5 Reasons the 2025 Ford Explorer Makes Nova Scotia Summer Drives Safer and More Enjoyable

Summer road trips across Nova Scotia become more confident when your SUV actively helps manage the driving workload. The redesigned 2025 Ford Explorer introduces advanced safety technologies that monitor traffic, assist with steering, and keep you connected during long drives from Kentville to Cape Breton or down to Yarmouth.

These aren't just convenience features—they're practical tools that reduce driver fatigue and help maintain focus during busy summer travel seasons. When Highway 102 fills with cottage-bound traffic or coastal roads bring unexpected weather, the Explorer's technology systems work quietly in the background to support safer driving.

Ford BlueCruise Hands-Free Highway Driving

Available on ST-Line, ST, and Platinum models, Ford BlueCruise enables hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways across Canada. This system uses cameras and sensors to monitor lane position, maintain following distance, and even change lanes when you signal—all while keeping your hands off the steering wheel on approved roadways.

BlueCruise proves particularly valuable during summer's long highway stretches. The drive from the Annapolis Valley to Halifax, or the scenic route along the South Shore to Lunenburg, becomes less tiring when the system handles routine steering and speed adjustments. You remain alert and ready to take control, but the technology manages much of the driving workload.

BlueCruise Key Features:

• Hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways
• Lane Change Assist with turn signal activation
• In-Lane Repositioning for extra clearance
• Driver monitoring system ensures attention
• Available with 90-day trial or annual plans
• Works on major Maritime highways

The system requires you to keep your eyes on the road and remain ready to take control, but it handles the constant steering corrections and speed adjustments that can cause fatigue during extended drives.

Ford Digital Experience Infotainment Platform

The Explorer becomes the first Ford vehicle to feature the new Ford Digital Experience system, bringing smartphone-like functionality to the 13.2-inch touchscreen. The system integrates Google Maps navigation with the 12.3-inch digital cluster, showing route information in both locations simultaneously.

Voice commands through Google Assistant or Alexa Built-In let you control climate settings, find destinations, or make calls without taking hands off the wheel. During summer travels, this voice control becomes especially useful when managing multiple stops or adjusting settings while driving.

The system also provides entertainment options when parked, including video streaming and web browsing—useful during rest stops or while waiting during summer activities.

Advanced Driver Assistance Technologies

Every 2025 Explorer includes Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ as standard equipment. This suite of safety technologies monitors your surroundings and provides alerts or automatic responses when potential hazards develop.

Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking scans ahead for vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists, applying brakes if a collision appears imminent. During busy summer seasons around tourist areas or beach communities, this system provides extra awareness of unexpected pedestrian activity.

Standard Safety Technologies:

• Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross-Traffic Alert
• Lane-Keeping System with drift detection
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go
• Auto High-Beam headlamps
• Rear View Camera with parking sensors

Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go proves valuable in summer traffic situations, automatically adjusting speed to maintain safe following distances and even bringing the Explorer to a complete stop in traffic jams.

Enhanced Comfort Features for Long Drives

The redesigned interior prioritizes comfort during extended summer road trips. Standard heated front seats and available heated second-row seats provide warmth during cool Maritime mornings, while the available panoramic sunroof brings natural light into the cabin.

The dashboard design places controls within easy reach, while improved materials and surfaces create a more refined environment. Up to eight USB ports throughout the cabin keep devices charged during long drives, and the available wireless charging pad eliminates cord management.

Comfort and Convenience Features:

• 10-way power driver seat with heating
• 4-way power passenger seat with heating
• Available heated second-row seats
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Available panoramic sunroof
• Eight USB ports for device charging

The available B&O premium sound system with 12 speakers transforms the cabin into a concert hall, making long drives more enjoyable for all passengers.

All-Wheel Drive Confidence in Variable Conditions

Standard four-wheel drive on every Explorer model provides traction confidence when Maritime weather changes unexpectedly. Summer thunderstorms or early morning fog can create slippery conditions, and the intelligent AWD system automatically adjusts power distribution to maintain grip.

The system operates transparently, sending power to wheels with the best traction without driver intervention. Whether navigating wet pavement after a sudden shower or tackling gravel cottage roads, the Explorer maintains stability and control.

Discover how the 2025 Ford Explorer's advanced safety and comfort technologies can transform your Nova Scotia summer adventures. Visit Valley Ford in Kentville to experience BlueCruise hands-free driving and explore the complete range of safety features designed for confident Maritime travel.