Winter weather can take a toll on any vehicle, even in regions with milder winters like Starke, FL. Preparing your car for the colder months is essential to maintain its performance and your safety. In this blog, we’ll walk you through a comprehensive winter car maintenance checklist to ensure your Ford is ready to handle the season’s challenges.
Read the rest of this entry »4 Highlights of the 2025 Ford Explorer
The 2025 Ford Explorer has come a long way from its early days as a practical SUV. Today, it’s a full-fledged performance machine, delivering thrilling drives that set the stage for exciting outings. Yet, it remains as safe and luxurious as ever, explaining why it’s the best-selling SUV in America.
4 Highlights of the 2025 Ford Explorer
Thrilling Power
The Explorer offers an exhilarating rush each time you flirt with the throttle with either of its two high-capacity engines. The standard powerplant is a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-banger that ignites your senses with an incredible 300 HP and 310 pound-feet of torque. This allows it to blitz to 60 faster than most cars on the road today, letting you merge and overtake with ease, and support a 5,000-pound towing capacity for enhanced practicality.
The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 offers even greater excitement, pumping out a whopping 400 HP and 415 lb-ft of torque, pinning everyone back to their seat whenever you decide to unleash its full might.
Fun to Drive
Despite being a three-row SUV, the Explorer handles with nimble, dynamic athleticism, carving corners with ease and effortlessly maneuvering in spaces you wouldn’t expect a vehicle of its size to be comfortable in, thanks to its finely tuned chassis. Rear-wheel drive comes standard for near-perfect weight distribution, ensuring this SUV maintains stellar balance and stability through corners, making quick maneuvers both safe and effortless. The sport-tuned suspension enhances cornering control by stiffening the chassis around turns to prevent body roll.
At the same time, the 10-speed precision-tuned automatic delivers crisp, lightning-fast shifts to keep the power flowing seamlessly, all while letting you take full command when the mood strikes via paddle shifters. Meanwhile, the available intelligent four-wheel-drive system, bolstered by nearly 8 inches of ground clearance and a traction management system, ensures confident control across any landscape. The result is an exceptionally responsive and commanding driving experience that makes you feel like the king of every road you take on.
Advanced Safety and Assist Technologies
Living up to its reputation as one of the safest SUVs ever built, the Ford Explorer is equipped with a network of cutting-edge systems that’s designed to anticipate and prevent accidents. Some of these smart technologies can include Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Information with Cross-Traffic Alert and Trailer Coverage, Evasive Steering Assist, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, BlueCruise Hands-Free Driving, a 360-degree camera, and more!
Spacious and Luxurious Interior
The Explorer ensures you and your loved ones enjoy a deluxe riding experience with its comprehensive suite of top-shelf amenities. Some of these niceties can include heated and ventilated multi-contour front seats with Active Motion massage, quilted leather upholstery, a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, heated second-row captain’s chairs, a 13.2-inch Google-based infotainment touchscreen, a twin-panel sunroof, wireless charging, and more!
Looking to experience the might and refinement of the Ford Explorer in person? Reach out to us today at Murray Ford of Starke in Starke, FL to schedule your test drive!
The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport is ready for adventure, with a powerful build that can accommodate all your gear, top performance, and some of the best safety features available on the market. Test drive one and see the difference.
3 Standout Features of the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport
1. Impressive Build and Performance
These vehicles are ready to explore, with robust features like the HOSS 1.0 off-road suspension system, which keeps you gliding along even on unpaved terrain. All-season tires and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes keep you firmly in control, and the 1.5L EcoBoost engine gives you all the power you need to climb that next mountain. Plus, you can customize your experience with the Terrain Management System that comes with five G.O.A.T. Modes.
Additional features include electric power-assisted steering for making those tight turns, and a safari-style roof that gives you ample headroom. You’ll also enjoy complete visibility with configurable daytime running lights and heated mirrors, which stay dry and condensation-free so you can have a clear view of what’s happening behind you. Plus, these vehicles are great for road trips, with roof rack side rails for bringing along larger gear, like kayaks and bicycles.
2. Modern Interior With Convenience Features
Inside, these vehicles are completely state-of-the-art, with excellent features like intelligent access with push-button start and a driver’s seat that adjusts six ways for your personal comfort. You’ll find plenty of thoughtful touches, like cargo tie-down carabiner loops and hooks, and multiple power points and a wireless charging pad so that everyone can charge their devices on the road.
Plus, these vehicles come with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+, which provides you with access to BlueCruise and adaptive cruise control. You’ll also enjoy a comprehensive entertainment system, thanks to SYNC 4 technology. It works with voice command so you can access Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM without having to take your hands off the wheel or your attention off the road.
3. Phenomenal Safety Features
No matter where you roam, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re traveling in one of the safest vehicles on the market. These rides come with pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and rear cross-traffic braking, which are excellent for navigating busy city streets. Blind spot assist and the lane-keeping system keep you cruising safely on the highway, and the SOS Post-Crash Alert System can get you help as needed.
If you’re in the market for a versatile vehicle that’s great for daily driving and always up for that next great adventure, these Ford models are an exceptional choice. Visit us at Murray Ford of Starke in Starke, FL and take one of these models for a spin today.
The 2025 Ford F-150 is a popular full-size truck that can adapt to most work and play needs. It is available in eight trims, most of which can be customized to suit various requirements.
Exploring the Trim Levels of the 2025 Ford F-150
XL
The entry-level XL model is the easiest to customize. It comes standard with a 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine that provides a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds, while other engine options for a towing capacity of up to 13,500 pounds are available. You can also choose between Regular, SuperCab, and SuperCrew cab styles paired with a 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot, or 8-foot bed.
