The Ford Explorer is a mid-size SUV produced by Ford since its first model came out in 1991. While it wasn’t the first sport utility vehicle, it became one of the best-selling SUVs. Originally a truck-based SUV, the Explorer evolved to include more car-like features and improved ride quality over time. It’s renowned for its excellent handling and advanced technology.
The 2025 model of the Explorer has just been released, and here’s what you need to know about it, including its price in Nigeria.
Overview of the 2025 Ford Explorer
The 2025 Ford Explorer SUV remains a popular choice for suburban families, with a few small changes to its appearance and some new technology added to keep it up-to-date. The trims have been reduced, removing the Base, Limited, King Ranch, and Timberline trims.
The lineup now has only four trims: the base Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum. The front of the car has some small changes, like a new grille and headlights, while the back has new taillights. Platinum, ST, and ST-Line models can now have a black roof and the BlueCruise hands-free driving feature. Inside, there are upgrades for comfort and materials like new soft-touch surfaces on the center console and door panels, and new color schemes. The 2025 Explorer is the first Ford with the Ford Digital Experience, a new software system for easy app integration and streaming when parked.
Engine, transmission, and performance
The base Active, ST-Line, and Platinum versions have a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine that gives out 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The ST model, on the other hand, runs on a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. All versions come with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, but you can get all-wheel drive too. The ride and handling are smooth and easy to predict, but if you’re after a more exciting drive, the Explorer ST is the way to go. It has more power and a stiffer suspension, making it a real-performance SUV.
Fuel Economy
The most fuel-efficient 2025 models have rear-wheel drive and a turbo-four engine, getting around 21 miles per gallon in the city and 28 on the highway. Adding all-wheel drive drops both numbers by 1 mpg. With the twin-turbo V-6 engine, the Explorer gets up to 18 mpg in the city 26 on the highway with rear-wheel drive, 18 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway with all-wheel drive.
Towing and Payload Capacity
The 2025 Ford Explorer can tow up to 5000 pounds at most. Every model includes the Class III Towing package, which has a hitch, a trailer wiring harness, and a system to control trailer sway.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The interior of the Explorer focuses more on being useful than looking fancy, but it got some upgrades in the 2025 model. There are new interior color schemes and the incorporation of more soft-touch materials on the center console, door panels, and dashboard. The dashboard is redesigned to give more room for the people in the front. Getting into the standard third row is fairly easy thanks to a mechanism that moves the second-row seat out of the way at the touch of a button. But once you’re back there, taller people might feel squished because the seats are low.
Infotainment and connectivity
The car has a standard 13.2-inch LCD touchscreen infotainment system. It comes with special software called Ford Digital Experience, which lets you use apps like Google, Amazon, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. When the car is not moving, you can watch videos, surf the web, and play games on the screen. There are 8 USB ports, including two for third-row passengers, and three 12-volt power sockets. A 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo sound system is standard.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Ford puts lots of standard driver-assistance technology in the Explorer and also offers upgrades such as self-parking assist. Some other important safety features include standard forward collision warning and automated emergency braking, standard blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and standard lane departure warning and lane-keeping assistance.
The price of the 2025 Ford Explorer in Nigeria
The price of the 2025 Ford Explorer starts at $41,220 and goes up to $56,800, depending on the trim and options. This is about 60 million naira to about 80 million naira in Nigeria. But with the cost of importing and clearing the car, the price in dealer showrooms in Nigeria could go up to about 100 million naira.
