Ford Explorer

Updated for the 2025 model year with a modernized interior and more standard equipment, the Ford Explorer enters 2026 with a new base trim level and its own Tremor variant.

The Blue Oval has issued a recall involving windshield air bubbles for more than 56,800 examples of its Explorer SUV and Lincoln’s Corsair and Aviator SUVs.

In a recent round of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash-test evaluations, six out of nine vehicles earned Top Safety Pick+ awards, IIHS’ highest honor.

Ford is recalling more than 59,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles over an issue with the engine block heater that may lead to a fire.

Ford is recalling more than 213,100 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs over an issue with the trailer taillights, which may not illuminate.

After repeatedly topping the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s list of most stolen cars in recent years, the Dodge Charger has been replaced in the top 20 of this year’s study by another muscle car.

There are lots of choices among the cheaper-to-buy-and-drive mid-size SUVs that, when properly configured, can safely tow at least 5,000 pounds.

Shopping for a three-row SUV means balancing priorities of seat quantity versus comfort. If the number of seats trump all, many three-row SUVs offer a second-row bench, but other models give up the second-row middle seat for captain’s chairs.

Keep reading to learn four things we like about the 2025 Ford Explorer and three things we don’t after time spent driving one.

Ford has issued a recall of over 850,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles due to an issue with the fuel pump.