The second reason why I went with ST is the finance offers (close to 0% APR while others were 5 to 7) and discounts that brings down overall price (I got it 5k below sticker over a month of negotiations).
Primary is that I love Ford (the way they drive and never had issues in the other Ford I still own) Explorer (exterior design, 6 seating configuration and fact that police use them) ST (love the factory performance, 3 litter engine, the black treatments, MPGs when you drive calm and all the features offered at the price point). It really ticked all the boxes, which mattered for me.
X5 was a close second but what I want was the M and it was too experience. Everyone knows they lie about the power numbers. So even if you get the lower trim to match with ST sticker and performance, you will end up with a much bigger monthly payment.
Durango was third. May be the test drive and dealership experience, didn't do it for me. Still love it, and would buy it only for the supercharger whine and exhaust sounds. But money was a constrain for the top engine trims. The fact that dinosaur was going be extinct soon, didn't gave much confidence.
If I have to buy again now, pilot trailsport and telluride X-pro will be in the shortlist for how they looks, cx90 and X90 for the phev powertrain, X5M and MDX type S for the overall package, Durango for the sound, Grand Highlander for the newness and finally go and buy a 2 door bronco (because I already have the ST
)