Touch, Feel, Experience: The 2025 Explorer's Premium Interior Transformation

For nearly 35 years, the Ford Explorer has defined what an SUV should be, balancing capability, technology, and comfort. Ford's commitment to refinement continues with the 2025 Explorer, which features the most significant interior overhaul in recent memory. While the Explorer has long been celebrated for its driving dynamics and versatility, the latest model elevates the cabin experience to unprecedented levels of luxury.

The 2025 Ford Explorer's interior transformation focuses on premium materials, sophisticated design elements, and thoughtful features that enhance comfort for all passengers. These upgrades reflect Ford's understanding that today's SUV buyers expect luxury-level appointments in their vehicles, regardless of brand heritage. Let's explore the seven interior improvements that make the 2025 Explorer more luxurious than ever.

1. Redesigned Dashboard and Soft-Touch Surfaces

The moment you enter the 2025 Explorer, you'll notice the completely redesigned dashboard that creates a more premium environment. Ford has pushed the dashboard forward to create a more spacious feeling for front-row occupants, immediately enhancing the perception of roominess. The redesign introduces new wrap-and-stitch soft-touch surfaces across the centre console, door panels, and dashboard.

These premium materials replace harder plastics found in previous generations, providing a more tactile and upscale experience. The attention to detail is evident in the quality of stitching and the integration of silver mesh accents throughout the cabin. These design elements contribute to a sophisticated atmosphere that rivals luxury-branded competitors while maintaining the Explorer's rugged DNA.

2. Premium Seating Materials and Colour Options

Seating comfort receives a significant upgrade in the 2025 Explorer, with improved materials across all trim levels. The Platinum model features luxurious Mojave Dusk leather seating surfaces with matched accent stitching, creating a cohesive and upscale appearance. For those who opt for the Platinum Lux Leather Package, the Premium Sanctuary Leather with Tri-Diamond Micro-Perforated inserts elevates the experience further with accent stitching, piping, and quilting on both seats and door panels.

Even the more accessible trims benefit from premium materials. The ST and ST-Line models feature ActiveX seating with distinctive red accent stitching, while the Active trim includes soft-touch seats with Harvest Bronze accent stitching. These carefully curated interior colour schemes create distinct personalities for each Explorer model:

• Platinum: Sophisticated Mojave Dusk or Salt Crystal Gray environments
• ST: Sporty Black Onyx with red accents and Miko suede inserts
• ST-Line: Athletic Black Onyx with red stitching and cloth inserts
• Active: Contemporary Ultra Dark Space Gray with Harvest Bronze accents

3. Ambient Lighting Customization

The 2025 Explorer introduces customizable ambient lighting options that transform the cabin's atmosphere. Standard on Platinum and ST models, and available on ST-Line, this feature allows drivers to select from seven distinct colour options: Ice Blue, Orange, Soft Blue, Red, Green, Blue, and Purple.

This customizable lighting system accentuates the Explorer's interior design elements and creates a personalized environment that can be adjusted to match your mood or preference. The subtle illumination highlights the premium materials and craftsmanship while adding a sophisticated touch during night driving. This feature, often found in luxury vehicles, reinforces the Explorer's upscale positioning in the mainstream SUV segment.

4. Spacious Cabin Design

Interior spaciousness has been enhanced through thoughtful design changes in the 2025 Explorer. The dashboard redesign, which pushes the front panel forward, creates a more open and airy feeling for front passengers. This architectural approach to the cabin design makes the interior feel significantly more spacious without changing the vehicle's external dimensions.

The thoughtful layout extends to storage solutions as well. An integrated tray below the touchscreen provides a convenient place for everyday items, while also housing an available wireless charging pad. This attention to practical details ensures the Explorer's luxury upgrades don't compromise its functionality as a family vehicle, maintaining the perfect balance of premium feel and usability.

5. Advanced Digital Experience System

Technology integration takes a quantum leap forward in the 2025 Explorer with the introduction of the Ford Digital Experience infotainment system. This sophisticated system is presented on a stunning 13.2-inch touchscreen that serves as the command centre for the vehicle's entertainment, connectivity, and comfort features.

The system works in harmony with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster to provide a cohesive digital environment. Integration with Google Maps allows navigation screens to be displayed on both the central touchscreen and the digital cluster simultaneously, creating an immersive and informative experience for the driver.

The Ford Digital Experience supports voice commands through Google Assistant and Alexa Built-In, allowing for intuitive control of vehicle functions without taking your hands off the wheel. This level of technological sophistication, combined with the ability to receive over-the-air updates, ensures the Explorer's interior remains cutting-edge throughout ownership.

6. USB Connections and Charging Solutions

Recognizing the importance of connectivity in modern family life, the 2025 Explorer features an unprecedented level of charging capability. The vehicle includes eight USB ports strategically placed throughout all three rows, ensuring that every passenger has access to power for their devices.

This thoughtful distribution includes USB connections for third-row passengers, addressing a common pain point in three-row SUVs. Additionally, three 12-volt powerpoints provide flexibility for powering a variety of devices and accessories. The available wireless charging pad in the front row eliminates cable clutter for compatible smartphones, adding to the clean, premium aesthetic of the interior.

7. Model-Specific Interior Themes

Ford has created distinct interior personalities for each Explorer model, allowing buyers to select an environment that matches their preferences. Each trim features unique colour schemes, materials, and accent details that create a cohesive design theme:

The Platinum model embodies sophisticated luxury with its Mojave Dusk leather instrument panel, door panels, and console. The matching leather seats with accent stitching create a premium environment that feels custom-tailored.

For those who prefer a more athletic character, the ST features a Black Onyx instrument panel with bold red accent stitching. The Black Onyx ActiveX seats incorporate Miko suede inserts and red accent stitching, creating a sporty yet upscale cabin experience.

The ST-Line offers similar sporty aesthetics with its Black Onyx panels and red stitching, paired with ActiveX seats featuring cloth inserts and coordinating red accents.

The Active trim brings a contemporary feel with its Ultra Dark Space Gray panels complemented by Harvest Bronze stitching, matched with Dark Gray soft-touch seats featuring Black Onyx inserts.

Experience the Transformed Explorer at Hanna Motors Collingwood

The 2025 Ford Explorer's interior upgrades represent a significant leap forward in luxury, comfort, and technology. From premium materials and customizable ambient lighting to advanced digital systems and thoughtful charging solutions, every aspect of the cabin has been refined to enhance the ownership experience.

Whether you prioritize the sporty character of the ST, the luxury appointments of the Platinum, or the value-oriented features of the Active, the 2025 Explorer lineup offers an interior environment that will exceed your expectations. Visit Hanna Motors Collingwood today to experience these luxury upgrades for yourself and discover which Explorer model best suits your lifestyle.