Debating between MY25 and MY26

[Smoochii]

Hi all,

I apparently created an account here, probably years ago when I was interested in getting an ST before I leased my Grand Cherokee. My lease is up soon and I want an ST again and I started looking at what's available and the deals around and was hoping to get some advice. I was originally going to just order a 26 (or find similar in stock) but they don't really seem to have any incentives right now (I'll most likely be leasing) so I started looking at 25s because they have tons of incentives it seems.

So far on the 25 what I've found is $3500 in bonus cash plus another $2000 for conquest because I'm currently leasing a Jeep. Plus it seems the prices on the 25 are just generally lower. I also get Xplan discount through work.

I guess my main question is is it worth waiting for a '26 or should I just pull the trigger on a 25 given the good deals right now? I know both models have a lot of deleted options, second row sunshades really sucks because I have 2 younger kids. I also like the idea of the solid glass roof in the 26, I'm definitely getting the sun and sound package.

If anyone has any advice or maybe questions I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[Cdubya]

Seems like the 25's are $2000-3000 cheaper than a 26. Since you are leasing, I'd probably go for the cheaper of the two. I got a 26 a month ago... they had $1750 in rebates and the dealer gave me an Xplan PIN just because I know one of their sales staff that used to work there.

 

[Caster]

2025.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

2025 hands down. The 2026 models are just getting more items deleted:

http://explorerstenthusiasts.com/2025/07/08/2026-ford-explorer-whats-been-changed/

 

[Nascarbilly]

Hi all,

I apparently created an account here, probably years ago when I was interested in getting an ST before I leased my Grand Cherokee. My lease is up soon and I want an ST again and I started looking at what's available and the deals around and was hoping to get some advice. I was originally going to just order a 26 (or find similar in stock) but they don't really seem to have any incentives right now (I'll most likely be leasing) so I started looking at 25s because they have tons of incentives it seems.

So far on the 25 what I've found is $3500 in bonus cash plus another $2000 for conquest because I'm currently leasing a Jeep. Plus it seems the prices on the 25 are just generally lower. I also get Xplan discount through work.

I guess my main question is is it worth waiting for a '26 or should I just pull the trigger on a 25 given the good deals right now? I know both models have a lot of deleted options, second row sunshades really sucks because I have 2 younger kids. I also like the idea of the solid glass roof in the 26, I'm definitely getting the sun and sound package.

If anyone has any advice or maybe questions I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

@Smoochii :

First of all, Welcome Aboard!

As for buying with the "X" Plan, the amount off is really not that much $$$ percentage wise. I purchased my 2025 ST in January 2025 with a MSRP of $58,350. At the time I was a member of the Mustang Club of America which offered the "X" Plan as one of it's many perks. The ST Dealer took the "X" plan amount off the top of the vehicle's MSRP, line #1. I'm sorry to report that was only $2,100 OFF the sales price. I reminded them that this was my 2nd "X" Plan purchase (2016 Mustang GT Premium, $45,000 minus the then standard of 10% off for a savings of $4,500 I received). The ST Dealer then gave me their "New Customer Discount" which gave me $2,500 more.

Clearly, I was disappointed thinking I was getting 10% off like previously. The ST Dealer commented that the new ST's at that time were hard to get and were selling for approx $5,000 to $7,000 ABOVE MSRP here in Nor Cal (both of those statements were true based upon my research before committing to buy). NONE of the Ford Dealers I called were willing to take multiple discount deals on their ST Sales (if I used the X-Plan, they would not honor any other discounts). I personally think the demand for the 2025 ST's waned somewhat as word got out that FORD was purposely watering down the final product.

 

[moto727]

Are you planning on tuning it? Does anyone support a tune yet for the 2026’s?

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Are you planning on tuning it? Does anyone support a tune yet for the 2026’s?

Yes. All the major tuners offer a tune for the 2025+ cars now.