You can experience a sportier SUV with the 2025 Ford Explorer ST. The 2025 Ford Explorer ST is here to prove that a three-row SUV doesn’t need to limit itself to school pick-up lines and afternoon errands. While the midsize Ford has become a favorite among families, the ST trim sees the versatile Explorer graced with a full suite of performance-focused enhancements that your average SUV simply can’t match. The ST trim carries on a legacy of performance dating back to the original ST model that hit the market in 1997.
While the Ford Mondeo ST model initially prioritized its aesthetics, Ford upped the ante two years later with a retuned chassis, genuine leather Recaro bucket seats, and an upgraded 202-hp V6 engine. Ford would continue to perfect the ST formula on cars like the Focus ST and Siesta ST, and soon extended the concept to increasingly popular SUV options like the 2019 Edge ST. The three-row SUV would get in on the fun the following year as the Explorer ST made its debut and offered drivers an exciting new option in the competitive category.
Ford has continued to refine the ST trim over the last few years, incorporating new features and leveraging advanced technology to create an SUV that carries on a proud tradition of ST performance. It’s a compelling package by any measure, maximizing the fun factor while retaining the utility and family-friendly design that’s long made the Explorer a leader in its class. Let’s dive into the details as we explore the SUV’s engine, performance upgrades, and learn how the 2025 Explorer ST is leaving the rest of the three-row segment in the dust.
MSRP: $54,770[a]
Horsepower: 400
Towing: 5,000 lbs
Cargo Space: 85.8 cu.ft.
V6 Power On Tap
The Explorer ST’s distinctive styling will certainly turn some heads as you cruise around Sacramento, but the SUV’s most notable upgrade is hiding under the hood. The Explorer lives up to the vaunted ST name with a turbocharged engine that offers an enticing alternative to the standard mill. While the standard 2025 Explorer is powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that’s rated for 300 hp and 310 lb.ft. of torque, Ford has designed the range-topping ST with a potent V6 alternative that’s difficult to ignore. The 3.0-liter V6 can easily churn out up to 400 hp and 415 lb.ft. of torque, which allows the ST to shave almost a full second off of the SUV’s zero-to-60-mph time to clock in at just 5.1 seconds. The three-row Explorer is on the larger end of the midsize segment, but the turbocharged V6 ensures that the SUV is able to inject a little extra excitement into your daily commute, weekend road trip, or afternoon errands.
The Explorer ST’s V6 power is routed through the same 10-speed automatic transmission as the rest of the 2025 lineup, but the way that drivers will interact with the transmission is entirely different. A set of paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel provides a more hands-on approach, mimicking a manual transmission while delivering all the convenience of an automatic. Simply activate the Explorer’s Sport Mode and you’ll be able to cycle through the gears at your own convenience, tapping the left and right paddles to upshift or downshift as desired. The paddle shifters allow for a bespoke driving experience, giving drivers the opportunity to improve the SUV’s handling and performance while forging a closer connection with their vehicle. If you’re in the mood for a lower-effort experience, simply disengage Sport Mode, and the Explorer ST will see to its own shifting.
A Purpose-Built Suspension
If the Explorer ST’s powerful 400-hp turbocharged engine represented its only performance upgrade, the trim would still be worth a closer look, but Ford hasn’t stopped there. The Explorer makes the most of its V6 motor with a sport-tuned suspension and premium front brakes that’ll have you carving through every curve while still keeping the SUV’s considerable power in check. Ford has completely overhauled the Explorer’s suspension, replacing the standard setup with a new design featuring stiffer springs, thicker front and rear anti-roll bars, and specially tuned dampers. By firming up the suspension, Ford allows the Explorer ST to unlock its true performance potential to give drivers a taste of life in the fast lane. A taller SUV like the Explorer tends to lean through the turns, but this issue has been addressed by upping the ST’s spring rates by 10 percent in the front and eight percent in the rear. Ford has managed to find the ideal middle ground between performance and comfort when crafting the ST’s suspension, providing enough firmness for a crisp ride with superior handling while still keeping one eye on everyday comfort.
