39,800 - 56,200 $
FuelEconomy City
-
FuelEconomy Hwy
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
18.6 - 20.2 gal

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Seats
6 - 7
Doors
-
Curb weight
4,344 - 4,766 lbs
Trunk Volume
-
Length
198.8 in.
Width
78.9 in.
Height
69 - 70 in.

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Gasoline
Transmission
Automatic
Drive Type
Rear Wheel, All Wheel
Power HP
300 - 400 HP
Torque
310 - 415 lb-ft
Number of Cylinders
-
Engine Displacement
2.3 - 3 L
Gears
-

General

Model Year
2,025
Brand
Ford
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