How Ford Combines Luxury And Performance In The New 2025 Explorer ST

Ford prides itself on producing some of the best-selling vehicles in the United States. One of those is the Ford Explorer, first appearing in 1990 and still one of the best-selling SUVs in the USA. The 2024 model year saw the Explorer offer eight trim levels, but Ford had a big redesign coming for 2025. It recently took the covers off the new and more aggressive SUV, which has bolder styling and a completely redesigned interior.

These changes and the addition of new technology help bring the Explorer back up to standard. Sister site CarBuzz recently previewed the 2025 model and there was plenty of praise for this new SUV. The Explorer is still priced competitively against rivals such as the Kia Telluride and the Toyota Grand Highlander. It offers a well-established name from one of America’s biggest automotive names, and its redesign has brought it up to modern standards. The Ford Explorer is also rare in that it blends performance and luxury into one trim level, the new 2025 Explorer ST. If you’re an enthusiast, this is the trim that will likely get your attention.

The Explorer ST Is Performance Oriented

As the name suggests, the Explorer ST is a performance-focused version compared to the other trims. The special edition Explorer ST is one of the most popular models in the lineup and engineering from Ford Performance transforms the SUV.

Under the hood is a 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine V6 producing 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Four-wheel drive is available, but the ST comes with rear-wheel drive as standard. The EcoBoost V6 has impressive performance figures too, propelling the SUV to a top speed of 146 mph. The 0-60 mph time is also quick at 5.5 seconds, and the engine is also an option for the top-spec Platinum trim.

2025 Ford Explorer Engine Specs

(Sourced from Ford & CarBuzz)

Despite the performance focus, the Explorer ST doesn’t suffer too much when it comes to gas mileage. In rear-wheel drive, the Explorer ST will achieve MPG ratings of 18/26/21 across the city, highway, and combined respectively.

If you choose the four-wheel drive ST, your MPG ratings change to 18/24/20. The 20.2-gallon gas tank should also be enough for most of your journeys. Ford has also recalibrated the 10-speed automatic transmission. A benefit of the ST is that you get paddle shifters and performance brakes, the latter also on the ST-Line trim.

The ST-Line trim is available for those who want the styling of the ST but without the Ford Performance driving dynamics. A bonus of the two ST models is that you are eligible to attend the complimentary Ford Performance Racing School’s ST Driving Experience.

This allows you to learn how to get the most out of your Explorer ST or ST-Line. Locations for the school are Park City, Utah, and Asheville, North Carolina. Ford has also added Vapor Blue Metallic paint as a new color, available on the ST as well as the ST-Line and Active models.

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Ford Has Reworked The Explorer’s Interior

Ford Explorer Pricing Versus Rivals

(Sourced from Ford, Kia, Hyundai & Toyota)

With a fresh exterior comes a fresh interior for the Explorer. Ford has brought the 2025 SUV’s interior up to date. The ST trim doesn’t lose out on any of the luxury or new technologies of the standard trims. There are now softer touchpoints and more premium materials in the cabin.

Images also show a redesigned dashboard, pushed forward to create a more spacious atmosphere up front. Some of the new materials include the new wrap-and-stitch soft touch, used on the door panels, dash, and center console. The Explorer ST gets the same soft materials as the base trim.

In the ST, the interior takes on a slightly simpler look. We have Block Onyx ActiveX upholstery, with red contrast ST stitching. The ST also gets Miko suede seat inserts, unique to the trim. If you want a seven-seat Explorer, the ST is not for you as it comes as a six-seater standard with no option for the seventh seat. This makes sense given the performance focus of the ST. The sportier Explorer driver still gets the ten-way power adjustable seat. Passengers at the front will have their four-way adjustable seats.

For the first time, the Explorer ST has access to Ford’s hands-free driving hardware. This is the Ford BlueCruise system, which enables hands-free driving on the highway to try and make long road trips more enjoyable.

The system also works in stop-and-go traffic, and Ford has made a big deal of the system since its launch. It is Ford’s direct rival to Tesla’s self-driving mode. Like Tesla’s system, it will likely still come in for scrutiny given some of the accidents hands-free driving has caused.

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The Explorer ST Features Exterior Revisions

2025 Ford Explorer ST Highlights

• The new Explorer ST has a 400 hp 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 under the hood
• 21-inch wheels and a black honeycomb grille are standard exterior changes
• The 2025 Explorer ST has access to Ford’s BlueCruise hardware for the first time
• The Explorer ST is the heaviest of the 2025 range at 4,631 lbs

Ford has ensured the Explorer ST stands out with some exterior changes. The ST has 21-inch wheels as standard, and there are options for a range of 20 and 21-inch wheels in various finishes. A new black-painted roof option is available on the ST, as well as the ST-Line and Platinum. The ST and ST-Line also receive a gloss black honeycomb grille with black mesh inserts. On the grille, the ST sports a bright red ST badge. The ST is the heaviest of the trim levels, weighing 4,631 lbs compared to the base weight of 4,303 lbs.

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The Explorer ST Is A Good Blend Of Luxury And Performance

Ford looks to have struck the right balance with the new Explorer ST. The performance gains are clear, with 100 hp more than the other trim levels and a top speed of over 30 mph faster. It has gained this extra performance without the expense of comfort and luxury. The only thing it loses out on is that extra seventh seat inside. Both inside and outside, the ST and the 2025 Explorer range provide a much-needed refresh to this popular Ford. The Explorer will surely remain a best-selling SUV for years to come.

Sources: Ford, CarBuzz, Kia, Hyundai, Toyota