2005 Ford Explorer Review

Name: 2005 Ford Explorer Review
Brand: Ford
Rating: 4.3 (153 reviews)

Price: $3,995

2002 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV 4WD

2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer AWD 4dr SUV Shown

2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 4dr SUV Shown

+59

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8 Offers Near Columbus, OH

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54 cars

$6,089 avg. price

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Excellent ride and handling characteristics for a truck-based SUV, strong optional V8, comfortable cabin with user-friendly layout and seating for up to seven, good crash test scores.

Cons

Dull cabin design with some low-grade materials, low resale value, confusing controls on high-line models, lousy fuel economy.

What’s new

The 2005 Ford Explorer receives minor interior and exterior trim changes, and the AdvanceTrac stability control system is upgraded with roll stability control for better protection against rollover accidents.

Edmunds says

A functional interior, ample passenger space, strong powertrains and a well-controlled ride all contribute to the 2005 Ford Explorer's well-deserved reputation as a practical midsize SUV with few faults.

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2005 Ford Explorer
XLS 4dr SUV
$3,995
- 192,158 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use
- 6cyl automatic
- Luxury Auto Sales llc (8 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Rear Bench Seats
- Stability Control
- Towing Hitch
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
Close
Located in Columbus, OH
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
15 Combined MPG (13 City/18 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FMZU72K85ZA65857
Stock: 7293BR
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2005 Ford Explorer
XLT 4dr SUV
$3,999
- 144,345 miles
- 1 accident, 3 owners, rental vehicle
- 6cyl automatic
- Alibaba Motors (169 mi away)
- Power Driver Seat
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Rear Bench Seats
- Stability Control
- Towing Hitch
Close
Located in Indianapolis, IN
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
16 Combined MPG (14 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FMZU63E25UC04784
Stock: 10607
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-27-2023

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2025 Ford Explorer

At a Glance:

6 Colors
4 Trims
4 Packages
$39,785starting MSRP

Build & Price Ford.com

2025 Ford Explorer

Active, ST-Line, Platinum and ST

Starting MSRP$39,785

See All Trims

Ford.com

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Ford Explorer XLS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.96 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$228/mo

$173/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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Ford Explorer Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.3

153 reviews

5(54%)

4(29%)

3(12%)

2(4%)

1(1%)

Write a vehicle review See all 153 reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Very good car

Mohamed Morsy, 06/26/2016

2005 Ford Explorer XLS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

It is very stable on the road and it feels very safe to drive. However, they are lot of problems comes with that model such as the rear lift gate got stuck, transmission problem, the center lock motors problem, the paint peel from the hood and AC stopped working around 110K miles. It cost a fortune to repair these problems. Besides the battery cable got contaminated and almost burnt and …

2005 xlt with over 190,000 miles

vegasq1, 06/11/2014

2005 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

My explorer is great. It now has 190k miles and no issues. I keep it meticulously maintained with scheduled maintenance and oil changes. I hope it keeps it up for my 12 yr old in 4 years.

2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT

jeff279, 03/17/2014

2005 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A)

This is one of the best suv's we have ever owned! We have owned it for 4 yrs and no problems at all Only thing we have done is a battery and alt. Starts no matter how cold. Great on snow Alot of room for a xlt. Great value Love the all wheel drive

Solid Truck & Tow Vehicle

tbill2, 08/19/2011

2005 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A)

We bought this vehicle to tow a 5,500lb boat and it does it easily and safely. We had bad reliability previously with a Ford Windstar and were reluctant to buy Ford again. But the Explorer fit into our garage (vs. the competing & huge GM products with 3rd row seating), had more than adequate tow specs, and had a nimble feel due to the independent supension. 6 yrs and 70,000 miles later …

See all 153 reviews of the Ford Explorer

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2005 Explorer Highlights

Trim:

XLS

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$27,165
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	16 MPG
Cost to Drive	$228/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	48.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the Explorer include:

Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover3 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Poor

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2005 Ford Explorer Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

For sale nearby

2005 Ford Explorer
XLS 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2005 Ford Explorer
XLT 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Ford Explorer XLS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.96 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Ford Explorer Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Very good car

2005 xlt with over 190,000 miles

2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT

Solid Truck & Tow Vehicle

2005 Explorer Highlights

Safety

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2005 Ford Explorer Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

For sale nearby

2005 Ford ExplorerXLS 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2005 Ford ExplorerXLT 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2005 Ford Explorer XLS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.96 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Ford Explorer Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Very good car

2005 xlt with over 190,000 miles

2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT

Solid Truck & Tow Vehicle

2005 Explorer Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2005 Ford Explorer info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Ford

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

2005 Ford Explorer
XLS 4dr SUV

2005 Ford Explorer
XLT 4dr SUV

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Ford Explorer XLS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.96 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}