Cargazing
By Derek Price

The Ford Explorer has been a household name for decades, and the 2025 update reminds you why. It’s not trying to be flashy or reinvent the segment.

It’s about delivering comfort, versatility and a confident presence on the road.

From the driver’s seat, the first impression is smoothness. Even in the base-level Active trim, the cabin is impressively quiet at highway speeds, filtering out the sort of wind and road noise you’d expect in this price class.

The ride feels tuned for comfort, with suspension compliance and plush, squishy seats that encourage long-haul road trips.

Power comes from a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower, a spec that feels plenty strong in practice.

Merging and passing require just a jab of the gas pedal, and the 10-speed automatic does a good job of keeping the engine in its sweet spot. The four-cylinder also helps the Explorer return respectable fuel economy for its size, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway, solid numbers for a three-row SUV with this much muscle.

The Explorer’s styling remains broad-shouldered and brawny, giving it the stance of a traditional SUV even though it drives more like a crossover.

The 2025 Ford Explorer wears broad shoulders and a bold grille that emphasize its traditional SUV stance.

Ford’s recent refresh brings a bigger grille and new lighting signatures, along with a handsome interior centerpiece: a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen. The new infotainment software feels modern, with crisp graphics and straightforward menus that are easy to learn.

Space is another Explorer strength. The second row is generous for both legroom and headroom, while the third row is better suited for kids or short trips with adults.

Where it shines most is cargo versatility. The rear holds thoughtful storage cubbies built into the side walls and an underfloor compartment for stashing smaller items. Fold the seats flat and you get a cavernous, nearly van-like load space.

Still, not everything is perfect. Interior quality lags behind some rivals, with plastics and finishes that don’t quite measure up to the Honda Pilot or Hyundai Palisade.

Handling is competent but not particularly engaging, with some body lean when cornering. Yet those shortcomings don’t diminish the Explorer’s core mission: being an approachable, family-friendly SUV that delivers a lot of capability for the money.

A large 12.3-inch touchscreen and roomy seating highlight the Explorer’s modern, family-friendly cabin.

The tested Explorer Active 4WD rang in at $48,520 with options, including premium paint, 20-inch wheels and the Active comfort package.

That’s not bargain-basement territory, but it’s competitive given its size, power and features. If you want a three-row SUV that balances traditional SUV looks with modern-day efficiency, the Explorer remains a sensible choice.

In the end, the Explorer’s appeal is its breadth. It can commute quietly, haul the family with ease, tackle weekend projects thanks to its versatile cargo hold, and still project the tough SUV image many buyers want.

For shoppers who want big-SUV presence without big-SUV thirst, the 2025 Explorer makes a strong case.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Ford Explorer Active 4WD ($41,755). Options: Premium paint ($795), 20-inch wheels ($1,295), active comfort package ($3,080). Price as tested (including $1,595 destination charge): $48,520

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 119.1 in.
Length: 198.7 in.
Width: 78.9 in.
Height: 69.6 in.
Engine: 2.3-liter turbocharged four cylinder (300 hp, 310 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
MPG: 20 city, 27 highway

RATINGS

Style: 8
Performance: 8
Price: 7
Handling: 6
Ride: 8
Comfort: 9
Quality: 7
Overall: 7

WHY BUY IT?

The 2025 Ford Explorer offers big-SUV style, everyday versatility and comfortable refinement at a competitive price.

Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2024 Ford Ranger Supercrew 4×4 Lariat I drove this week is headed to auction after its media tour, making this one of the last test drives before the hammer drops.

That timing underscores a simple fact: the Ranger seen here will be nearly identical to the 2025 model, with only minor changes such as fresh paint options and a new Black Appearance Package.

The first thing that strikes me is how much the redesigned Ranger feels like a scaled-down F-150. From its upright stance to the roomy cabin, Ford has pushed this midsize pickup closer than ever to its bigger brother.

That’s good news for buyers who want truck presence and capability without committing to the size of a full-size.

On the road, the Ranger is surprisingly refined. Ride quality is composed and comfortable, absorbing potholes and rough pavement without the choppiness you sometimes get in midsize trucks.

The Ranger’s bold C-clamp headlights and muscular stance give it a family resemblance to the F-150.

The optional 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 delivers an impressive 315 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, and it feels every bit as strong as the numbers suggest.

Acceleration is brisk, and passing power is never in question. Even with the smaller 2.3-liter engine, the Ranger has adequate punch, but the V6 transforms it into one of the quicker options in its class.

Off-road, the FX4 package gives the Ranger the confidence to tackle trails and rough terrain without drama. Add in 7,500 pounds of towing capacity and 1,805 pounds of payload when properly equipped, and it’s clear Ford intended this truck to handle real work as well as play.

Inside, the Ranger gets high marks for space. The Supercrew configuration offers plenty of legroom, and the cabin feels more airy than some rivals.

The large center touchscreen and digital instrument cluster are straightforward to use, with Ford’s SYNC 4A system making quick work of navigation and smartphone integration.

