Explorer ST vs. Other 2024 SUVs - Mazda & Toyota

[LopezST]

Fun youtube video of "our" ST at work and making us proud

 

[Fly Ty]

Fun youtube video of "our" ST at work and making us proud

I actually just saw that video yesterday

 

[CoHPhasor]

That is the most incredibly lop-sided race.
If you can't disable the hybrid's electric-only acceleration from the line, how do you beat an ST?
Their rolling-race is also nullified by the fact that those vehicles are mainly designed for efficiency and a "little bit of fun" on top of that.
The ST is performance vehicle - if they wanted more of an apples to apples, they should have used a non-ST explorer.

"Look at me winning this foot race against someone pushing a shopping cart densely packed with food!"

 

[Svttim]

That is the most incredibly lop-sided race.
If you can't disable the hybrid's electric-only acceleration from the line, how do you beat an ST?
Their rolling-race is also nullified by the fact that those vehicles are mainly designed for efficiency and a "little bit of fun" on top of that.
The ST is performance vehicle - if they wanted more of an apples to apples, they should have used a non-ST explorer.

"Look at me winning this foot race against someone pushing a shopping cart densely packed with food!"

I would normally agree with you but in this case, I think they pointed it out in the video. It seems the ST is their benchmark

 

[mitchellj22]

Im pretty sure also they didn’t actually use the Turbo S model Mazda, which means they were using the base model engine with lower tune. Turbo S would’ve been much closer to the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max. The Hybrid (PHEV) Mazda CX-90 is also slightly faster 0-60 AND quarter mile than the Turbo S Mazda CX-90. This would’ve been a much better comparison if they used one of those Mazda CX-90 powertrains. However ST still has huge power advantage. Interior of the Mazda is much nicer though than our STs, and Grand Highlander is slightly more spacious and user-friendly than our STs, more solidly built, and has better gas mileage and much better resale value.

All 3 top level trims (for each vehicle) are close to $60k.

You choose which one based on priorities.

Obviously all of our priorities are getting the fastest “affordable” 3-row midsize SUV on the market, and that’s the ST even before aftermarket parts and tune.
Still wish we had a bit better interior quality however. Lots of cheap noisy plastic and poor sound deadening, cheap seat materials, massage function actually sucks and is more than useless, and slow and annoying touchscreen. But I enjoy being faster than almost everybody else that isn’t in a top trim sports car.