We have some exciting news to share: the 2025 Ford Explorer Active isn’t just an upgrade over last year’s base model; it introduces several improvements that actually put it ahead of the top-tier trim from its direct predecessor. In this breakdown, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the 2025 Explorer Active, from returning favorites to brand-new features that elevate your driving experience. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started.
It’s Practically Tradition At This Point
The 2025 Ford Explorer brings back a fan-favorite engine: a turbocharged I-4. At this point, its return feels like tradition—and for good reason. This powertrain has consistently delivered strong performance over the years. For 2025, you’ll find a 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged I-4 engine under the hood of the Active, paired with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring confident, responsive acceleration.
How does this engine perform? The turbocharged I-4 delivers an impressive 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, giving the Explorer Active serious muscle under the hood. It’s capable of towing up to 5,000 lbs, making it ideal for hauling Class III trailers and gear—just one of the reasons the Explorer Active is a top pick for adventure-focused drivers and families.
While performance is strong, it’s not the whole story—fuel efficiency also plays a key role in the 2025 Explorer Active’s appeal. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) comes standard, but All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is available for better traction on wet roads and light trails. The trade-off in fuel economy is minimal compared to the added versatility AWD provides.
RWD models earn an EPA-estimated 20 MPG in the city, 29 MPG on the highway, and 24 MPG combined. AWD versions maintain the same 20 MPG in the city, but slightly dip to 27 MPG on the highway and 23 MPG combined. With a 17.9-gallon fuel tank, that translates to an estimated range of 430 miles for RWD and around 412 miles for AWD—both great numbers for an SUV in this class.
The Ford Explorer Active Will Keep the Family Active
The Ford Explorer Active is built to keep your family on the move, with seating for up to seven passengers and generous cargo space that expands even further when you fold down the back seats. That means there’s room for everyone—and their gear—whether you’re heading to the beach, towing the boat to the lake, or packing up for a weekend camping trip.
Even with all three rows in use, the Explorer still offers a respectable 16.3 cu.ft. of cargo space. But if you don’t always need the third row—say your household has four or five people—you can fold it down to gain up to 46 cu.ft. of space, which is a massive increase. And for those rare occasions when you need maximum storage, folding both the second and third rows gives you a total of 85.8 cu.ft. of cargo capacity. These generous dimensions are consistent across all trims, which means the Explorer Active offers the same interior space as the top-tier models, making it one of the best values in the entire lineup.
Ford understands the needs of the American family, which is why the Explorer Active is designed to provide an experience that’s just as enjoyable for passengers as it is for the driver. A big part of that experience comes down to amenities, and Ford delivers.
Take charging options, for example. There are two high-speed USB-C ports easily accessible from both the second and third rows, giving back-seat passengers a total of four USB-C ports to work with. Up front, the media hub includes one USB-A and one USB-C port, while the center console adds two more USB-C ports—bringing the grand total to eight. On top of that, a 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot comes standard, allowing your passengers to stay connected. Whether the kids are playing online with their Nintendo Switch or streaming content on their phones, they can stay powered and online wherever the road takes them.
The Difference One Year Makes
In the fast-moving world of automotive tech, it’s easy to miss just how quickly things change—sometimes even fundamental features evolve from one model year to the next. While some upgrades come with plenty of buzz, others quietly redefine expectations. That’s exactly what’s happening with the 2025 Ford Explorer, specifically the Active trim.
This year, the Active doesn’t just get an upgrade over last year’s base 8-inch screen—it actually leapfrogs the more premium 10.1-inch system found on higher trims from the 2024 model. In fact, the 2025 Explorer Active now comes standard with an impressive and luxurious 13.2-inch infotainment center. It’s a major leap forward in tech, making this trim more compelling than ever.
The infotainment upgrade isn’t the only tech enhancement for the 2025 Explorer Active. This year, it also gains a 12.3-inch Digital Driver Information Center, replacing the traditional gauges and smaller display from the previous model. This vivid digital cluster doesn’t just look sleek—it provides room for much more information, including tire pressure, trip data, fuel efficiency details, turn-by-turn navigation, and more, all delivered in a modern, easy-to-read format.
Returning to the 13.2-inch infotainment center, the 2025 Explorer introduces what Ford calls the “Ford Digital Experience.” While the name might sound like a flashy marketing label, it’s far from superficial. This system is thoughtfully designed to give drivers deeper, more intuitive control over the vehicle. Beyond the basics like adjusting your steering wheel, seat position, climate controls, and side mirrors from the touch screen, the Ford Digital Experience goes even further, tying together vehicle customization, connectivity, and personalization in a seamless, driver-centric interface.
It all starts with built-in Google services, including access to apps directly from the Google Play Store. Everything you’d expect is here—third-party navigation, streaming apps, and more, with pre-installed options like Google Maps ready to go from the start. The app store offers surprising depth, even including video games you can play while the vehicle is parked. Best of all, everything looks vibrant and runs smoothly on the expansive, high-resolution infotainment screen.
Of course, just because Google services are built-in doesn’t mean you’re locked into that system—wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are both included, giving you total flexibility. And thanks to the Explorer Active’s fast and secure 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, you can stay connected wherever you go, even in places where traditional connectivity falls short, like that secluded camping spot in the woods.
Comfort is Key
We understand that if you’re purchasing a brand-new vehicle in 2025, comfort is going to be high on your list of priorities. Fortunately, the Explorer Active delivers, because even as a base trim, it goes surprisingly far to keep you comfortable on the road. It starts with your seat: the Explorer Active comes standard with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, giving you excellent flexibility to find that perfect driving position.
Even the front passenger seat is power-adjustable right out of the gate, with 4-way control that can be upgraded to an 8-way setup for added refinement. Heated front seats also come standard, and for those wanting an upgrade in both appearance and feel, the available ActiveX material gives the interior a more upscale look than traditional (though still sharp) cloth upholstery.
Out With the Old, In With the New
The 2025 Ford Explorer Active couldn’t have arrived at a better time. It takes the best aspects of the 2024 Explorer and builds on them, delivering an experience that rivals even the highest-tier trims from just a year ago. With significantly upgraded tech and a refined design, the 2025 Explorer Active is a major step forward, especially for those who want premium features without the premium price tag. We can’t imagine many drivers being disappointed with its performance or value. Updates like this don’t happen every year, so now’s the perfect time to get behind the wheel of one of these exceptional SUVs.
