2025 Ford Expedition: This 3-row Full Size SUV Just Got A Major Upgrade. You Have to See This

And how much do we love that? We yearned for time outdoors during the pandemic. We learned to focus on our kids and ourselves. We started making bucket lists and Pinterest boards for our getaway plans. 

The 2025 Ford Explorer wants to be you partner in this pursuit. Its fresh design, which is still based on the Ford F-150 but is much more SUV than pickup truck, offers four trims, a few choices and some option packages to spec out the right SUV for your life.

Read: 2025 Ford Explorer First Drive: Re-Styled for the Digital Age

The trim lineup has been narrowed to Active, Tremor, King Ranch and Platinum. Within those trims there are options such as performance and appearance packages.

Active, King Ranch and Platinum editions will be powered by a 3.5L twin turbo V6 EcoBoost engine that puts out 400 HP and 480 lb.-ft. of torque. The Tremor will be powered by a High Output engine: The same 3.5L twin turbo V6, but  tuned to deliver 440 HP and 510 lb.-ft of torque. 

Last, buyers will be able to add 4WD and additional cargo space via the Max option. 

Read: The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe: More Tech and Refined New Look

There are a ton of details in the new Ford Expedition, but I have to start with the brand new, reimagined driver command center (some people might call it a cockpit, but … that term feels biased). The new design adds better visibility for the driver, and in fact, for all passengers. 

It starts with a wide driver display that spans half the dashboard, a squircle steering wheel and a central touch screen. The squircle and driver display serve to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road while displaying all the key information you need, from turn by turn navigation to road sign recognition, driver assist features and of course, radio station and climate. All right there in your field of vision.

The center touch screen allows you to customize the driver display and for the co-pilot to change the radio station, set the climate or manage other functions without disrupting your drive. 

It features Google’s built in operating system and maps, and owners will be able to log into their Google account to access maps, apps and more. The system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and has the “hey Google” voice activated assistance system that we have so come to love.

This is HUGE. As in, a huge space to put your handbag (which is in itself, huge). There are buttons on the center console that slide it forward or back. When it slides back toward the second row, a huge bin opens up between the console and the dashboard. This is a great place to stow a handbag. In fact, a smaller bag will fit there even with the console closed. Or leave it open to hold your tote bag.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this in a full-size SUV, but that does’t diminish my happiness in seeing this feature. Every car should have it, or something like it, it’s that good. 

This is a first for Expedition, and for people who truly off-road in their SUVs it will be much appreciated: The super-popular Tremor off-road edition is now available in this full-size 4Wd capable SUV. Tremor adds a few key details including skid plates, built-in light bars, all-terrain tires, more tow capacity and a more powerful engine and yellow Tremor design details. And that sliding center console? It houses a lockable safe in the Tremor model.

Go ahead, bring all the kids car seats and all the gear. The interior of the Ford Expedition is huge and designed for it all. Each seat is easy to access and roomy, even in the 3rd row. Then, there are FIVE full latch sets— lower anchors and upper tethers—and the center bench is designed to fit three car seats across. In fact, the middle seat is 14” wide, and the outboard seats are 19” wide, so three seats will fit across the bench. 

I measured for rear facing car seats and found a roomy 33” between the driver’s seat (set for me, I’m 5’8”) and center row seat behind it. But get this: all 3 center row seats move forward and back, so you can position the center seat to reach the baby when she’s screaming because she spit out her pacifier. 

And even with kids car seats installed, the outboard seats slide and tilt forward for 3rd row access. Not all full-size SUVs have this feature, so we really appreciate it.

Ford didn’t show a rear seat entertainment system, but they did show how you can add your own easily. Buyers can opt for a rear seat headrest tablet or phone holder, and there’s a channel in the rear of the center console that will hold a tablet or phone. There dual USB ports in the seat backs, as well as double seat back pockets ideal for both tablets and phones. 

If you really need another screen, you can connect a game controller to the front screen via Bluetooth and play your game there (as long as the car is in Park).

And, if you decide to take your tablet or phone out of the holder but you’re using the car’s wifi, it will work up to 50 feet from the car, so go ahead, wander around without getting disconnected. 

For the first time, Ford has added a dual-opening clamshell tailgate to the Expedition. This is such a great thing; you can open just the top to reach in and get what you need without everything falling out. Or, you can open the to and bottom and sit on the lower portion without rubbing your legs agains a dirty bumper. And, the lower portion is the ideal place to set out lunch, create a work space or use it as a changing table. 

Then, there’s a table option that dealers will sell; it stows under the cargo floor and doubles as a back rest for tailgating or a double height table. 

Last, there are interior and exterior lights that are perfect for parties or simply, getting things done in the dark. Lighting includes work lights on the inside of the tailgate that point down when the gate is open; lights under the roof spoiler that also illuminate the work area, and lights on the ends of the roof rails that will light up your outdoor space.

Ford has been on a mission with Blue Cruise, adding more features and more miles of mapped highways. And now, they’ve simplified pricing. All Expedition models are equipped with Blue Cruise and for buyers who don’t opt for it in the purchase, there’s a 90 day free trial. After that buyers can subscribe for $75 a month, purchase Blue Cruise for $800 a year ($495 for the first year) or buy the system outright for $2,495. 

This is a full size SUV, based on the frame of the F-150, a full size truck. The standard model is 210” long and the Max edition is 222” long. The standard edition has 23 cubic feet behind 3rd and 37 cubic feet behind 3rd row in the Max model. 

Ford hasn’t announced pricing yet, but looking at the current model, expect pricing to start in the mid to high $55,000 range and top out in the $80,000+ range. Currently, 4WD is a $3,000 addition, and the Max edition adds $3,000 to the price. Ford will announce full pricing closer to the on-sale date in early 2025. 

So we’ll have to wait until then to get behind the wheel, but for those who need the space, features and capability, it’ll be worth it.