Family drivers and others who want a three-row SUV are often confronted with a dilemma. How can they get a roomy vehicle with the space to seat up to seven passengers comfortably, while staying within your budget? In addition, many drivers want to make sure that the vehicle is not only affordable but has the safety, comfort, and convenience features that they have come to expect in a modern vehicle. Ford has come up with an ideal solution. The 2025 Ford Explorer Active is the perfect model for a family driver or other person who needs a three-row, midsize SUV with all of the latest features, but doesn’t want to break the bank. With a base MSRP of $40,050, the Explorer Active gives you all of this at an affordable price.[a]
Ford has taken an interesting approach with the Active trim, which is effectively the base model of the Explorer. Instead of giving drivers like you a stripped down version of a vehicle you desire, and then charging you for a whole host of optional equipment, you get so many standard features that you can drive your 2025 Ford Explorer Active right off of our lot as is. This is why it stands apart from so many other three-row SUVs offered by other brands.
MSRP: $40,050 [a]
Horsepower: 300
Cargo Space: 85.8 cu.ft.
Screen Size: 13.2 in
Standard Powertrain
Engine
The 2025 Ford Explorer Active comes equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 gas engine. This is the same engine featured on the higher ST-Line and Platinum trims. It uses a turbocharger to boost performance, getting the most out of the engine without reducing efficiency. The engine on the 2025 Explorer Active delivers a very respectable 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
The Active’s engine also has Auto Stop-Start technology, which will help reduce fuel consumption. When you come to a stop at a red light or during a traffic jam, the engine will stop and then automatically restart when you lift pressure off the brake pedal.
The model has rear-wheel drive with available four-wheel drive. Choosing the latter will increase the MSRP on your Explorer Active, but will improve traction on and off the road. This four-wheel drive is Ford’s Intelligent 4WD system, which features Hill Descent Control to provide better stability when driving on downward grades. Both the rear-wheel and four-wheel drive systems have six selectable drive modes, so you can adjust the settings to fit the weather and road conditions.
Transmission
Like all of the engines on the 2025 Explorer, you get a 10-speed automatic transmission to go with your 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine on the Active trim. The added gear speeds improves performance and response, giving you the smooth ride you desire in your vehicle. It is also the same transmission featured on all models of the 2025 Ford Explorer.
Speed and Acceleration
Even though the engine on the Explorer Active is relatively small, it delivers exceptional performance. It can get up to speed on the highway quickly with its 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This is the kind of acceleration you need when you are merging onto a busy highway or need a little more speed to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
Fuel Efficiency
A big part of saving money on a vehicle involves the cost of ownership. Buying a new vehicle that may have an affordable price but poor maintenance history and inadequate fuel economy can end up costing you more in the long run. This is why it is vital to find a model that will deliver the fuel efficiency you need to save money on your daily drive.
The 2025 Ford Explorer Active gets very solid fuel economy. If you choose one with standard rear-wheel drive, you will get up to 24 MPG in combined fuel economy, which includes 29 MPG on the highway. These are excellent numbers for commuters. Opting for the available four-wheel drive reduces this slightly to 23 MPG combined, with 27 MPG on the highway. Either way, you will have more money for your family budget if you opt for the Active trim on your Explorer.
Standard Technology
The folks at Ford understand that today’s drivers want the advanced technology that will keep them and their passengers safe, connected, and entertained. This is why you don’t have to pay a premium to get premium innovations on the 2025 Explorer. By choosing the Active trim, you won’t have to worry about missing out on these technological features as they come standard on the Explorer.
Safety
The 2025 Ford Explorer Active has the exceptional innovations of the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+. This is the most advanced version of this system ever offered as a standard feature by Ford on the Explorer. As such, it has a comprehensive array of technologies to keep you and your passengers safe wherever you go.
