2025 Ford Explorer -- REFRESHED, but can it TAKE DOWN the Grand Highlander??

Here's our First Look Review of the Refreshed 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum and Explorer ST!
Looking to buy a Ford Explorer or any vehicle? Go to carconfections.com/new-car-qu... to learn about invoice pricing and get the BEST PRICE on vehicles in your local area!
Ford has given some big updates to one of their best sellers: the Explorer! With three rows being more popular than ever, are these changes enough to be competitive in the segment? Or should you buy the Highlander?? Go ahead: CLICK to find out :) Also, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and tap the notification bell if you enjoyed this review -- it helps us more than you can imagine!
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0:00 Intro
0:44 Detailed Exterior Walkaround
4:42 Interior Design & Technology
11:07 Rear Seats & Cargo
13:44 Powertrain
15:10 Pricing/Availability
© Car Confections, LLC 2024. All rights reserved.
“Sampling the Latest Automotive Delicacies!”

[@CarConfections]

Are you looking to buy a Ford Explorer or any new vehicle? Go to carconfections.com/new-car-quotes to get the BEST price and access to invoice pricing information!

[@richlp]

Interior room can't be beat! As a 6'8" 375 lb man with a tall wife, we sat in EVERY SUV and the Explorer was WAY roomier than any of them. Most were very narrow in the knee width area, and some were just lacking in knee length room. Unlike most folks, we can't just pick a car that looks cool and hop in it... 😂 Ordered ours 2 weeks ago.

[@KDragg4]

You couldn't have sat in the Traverse

[@HenryCalderonJr]

Thanks for the update 😊

[@logancotton7743]

Thank you for making this video! It's always a good day when you guys upload.

[@AyatAlSharif]

They never fail to entertain me even though i know im never gonna buy those cars lol

[@CarConfections]

Thanks you! 😁

[@user-rw7xd7qy3j]

What's going on KZbin! I love your intro 😂

[@a426108]

I really love the updates but quality is a concern.

[@johnp9477]

Car Confections is A KZbin channel that is impressive and most excellent.

[@mrt3206]

It’s nice to see that the GMC Acadias Refresh is still the better option👌 And with Ford leading the way in constant safety recalls on their vehicles I couldn’t imagine buying a ford until they fix their quality control🤷‍♂️ It looks like a Ford Explorer so the “refresh” didn’t work very well lol. Looks exactly the same on the outside to me anyways. The seats look nice but that’s about all I’m impressed with on the interior in this.

[@jnstv1]

Only the Platinum tho the ST interior look trash

[@KDragg4]

The Acadia and the traverse

[@is8914]

Yes Ford have a lot of problems whit the 10 speed transmission. Is trash

[@providentpathfinders219]

Ford needs to improve that QC before i ever become a customer again.

[@DWH300]

How about explaining your comment. I've never had quality controls with my Ford products unlike my Chrysler 300C that's had issues from the day I purchased it from the heated steering wheel. The trunk release. The terrible paint job and a failure of my Uconnect system that had my car setting at my dealership for 30 days. I will say that I received a smoke filed loaner vehicle.

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Excellent video!😸

[@HiiImChris]

It looks ok. I would say i like it, its obviously nice. But i totally feel like they could have gone a little bolder and riskier in terms of trying a much more pronounced style

[@jefferybaxter1225]

Hello gentlemen. Good review video for the mid-cycle refresh 2025 Ford Explorer. I have a mixed response for this refresh model. As for the exterior of the vehicle I'm not impressed with the front. The grille area is too bulky. However, the back of the vehicle looks great, especially with the taillight assembly that stretches towards the middle. Nice exposed exhaust tips as well. As for the interior of the vehicle, I'm glad they got rid of that vertical infotainment screen replacing it with a horizontal layout screen. The vertical one looked like an afterthought and looked tacked on. It looked like someone used a thumbtack to hold it in place. This new infotainment screen is not bulky and it's a lot more integrated with the dashboard which is nice. It's good that up front has the three stage combo of heated/ventilated seats. Unfortunately, for the second row of seats Ford took a different approach. Only heated functions for those seats and that's it. Not only that, it's two stage and not three stage like the ones up front. I'm on agreeable terms that the third row seating area is for the in-laws. Not enough thigh support like what was mentioned in the video and what I also noticed was the lack of USB ports back there. Maybe when a whole new generation gets released in the coming two or three years, they might include USB or USB-C ports in the third row seating area. Let's see what happens when the time comes.

