Ford's 2025 Explorer to Become the First Car of This Brand to Have Android-Powered Infotainment System

Ford’s latest advancement in infotainment technology, the Android-based "Ford Digital Experience," will debut in the 2025 Ford Explorer SUV. First seen earlier this year in the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, this modern system signifies a major upgrade for Ford vehicles, incorporating not only built-in Google Maps and Google Play Store but also Google Assistant, wireless CarPlay, and Android Auto, alongside digital climate control. This is prepared by SSP.

Unlike the Nautilus, which boasts a 48-inch panoramic screen, the Explorer features a more modest yet practical 13.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster capable of displaying maps for the first time. This evolution reflects Ford’s strategy to adapt the infotainment system to different vehicle profiles while maintaining distinct usability and technology standards.

In particular, the Explorer omits physical HVAC controls, opting instead for touchscreen-based adjustments, mirroring the redesign seen in Ford’s new Maverick truck—which, however, still utilizes the older QNX-powered Sync 4 software.

The "Ford Digital Experience" is also aimed at enhancing user convenience and connectivity on the road. Users can personalize their in-car experience with accessible profiles, suited content, and multiple applications, making their time behind the wheel, even when stationary, more engaging and worthwhile. An integration with Google Maps offers the advantage of displaying navigation simultaneously on both the central touchscreen and the fully digital instrument cluster.

Voice control sees an improved presence with Google Assistant as the default, although it accommodates Alexa Built-in for alternative vocal commands. This dual setup aids drivers in managing everything from setting vehicle temperature and destinations to making calls and controlling home devices while ensuring safer driving interactions.

Additionally, even with its Android underpinnings, the Explorer continues to support both wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring compatibility with diverse user preferences. Now shipping to dealerships and customers with a respectable presence already in local markets, the SUV exemplifies Ford's ambitious future plans. Anticipated future models, such as the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E, are also expected to feature tailored versions of this Digital Experience, befitting their distinct interface requirements and larger vertical screens.