STX
A great choice for casual hauling and off-roading, the STX comes standard with the same 325-horsepower engine as the XL, and it can be had with a 5.0L V8 engine with 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. This model is available in SuperCab and SuperCrew styles, both of which offer seats for up to six riders.
XLT
Available in the same cab and bed configurations as the STX, the XLT brings more comfort and is a better choice for long-haul driving when equipped with the available 3.5L PowerBoost full-hybrid V6 engine that generates 430 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque.
Lariat
Focused on comfort, the Lariat trim is offered exclusively in SuperCrew style. The spacious cabin has room for five with comfortable bucket seats at the front and a convenient center console. Ford also equips this trim with standard four-wheel drive and LED fog lamps, so you can confidently conquer dirt trails and paths.
Tremor
With standard four-wheel drive, 400 horsepower, and 410 or 500 lb-ft of torque, depending on the engine, the F-150 Tremor is a great choice for off-roading. Its SuperCrew cab comes standard with seats for five and pairs exclusively with a 5.5-foot bed. This trim also boasts a ground clearance of 9.4 inches.
King Ranch
Designed for heavy hauling, the King Ranch comes standard with a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine that offers a towing capacity of 13,500 pounds. This optimizes this truck for towing a range of cargo and small livestock trailers. For more efficient driving, you can opt for the 3.5L full-hybrid V6 engine.
Platinum
The Platinum trim offers the same performance and configuration options as the King Ranch, but unique styling elements make it a better choice for city dwellers. Highlights also include standard Ford BlueCruise, so you can drive hands-free on compatible highways.
Raptor
The Raptor brings the power you need to explore anything from the backcountry to hostile environments. Its standard 3.5L high-output EcoBoost V6 engine pumps out 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, but you can opt for an exclusive supercharged powertrain to get 720 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque.
Ready to find your match? Schedule your test drive at Murray Ford of Starke in Starke, FL.
2025 Ford Escape Trim Levels: Smart and Efficient
With six distinct trims, the attractive, reliable, feature-packed 2025 Ford Escape has a version for every driver. Read this overview to pick your favorite trim.
2025 Ford Escape Trim Levels: Smart and Efficient
The Escape Active: Practical, Safe, Efficient Compact SUV
The base Active trim is powered by a fuel-efficient 1.5L Ecoboost engine that has auto start-stop to save gas while you’re idling. There’s an 8-speed automatic transmission, a rotary gear shift dial, various drive modes, and AdvanceTrac stability control for very smooth overall handling.
The standard Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suite of safety tech keeps you well-protected. There’s an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen with Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system, plus wireless smartphone integration and standard FordPass Connect with a built-in 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. This spacious compact SUV has 65.4 cubic feet of maximum storage space and a generous 42.4 inches of front legroom. LED signature lighting and reflective headlamps contribute to its appealing aesthetics.
The Escape ST-Line: Attractive, Sporty Styling and Seating
You get a more sleek and sporty-looking Escape with the ST-Line trim, which has larger 18-inch rock metallic-painted wheels, a bold black mesh upper grille, a large single-wing spoiler, and black rock side rails. Inside, there are comfy contour bucket seats with striking red stitching, and the driver’s seat is 8-way powered. Also, you now have an available hybrid configuration or a more powerful gas engine option.
The Escape St-Line Select: Boosted Power and Handling
If you want punchier acceleration and firmer grip on tight turns, consider the St-Line Select, which has standard AWD and a more powerful 2.0L engine, which you can start remotely. There are now heated front seats inside and a power liftgate at the rear, and the side view mirrors are body-colored and heated for better visibility on humid Floridian mornings.
The Escape St-Line Elite: Premium Performance and Tech
The Elite is the pinnacle of the sporty St-Line trims and is packed with upscale features. You get Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ as standard, which grants adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering, and predictive speed assist, plus evasive steering assist, and more safety features. The Elite also comes with a digital rearview camera and perimeter alarm.
On the dashboard, an impressive 13.2-inch LCD touchscreen neighbors an intuitive 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. You get Ford’s Connected Navigation for one year in the Elite, plus a wireless charging pad, a universal garage door opener, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 10-way power driver’s seat beside a 6-way power passenger seat.
The Escape Platinum: Sumptuous Style and Upscale Materials
The Platinum trim is the flagship, high-end Escape. It comes with almost all the highlighted features of the St-Line Elite with the addition of a heated steering wheel.
Best of all, the sport contour bucket seats are luxuriously trimmed in soft, breathable, and stain-resistant ActivX with mini-perforation. You can opt for the available quilting design, too, on the ActivZ seating. The Escape’s exterior design also presents an upscale image with chrome upper window and beltline molding, plus a piano black grille with a striking chrome strip.
The Escape Plug-In Hybrid: Versatility and Optimal Efficiency
For a focus on pure efficiency and power, you could choose the Escape Plug-In Hybrid, which has a good deal more muscle with a 2.5L IVCT Atkinson-Cycle I-4 hybrid engine. This gas engine is paired with an electric motor that’s strong enough to drive your Escape around town by itself throughout the day in quiet, all-electric power. Like the top ST-Line Elite and Platinum trims, the Plug-In Hybrid has the full Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ bundle of very effective safety features.
Now that you’ve gotten to know the latest Ford Escape, why not take your preferred trim for a spin? Visit Murray Ford of Starke in Starke, FL, today to find your ideal car.
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