[@DWH300]

Do your own research. Have you ever test driven an Explorer ST? By the way. The upcoming ST and platinum have multiple USBs for the 3rd row. FYI. The ST has a completely different blacked out grill with the Platinum being chrome. I'm guessing you're not a luxury /sport SUV owner. I actually own a 2022 Explorer ST. Ford has stepped it up with the new 2025 Explorers with an improved exterior and an outstanding new high tech interior with a price that is less than the current model because many options are now included in the base price

[@jefferybaxter1225]

@DWH300 This review video wasn't about the ST. It's obvious the top trim level for any vehicle regardless of branding will have everything. The trim level shown is the one some to most buyers will get. In my post, I mentioned few things I liked about the refreshed Explorer. It wasn't all about down talk. In reference to tech features....the USB ports in particular, the amount that's included should be standard across the board no matter what trim level. Other auto manufacturers have the amount of USB/USB-C ports being offered as standard across all trim levels.

[@jnstv1]

Great video, but why are we going to buy the ST model since the platinum is more luxurious than the ST and they have the same engine power! meanwhile ST is more expensive lol?? I have an ST and I got it because the design look better and the interior was quite similar!

[@boinknook]

Gotta 2017 F-150. Best vehicle I ever owned!!!❤

[@markgoodsmith7229]

I wish the third row seat could be eliminated. I need storage. Not room for more people.

[@crossover8634]

They need to take a page from the honda pilot with the second row. Removable center console/seat.

[@darriontunstall3708]

It’s very nice! I like it

[@JackSmith-qi7dr]

Compare this to the Chinese variant. Why can’t Ford bring that interior design stateside?

[@normanli7085]

Because the aviator exists lol

[@emilioalbarando3601]

Not all platinum explorers have quad exhaust tips. Only the optional 3.0 L V6 engine has the quad exhaust tips.

[@noelsilva8887]

Yeah nice and the interior looks good. But I like the ST front blackout. It looks much better. 😅

[@user-rp5yq6kv4i]

Agree the silver, gloss black and flat black grill looks cheap and will look terrible after scrubbing bugs off over time. Lol

[@kelee4730]

Any Mechanical changes to make better reliability in refreshments!?

[@julioclopez07]

How does the prev gen front end look more modern than this?

[@stephenmelnick9257]

agreed...the previous models grill looked a lot better!!

[@tenrten19]

They messed up the front end by removing the horizontal lights. They made it look taller/ squarer. The ST needs to look like a hot rod … that’s Low lean and wide

[@HiiImChris]

By far, the most amazing change in the steering wheel. I cant stand that weird, human torso shaped wheel they put in every vehicle. They should just adopt this one

[@devin1229]

I mean… it’s not bad. But there’s nothing there that says “wow, I really need to shop this.”

[@tylerjantz882]

If you haven't driven it you might change your mind. They are fast and fun to drive. You can't get 400hp from any other SUV in this class. Great vehicle for living in Colorado with the altitude. Makes driving up the passes so easy.

[@AJ-bh7vm]

I wish this has an optional two rows of seats instead of the standard 3 rows. It would have been perfect size for me with only two rows of seats, love the size of this vehicle. I don't want to drive around with the 3rd row folded since I don't need it and will never use it.

