“It’s got a cop motor, a [3.0 Litre twin-turbo] plant, it’s got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks, and it runs good on regular gas.” The Blues Brothers (1980)

The 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum might be your dream sport utility vehicle, especially if you’ve fantasized about being a cop.

The top-trim version of Ford’s familiar mid-size utility offers the underpinnings and bravado of a law enforcement black and white. But it’s wrapped in chrome and leather.

Built on the same platform as the police-spec Explorer Interceptor Utility, the Platinum trim comes exquisitely dressed with a chrome-embellished grille, abundant bright work, projector-beam headlamps and modern LED halo DRLs.

To observant motorists, it has the unmistakable profile of an official vehicle. Drivers often seem unsure—do they need to move over? Should they slow down? More often than not, you’ll see turn signals flash as cars make way, just in case.

But it’s not an ordinary cop car. It’s a classy, upscale SUV. Step inside and it gets better.

The Explorer Platinum, unlike a spartan Police Interceptor, has an upscale cabin. The injection-molded plastic back seat is gone, replaced by handsome leather upholstery, subtle platinum badging and supple contrasting dashboard and door panel materials that contribute to the premium look and feel.

Ford has mastered interior ambiance. Ambient lighting gives the cabin a warm, refined glow at night. The Ford “Digital Experience” infotainment system is intuitive and responsive. The Bang & Olufsen audio system delivers rich, clear sound.

The ride height is ideal—not too high, not too low—making for easy ingress and egress. Outward visibility is excellent.

Grip the thick and buttery soft leather-clad steering wheel for a smooth ride. The Explorer Platinum feels like it’s gliding over pavement. Despite the Explorer’s size and comfort-focused tuning, handling is competent. The body motion is well-managed. The suspension is a satisfying balance between softness and responsiveness.

Ford’s 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 packs cop-car muscle with 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. With an immediate, smile-inducing grunt, dipping into the throttle delivers a stimulating surge of power. The Explorer Platinum is 100 percent Interceptor — on the prowl. It has plenty of “juice” and superior passing power.

The review vehicle was equipped with Ford’s BlueCruise semi-autonomous driver assistance feature. I’ve been critical of the system, particularly for steering corrections that were too frequent and jerky. But it’s much improved in Explorer Platinum.

BlueCruise operates with the confidence and accuracy of a more mature system. Lane-keeping is calm and stable. Long stretches of highway travel prove effortless and relaxing. But braking in BlueCruise mode could be smoother.

EPA fuel economy estimates are 18 miles per gallon in city driving, 25 mpg on the highway. Over roughly 600 miles of mostly highway driving, I averaged 20.4 mpg. It’s impressive for a muscle SUV loaded with luxury.

Automatic high beams offer rheostat functionality, providing gradual light transitions and sophistication over rival SUVs. Steerable headlights further enhance night visibility.

I prefer a dedicated physical panel for HVAC controls. But the Explorer Platinum system is one of the best screen-based layouts I’ve encountered. There’s a dedicated area at the bottom of the center stack and the graphics showing airflow direction is helpful.

The 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum is a well-executed, winning SUV. It blends the muscular, built-for-severe-service underpinnings of a police vehicle with the comfort and refinement of a luxury car. It’s powerful, smooth, comfortable, efficient and loaded with technology.

There’s not much to criticize. From the confident driving dynamics to the upscale interior, the manufacturer “nailed it” with the 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum.

“What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?” The Blues Brothers (1980)