Why we didn't buy an Explorer ST, and other various thoughts

A Ford price point and a Porsche price point are VERY non comparable. They're more expensive not because of performance, but because of details, engineering, and branding. A lot of branding actually, because it's the same as the Audi Q5 that's a whole bunch cheaper.

It would not have cost them that much more to up the boost a bit, and install a 10r80. People tune these to well over 450 crank routinely, so really, that's free. The 10r80 gets put in the f150 that starts at right about the same as a base explorer. Even if it cost Ford 2 grand more, that'd be a lot. Hell they could go crazy and throw the 3.5 in, d150 offers the 2.7 nano and the 3.5 gen2 so they should both fit the explorer bay and would fit behind the 10r80 that explorer uses on hybrids.

It would not cost Ford much to do this. Hell, there's gonna be aftermarket people that do it I'm sure.

Anyways.... I took some dirty pics of it with my tbss. It makes the tbss look tiny, lol.

Hello everyone, this post really struck a nerve with me because I became a member to learn about Explorer ST. What I see is a bunch of "Should of-Would-of Could-of"
I too have a Ford Expedition, a 2007 that replaced a 1987 Bronco, The Expedition has a V8 that sound great, ability to load 50 bags of mulch, loads of full sheet plywood and will pull a house. I'll keep the Expedition until it blows up.

My purpose for joining this forum is learn everything about the Explorer ST. This site educated me on the X-plan purchase saving me serious cash. The cash savings was used to buy all the mods needed to bring the ST up to the level I desire.

I'm also a member of the Expedition forums and this post needed to be addressed there and not here bashing our ride.

My 2022 Stone Blue ST on order 3/11/2022.

While I wouldn't necessarily call it "bashing', I did find it extremely odd the op would come to an Explorer ST forum to tell us why he didn't get an Explorer ST.

If he tried that on a Camaro or Mustang forum, he would've been catapulted into outer space. But I suspect a more mature crowd here prevented that from happening.

P.S. You put mulch in your Expedition? I believe that might've voided your warranty! (or something). Let us know when you Stone Blue arrives!

I believe it was a load of cinder blocks that blew out a shock (user replaced) It's a long haul to wat for the ST to sit in my driveway. This group is mandatory reading for anyone that wants the learn every nut and bolt leading to ownership as well as proven modifications,

the 3.5 was in the old body style explorer sports and platinums and was dropped for the 3.0L that Lincoln has been using for awhile. It is a more reliable, stronger motor than the 3.5

Wasnt that the gen1 3.5? The gen2 is supposedly much improved. They push 450hp in the limited f150 and a couple other variants.

My parents had a previous gen explorer sport. It was underwhelming. It was tiny inside for how big it was inside. This gen explorer blows that one away.

We recently decided against an Explorer ST and instead purchased an Expedition Limited with the Stealth Package. I figured I'd leave my thoughts about the Explorer here, as we were torn between the two, but opted for Expedition largely due to the larger size for our family.

Explorer Pros:
Styling - It's subjective, but I think Ford absolutely NAILED IT. They don't have a bad angle, and while the factory wheels aren't my favorite things ever, I like them.

Chassis - The chassis is the star of the show in Explorer ST. It rides great, handles bumps great, handles great, minimal body lean and pitch, though personally, I'd prefer a little stiffer (more on that later).

Price (Right Now) - In these days of limited discounts an MSRP of 58k is amazing. It puts it in a price range where it totally put classes the competition. It's seriously priced in line with 290hp v6 Grand Cherokee L, which is admittedly more luxurious and capable, but nowhere near as fast. V8 Grand Cherokee is way over the price of St. That said, I do remember when the incentives were out and things were normal finding their pricing disappointing. It was like 50k for an ST, but a Durango srt was like 55 to 60k. That makes a lot less sense than the 5k vs 80knspread to Durango srt now.

Size - I know it's weird to say the size of explorer is a pro when I bought an expedition over it because of size, but we both agreed explorer would have been "just fine". It didn't drive too big, and I think it'd have been enough space overall.

Cons:
Vertical screen - is stupid. The 8" screen looks better to me, works better to me, and Ford dropped the ball with the vertical screen. Had it been placed horizontally, it'd have been better in every way.

Digital Cluster - Kind of laggy. That's OK in the semi digital expedition cluster, because it's only the center part. But having the whole thing digital I wasn't a fan of, too many animations and the lag that goes with it. Sport mode was the only display I liked and would want to use.

Stereo - The B&o system was OK, but not up to the standard of B&o IMO. The B&o in our expedition is way better. Also, the upgraded 14 speaker system should be the only option, the 12 speaker system is dumb. They need a step up system from the 14 b&o, because it doesn't compete with the McIntosh or h/k systems that dodge and jeep use.