[@charlesshackify]

then get an edge then 2 rows an looks good too

[@AJ-bh7vm]

@@charlesshackifyyes, the Edge is nice, but too small for me. I just love bigger SUVS, a midsize with two rows. They actually have 2 row Ford Expedition, but too plain. I don't know if the upcoming 2025 Ford Expedition will still have an entry level two row.

[@generynkewicz4871]

Should be available without the third row seats.

[@OBAS21666]

Beautiful love it

[@g.g.2620]

The only reason why I won’t buy one is because Ford stopped making the gear shift “lever” and they went with the dumb gear shift “dial”.

[@user-lw1ix3qb4r]

what about the ⛽️

[@fungidr3520]

I like the style but can’t take the bite bc it’s just not reliable. If I’m going to plunk down $60K I want a reliable vehicle. I remember my friends use to use the mantra for FORD. Fix Or Repair Daily. That was over 20+ years ago. And it still holds true 20+ years later.

[@jroyal3755]

Lost that honey cone grill

[@Quinton0520]

cant wait for all the cops to drive these

[@DanielOrtegoUSA]

The interior is hideous in my view. It has the usual ‘Oopsie Daisy’, we forgot to plan for the NAV head unit. 😖

[@bun-n-cheese1290]

Ford needed a full redesign not a refresh. They also need to figure out the reliability issues. They are being destroyed by everyone. We are finally done with our flex after 10 years and wanted an explorer. They have lost us to the Grand Highlander or Pilot at this point.

[@nathanlewis3462]

Front-end doesn't flow with the lines at all! And with all the new gimmicks ill keep my 21' xlt!

[@denisG.]

No hybrid option when the market is hot for it. Toyota must laugh rn

[@naveenthemachine]

But their hybrids are way overpriced and loaded with insane markups

[@denisG.]

@@naveenthemachine I agree that why you need other manufacturers to offer alternative and not either way gas or straight up EV or PHEV.

[@KDragg4]

Ford people couldn't care less what Toyota has. I'm not a Ford person, but I know people who'll buy nothing else

[@drlle_3349]

The everest (international) looks much better

[@MercOne]

The Jeep has a better interior by a mile. Even though Ford updated the interior, it looks like any other cheap as nails Ford. Now the Ford has the better engine in that turbo V6. Jeep's V6 doesn't compare which is why I don't understand why Jeep hasn't given the GC the I6 yet. That would be the knockout blow to Ford.

[@HenryRoss-wu4lo]

Ford explorer whips.

[@KyleMiller]

As I watch a look at the latest Ford, I wonder how many things will fail & thousands one will spend repairing them. Quality in recent years is on par w/1990's KIA. Sign, ex-Ford owner (decades) & ex-stockholder.

[@1022SLB]

Lazy! The rear wiper being exposed makes it clear that Ford is not concerned with the voice of the customer!

[@boozer74]

Looks nothing like all the spy photos I have seen lately..

[@mdcor3157]

Best seller🤔 thanks to law enforcement

[@matthewrenshaw]

I wish Ford and Mazda would get away from the "tablet sticking straight up out of the dash" look and integrate it back into it. Also, at 5:25 -ish, great, Ford, you get personalized ass prints from whoever sat before you. :/

[@Stewbular]

Still copying the Lexus 350 The new trend is for SUVs to copy the superior boxy look of the Land Rover Discovery

[@AJSparacio413]

Which is what Hyundai did with the new 2024 Santa Fe.

[@ricric8348]

Who wants to drive a car that looks like a police car???

[@tamee76]

That’s funny! My hubby is 👮🏼‍♀️ and drives a white Explorer and that is exactly what I was thinking 😂

[@Redfox489]

Made in china or US?

[@CarConfections]

United States

[@fakedazzleful]

Meh, this front look dated to me.

[@nate1837]

Yeah

[@AJSparacio413]

Get a Santa Fe then.

