Ford Explorer

Design & Quality

The 2025 Explorer’s interior feels premium, packed with the latest tech and successfully blends tech-quality materials with family-friendly functionality. The soft-touch surfaces and multi-colour ambient lighting create a warm, inviting atmosphere for nighttime drives. The 13.2-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital cluster are the centre of attraction, user-friendly, and provide bright light even in harsh sunlight, seamlessly supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other features like ventilated seats combat summer heat, and leather upholstery avoids sand and wear and tear in the longer term, underlining the durability. The B&O audio has special experience awaiting you for your music and entertainment, with immersive sound, while the twin-panel moonroof gives quite a fresh light and airy feel for road trips. If you compare it to its nearest rivals, this Ford SUV has greater third-row legroom and a quieter cabin, which further makes an impression with a rattle-free build and smooth ride over bumps, promising great comfort. 

Front Seat

The front seats are where you're going to spend a lot of time, and so they are plush and supportive, with 10-way power adjustments (Comfort and above) and memory settings to allow you personal comfort. The standard heating and ventilation tackle KSA’s intense temperatures, while lumbar support reduces fatigue on long drives. The height-adjustable driver’s seat boosts excellent road visibility, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel features a grippy design with a lot of controls for audio, cruise, and phone, keeping operation effortless and driver-focused without any distraction.

Electronic Parking Brake

The console-mounted electronic parking brake with auto-hold prevents rollback on hills or in traffic jams. It engages automatically for safety and makes it easy in tight city parking or on inclines.

Rear Seat

The Explorer is popular among professionals and also families, and so comfort at the rear is a big deal for most buyers. To make sure the utmost passenger comfort, the second row comes with reasonable space, even though it is a compact SUV. Which can accommodate three adults comfortably, with ample legroom for long journeys.  Features such as sliding and reclining seats, AC vents and USB ports are targeted at passenger comfort and connectivity, while the third row is suitable for children. It is certainly designed keeping in mind family comfort, usability and participation.

AC Vents

The standard Tri-zone climate control with rear vents cools the cabin rapidly, a must-have in KSA’s scorching summers. It is Voice-activated for hands-free convenience, maintains consistent cooling across all rows, ensures comfort for every passenger, even during intense heatwaves, without uneven hot spots.

Storage Options

Even though it is a compact SUV, you don't necessarily find the cabin as congested; rather, it feels spacious, and storage is abundant and clever, with a deep centre console, door pockets for 1L bottles, and a cooled glovebox for keeping drinks chilled. The rear armrests comprise cupholders, and under-floor compartments hide snacks or tools, which make the Explorer perfect for family outings or long road trips.

Armrest

Another key comfort feature, the Padded front and rear centre armrests provide elbow comfort, with the front doubling as a storage box and the rear folding down for passenger relaxation. This is especially good for comfort during long highway drives or stop-and-go city commutes.

Charging Options

Connectivity is a must-have feature today; everyone wants their devices powered all the time. And to that, there are multiple USB-C ports, a 12V socket, and standard wireless charging to keep devices powered on the go. At the rear USB ports ensure kids’ tablets or phones stay charged during road trips, making family travel seamless and stress-free, with no worries about low batteries.

Boot Space

As a three-row SUV, the Explorer's boot size is 515 litres behind the third row, which should work for family shopping or luggage. With seats folded, it expands to 2,486 litres, sufficient to fit larger loads. The PowerFold third row and cargo management system keeps items secure, while the hands-free liftgate simplifies loading in busy parking lots, providing much-needed convenience for daily errands.

• Eight airbags (dual front, side, curtain, knee)
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go

• Lane-Keeping Assist

• Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

• Blind-Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert

• 360-degree camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• ISOFIX child seat anchors
• Trailer sway control
• Side-wind stabilization

The exterior of the Explorer looks quite composed and in control on the road with a muscular yet stylish design cues which suit KSA’s diverse driving scenarios. With robust dimensions like 5,050 mm in length, 2,004 mm in width, 1,778 mm in height, and a 3,025 mm wheelbase, this SUV balances spaciousness with agility.

Its 200 mm ground clearance is best to handle city potholes and light sand dunes, while aerodynamic lines improve fuel efficiency on highways. quite the SUV characteristics that have now become synonymous, and something buyers favour over traditional sedans or hatchbacks. Ford has given the Explorer some key front changes with the latest facelift, including a wider, more aggressive grille, sharper adaptive LED headlights, and a stylish profile that exhibits confidence. The Explorer’s imposing road presence and modern aesthetics make it a desirable choice with a nice blend of urban sophistication with off-road abilities.

Front

It is undeniable that the front of this SUV is quite aggressive and assertive, highlighted by the familiar honeycomb grille (sporty mesh on Platinum) that dominates the face. The adaptive LED headlights turn with the steering not just to give a superior look to the front but also quite effective during foggy mornings or dark desert nights. The modern daytime running lights further enhance the modern look, while functional air intakes allow the engine to cool faster in  KSA’s scorching summers. The highly visible Ford logo steers the design, exudes reliability and strength.

Side

From the side the Explorer gives a holistic, stylish and strong look, with an extended wheelbase and curved wheel arches that appear dynamic and sporty. The look is boosted by chrome accents and practical side steps for easy access, especially for elderly family members. The roof rails support camping gear or luggage for weekend trips, while power-folding mirrors with puddle lamps give a modern and luxurious touch of luxury, making it equally suited for city streets and rugged trails.

