The Ford Explorer has long been a staple in the SUV market, and the latest model brings significant updates to this popular vehicle. The Premium trim, which replaces the previous Platinum trim, offers a blend of luxury, technology, and advanced safety features. 

Design and Exterior

The Ford Explorer Premium trim builds upon the vehicle’s rugged yet refined design. While maintaining the recognizable silhouette, the new model introduces subtle updates to keep it fresh and modern. The Premium trim features:

• 20-inch Luster Nickel aluminum wheels as standard
• Adaptive headlights for improved visibility in various driving conditions
• Power-folding, heated side mirrors with approach lamps
• A hands-free, foot-activated liftgate for easy access to the cargo area

These features create a premium exterior appearance that sets the Premium trim apart from lower-level models.

Interior Comfort and Luxury

The Explorer Premium trim offers a luxurious environment catering to drivers and passengers. Key interior features include:

• Leather-trimmed seats with Miko micro-perforated inserts
• Heated and ventilated front seats with Active Motion massage functionality
• 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function
• 6-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Second-row captain’s chairs with armrests
• Power-folding third-row seats
• 14-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen
• Ambient interior lighting
• Wireless phone charger

For those seeking even more luxury, the Ultimate Package adds 21-inch Dark Alloy polished aluminum wheels and Premium Sanctuary leather seat upholstery with quilted inserts.

Performance and Capability

The Explorer Premium trim has a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 300 horsepower. This engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and efficient power delivery. Buyers can choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) or Intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD) systems.

Key performance features include:

• Terrain Management System with selectable drive modes
• 5,000-pound towing capacity when properly equipped
• Hill Descent Control for improved off-road capability

Technology and Connectivity

The Explorer Premium trim has the latest Ford technology features, enhancing convenience and entertainment. Notable tech features include:

• 13.2-inch LCD touchscreen infotainment system
• SYNC 4 infotainment system with enhanced voice recognition
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 360-degree camera system
• FordPass Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability
• 110V/150W AC power outlet

Safety Features: 2025 vs. 2024 Comparison

The new Ford Explorer Premium trim sees significant advancements in safety features compared to its predecessor. Here’s a detailed comparison of the safety technologies:

Ford Co-Pilot360 Suite

The Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, but the new Premium trim takes it further with the more advanced Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 package. This enhanced suite includes:

• Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
• BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert
• Lane-Keeping System
• Auto High-Beam Headlamps
• Rear View Camera with built-in lens washer

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

The latest Premium trim introduces several new or improved driver assistance features:

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go: This feature now comes standard on the Premium trim, allowing for more relaxed highway driving.
• Lane Centering: Works with Adaptive Cruise Control to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane.
• Speed Sign Recognition: A new feature that detects and displays speed limit signs, helping drivers stay informed and compliant.
• Evasive Steering Assist: This system helps drivers steer around obstacles in emergency situations.

Parking Assistance

The new Explorer Premium trim offers enhanced parking assistance features:

• Enhanced Active Park Assist 2.0: This system can now handle parallel and perpendicular parking scenarios, making parking in tight spaces easier.
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors: These come standard on the Premium trim, providing audible and visual alerts when approaching obstacles.
• Reverse Brake Assist: A new feature that can automatically apply the brakes if an obstacle is detected while reversing.

BlueCruise

One of the most significant additions to the new Explorer Premium trim is the availability of the Ford BlueCruise system. This hands-free driving feature allows for true hands-off driving on pre-mapped highways, representing a major leap forward in driver assistance technology compared to the previous model.

Enhanced Structural Safety

While not a technological feature, it’s worth noting that the latest Explorer continues to build upon structural safety. The vehicle’s body structure is designed to manage crash energy and help keep the passenger compartment intact in the event of a collision.

Improved Visibility

The new Premium trim includes several features that enhance visibility and, by extension, safety:

• Adaptive headlights: These lights can pivot based on steering input, illuminating curves in the road more effectively than traditional headlights.
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror: This feature reduces glare from trailing vehicles, improving nighttime visibility.
• Rain-sensing wipers: These automatically activate and adjust speed based on rainfall, allowing the driver to focus more on the road.

Child Safety

The latest Explorer Premium trim continues to prioritize child safety with:

• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) system for easy and secure installation of child safety seats
• Rear door child safety locks

Personal Safety and Security

The Premium trim includes several features designed to enhance personal safety and vehicle security:

• SecuriCode keyless entry keypad: Allows access to the vehicle without the key fob
• Perimeter alarm: Alerts the owner if someone attempts to enter the vehicle unlawfully
• Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): Provides real-time information about each tire’s pressure, helping to prevent blowouts and maintain optimal vehicle handling

Comparison with the 2024 Model

When comparing the safety features of the new Explorer Premium trim to the older Platinum trim, several key differences emerge:

• Standard Equipment: The new model includes more advanced safety features as standard equipment. For example, the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 package comes standard on the Premium trim, whereas it was an optional upgrade on many older trims.

• BlueCruise Availability: The addition of BlueCruise as an available feature on the latest Premium trim represents a significant advancement over the previous model, which did not offer this hands-free driving capability.

• Enhanced Parking Assistance: The newer model’s Enhanced Active Park Assist 2.0 system offers more comprehensive parking assistance.

• Reverse Brake Assist: This new feature adds an extra layer of safety when backing up, a capability not present in the previous model.

• Improved Driver Assistance: The latest model’s adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go functionality and lane centering represents an improvement.

2025 Ford Explorer Premium: Enhanced Safety Features

The Ford Explorer Premium trim represents a significant evolution in safety features and driver assistance technologies. Building upon its predecessor’s already robust safety offerings, the latest model introduces new capabilities like BlueCruise and Reverse Brake Assist, while also making advanced features standard across the Premium trim level.

These enhancements improve the vehicle’s overall safety and contribute to a more relaxed and confident driving experience. From advanced driver assistance systems to improved structural safety and enhanced visibility features, the Explorer Premium trim demonstrates a Ford commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive safety technology.