Love my 2022 ST but why are so many publication reviews trashing the Explorer?

Like anyone, he certainly has his biases. He's definitely a Toyota & Honda fanboy, and he admits it. Jack (the Asian guy) is big into German and GM cars.

That being said, I've test driven and driven a friend's ST numerous times and I absolutely adore the way the car drives. But, the transmission shifting/programming has been very hit and miss. Sometimes it shifts buttery smooth. Other times it will bang into a gear randomly. A few times I've been driving normally and the vehicle just wouldn't upshift, then all of a sudden it will abruptly shift disrupting the whole cabin.

Like anyone, he certainly has his biases. He's definitely a Toyota & Honda fanboy, and he admits it. Jack (the Asian guy) is big into German and GM cars.

That being said, I've test driven and driven a friend's ST numerous times and I absolutely adore the way the car drives. But, the transmission shifting/programming has been very hit and miss. Sometimes it shifts buttery smooth. Other times it will bang into a gear randomly. A few times I've been driving normally and the vehicle just wouldn't upshift, then all of a sudden it will abruptly shift disrupting the whole cabin.

I wonder if the bad reviews are on the later models (after 2020) due to the lack of tech that was available during the pandemic? If you show features on a vehicle and later take them away, but still pay the same or greater price, that has to have negative feedback from the public.

Or it could be all the transmission, interior quality, and gremlins everyone has been hearing about so much since it first got off the line.

Mine been in the shop for a number of gremlins but I still cannot find a comparison SUV with the number of features this ST has for the price.

... Mine been in the shop for a number of gremlins but I still cannot find a comparison SUV with the number of features this ST has for the price.

Our 2020 ST, with a B Series VIN ...

Our 2020 ST, with a B Series VIN, has been mechanically sound and fun to drive on a daily basis. Yes, I've had a couple of trim complaints (driver's seat lower left side is on it's third replacement part), and a horrible experience with a SYNC update last year, but overall it's been a solid performer. Plus we have the self-sealing Michelins (which are wearing well), heated wipers, lights in the glove box and cupholders, working massage seats, rear AC controls, etc., that are all missing from later models!!

We have taken three road trips (two to/from AZ [one with a stop in Park City for the Ford Performance day] and one to Sun Valley, ID) and it's been superb in every way. 23MPG at 80mph in a 5,000lb, AWD, SUV blows me away!! And Sport Mode is a wonderful way to pass semis on otherwise deserted stretches of highway !!

We traded in an electronically-challenged '17 F-150 Platinum that spent far more time in the shop trying to address it's numerous gremlins. I was originally thinking of just getting a new F-150 or maybe a RAM 1500, but my wife was really pushing for a 3-row SUV instead. Our Atlas Blue ST just called my name when I saw it. And now, I look at the deal we got (good discount with several thousand $$ off the MSRP, 0% financing, etc.) and can't even imagine trading for something and paying thousands of $$ above MSRP AND 5-6% interest for the privilege!!

Plus, our ST regularly "does" things for us that prove it's earned the "U" (Utility) portion of if it's SUV nickname. We've hauled everything from two additional people in the 3rd row (total of 7 adults on board), to concrete pavers, 8' long studs, and bags of garden bark ... all without a problem. For example, a couple of days ago we had to buy a new 65" TV and the box looked really large. Not having a tape measure to check the dimensions, I was thinking I might have to rent a PU and come back to get it. Nope .. dropped row two down and it slid right in without a hitch!! Happens all the time - and our cargo compartment has some blemishes to prove it!!

Ken

Our 2020 ST, with a B Series VIN, has been mechanically sound and fun to drive on a daily basis. Yes, I've had a couple of trim complaints (driver's seat lower left side is on it's third replacement part), and a horrible experience with a SYNC update last year, but overall it's been a solid performer. Plus we have the self-sealing Michelins (which are wearing well), heated wipers, lights in the glove box and cupholders, working massage seats, rear AC controls, etc., that are all missing from later models!!

We have taken three road trips (two to/from AZ [one with a stop in Park City for the Ford Performance day] and one to Sun Valley, ID) and it's been superb in every way. 23MPG at 80mph in a 5,000lb, AWD, SUV blows me away!! And Sport Mode is a wonderful way to pass semis on otherwise deserted stretches of highway !!

We traded in an electronically-challenged '17 F-150 Platinum that spent far more time in the shop trying to address it's numerous gremlins. I was originally thinking of just getting a new F-150 or maybe a RAM 1500, but my wife was really pushing for a 3-row SUV instead. Our Atlas Blue ST just called my name when I saw it. And now, I look at the deal we got (good discount with several thousand $$ off the MSRP, 0% financing, etc.) and can't even imagine trading for something and paying thousands of $$ above MSRP AND 5-6% interest for the privilege!!

Plus, our ST regularly "does" things for us that prove it's earned the "U" (Utility) portion of if it's SUV nickname. We've hauled everything from two additional people in the 3rd row (total of 7 adults on board), to concrete pavers, 8' long studs, and bags of garden bark ... all without a problem. For example, a couple of days ago we had to buy a new 65" TV and the box looked really large. Not having a tape measure to check the dimensions, I was thinking I might have to rent a PU and come back to get it. Nope .. dropped row two down and it slid right in without a hitch!! Happens all the time - and our cargo compartment has some blemishes to prove it!!

Ken

Can you please advise on your seat issue? I have an appointment scheduled for my drivers seat. The lower left side (where your butt cheek would be) feels like something is broken whenever I first hop in the car or use the massage feature. Something ‘clicks’.

Ditto to all the people who claim it checked too many boxes.

The Durango 392 skyrocketed in price and is now easily $15000 more expensive than an explorer ST.

ST looks handsome. Durango 392 isn’t excessive looking

Durango 392 isn’t excessive looking, but I’ve come to dislike Dodge owners/drivers lately.

Yes, it is a generalization, which means it's not at all accurate.

But, if you're going to generalize, then we should all hate Subaru owners- Birkenstock wearing, tree-hugging, pot-smoking millenials with no common sense. Or, perhaps Corvette owners- gold-chain wearing, harley-davidson owning, cigarette smoking boomers looking to pick up young women. Don't even get me started on Porsche owners- Rolex wearing, yacht-owning, pipe smoking wankers addicted to debt.

You are a little sarcasm challenged...perhaps?

Hi all, new to the forums and just took delivery of our ST last night. We came from a loaded 2016 xlt explorer and loved the vehicle but just felt it was long in tooth so we decided to upgrade it. I read some reviews recently about the new models and had some concerns, but man, this thing is nice all the way around. We're bummed it didn't have the massage seats, we were hoping the vehicle was built earlier in the year, but we don't have it. Anyways, so far we're happy with it and looking forward to driving it around more. It won't get many miles since it's the wife's car and her "commute" is less than a mile away but we think it's still a really nice ride.

I am a loyal Ford customer and I may have blinders on I must admit... love the looks of the ST and the performance of having 400 horses... looking at other competitive models, I still favor the Explorer.. I know that no auto mfg is perfect and was wondering if any of the ST forum audiences have opinions regarding the negative reviews from different pubs.... Car & Driver, Motortrend etc..

Sincerely,
Kevin