America's 2025 Ford Explorer is no relation to Europe's Explorer EV

Ford has given its venerable Explorer a facelift for 2025, with new technology, a fresh interior, and punchy power plant choices. And, once again, we won’t see it here.

Among the Explorer's updates are a big new grille design, adorned with sleeker all-LED headlights, front skid plate and redesigned “air curtains” integrated into the front bumper, in keeping with the design language of the outgoing model.

At the rear there's a revised tailgate with new Everest-inspired LED tail lights, integrated with a new Explorer badge stretching across the now powered liftgate.

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The Explorer’s trim and spec levels have been simplified, now offered in Active, ST-Line, Platinum and ST guise, with the option of a 299kW/560Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 – a healthy upgrade from the standard 224 kW 2.3-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost retained from the previous model.

Both engines are mated to a recalibrated 10-speed auto, with paddle shifters available on the ST model. Rear wheel drive is the default power delivery method, with four-wheel drive optional across all trim levels.

The hybrid drivetrain has been dropped for the MY2025 update, meaning there's no electrified variant all – which is a stark contrast to the recently completely unrelated to the European-bound Explorer EV, which we may eventually see in Australia. Ford has also hinted at an upcoming off-road focused trim level.

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In terms of the interior, there's a completely redesigned dashboard that is positioned further forward, creating more passenger room in the cabin.

Ford says the Explorer has made a leap in the quality of its interior materials, along with a connectivity and power upgrade with eight USB-C ports, three 12-volt sockets, and dual wireless charging pads in the centre console.

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A big new 13.2-inch landscape-oriented touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster are featured, and the refreshed Explorer also debuts the new 'Ford Digital Experience' system, based on Google technology.

The new system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Google Assistant or Alexa to cater for extensive and useful voice command functionality.

Ford’s hands-free driving suite BlueCruise (only accessible on certain highways), is now available on the facelifted Explorer via a subscription-based service.

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