Ford's hugely popular Explorer SUV has been given several new features, as well as a new premium top-end trim, for its 25th birthday, the automaker revealed ahead of the vehicle's debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week.

Among the new key features on the 2016 model year Explorer – it debuted in 1990 as a '91 model year vehicle – are a host of sensors; a new, more powerful 2.3-litre EcoBoost with optional 4WD; and various automatic parking and terrain management systems the driver can control using old-fashioned tactile buttons as opposed to touchscreens.

Ford is also introducing a new Platinum trim to slot in above the Sport line, designed to rival GM's premium Denali-trim SUVs or Jeep's Summit series and capture buyers who've been moving away from too-expensive luxury brand SUVs.

The Platinum will come standard with the Sport's 3.6-litre 365-horsepower EcoBoost V6; 20-inch wheels; a unique grille; and, in the middle of the steering wheel, a brushed-stainless look Ford "Blue Oval" badge that's not blue at all but brushed-stainless, something Ford's never done before.

The entire lineup gets a mild facelift as well, consisting mainly of, out back, an integrated spoiler at the top of the tailgrate, integrated exhaust tips and a new D-pillar; and, in front, completely new lighting elements, as well as a new grille with active grille shutters behind it.

Embedded in that grille as well as the rear tailgate are 180-degree cameras with, in a first for Ford, a self-washing feature. The cameras will allow drivers to see completely around the nose or tail of the vehicle when the driver can't—like while backing out or pulling through an alley into a street, for example.

There are also side sensors to let you know where those hard-to-spot pesky underground parking pillars are while easing into a parking spot; and an update to Ford's self-parallel parking feature that will allow it to pull you out of the spot automatically, not just put you into it.

A new terrain management system that, at the flick of a button, lets you choose between 'off-road' or 'snow' modes lets the Explorer better channel torque to the wheels depending on road conditions.

All of the new features can be accessed by the driver via old-fashioned, tactile buttons instead of the smooth-touch-style buttons Ford says some owners (and many reviewers) just couldn't agree with. The interior also gets treated to an all-new fully digital instrument cluster, real ash wood trim, plus a new grade of leather – the softest Ford's ever used – all over the seating and door areas.

Under the hood of non-premium trim Explorers Ford has fitted a new 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder from the Ford Mustang, replacing the 2.0-litre EcoBoost available on the current model. The new four makes slightly more horsepower and torque – roughly 270 horsepower and 300 lb-ft – but holds on to the same impressive fuel economy figures.

The addition of the 2.3-litre EcoBoost will also mean base, XLT and Limited trims of Explorer will now be made available with 4WD, and be capable of towing up to 3,000 lbs, a Class III rating.

At an Explorer preview event November 18, Jim Farley, Ford's head of marketing and sales, noted utility vehicles are the fastest growing segment industry, and that they appeal to both baby boomers and millenials. "You want to know what the future of the industry is, look at a high school parking lot," said Farley. "Utility vehicles." Ford is hoping to capture more of that market both here and in emerging markets abroad.

The 2016 Explorer will be built for the North American market at Ford's Chicago plant, and is expected to go on sale summer 2015. Base Explorers with FWD will start at $32,500 in Canada while AWD models will cost $35,500; the new top Platinum trim starts at $58,000. The Ford Explorer is currently one of the top-selling midsize SUVs in Canada.