The Ford Explorer arrives with significant interior upgrades across its lineup, featuring enhanced materials that elevate comfort, aesthetics, and durability. The redesigned cabin showcases thoughtful material selections that vary between the Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and performance-oriented ST trims, offering distinct experiences at each level.

Active Trim: Foundation of Quality

The entry-level Active trim establishes a solid baseline for interior materials that strike a balance between durability and comfort. The cabin features:

• Cloth seating surfaces with stain-resistant treatment
• Soft-touch dashboard with subtle grain pattern
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with textured grips
• Durable polymer door panels with cloth inserts
• Resilient rubber floor mats designed for all-weather protection

Ford has redesigned the dashboard to provide more front passenger space, moving it forward compared to previous models. The centre console features new stitch patterns on soft-touch surfaces, enhancing its visual appeal while maintaining practical durability for family use.

ST-Line: Athletic Aesthetics

The ST-Line trim adds sporty interior design elements without the full performance upgrades of the ST model:

• ActiveX synthetic seating surfaces with red contrast stitching
• Perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel with ST-Line badging
• Carbon-fibre-look trim accents on the dashboard and door panels
• Metal-finished pedals and scuff plates
• Distinctive red accent stitching throughout the cabin

This trim features premium tactile materials with a sporty aesthetic focus. The ST-Line interior maintains a focus on durability while adding visual excitement through contrast elements and performance-inspired design cues.

Platinum Trim: Premium Materials

The Platinum trim represents the luxury pinnacle of the Explorer lineup with significantly upgraded materials:

• Premium leather seating surfaces with perforation and diamond pattern
• Genuine wood trim accents with open-pore finish
• Leather-wrapped instrument panel and door uppers
• Micro-suede headliner and A-pillar trim
• Brushed aluminum accents throughout the cabin

The Platinum’s attention to detail extends to padded touch points throughout the interior, ensuring comfort in places where occupants frequently interact with the vehicle. The real wood trim receives a specialized finishing process that preserves the natural grain patterns while protecting against wear.

ST Trim: Performance Luxury

The ST combines premium materials with performance-focused elements:

• ST-exclusive leather seating with microperforated inserts and embossed ST logos
• Leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with contrast stitching
• Carbon-fibre trim with unique ST-specific finish
• Red ambient lighting accents
• Performance-oriented console and door trim with ST-exclusive materials

The ST interior strikes a balance between luxury and sporting intent through its material choices. The seating surfaces feature specialized bolstering materials that provide support during spirited driving while maintaining comfort during everyday use.

Shared Material Upgrades Across All Trims

All 2025 Explorer trims benefit from several material improvements over the previous generation:

• Redesigned dashboard with forward positioning that creates more perceived space
• New stitched soft-touch materials on the centre console
• Enhanced door panel materials with improved sound insulation properties
• Upgraded headliner materials with improved acoustic properties
• A new centre console tray below the touchscreen with premium-feel surfaces

The new centre stack design features a wireless charging pad surrounded by soft-touch materials, combining visual appeal with practical functionality. The redesigned cabin also features new sound-absorbing materials throughout that contribute to a quieter interior environment.

Technology Integration with Materials

The Explorer integrates technology with interior materials in thoughtful ways:

• 13.2-inch touchscreen with anti-glare coating standard across all trims
• 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with reconfigurable displays
• Illuminated USB ports surrounded by premium materials
• Available ambient lighting with seven selectable colours
• Push-button gear selector with unique materials for each trim

The new Ford Digital Experience includes integration with Google and Amazon services, complementing the material upgrades with advanced digital capabilities. The seamless blend of physical materials and digital interfaces creates a cohesive interior environment.

Facts About the 2025 Ford Explorer Interior Materials

1. The Platinum trim’s wood trim undergoes a 14-step finishing process that includes hand-polishing to maintain the natural grain texture while adding durability.

2. The ST-Line carbon-fibre-look trim uses a specialized manufacturing process that creates authentic 3D texture without the weight or cost of real carbon fibre.

3. Ford designers created special “high-touch zone” materials that resist oils from fingers and hands, particularly on door pulls and frequently adjusted controls.

4. The ambient lighting system uses special light-diffusing materials that create even illumination without visible “hot spots” from the LED light sources.

5. The ActiveX synthetic seating material used in several trims was developed to withstand 30,000 abrasion cycles—approximately ten times more durable than standard cloth upholstery.

Questions and Answers About the Ford Explorer Interior

What is the main difference in seating materials between the Active and Platinum trims?

• The Active trim features cloth seating surfaces, while the Platinum trim offers premium leather with perforation and a diamond pattern.

Does the Explorer ST have unique interior materials compared to other trims?

• Yes, it features exclusive leather seating with micro-perforated inserts, embossed ST logos, and a flat-bottom steering wheel made from distinctive materials.

What type of dashboard materials are used in the Explorer?

• All trims feature soft-touch dashboard materials, with higher trims adding stitched details, and the Platinum featuring leather wrapping on the instrument panel.

Are there any real wood trim options in the Explorer?

• Yes, the Platinum trim features genuine wood trim with an open-pore finish that preserves the natural grain pattern.

How does the ST-Line interior differ from the regular Active trim?

• It features sportier materials, including ActiveX synthetic seats with contrast stitching, carbon-fibre-look trim accents, and metal-finished pedals.

What interior lighting options are available in the Explorer?

• This SUV offers ambient lighting with seven selectable colours, with the ST trim featuring distinctive red accent lighting.

Has Ford improved the sound insulation materials in the Explorer?

• Yes, all trims feature enhanced door panel materials and upgraded headliner materials with improved acoustic properties.

Does the Explorer offer heated seating surfaces on all trims?

• Heated front seats are available on most trims, with higher trims adding ventilated front seats and heated second-row options.

What material is used for the steering wheel in the base Active trim?

• The Active trim comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel with textured grip sections.

Are there special materials used for child-friendly areas in the Explorer?

• Yes, Ford uses stain-resistant treatments on seating surfaces and durable, easy-to-clean materials in areas likely to encounter spills or heavy use.