Character - This is more a personal choice, but it doesn't have the character I want. It drives more like my sisters Q5 than it does the bruiser sport SUVs. My TBSS, a jeep srt, Durango rt or srt.... They all drive like badasses. They feel a little brutish but also super agile. The St feels more import to me, it's nimble and fast, but not as brutish as I'd like. I can't quantify it, but it just doesn't quite do it.

Market placement - ST is a weird in between Durango rt and srt. It's a little sportier than a standard rt, kinda the same as a tow n go but a little faster, but not as sport as an srt or any of the even sportier suvs. I wish they had gone a little more hardcore with it, 450 to 480hp, a little lower, a little more aggressive, etc.

Engine noise - Ecoboost motors all sound like crap it seems. Our 3.5 does, the 2.7 and 3.0 do, it's just not their strong point. It sucks, but it's the truth. I almost didn't mind the FENG because it at least sounded better. Ford needs to have the guys who tuned the coyote sound help them on their Ecoboosts.

Deal breakers:
Towing capacity - 5600 wasnt enough, 6000+ would have been. Aviator GT had it, why didn't explorer?

Transmission - this goes hand in hand with the above I guess. Ford should have used the 10r80. This would have helped in towing capacity, robustness, with few tradeoffs.

Cheapness - The panel fit and finish is atrocious. My 2009 Trailblazer SS has better fit and finish. The big seam in the passenger carpet, the center stack that doesn't line up, the cheap materials scattered around.... Unacceptable at that price point IMO.

All that said, it's still a very nice package at a very good price. Ford IMO needs to upgrade the transmission and interior for the refresh supposedly in 2023 another 50 to 75hp would be a good thing too.

What Ford really needs is an RS model.. Ideally it'd have a supercharged coyote, but at a minimum a 550 plus hp version of the 3.5 Ecoboost would be under the hood (v8 would be better though). It'd also need sportier seats with Alcantara inserts, lower and stiffer suspension, and more aggressive looks. Something that could compete with an sq7 basically, but be in the high 60s, maybe low 70s fully loaded.

No sir it was gen 2.. the Limited putting out that much is the same 3.5Ecoboost as the Raptor..its the High Output 3.5 Ecoboost... that was only Limited F150, Expedition, Raptor...

THAT motor in the ST would have been ridiculous, I'll give you that. The standard 3.5 Ecoboost compared to the 3.0.. the 3.0 is the better motor.

Im not sure where you ever seen a Durango SRT for 55-60K, Maybe a RT...I looked at a Durango SRT in 2019 before prices were crazy and with options added the best price the dealer would do was 73k...I paid 53k (MSRP 59k) for my ST a year ago. So for the price point of the ST you will not find any SUV that carries more performance. Not to mention I'm sure glad I never pulled the trigger on the SRT, my uncle has a 2020 and averages barely 11mpg. But hey thanks for telling us why you didn't purchase one.....lol

That motor would have been ideal. I'd settle for an RS model with that motor and 500 to 550hp too.

I will say, the 3.5 EB in my parents explorer sport was unsatisfying. The 3.0L is much better than that, but the 10 speed certainly helps. The RWD drive train helps a boatload too.

I've had a SRT Jeep and I prefer the ST over the SRT on almost every feature and driving style. I don't get the brutish comment in comparison to the SRT. In normal drive mode the ST has some pep but isn't that aggressive but in sport mode it really shines. I felt the same way with the SRT jeep. Always drove it in Sport or track mode.
Compared a trackhawk, sure the ST doesn't feel as aggressive, but vs the SRT level SUVs I'm not following. Only thing the SRT/RT have over is the exhaust note.

At this point I'm not sure how much more R&D Ford will do with performance ICE vehicles.

Im not sure where you ever seen a Durango SRT for 55-60K, Maybe a RT...I looked at a Durango SRT in 2019 before prices were crazy and with options added the best price the dealer would do was 73k...I paid 53k (MSRP 59k) for my ST a year ago. So for the price point of the ST you will not find any SUV that carries more performance. Not to mention I'm sure glad I never pulled the trigger on the SRT, my uncle has a 2020 and averages barely 11mpg. But hey thanks for telling us why you didn't purchase one.....lol

Anyone wanting the 3.5 over the 3.0 in this car is uninformed or just plain stupid. The 3.0 is superior in every way not to mention easier to make power with.

Just curious, why is it more easier to make power? Legit question, I have no idea. I always grew up being told there’s no replacement for displacement and that’s all I know.

I would think if that was the case they'd have dropped the 3.5L entirely and used the 3.0 in the f150.