How Will the Ford Explorer Survive Until 2025?
The three-row SUV segment isn’t what it used to be with the Kia Telluride stealing the show. The Ford Explorer hasn’t been able to hold a candle to it, and 2024 won’t be any different. There won’t be any significant changes until the 2025 Ford Explorer sports a mid-cycle refresh.
What’s new for the 2024 Ford Explorer?
The 2024 Ford Explorer is primarily a carryover model, except the hybrid powertrain was dropped for the public. Only police interceptors get the hybrid variant.
When the sixth generation Explorer debuted in 2020, it felt rushed. It arrived with quality issues, recalls, and plenty of other issues that haven’t been corrected.
In 2020, J.D.Power gave the Explorer a reliability rating of 60 out of 100, which is below average. Scores between 60 and 70 are below average. Scores between 71 to 80 are average, and anything between 81 to 90 is above average.
Ford did work to improve tons of problems, allowing the 2023 Explorer to earn a reliability score of 82, which is a massive improvement.
However, other issues hold the Explorer back from keeping up with segment leaders. For example, it’s not as refined. SUVs like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Honda Pilot have a smoother ride quality and quieter interior.
Plus, the Explorer lacks passenger and cargo space. The third row is only suitable for smaller children. Cargo storage is ample for smaller items, but the center console and glove box are tight.
The Explorer doesn’t have the best interior quality either with a heavy reliance on cheap plastics. Competitors provide a more upscale feeling.
In 2020, the Explorer sold 226,215 units and has been declining each year. In 2023, the Explorer only sold 186,769 models.
Now the Explorer has to wait until 2025 for the mid-cycle refresh to arrive. The 2024 refresh was delayed, so the Explorer has to old on a bit longer before benefiting from improvements.
We know that the refresh includes revised styling. It’s safe to expect a new front end with updated headlights and a new bumper design. The rear end will have new taillights and a revamped tailgate.
It’s also safe to expect new special edition shades of paint and wheel designs. The interior should have upscale materials with an improved layout and bigger screens.
But will the new Explorer have suspension upgrades, more space, or revised powertrain options? We hope a more fuel-efficient hybrid variant emerges, plus the Explorer EV is a possibility.
Either way, the 2024 Explorer has to survive a little longer with the same old issues. Stay tuned for updates, we could learn more about the 2025 model in March.