[@yappering]

Yeah the older one looks better

[@leejeongtak7885]

Grille proportion is weird and fog lamp area like two gen Olds style. I better take santa fe or newer sorento. Or arcadia , traverse

[@Volta24]

For me is perfect.😉

[@KDragg4]

The Traverse and the Acadia are better than both the Ford and the GH

[@brandonyen7837]

Inside is nice but the exterior is not so nice 😂

[@alanparks7919]

Seriously? A car that has recalls issued on it every two months is going to take down a Toyota?! Wow. They’re honestly just junk.

[@doogie64]

Still a Ford.

[@user-bj1sh1ib2x]

This should have come out a few yrs ago. This is a joke

[@Sara-md8nu]

My 2022 explorer transmission went out at 4000 miles. Engine problems at 10,000. No ty never again

[@TellurdogIsayhi]

Nope. Ford NEEDS to change course immediately on their touchscreen only HVAC. My 2024 mustang is GARBAGE because of that. Their touch screen CONSTANTLY lags and freezes and fails to launch entirely. I won’t be buying any new ford vehicles for a long time; I can’t WAIT to get rid of my mustang.

[@nathanielcasas8923]

Trash lol ford can’t make a reliable vehicle to save there lives and they have been making vehicles for 100 years 😂 that’s sad and pathetic

[@joshualewis2367]

Wow same with Chevy Land Rover jaguar Mercedes vw Cadillac Buick gmc bmw Audi

[@nathanielcasas8923]

@@joshualewis2367 Yupp exactly 👍 lol 😂

[@palebeachbum]

It's not that they can't, it's that they engineer them not to be. Planned obsolescence is real. Volvo was making some of the safest, most reliable cars in the '80s/'90s, yet they struggled because they weren't selling enough cars. Buyers were keeping their Volvos too long. Ford is the complete opposite. There are people who don't know better because they've never owned a Ford, and then there are people who have but are loyal to the brand because Dad drove an F150 and grandma drove a Taurus or whatever. Being loyal to any single brand is honestly pretty silly. None are ever consistently amazing from one model to the next, including the best regarded brands. Plus, life is short and there are many interesting choices.

[@KDragg4]

​@@joshualewis2367add in Toyota, Honda, Hyundai. All of them are trash. Subaru. The lists goes on

[@moth450]

The dated ford products again. New inside. Old outside, real girly suv. Maybe this why the men testers rate the explorer poorly for realiblity . The engine is garbage too. Says the dodge salesman

[@naveenthemachine]

Taking down the grand highlander is so easy. Kia Hyundai Honda Mazda Chevy gmc Jeep already did it

[@RayanMADAO]

What's wrong with the grand highlander?

[@double_eggs]

no they did not😭

[@naveenthemachine]

@@RayanMADAO it’s overpriced, interior is very cheap in all trims, and the powertrains / driving dynamics aren’t all that great Even the Explorer as bad as an interior maybe is still nicer than the GH.

[@wills2315]

@@naveenthemachine I agree, I wasn’t sold on the highlander before I bought my wife’s 2023 Palisade SEL AWD Premium package. It just got rear ended last week and looks to be totaled. I am looking into most likely another one or the new Grand Highlander. I still wasn’t sold on it, yes it’s a Toyota and it’s a hybrid but way overpriced. My palisade has more features for it being a mid level suv than the XLE grand highland for about the same price. Still waiting for the insurance to tell me what they will do. But unless they have a sweet deal on their top model I will be getting another Palisade

[@normanli7085]

​@@naveenthemachine well when the China model explorer exists, no the US explorer pales in comparison to both the China model and the GH

[@Mr-Faraz92]

Big No No for me nothing special

[@raidersamson3356]

Still the same hideous exterior design

[@johnandlizzhayes6833]

Bland and boring exterior. Hyundai, kia, Toyota well ahead in design and imagination

[@thebigone6071]

This car looks old already! That interior ain’t no good and Ford has low reliability boo boo! Only the po-po likes explorers! Y’all know my cakes ain’t going anywhere near this fugly thing!!!

[@jongriffin2125]

Ugly and old looking suv. This will flop.