A roomy Supercrew cabin and intuitive tech setup make the Ranger easy to live with, though materials stop short of premium.

Buttons and knobs for essential controls are still present, a welcome choice in a world where too many trucks bury basics in submenus.

That said, the Ranger’s interior doesn’t quite hit the premium note buyers might expect at this price. My Lariat test truck, loaded up to $54,375, had materials that were competent but not special. Plastics and trim pieces don’t feel cheap, but they don’t “wow,” either.

Value, then, becomes the key question. The Ranger offers strong power, useful tech and impressive comfort, but it doesn’t undercut rivals on price. It’s aimed squarely at buyers who want Ford’s design, engineering and reputation for toughness in a midsize package. For that crowd, it makes a lot of sense.

Overall, the 2024 Ranger is a clear step forward from the outgoing model. It may not be the flashiest or most luxurious truck in its class, but it’s one of the most well-rounded. Think of it as the F-150’s little brother: versatile, capable and comfortable enough to live with every day.

At A Glance

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 128.7 in.
Length: 210.6 in.
Width: 86.7 in.
Height: 74.4 in.
Engine: 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 (315 hp, 400 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
MPG: 19 city, 23 highway

RATINGS

Style: 8
Performance: 7
Price: 5
Handling: 5
Ride: 6
Comfort: 7
Quality: 6
Overall: 7

WHY BUY IT?

The new-generation Ford Ranger delivers strong power, smart tech and everyday comfort in a midsize package that feels like a scaled-down F-150.

Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend occupies a unique position in the compact SUV landscape.

It’s the only entry that takes off-road capability seriously without requiring you to step up to a much larger, more expensive vehicle.

After a week with this $36,460 trail-ready crossover, it’s clear Ford has created something genuinely different in a segment dominated by mall-crawling appliances.

The Bronco Sport’s mission becomes apparent the moment you see it. This isn’t some softened crossover wearing rugged costume jewelry. The ground clearance, approach angles and protective cladding signal genuine outdoor intent.

The refreshed styling for 2025 sharpens the visual impact with revised fascias and new grille designs that enhance the family resemblance to its bigger sibling without looking like a cartoon miniature.

The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine deserves credit for punching above its displacement. With 180 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque, it provides adequate motivation for daily driving while returning respectable fuel economy.

The Bronco Sport’s refreshed styling and rugged proportions signal genuine off-road intent, distinguishing it from the purely pavement-focused compact SUV competition.

What separates the Bronco Sport from every other compact SUV is its genuine off-road capability. The standard all-wheel-drive system includes multiple terrain modes that actually make a difference on challenging surfaces.

The Black Diamond off-road package adds skid plates, all-terrain tires and upgraded suspension components that transform capability dramatically.

While it can’t match the full-size Bronco’s rock-crawling prowess, it handles fire roads, beach sand and moderate trails with confidence that would leave a Honda CR-V stranded.

The interior updates for 2025 bring welcome improvements. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 13.2-inch touchscreen provide contemporary functionality, while the upgraded SYNC 4 system responds quickly and integrates wireless smartphone connectivity seamlessly.

The wireless charging pad becoming standard equipment eliminates one more cable from daily life.
Interior space reveals the inevitable compromises of packaging off-road hardware in a compact footprint.

Front seat comfort proves adequate for long drives, but rear passengers will notice the tight quarters, especially compared to more space-efficient rivals.

The updated cabin features larger screens and improved technology while maintaining the practical, adventure-ready character that defines the Bronco name.

The driving experience balances on-road civility with off-road preparedness. Ride quality remains composed on pavement, though the higher ground clearance and chunkier tires create more road noise than typical crossovers.

Storage solutions show thoughtful attention to active lifestyle needs. The rear cargo area accommodates gear for outdoor adventures, and various interior cubbies provide practical organization for daily items.

The available “Bring Your Own Device Tray” represents the kind of practical innovation that shows Ford understands its target audience.

Pricing positions the Bronco Sport competitively within the compact SUV segment, though options add up quickly when pursuing maximum capability.

The Bronco Sport succeeds by offering something its competitors don’t: genuine adventure capability in a compact, efficient package.

While it makes some compromises in interior space and material quality, it delivers on its core promise of taking you places other compact SUVs simply cannot reach.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend 4×4 ($29,995). Options: Premium paint ($295), Black Diamond off-road package ($2,570), convenience package ($1,395), floor liners ($185), Black Diamond graphic package ($425). Price as tested (including $1,595 destination charge): $36,460

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 105.1 in.
Length: 173.1 in.
Width: 74.3 in.
Height: 70.4 in.
Engine: 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder (180 hp, 200 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
MPG: 25 city, 30 highway

RATINGS

Style: 7
Performance: 7
Price: 6
Handling: 6
Ride: 6
Comfort: 6
Quality: 6
Overall: 7

WHY BUY IT?

The Bronco Sport delivers authentic off-road capability in a compact package, offering adventure readiness that no other small SUV can match.