Alloy Wheels

Active trims get 18-inch alloys and promise a smooth, comfortable ride for daily city driving. The Comfort Package is offered with 20-inch wheels for enhanced grip, while Platinum’s 21-inch stylish alloys with low-profile tires offer superior highway stability and a sporty edge. 

Rear

Just like the front and side, the rear design is equally appealing and modern. There are LED taillights connected by a stylish light bar, improving overall visibility. A feature like a hands-free power liftgate is highly useful in making it easy to load, especially in busy mall parking lots after you come out with big shopping bags, while dual exhaust tips (quad on Platinum) point towards superior performance. The rear spoiler boosts better aerodynamics, and integrated wipers keep the rear window clear in dust storms or rain and also make it safer.

Colors

In Saudi Arabia, the Explorer is available in eight exterior colours, including  Star White Metallic, Agate Black, Iconic Silver Metallic, Carbonised Grey Metallic, Forged Green Metallic, Rapid Red Metallic, Stone Blue Metallic, and Jewel Red.

City Performance

Navigating our increasingly busy cities across the kingdom, the Explorer’s 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 engine is quite capable, with 300 hp of power ensuring smooth, confident performance in traffic. The 10-speed automatic shifts seamlessly in heavy congestion when there is little speed in navigating stop-and-go conditions. The light steering in Normal mode makes tight parking a lot easier. While fuel efficiency is subject to driving conditions, Explorer gives you decent 10-12 km/L, improving to 12.7 km/L in Eco mode in city driving, and this is not bad for a car of this size, and should be cost-effective for daily commutes. The 4WD system grips wet or sandy streets, and the SUV's smoothness over potholes is highly notable with minimal cabin shake and its composed handling. Features like the 360-degree camera and parking sensors are a big help in moving through crowded lots, something we encounter often in the city.

Highway Performance

On open highways, the Explorer is equally exciting, and cruises smoothly at 120 km/h with the 2.3L engine providing uninterrupted power and torque. The mielage ranges from 11-13 km/L, with the V6 being less frugal but punchy. On the highway, driving when traffic is predictable, the adaptive Cruise Control with lane centring help in reducing fatigue on long stretches, and the quiet cabin, which blocks road wind and tire noise really well.  On the highway, too, the 4WD allows stability in crosswinds, and the smooth gear shifts and confident handling, making it a reliable choice for family road trips.

Ride and Handling

Ford SUVs have earned a name for themselves for their overall built quality and handling, too. The Explorer is no different; it is refined and known for its comfortable ride, with independent suspension soaking up uneven roads without harsh jolts. The body roll is well-controlled in corners, and Sport mode edges the steering, essentially ensuring an engaging drive on winding, hilly or mountain roads.

A stable, fatigue-free driving on highways, with 4WD, assures a well-balanced and controlled grip on gravel or wet surfaces. The quiet cabin, though a slight tire noise could be noticeable above 100 km/h. If you pitch the SUV against its nearest rivals, we are impressed with its overall dynamic handling with greater comfort. For occasional off-road, the 200 mm ground clearance handles light dunes quite nicely, but it’s not suited for extreme trails. We like the smoothness, almost zero cabin noise and solid build quality over rough terrain, which makes it suitable for families looking for an all-around SUV in KSA.

• 13.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto

• 12.3-inch digital cluster

• Leather seats with ventilation (Comfort and above)

• Tri-zone climate control with rear vents
• B&O audio with 14 speakers

• Keyless entry, push-button start
• Twin-panel moonroof (Comfort and above)

• Drive modes (Normal, Eco, Sport, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Trail, Deep Snow/Sand)
• Multi-color ambient lighting

• Power-folding mirrors
• Wireless charging
• Trailer tow package

Ford Explorer Active 200A

Priced at SAR 186,400, this is a base model with the 2.3L engine (300 hp) with 4WD. It has a 13.2-inch touchscreen, ABS, airbags, and cloth seats, and buyers on a tight budget can manage with limited features, considering this one as it is good for city driving with essential tech and solid value.

Ford Explorer Active 200A With Comfort Package

At SAR 213,045, this variant gets heated/ventilated seats, a twin-panel moonroof, and tri-zone climate control with the 300 hp engine. It’s a good bargain for families who prefer that extra comfort in KSA’s heat, with ambient lighting and enhanced luxury for a premium feel.

Ford Explorer Platinum 600A

The top-end model, at a significant price bump, starts at SAR 220,700. And with that premium price, you get some luxury features like leather massaging seats, B&O audio, and 21-inch wheels. If you have the money and want a full ownership experience with all the features, then go for it. 

Sayarabay Recommendation: We recommend the Active 200A With Comfort Package, which is moderately priced with what is on offer. You get to balance value and features, durability,  300 hp of power, and 4WD capability. Besides family-friendly comforts like heated/ventilated seats, a twin-panel moonroof, tri-zone climate control, and ambient lighting. This is a great choice for anyone looking for an SUV that can take on KSA’s diverse conditions, has the ability to deliver a reliable performance and premium touches without the Platinum’s higher cost, making it a versatile family SUV.

The Explorer is a compelling offering from the American brand, which has a great deal of admiration in KSA. The compact SUV segment is competitive, and there are already many options available as buyers are looking for SUVs that are value for money. Ford is offering you all of it in the Explore, a well-equipped, midsize SUV, which combines bold style, advanced technology, and reliable performance for individuals and families. With the latest refreshed design, spacious 515L boot, and features like BlueCruise and a 13.2-inch touchscreen, it has been well-packed, and scores well over its rivals in dynamics and tech. With efficient engines, strong towing, and a quiet, rattle-free cabin, it’s perfect for city and desert adventures, offering premium luxury at a competitive price.

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