One of the most common causes of highway accidents is lane changes. Sometimes, when you signal to change lanes, you may not be aware that another vehicle is driving in your SUV’s blind spot. To avoid this, Ford has equipped the Explorer Active with BLIS, the Blind Spot Information System, which uses radar to detect a vehicle driving in your blind spot when you signal to change lanes, and will alert you if one is present.
The Explorer Active also has Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering. This feature will help reduce driver fatigue, especially on long trips, while also assisting you in avoiding accidents. Simply set your desired speed, like you would with regular cruise control. However, unlike the older feature, you don’t have to adjust your speed if you encounter slower traffic. It will maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you, keep your Explorer centered in its lane, and even provide for bumper-to-bumper traffic jams.
One of the other interesting safety features that helps the Explorer Active stand out is Evasive Steering Assist. If you encounter another vehicle that stops suddenly, the feature will give you additional steering support so you can drive around the potential accident. These and the other features that come standard on the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ will make sure that you and your passengers get wherever you are going safely.
Entertainment and Connectivity
Ford has taken vehicle infotainment systems to the next level with the Ford Digital Experience. This feature allows you to engage with your favorite Google apps and vehicle settings on a massive 13.2-inch diagonal touch screen mounted on the Explorer’s dashboard. Its location allows you to keep your eyes on the road while also accessing its various features. This is ideal for times when you are using navigation to find your next destination.
You and your passengers can connect your phones to the Ford Digital Experience using wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This lets you make hands-free calls and texts, while streaming your smartphone apps, even if you have left your charging cables at home. You can even play your favorite music through the Explorer Active’s standard six-speaker audio system. The hardest part will be deciding which passenger gets to choose the music.
Comfort and Convenience
The 2025 Ford Explorer Active is perfect for families and drivers who lead an active lifestyle. The seats feature an attractive cloth fabric that is comfortable and easy to maintain. There are also plenty of cup holders and other convenient features located throughout the cabin, including eight USB ports, so everyone can keep their devices charged when you are out for a drive. The driver and front passenger seats are also heated, which can come in handy on cold morning drives.
Passenger Space
One complaint that many drivers make is that many three-row, midsize SUVs lack a usable third row, except for driving short distances or transporting young children. Whoever said this about three-row SUVs probably never set foot inside a Ford Explorer. Whether you choose a second 35/30/35 split-fold-flat bench seat or captain’s seats with E-Z entry and armrests, your passengers are going to find plenty of room inside the Explorer Active’s three rows of seats.
Each row of passengers will enjoy generous legroom; even the third row is roomy. This will let those passengers seated in the third row truly stretch out and relax. It also shows how Ford has done an exceptional job of apportioning space to care for all passengers along for the ride.
Cargo Space
Three-row midsize SUVs often require drivers to compromise between passenger comfort and cargo space. But the Explorer is different. The 2025 Ford Explorer has a trunk with 16.3 cu.ft. of space, making it perfect for shopping trips. If you need more room, you can fold the third row of seats flat to give you 46 cu.ft. of space. When you need the maximum amount, just fold down the second row seats as well to give you a voluminous 85.8 cu.ft. of space for your belongings.
Find Your 2025 Explorer Active Today
Future Ford of Sacramento is the place to go to find the 2025 Ford Explorer Active for sale. We are an authorized, full-service Ford dealership with the selection you need to find the right Explorer Active for you. Our friendly sales team will take the time to get to know you and go over all of your options. They look forward to helping you find an Explorer Active with everything you want in a three-row, midsize SUV, including buying one in your favorite color.
The Explorer Active shows that you can get an entry-level vehicle that still has everything you desire in a three-row SUV. It has a powerful but efficient engine that will give you the performance you desire, while helping you save money on your daily drive. You also get the safety, entertainment, and connectivity technology you and your passengers need, in a roomy passenger cabin.
We look forward to meeting you and helping you find an Explorer Active you are sure to love. Our team is dedicated to making buying your next vehicle a very enjoyable experience. Come in today and drive home in a 2025 Ford Explorer Active from Future Ford of Sacramento!