The Explorer ST’s upgraded front and rear anti-roll bars also help to minimize the model’s body roll, evenly distributing cornering forces between the tires to improve both traction and stability. The result is a responsive driving experience that gives owners the confidence to unleash the full power of the Explorer’s engine while enjoying the peace of mind that comes with consistent cornering performance. The ST trim keeps its V6 power in check with a set of performance brakes featuring upsized rotors in the front and back. By increasing the size of the rotors, Ford improves the brakes’ ability to dissipate heat and generate torque, resulting in less brake fade and predictable stopping power. This sort of setup is a welcome upgrade in any vehicle, but it’s a particularly good fit for the Explorer given the midsize SUV’s power and weight. The brakes also allow the ST to look the part of a performance model with red-painted calipers that give the wheels a sporty pop of color.
An Explorer Like No Other
The Explorer ST cuts a unique figure worthy of the Sports Technologies tag. The ultimate Explorer sets itself apart from your average SUV with a black grille, black lower body cladding, and 21-inch wheels, and adds some sporty appeal with a set of darkened headlights and taillights featuring a darker housing that lends the trim an aggressive look without impacting visibility. The athletic aesthetic carries over to the interior, where drivers will find black synthetic leather upholstery with cloth inserts and red stitching, plus a few key safety and convenience enhancements like a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, front and side parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system that’ll help you ease the Explorer into any parking spot. Speaking of safety, the ST comes standard with an enhanced adaptive cruise control system that can automatically adjust its speed in response to traffic signs. Ford’s industry-leading BlueCruise hands-free driving technology is also available on the 2025 Explorer ST, allowing drivers to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride while it handles all the heavy lifting.
Looking to enjoy that distinct ST flavor while keeping a few extra bucks in your pocket? The Explorer’s ST-Line is here to serve. While it lacks many of the performance-related upgrades that make the Explorer ST such a joy to drive, the ST-Line features all the goodies listed above while ringing in at a more affordable price. The ST does offer a few key advantages over the ST-Line in terms of interior tech, swapping out the lower trim’s 10-speaker B&O sound system for a 14-speaker version and doubling down on comfort with a heated steering wheel, heated second-row captain’s chairs, and ventilated front seats that’ll keep you cool or cozy as the weather dictates. Both models make a strong argument for exploring the Explorer’s 2025 trim ladder, but the ST is the obvious choice if you want to really put the pedal to the metal.
Find Your Explorer ST Here
While we’ve touched on some of the highlights of the 2025 Explorer ST, there’s a whole lot more to discover when you stop by Future Ford of Sacramento for a test drive. Every Explorer comes standard with a rear-wheel drive powertrain, but if you regularly encounter tough road conditions or spend your weekends exploring the Sierra Nevada mountains, it might be worth opting for the available Intelligent AWD. The sophisticated AWD setup allows drivers to venture off the beaten path with confidence, employing a network of sensors to constantly monitor current road conditions, and it can quickly adjust the SUV’s torque distribution to provide the ideal amount of traction and stability.
The 2025 Ford Explorer ST combines the utility of a midsize SUV with the crucial performance upgrades that can have such a big impact on the daily driving experience. Three-row models like the Explorer have become the go-to choice for busy families who are seeking the best in comfort, convenience, and cargo room, but the ST proves that performance doesn’t always need to take a backseat to practicality. Sure, the Explorer ST might offer spacious seating for up to seven passengers, 85.8 cu.ft. of cargo room, and a full arsenal of key tech features like a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, eight USB ports, and three 12-volt power outlets, but it also knows how to get your blood pumping. The SUV’s 400-hp engine and 5.1-second zero-to-60-mph time set the stage for miles upon miles of driving enjoyment, while the upgraded suspension and brakes deliver a distinctly dynamic ride that’ll have you looking forward to every journey in the Ford Explorer ST.
