• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


AWD vs RWD

ARC

Member
Law Enforcement
Messages
343
Reactions
113
Points
37
Location
Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Vehicle
2022 ST Black
#1
I have a 22 ST and am thinking about trading it in and ordering a 25 ST. Anyone here order a RWD only and pass on the AWD option? The thought process is less weight and less moving parts to break! My 22 at 64k had to have rear end replaced and blew a turbo. All in 4k for ford to fix! Now I'm looking to get rid of this before any more issues arise.
 

2020FordRaptor

2000 Post Club
Messages
2,624
Reactions
1,174
Points
252
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#2
I have a 22 ST and am thinking about trading it in and ordering a 25 ST. Anyone here order a RWD only and pass on the AWD option? The thought process is less weight and less moving parts to break! My 22 at 64k had to have rear end replaced and blew a turbo. All in 4k for ford to fix! Now I'm looking to get rid of this before any more issues arise.
AWD is the superior choice if you look at performance. Looking at reliability I’d say there is zero differences, the only problem the AWD system had was the FADA disconnect, but Ford deleted that in 2022 so it’s not a problem anymore.
 

Messages
74
Reactions
66
Points
17
Location
Florida
Vehicle
2025 Explorer ST
#3
I have a 22 ST and am thinking about trading it in and ordering a 25 ST. Anyone here order a RWD only and pass on the AWD option? The thought process is less weight and less moving parts to break! My 22 at 64k had to have rear end replaced and blew a turbo. All in 4k for ford to fix! Now I'm looking to get rid of this before any more issues arise.
I went with an RWD last month and no issues so far. I know that the AWD is superior at launch ...etc but I am not doing that 99.5% of the time. Vehicle will rarely see a drag strip or even launches so it was an easy decision and nice cost savings as most the RWD's that I found were also solid roof of which was also my preference. I only plan on a moderate tune so again, don't anticipate much of an issue there either.

I have also have driven mustangs with substantial power increases for 20+ years and those were RWD. When we had traction issues at the track, we just put on a sticky tire.

You could probably find a good deal on a RWD right now in lieu of ordering a new 2026.
 

Last edited:

2020FordRaptor

2000 Post Club
Messages
2,624
Reactions
1,174
Points
252
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#4
I have also have driven mustangs with substantial power increases for 20+ years and those were RWD. When we had traction issues at the track, we just put on a sticky tire.
.
The biggest downside with the RWD ExST is the open diff.
 

OP
ARC

ARC

Member
Law Enforcement
Messages
343
Reactions
113
Points
37
Location
Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Vehicle
2022 ST Black
Thread Starter #6
OP
ARC

ARC

Member
Law Enforcement
Messages
343
Reactions
113
Points
37
Location
Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Vehicle
2022 ST Black
Thread Starter #7
I went with an RWD last month and no issues so far. I know that the AWD is superior at launch ...etc but I am not doing that 99.5% of the time. Vehicle will rarely see a drag strip or even launches so it was an easy decision and nice cost savings as most the RWD's that I found were also solid roof of which was also my preference. I only plan on a moderate tune so again, don't anticipate much of an issue there either.

I have also have driven mustangs with substantial power increases for 20+ years and those were RWD. When we had traction issues at the track, we just put on a sticky tire.

You could probably find a good deal on a RWD right now in lieu of ordering a new 2026.
Very good points!
 

Messages
437
Reactions
207
Points
37
Location
Socal
#8
I went with an RWD last month and no issues so far. I know that the AWD is superior at launch ...etc but I am not doing that 99.5% of the time. Vehicle will rarely see a drag strip or even launches so it was an easy decision and nice cost savings as most the RWD's that I found were also solid roof of which was also my preference. I only plan on a moderate tune so again, don't anticipate much of an issue there either.

I have also have driven mustangs with substantial power increases for 20+ years and those were RWD. When we had traction issues at the track, we just put on a sticky tire.

You could probably find a good deal on a RWD right now in lieu of ordering a new 2026.
Driving in the rain makes me feel more secure with the AWD, its quite a difference if you drive both back to back. If you catch snow or go up the mountains, its a no brainer.

