Is Ford discontinuing the Explorer?
The short answer is no: Ford has not announced any plan to discontinue the Explorer, and the nameplate remains part of Ford’s current SUV lineup as of late 2025. The model continues to be marketed in North America with ongoing updates and options for buyers.
Exploring the question in more detail, the Explorer has been a staple of Ford’s family SUV lineup for decades. In recent years, Ford has adjusted its SUV strategy around electrification and product simplification, but there has been no official statement indicating the Explorer will be retired. This article reviews the current status, what Ford has publicly communicated, and the broader market context shaping the Explorer’s future.
Current status of the Explorer
Below is a snapshot of the Explorer’s current production status, market presence, and available powertrain options.
- The Explorer remains in production for the 2025 model year and continues to be sold in the United States, Canada, and other markets where Ford offers the nameplate.
- Powertrain options typically include gasoline and hybrid variants; Ford has not announced an all-electric Explorer for the U.S. market as of 2025.
- Ford positions the Explorer as a core family SUV, with updates and feature enhancements rather than a discontinuation plan.
In summary, the Explorer is still active in Ford’s lineup, with ongoing model-year updates and a continuing presence in the showroom.
What Ford has said and market context
Here is how Ford’s official communications and the broader market context relate to the Explorer’s future.
- Ford has not released any official statement indicating that the Explorer will be discontinued.
- Industry analysis notes that Ford is focusing on electrification and product rationalization, but the Explorer has not been singled out for removal from the lineup.
- Sales performance for the Explorer remains solid within its segment, reinforcing its role as a mainstream, family-oriented SUV rather than a model on the chopping block.
Taken together, these points suggest the Explorer’s future remains tied to Ford’s ongoing SUV strategy, with no formal discontinuation announced to date.
Summary
As of November 2025, Ford has not announced any discontinuation of the Explorer. The model continues to be sold in North America with gasoline and hybrid options, and Ford has not indicated plans to retire the nameplate. For the latest, consumers should monitor Ford’s official newsroom releases and dealer communications as market conditions and corporate strategy evolve.
Is the 2026 Ford Explorer changing?
No, the Ford Explorer will not be fully redesigned in 2026; it is expected to continue with the updates from its 2025 mid-cycle refresh, which included updated exterior and interior styling, technology upgrades, and the introduction of the new off-road focused Tremor trim. The next full redesign is anticipated for 2029 or 2027, not 2026.
- No full redesign: The 2026 model will carry over the major features and styling from the refreshed 2025 model.
- 2025 refresh details: The 2025 refresh included a modernized cabin, updated exterior styling like new headlights and taillights, and a new digital ecosystem.
- New for 2026: The primary new addition for 2026 is the Explorer Tremor trim, which features off-road enhancements such as a specific suspension, skid plates, and unique styling.
- Future redesign: A full redesign is not expected until 2029 or potentially 2027.
What is Ford discontinuing in 2025?
Yes, Ford is implementing layoffs in 2025, with recent and announced cuts including temporary layoffs at the Kansas City and Louisville plants due to supply shortages and factory conversions, and some software-related salaried positions. These events, along with potential future job cuts, are part of the company's ongoing efforts to restructure and fund its electric vehicle investments.
Recent and announced layoffs
- Kansas City Assembly Plant: Hundreds of workers were notified of layoffs in late October 2025 due to a disruption in the aluminum supply chain caused by a fire at an aluminum plant in New York. These layoffs are expected to be temporary.
- Louisville Assembly Plant: Over 2,000 workers are expected to be temporarily laid off for up to 10 months. The plant is undergoing a transition to build electric vehicles.
- Connected Vehicle Software Team: Ford cut nearly 350 software jobs in the US and Canada in May 2025 to improve efficiency and reorganize the team.
Potential future layoffs
- Salaried workers: A report from August 2025 indicates potential multi-phase, salaried layoffs targeting the Model e (EV division), Ford Pro, legacy operations in North America, and Europe.
Reasons for layoffs
- Supply chain disruptions: Recent temporary layoffs have been a direct result of supply shortages, such as the one caused by the New York aluminum plant fire.
- EV and restructuring efforts: Ford is restructuring to focus on its electric vehicle business, which has led to both job cuts and new hires in different areas.
Is Ford keeping the Explorer?
The Ford Explorer is a midsize SUV that has been Ford's flagship model in the segment since its inception in 1991. The Ford Explorer is set to return for 2026, and Ford reports that there are many new additions on the horizon for this year.
Will the 2025 Ford Explorer be redesigned?
The 2025 Ford Explorer SUV is redesigned, so it's a departure from the outgoing 2024 model of this popular midsize three-row SUV. The 2025 Explorer gets a restyled exterior and interior, including a larger front grille, new LED headlights, a new infotainment system, softer touchpoints in the cabin, and more.
