When most people hear “entry-level,” barebones comes to mind, but the Ford Explorer Active is anything but. While it is the lowest trim level, it is still better than some highest trim levels that others can provide. We’ll be taking a look at what makes this starter trim one of the best on the market.
Key Takeaways:
- With Ford offering higher trim levels, they may be tempting, but if you don’t plan on hitting the interstate often, the extra money will be wasted.
- Small, but mighty is the best way to describe the engine that this trim comes with, as it can tow 5,000 pounds while pushing nearly 30 MPG in the right conditions.
- This trim comes with heated features, making it a great option for those who want more for less.
What is a 2025 Explorer Active?
The Active is the base option for the Ford Explorer, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come with some great features. Some things that you can look for are a 13.2-inch touchscreen with a 12.3-inch digital cluster. Both of these are large enough to see what you need at a glance. The touchscreen can connect wirelessly, making it easy to control once you’re in.
When you’re on the road, the Active is able to benefit from the lane centering assist that comes part of the Ford Co-Pilot360. This helps keep you and your family safe. If you’re a soccer mom who wants the best for your family, this is a strong feature. Being that this vehicle will more than likely have some younger kids in it, the addition of the power liftgate makes it easy to access the rear, making sure that no matter who wants to get in, they can do it without effort.
Being that driving is the most important role in a vehicle, Ford made it a bit more comfortable with the Active. While other models reserve heated features for their best trim, the Explorer doesn’t care. The driver has access to both heated seats as well as a heated steering wheel, and while the temperature is warm for most of the year, when it starts to get frosty, this will come in handy.
How Much Horsepower Does the 2025 Ford Explorer Active Have?
The Active comes with a 2.3L I4 engine that is capable of producing 300 horsepower, and when properly equipped, you can tow up to 5,000 pounds, making this trim surprisingly capable. Being that this engine is on the smaller side, it does come with great mileage. The EPA has rated this engine at 24 MPG combined, able to go 20 MPG in the city, and 29 MPG on the highway. This makes it one of the best options for those who need something big but don’t want a gas guzzler.
What is the difference between Explorer Active and ST Line?
When looking at the two options, the Active has a starting price of $40,050 while the ST-Line $45,020. Since we’ve gone over the features of the Active, we’ll cover the features for the ST Line to show you why they’re not worth the extra price.
The two biggest changes that come on the ST Line are the addition of Blue Cruise hands-free driving, as well as the 360-degree camera. While the camera is the more desirable option, if you’re not hitting the interstate a lot for family roadtrips, then the additional $5,000 isn’t worth it for a 360-degree camera.
Other than those two changes, as well as larger wheels, it is more or less the same vehicle. This highlights that even though the Active is an entry-level trim, it comes with great features.
Is the Explorer Active worth it over ST-Line?
When looking at the features that both models come with, we think that the Active is a solid pick, and when looking at the price, it's hard to beat. If you’re wanting to come see one in person, or just have more questions, then come on down to Karl Flammer Ford today, we’ll be happy to help!