The vehicle that helped established midsize SUVs is facing fierce competition, making it less likely to be the best choice around.

The 2025 Explorer ST receives a mid-cycle refresh. The biggest update is the redesigned front fascia, which now includes a bolder grille and updated LED headlights. Inside, Ford has swapped the old infotainment system for a Google-powered unit with a massive 13.2-inch touchscreen. The ST also benefits from minor suspension tweaks.

This year’s Explorer is the best it’s been in quite some time. Ford has revised the styling, updated the interior and added some new technology features. Not much changes for the 2025 Pilot. But it’s still pretty fresh from its 2023 full redesign and is easy to consider a class benchmark.