Picked up the ’25 Explorer ST about two weeks ago, and I’ve got to say, I’m really happy with it. This is actually my first Ford, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Bottom line? It hasn’t disappointed me one bit.
For context, I’m coming from a X5 M50i and an AMG CLE 53 Coupe, so that’s the benchmark I’m comparing it against. Funny enough, my interest in the ST actually started from a small “road rage lite” moment. I’m usually a pretty calm driver—I don’t go looking for trouble. But one day, an ST tried to cut me off when I was changing lanes. I didn’t let him in, and he decided to push back by trying to overtake me. We ended up in a short burst of hard acceleration and lane swapping. And while there was no way the ST was going to outgun the N63 V8 in my X5, I came away impressed. The thing had way more punch than I expected, enough to make me take notice and keep it in the back of my mind.
Before pulling the trigger, I also test drove a Tahoe RST. Honestly, it just didn’t do it for me. The V8 felt sluggish, nowhere near as responsive as it should’ve been. And to be transparent, I’ve had some bad history with GM vehicles—my old GMC Terrain and Cadillac RST both had transmission failures. Even with extended warranties and repairs, they never drove the same again. I eventually sold them off, which left me a little wary of going back to GM.
For a midsize SUV, I’ve really come to appreciate the space in the ST. The X5, because of its weight distribution design, has a pretty cramped rear seat, and the fact that the back seats can’t be adjusted is a real downside. In the ST, there’s just a lot more flexibility inside—whether you’re hauling people or cargo, it’s way more practical.
Looks-wise, I think Ford nailed it. The ST strikes a nice balance between aggressive and clean—it’s tough without being over the top.
Performance-wise, the twin-turbo V6 delivers plenty. You won’t have any problem passing most cars on the road, and it puts a smile on your face. If driving a BMW M car is a quick way to get yourself thrown in jail, then driving the ST feels like having one foot already at the jailhouse door.
The steering is on the heavier side, but honestly, that’s a small nitpick. The ride feels solid and composed, the cabin stays quiet, and the 10-speed transmission is butter-smooth. All things worth giving Ford credit for.
On the comfort side, the ST actually beats the X5 when it comes to the massage seats—they’ve got more punch to them. The A/C is stronger too, which is a big plus in hot weather. The 14-speaker sound system is solid overall, though there’s still room for improvement.
Ambient lighting is probably the one area that feels a little off. The glow and layout come across a bit harsh—it could’ve been done with more finesse. On the flip side, the infotainment system is crystal clear and easy to use, so credit where it’s due.
As for safety details, the ST doesn’t have the cool swiveling laser lights like the X5 (those things move like eyeballs when you turn), but Ford came up with a clever touch: at low speeds, the fog lights kick in to help cover blind spots when turning. Pretty creative solution.
And honestly, when you talk value for money, the ST is in a league of its own. Around the $60k mark, I don’t think there’s another SUV out there that gives you this kind of performance, space, and features. These days, so many cars are just overpriced pieces of junk—the ST feels like a fair deal.
If I had one wish, it’d be for the ST to come with a head-up display. That would’ve been the cherry on top and made the package feel pretty much perfect.
For context, I’m coming from a X5 M50i and an AMG CLE 53 Coupe, so that’s the benchmark I’m comparing it against. Funny enough, my interest in the ST actually started from a small “road rage lite” moment. I’m usually a pretty calm driver—I don’t go looking for trouble. But one day, an ST tried to cut me off when I was changing lanes. I didn’t let him in, and he decided to push back by trying to overtake me. We ended up in a short burst of hard acceleration and lane swapping. And while there was no way the ST was going to outgun the N63 V8 in my X5, I came away impressed. The thing had way more punch than I expected, enough to make me take notice and keep it in the back of my mind.
Before pulling the trigger, I also test drove a Tahoe RST. Honestly, it just didn’t do it for me. The V8 felt sluggish, nowhere near as responsive as it should’ve been. And to be transparent, I’ve had some bad history with GM vehicles—my old GMC Terrain and Cadillac RST both had transmission failures. Even with extended warranties and repairs, they never drove the same again. I eventually sold them off, which left me a little wary of going back to GM.
For a midsize SUV, I’ve really come to appreciate the space in the ST. The X5, because of its weight distribution design, has a pretty cramped rear seat, and the fact that the back seats can’t be adjusted is a real downside. In the ST, there’s just a lot more flexibility inside—whether you’re hauling people or cargo, it’s way more practical.
Looks-wise, I think Ford nailed it. The ST strikes a nice balance between aggressive and clean—it’s tough without being over the top.
Performance-wise, the twin-turbo V6 delivers plenty. You won’t have any problem passing most cars on the road, and it puts a smile on your face. If driving a BMW M car is a quick way to get yourself thrown in jail, then driving the ST feels like having one foot already at the jailhouse door.
The steering is on the heavier side, but honestly, that’s a small nitpick. The ride feels solid and composed, the cabin stays quiet, and the 10-speed transmission is butter-smooth. All things worth giving Ford credit for.
On the comfort side, the ST actually beats the X5 when it comes to the massage seats—they’ve got more punch to them. The A/C is stronger too, which is a big plus in hot weather. The 14-speaker sound system is solid overall, though there’s still room for improvement.
Ambient lighting is probably the one area that feels a little off. The glow and layout come across a bit harsh—it could’ve been done with more finesse. On the flip side, the infotainment system is crystal clear and easy to use, so credit where it’s due.
As for safety details, the ST doesn’t have the cool swiveling laser lights like the X5 (those things move like eyeballs when you turn), but Ford came up with a clever touch: at low speeds, the fog lights kick in to help cover blind spots when turning. Pretty creative solution.
And honestly, when you talk value for money, the ST is in a league of its own. Around the $60k mark, I don’t think there’s another SUV out there that gives you this kind of performance, space, and features. These days, so many cars are just overpriced pieces of junk—the ST feels like a fair deal.
If I had one wish, it’d be for the ST to come with a head-up display. That would’ve been the cherry on top and made the package feel pretty much perfect.