So its a bit more than just being more performance oriented. RWD would be more preferable out of warranty for costs reasons but AWD outweighs more pros than cons overall for me.
 

2020FordRaptor

2000 Post Club
Messages
2,624
Reactions
1,174
Points
252
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#9
Driving in the rain makes me feel more secure with the AWD, its quite a difference if you drive both back to back. If you catch snow or go up the mountains, its a no brainer.

So it’s a bit more than just being more performance oriented. RWD would be more preferable out of warranty for costs reasons but AWD outweighs more pros than cons overall for me.
The only problem high mileage AWD Explorers have encountered is the leaking FADA and front axle boots leaking, otherwise nothing else has been a problem. FADA was deleted in 2022, so thats not a problem. Front axle boots leaking is still a problem, but doesn’t seem to be super common.
 

Messages
74
Reactions
66
Points
17
Location
Florida
Vehicle
2025 Explorer ST
#10
Driving in the rain makes me feel more secure with the AWD, its quite a difference if you drive both back to back. If you catch snow or go up the mountains, its a no brainer.

So its a bit more than just being more performance oriented. RWD would be more preferable out of warranty for costs reasons but AWD outweighs more pros than cons overall for me.
I live in SWFL and rains daily (and heavy) this time of year. There has not been one time in which the vehicle got out of sorts in any way. Even then, the vehicle has traction control that would assist.

That said, if you are going to hard accelerate in the rain, yes, AWD would be the better option. I don't live anywhere near snow or mountains and do agree a RWD is not the choice in that setting.
 

Messages
437
Reactions
207
Points
37
Location
Socal
#11
The only problem high mileage AWD Explorers have encountered is the leaking FADA and front axle boots leaking, otherwise nothing else has been a problem. FADA was deleted in 2022, so thats not a problem. Front axle boots leaking is still a problem, but doesn’t seem to be super common.
I meant in general, with AWD, you have more stuff that can go wrong as opposed to RWD, not specific to the Explorer. I had my FADA delete thru the TSB, so got lucky on my 2020.

I live in SWFL and rains daily (and heavy) this time of year. There has not been one time in which the vehicle got out of sorts in any way. Even then, the vehicle has traction control that would assist.

That said, if you are going to hard accelerate in the rain, yes, AWD would be the better option. I don't live anywhere near snow or mountains and do agree a RWD is not the choice in that setting.
Oh not saying RWD is bad with the rain, else, no cars would be drivable include sports. Just stating my opinion from my experience, driving both back to back, the AWD drove better in the rain. Going thru puddles that are build up on the sidewalk, just felt the AWD made a nice lil difference in drivability as opposed to RWD. The wife definitely preferred it as well
 

Messages
157
Reactions
72
Points
27
Location
Massachusetts
Vehicle
2023 ST
#12
Oh not saying RWD is bad with the rain, else, no cars would be drivable include sports. Just stating my opinion from my experience, driving both back to back, the AWD drove better in the rain. Going thru puddles that are build up on the sidewalk, just felt the AWD made a nice lil difference in drivability as opposed to RWD. The wife definitely preferred it as well
I bought AWD, mostly for snow in the winter, but the ease of driving it in the rain has been a secondary benefit, especially in the fall when it's rain + slippery leaves from trees. Plenty of experience driving my Mustangs in the rain and having the AWD really does make a little bit more confidence inspiring merging quickly into traffic as opposed to a few times when ive accidentally spun up a tire on my RWD Mustangs and the T/C kicks in and i'm staring in the rear-view mirror hoping I don’t get rear-ended. I know that better tires, and better planning and RWD is fine, but I prefer AWD. Just last week I had to make a sketchy left turn in a downpour and it was just point and shoot and the vehicle gripped and went. I like the easier driving experience vs all-out performance.

if I lived in Florida or TX, I could have def seen myself going with RWD though, but I have snow to contend with
 

Last edited:
Messages
18
Reactions
4
Points
2
Location
Mobile, Alabama
Vehicle
2025 Explorer ST 4WD
#13
After having two Edge STs in AWD, I wouldn't have anything else. They grip and go. And while I'm not afraid of RWD ('19 PP2 Stang and '21 GT), I do appreciate knowing that more grip is available.
 



Top