DEXTER, Michigan — Like America’s No. 1 movie, Ford has gone “Inside Out” to sell tickets.

The handsome Explorer exterior now has interior toys to match. On course to load up on cider ‘n’ doughnuts at Jenny’s Farm Stand and Cider Mill in Dexter, I poked the BlueCruise button on my $50K 2025 tester’s steering wheel and the midsize ute drove itself down I-94. Look kids, no hands! No one does driver assistance better than Ford’s BlueCruise and GM’s Super Cruise — not even luxury leaders like Tesla, Mercedes and BMW.

Jenny’s has lots to see, but if one of your tots gets tired, the Explorer’s tablet screen interface is as familiar as a smartphone. Tap the left margin’s square icon and the touchscreen reveals familiar avatars for Spotify, Google Maps and so on. Want a game to play? Search in the Google Play Store.

So ferocious is the midsize SUV piranha tank that segment pioneer Ford is throwing all its weapons into the fight. Ford has surrounded the luxury-class Blue Cruise with a premium interior incorporating elements of the Lincoln Navigator. Gone is the uninspired, plastic, did-this-come-out-of-a-2010-Fusion? interior. Gorgeous, hoodless 12.3-inch digital instrument and 13.2-inch infotainment displays complement a nicely trimmed dash. The displays pop with Unreal Engine-based computer graphics from gaming developer Epic Games.

That should impress gamers who have grown out of their wee Fiesta ST hatchbacks, tied the knot and now need room for kiddies. But they don’t have to leave ST behind.

Like BMW bringing its famed M performance badge into its midsize $68K X5 SUV with X5 M performance and M Sport style trims, the Explorer offers sporty ST and ST Line badges. ST fondly recalls the playful Focus ST and Fiesta ST hatchbacks that Michigan motorheads still bring to weekend autocross courses.

So coveted is the ST experience that 20% of sixth-generation Explorer sales since 2020 have gone to the ferocious 400-horespower, V6-powered ST model despite its pricey sticker. For thousands less, let me recommend the new ST Line for 2025.

Starting at $46K — the next step up from a base $41K ACTIV model — ST Line brings all the style of the ST, but substitutes the big, longitudinal V-6 with a sippier, still potent, 2.3-liter turbo-4 cylinder. So potent that you might not notice you don’t have a six under the hood.

The 2.3-liter, after all, is the same 300 horsepower/310 torque beast that powers the saucy Mustang coupe. I buried my size 15 foot through Hell’s twisties and the engine growled like a cornered badger. The Explorer’s handling is no match for a Mazda CX-90, but most buyers will be content with the three-row family SUV’s authoritative voice and strong interstate merge.

More significantly for a family mule, Ford has taken a page from Asian rivals and loaded ST Line (and all models) with standard connectivity and safety features, including wireless Apple Car Play/Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, lane centering, blind-spot assist, heated seats and USB ports in all three rows.

One of the things I love about mainstream vehicles versus their luxury betters is their ergonomics. While luxe brands (looking at you, Merc) try to wow with clean, button-free displays, Explorer gives you nice, raised steering wheel buttons so that you can easily adjust speed and volume without taking your eyes of the road. That said, the Explorer's rotary shifter is clunky — with PARK just another point on the dial, rather then making it an easy push button in the middle. Sigh, beware situations where you have to do quick REVERSE/FORWARD maneuvers.

The Chevy Traverse also has good ergonomics (and a better steering wheel-mounted shifter) and standard features. The Motown rivals are two of the most compelling affordable vehicles in the segment.

GM pioneered Super Cruise on the Cadillac CT6 six years ago and now offers it on a mainstream ute. GM has been at this game longer and Traverse will go hands-free (like Tesla) on designated secondary roads as well as divided highways. But it’ll set you back an extra $3,280.

Ford practically gives BlueCruise away on the ST Line trim (and above) for $700 and a one-year trial. I’m betting most SUV owners will find non-highway hands-free driving as useful as a bicycle for a fish, and will only use BlueCruise on, say, interstate drives up north. Rather than plunk down $3,280, they’ll prefer Ford’s one-month $80 subscription plans, like my Tesla-owning friend Chris, who pays the monthly fee whenever he plans a long trip.

I dialed up SPORT mode and the hoodless instrument display lit up with rich, red graphics. To my right, I downloaded Webex on the infotainment screen. The video conferencing application can be played with full video when the car is stationary — or you can hold an audio-only conference call when driving. Ford uses Webex internally and says similar Zoom and Microsoft Teams should follow as well as a variety of games and other apps.

That’s because Explorer’s tablet is run by the same Android operating system you’ll find on a smartphone. Tap the left margin’s square icon and the touchscreen reveals familiar avatars for Spotify, Google Maps and so on. Want more? Search in the Play Store like your phone.

Attention to detail is everywhere in the cabin, from the double-pull hood release (so you don’t have to fish for the release under the hood) to dash graphics for the skylines of Detroit and Chicago (where Explorer is assembled) to the two-shelf storage console (so you don’t need cupholders for storage).

SUV pioneers Ford and Jeep have a natural customer base given their segment longevity, but they can no longer afford to be unaffordable. Standard features and premium interiors are the norm. Explorer has evolved from a truck based-ute to one of the sportiest high-tech utes in segment.

It’s a segment with enormous variety. Toyota complements its two-row Highlander with a three-row Grand Highlander. Chevy hit a home run with Traverse. Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Nissan Pathfinder and VW Atlas have jumped into the three-row ring with notable models. Even sporty Mazda has gone big with a three-row CX-90 that can give a BMW X-5 a run through the twisties.

If you’ve read this far, you might ask if I’ve left something out.

Payne, is there a hybrid or off-road Explorer on offer?

Yes and no. Hybrids are trendy, but Explorer found little demand. Its hybrid version is now made exclusively for police forces who value its long range. As for the off-road Timberline model, it was axed (along with Limited, King Ranch and XLT) as Explorer simplified its lineup for ‘25 — a curious choice given the popularity of rugged badges from competitors like Traverse Z71, Pilot Trailsport, Telluride X-Pro and so on. Expect Timberline to make a comeback.

Loaded with all-wheel drive and other goodies to $50,350, my ST Line tester is one of the most competitive SUVs in segment. And with 483 miles of gas range, three rows, BlueCruise and an exhaust note like a Mustang, it’s an engaging trip companion.

2025 Ford Explorer

Vehicle type: Front-engine, rear- and all-wheel-drive, six- or seven-passenger SUVPrice: $41,350 base, including $1,595 destination fee ($50,350 ST Line as tested)

Powerplant: 2.3-liter, turbocharged inline-4 cylinder; 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Power: 300 horsepower, 310 pound-feet torque (turbo-4); 400 horsepower, 415 pound-feet torque (V-6)

Performance: 0-60 mph, 6.0 seconds (Car and Driver, turbo-4); towing capacity: 5,000 pounds

Weight: 4,565 pounds (as tested)

Fuel economy: EPA est. 20 city/27 highway/23 combined (turbo-4 AWD); 18 city/25 highway/21 combined (V-6 AWD)

Report card

Highs: Pleasing interior upgrades; stout turbo-4

Lows: Clunky rotary shifter; no head-up display

Overall: 4 stars

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