Explorer ST vs. GMC Typhoon (the "original" performance SUV)

CareerFiremanGuy · Sep 9, 2022

I know we've come a long way since 1992, but I thought some of you would find it interesting ...

1992 GMC Typhoon
Base price: $29,530 ($63,352 adj for inflation)
262 cu in / 4.3L
280 hp / 350 lb-ft
Passenger volume: 91 cu ft
Cargo volume: 28 cu ft
Curb weight: 3,822 lb

0-60 mph: 5.3 sec
5–60 mph: 6.0 sec
30–50 mph: 2.9 sec
50–70 mph: 4.1 sec
¼-mile: 14.1 sec @ 95 mph
Top speed: 124 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 185 ft
Skidpad: 0.79 g
Fuel Economy: observed 14 mpg
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Ford Explorer ST
Base Price: $49,260
180 cu in / 2.95L
400 hp / 415 lb-ft
Passenger volume: 149 cu ft
Cargo volume: 18 cu ft
Curb weight: 4,853 lb

0-60 mph: 5.2 sec
5–60 mph: 5.9 sec
30–50 mph: 3.2 sec
50–70 mph: 3.8 sec
¼-mile: 13.8 sec @ 101 mph
Top speed (gov limited): 146 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 161 ft
Skidpad: 0.86 g
Fuel Economy: observed 21 mpg

2020FordRaptor · Sep 9, 2022

I was never a fan of the typhoons. If Ford ever came out with the Expedition Thunder I would be broke by now.

TMac · Sep 9, 2022

I bought a Typhoon new in '93. It was actually a pretty nice vehicle for what it was. But it can't in anyway be compared to the ST in terms of refinement, etc. Although it did have a stiff suspension and sway bars, over even slightly uneven ground the solid axles made the vehicle ride like a log wagon. If you happened to be turning at a sprightly speed over uneven tarmac, all four wheels seemed to want to depart the vehicle in different directions simultaneously! Not a confidence producing handler. Although it was pretty quick for the time, and would surprise the crap out of your passengers, it would also ping like crazy on anything less than 94 octane fuel- and even that couldn't save it in 90 degree weather. It attracted way more attention than my ST. I remember gas mileage on the highway being 20-22 mpg.

I must have gotten a good one since I tracked mine at a 1/4 mile track and got a best of 13.9- I think it was about 97mph

2020FordRaptor · Sep 9, 2022

TMac said:

I bought a Typhoon new in '93. It was actually a pretty nice vehicle for what it was. But it can't in anyway be compared to the ST in terms of refinement, etc. Although it did have a stiff suspension and sway bars, over even slightly uneven ground the solid axles made the vehicle ride like a log wagon. If you happened to be turning at a sprightly speed over uneven tarmac, all four wheels seemed to want to depart the vehicle in different directions simultaneously! Not a confidence producing handler. Although it was pretty quick for the time, and would surprise the crap out of your passengers, it would also ping like crazy on anything less than 94 octane fuel- and even that couldn't save it in 90 degree weather. It attracted way more attention than my ST. I remember gas mileage on the highway being 20-22 mpg.

I must have gotten a good one since I tracked mine at a 1/4 mile track and got a best of 13.9- I think it was about 97mph

Isn't it crazy a 5500 LB. Ford Raptor is quicker than that and still go to baja stock? We've come a long way in refinement and speed. a

CareerFiremanGuy · Sep 17, 2022

2020FordRaptor said:

Not a fan of the Syclone either, or just the Typhoon?

If there's anyone here who's had experience with either the Syclone or Typhoon, pipe in and tell us about it.

2020FordRaptor said:

Not to mention better mpg too!

Clump · Jan 2, 2023

I bought a new Syclone in 1991. I added a Hypertech chip to it that let it stay in over-boost. It surprised a lot of people stoplight to stoplight. I was out to lunch 1 day and a guy in an F-150 Lightning pulled up next to me at a light and started revving. I got to the next light before he was halfway there. He wouldn't even come up next to me again.

It was a fun truck, but quite limited in utility. The 500 pound maximum payload definitely kept it from being used for truck duty.

The ST reminds me of it in some ways. AWD turbo feels pretty similar. Of course it's way more refined. 30 years later it should be. In 1997 I traded my Syclone for a Firehawk. The lure of the V8 with a manual transmission was just too strong.

Scalarrthu · Jan 5, 2023

I absolutely loved my Syclone, but it was in no way a practical vehicle. It was a blast to drive and probably the quickest vehicle I’ve owned (so far) from stoplight to stoplight. Definitely caught a lot of people off guard and hurt a lot of feelings with it .

66gt350ps · Jan 5, 2023

Try compare towing capacity. Ford Explorer ST: 5600 lbs. GMC Typhoon: 0 lbs, GMC Syclone: 0 lbs.

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Explorer ST vs. GMC Typhoon (the "original" performance SUV)

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