Hello,
I picked up my new 2025 Explorer ST, overall I would say it's a nice upgrade compared to the 2023 I turned in yesterday.
Things I really like in this model:
- New infotainment system + wireless Android Auto
- Digital climate control
- Overall new interior design
- New taillight design
- Massage seats are back (my 2020 had them, they removed them in the 2023)
- Blue Cruise and updated intelligent cruise functionality, seems to be working a lot better - using Blue Cruise for the first time is trippy AF
- Engine sound tone (I only realized that this is FENG and not the real sound today , not sure what the real engine sounds like)
Things I'm not too happy about:
- Removal of electronic Steering column adjustment; now it's manual - I really enjoyed starting the truck and having the seat and steering wheel come into place, now it's only the seat
- Rear passenger door window blinds removal - I have kids and they used the blinds regularly
- Rear camera splasher capability gone (this was technically removed in the 2022 version, but the capability was still there, I had them install the wiper fluid tube to the rear camera splasher on my 23)
- Key fob no longer shows a green light blink when doing remote start
- Upper storage tray no longer comes with the center console - bunch of after market options available, but I feel like they're cheaping out on very small stuff - I managed to keep mine before returning my 23
- Outside temperature no longer shown in center infotainement - still available on the dash
Things I'm mixed about:
- New front design - I might like it eventually
- New wheels - I really liked the black 7 spoke rims, I'm still deciding if I like these
Other notes:
- I don't know if this is standard, but mine came installed with floor rubber liners for front and back seats - nice surprise
- My WeatherTech liners from my 2020 and 2023 still work on the 2025, I was able to reuse the third row liner
- The fobs that came with the truck were branded Ford instead of ST, thankfully the sales rep was willing to swap my old ST clips on my new fobs
- Also don't know if this is standard, mine came with wheel locks installed
- Maybe I'm missing something here: I use Android Auto from my phone, there is no clock visible anywhere unless I switch to the Ford UI (swipe left edge to the right, click home button). I often look at the clock, so not having it readily visible is a PITA. Not sure if there's a way to display the side toolbar constantly (thus showing time) or showing time on AA somehow.
- I preferred the seat design on the 2023, they felt more premium. New ones are still pretty comfortable
I like the new truck, there's nothing that is really a deal breaker for me with this model. Some of the changes when I went from the 2020 to the 2023 caught me by surprise, now I have a better understanding of how Ford operates when doing these upgrades, so I was mentally prepared to seeing some features disappear.
Build quality is nice, but you can see they went and cut costs in a lot of places with some of the changes they made.
In summary, it's a better same truck as the 2023 with a few drawbacks.
I picked up my new 2025 Explorer ST, overall I would say it's a nice upgrade compared to the 2023 I turned in yesterday.
Things I really like in this model:
- New infotainment system + wireless Android Auto
- Digital climate control
- Overall new interior design
- New taillight design
- Massage seats are back (my 2020 had them, they removed them in the 2023)
- Blue Cruise and updated intelligent cruise functionality, seems to be working a lot better - using Blue Cruise for the first time is trippy AF
- Engine sound tone (I only realized that this is FENG and not the real sound today , not sure what the real engine sounds like)
Things I'm not too happy about:
- Removal of electronic Steering column adjustment; now it's manual - I really enjoyed starting the truck and having the seat and steering wheel come into place, now it's only the seat
- Rear passenger door window blinds removal - I have kids and they used the blinds regularly
- Rear camera splasher capability gone (this was technically removed in the 2022 version, but the capability was still there, I had them install the wiper fluid tube to the rear camera splasher on my 23)
- Key fob no longer shows a green light blink when doing remote start
- Upper storage tray no longer comes with the center console - bunch of after market options available, but I feel like they're cheaping out on very small stuff - I managed to keep mine before returning my 23
- Outside temperature no longer shown in center infotainement - still available on the dash
Things I'm mixed about:
- New front design - I might like it eventually
- New wheels - I really liked the black 7 spoke rims, I'm still deciding if I like these
Other notes:
- I don't know if this is standard, but mine came installed with floor rubber liners for front and back seats - nice surprise
- My WeatherTech liners from my 2020 and 2023 still work on the 2025, I was able to reuse the third row liner
- The fobs that came with the truck were branded Ford instead of ST, thankfully the sales rep was willing to swap my old ST clips on my new fobs
- Also don't know if this is standard, mine came with wheel locks installed
- Maybe I'm missing something here: I use Android Auto from my phone, there is no clock visible anywhere unless I switch to the Ford UI (swipe left edge to the right, click home button). I often look at the clock, so not having it readily visible is a PITA. Not sure if there's a way to display the side toolbar constantly (thus showing time) or showing time on AA somehow.
- I preferred the seat design on the 2023, they felt more premium. New ones are still pretty comfortable
I like the new truck, there's nothing that is really a deal breaker for me with this model. Some of the changes when I went from the 2020 to the 2023 caught me by surprise, now I have a better understanding of how Ford operates when doing these upgrades, so I was mentally prepared to seeing some features disappear.
Build quality is nice, but you can see they went and cut costs in a lot of places with some of the changes they made.
In summary, it's a better same truck as the 2023 with a few drawbacks.
Last edited:
-
6
- Show All
