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Engineered by the Ford Performance team, Explorer ST uses a specially tuned 3.0-liter EcoBoost® engine projected to achieve 400 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. of torque. A top speed target for track drivers stands at 143 mph.
The Ford Explorer ST AWD is a stalwart in the SUV business made better by a stout powertrain, three rows of passenger space and enough towing ability to pull a 747. Okay, we were kidding about pulling a jetliner, but it certainly can pull a small plane, if needed. At Napleton News, we are always looking for a new experience. Hop in while we try this one on for size.
Simply, the Ford Explorer ST AWD is the Blue Oval’s bread and butter sport utility vehicle. It can carry up to seven passengers, is a family hauler, and can even serve and protect. That last part is reference to the Ford Police Interceptor package that makes the Explorer into a patrol SUV. As automakers have seemingly left the sedan segment, SUVs have become the vehicle of choice for police departments around the country.
In the case of our Explorer ST, we start with the basic Explorer. But that’s where the similarity ends. Ford gives it some muscle by way of the 3.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine. That means it’s pumping out 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard in most cases. In ours, it was equipped with four-wheel drive and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Regardless if you get the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder or the V6, maximum towing capacity checks in at 5,000 pounds.
Our ST was also equipped with Ford’s BlueCruise for hands-free driving. We tried it. We like it. Even so, we find ourselves tensing up as we anticipate the need to take over the wheel as needed.
The Explorer received a makeover for 2025 with a dressed-up exterior and some interior improvements. The outside gets a more aggressive appearance, thanks to wider air curtains, new headlights and a unique grille for each trim level, the inside gets a once-over with improved materials, stitching, kick panels, and more.
The interior fit and finish inside the new Ford Explorer is the big news this year. Soft-touch material brings a class-above feel to the cabin and makes it more suited for those who spend lots of time in the car. We’re talking families and those prone to road trips and the like.
Our Explorer features a by-now standard 12.3-inch gauge display and an infotainment system anchored by a 13.2-inch touchscreen. Sitting just above a wireless charger the screen features navigation, cellular and climate controls. And the bonus: It operates a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen premium audio system. The road never sounded so good!
Our ST featured a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row, reducing the passenger count to six, but carrying only four passengers during our time in the Explorer meant we were ahead of the game. That left more room for luggage. As if.
Actually, the three rows of seating inside the Explorer offer a myriad of cargo-carrying options. Behind the third row is 16.3-cubic feet of luggage area. Fold both rows down and that space grows to 85.8-cubic feet.
Starting the engine is a push-button affair. This being the ST brought with it certain features the rest of the line (and some competitors) could only dream of. The twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine and ten-speed automatic like to be driven. This combo displays plenty of low-end torque with a high (400) horsepower output. It sounds good, especially when stepped on hard.
Even with that, we still managed a combined 19-ish miles-per-gallon.
We found the seats were comfortable, especially during long, extended drives behind the wheel.
Switching on the Ford BlueCruise system allowed us to go hands-free for a while. We were never actually “hands-free” in our minds, though. That’s because they remained at the ready as we were always conscious of the other drivers around us while cruising through the Massachusetts highway system.
One thing that we thought was missing from our ride were adaptive dampers. We wish it did have them. They would present a more compliant ride for enthusiasts and general consumer alike.
| Engine Type | 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline V6 Engine |
| Horsepower | 400 hp @5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 415 lb-ft @3,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic transmission |
| EPA Fuel Economy Equivalent (Combined/City/Hwy) | 20/18/25 MPG |
| Suspension F/R | MacPherson Strut / Multilink |
| Turning Circle | 38.7 ft. |
| Also Available | Choice of Engine, trim levels, 2-wheel drive |
| Specs | |
| Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Safety Rating | 5-stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 198.8 inches |
| Width | 78.9 inches |
| Height | 69.8 inches |
| Headroom, Front | 40.7 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd | 40.5 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd | 38.9 inches |
| Legroom, 1st | 42.9 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd | 38.3 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd | 32.2 inches |
| Shoulder room, 1st row | 62.1 inches |
| Shoulder room, 2nd row | 61.9 inches |
| Shoulder room, 3rd row | 54.6 inches |
This post was published on February 26, 2026
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