ST vs. The Competition

[KegsBdry]

Heh, what's 11 mpg compared to the SRT's additional $17,000 asking price over the ST!

And what are we getting for that $17K extra?

Massage front seats, auto brake hold at stoplights, intelligent cruise control, heated and cooled seats, multiple zoned climate control, wireless phone recharger, built in phone stand when driving, panorama sunroof, ST ground effects projection at night, full screen infotainment system, 15 speaker sound system, remote key fob start stop, 'free' app to remotely start/unlock/lock your vehicle from anywhere in the world, navigation, various dashboard displays per driving mode, auto high beam headlights, auto windshield wipers, auto dimming rear view mirrors, hidden keypad on external door, keyless entry on all four doors, exterior lock button on all four doors, foot waving opening trunk, 3rd row collapsible seating, hidden floor compartment storage, spare tire (not a can of FixAflat), various ambient lighting choices, auto breaking if you're not paying attention, rear wheel lockup when pivoting for emergency cornering, lane departure warning system, self parking in parallel/perpendicular parking spots, and 400HP!

I'm certain there are more but that's all that comes to mind. I was very surprised most of these luxuries existed, let alone were standard on an Explorer ST.

Not bad for ~23mpg.

 

[Big Turk]

And what are we getting for that $17K extra?

Massage front seats, intelligent cruise control, heated and cooled seats, multiple zoned climate control, wireless phone recharger, built in phone stand when driving, panorama sunroof, ST ground effects projection at night, full screen infotainment system, 15 speaker sound system, remote key fob start stop, 'free' app to remotely start/unlock/lock your vehicle from anywhere in the world, navigation, various dashboard displays per driving mode, auto high beam headlights, auto windshield wipers, auto dimming rear view mirrors, hidden keypad on external door, keyless entry on all four doors, exterior lock button on all four doors, foot waving opening trunk, 3rd row collapsible seating, hidden floor compartment storage, full sized spare tire, various ambient lighting choices, auto breaking if you're not paying attention, rear wheel lockup when pivoting for emergency cornering, lane departure warning system, self parking in parallel/perpendicular parking spots, and 400HP!

I'm certain there are more but that's all that comes to mind. I was very surprised most of these luxuries existed, let alone were standard on an Explorer ST.

Not bad for ~23mpg.

What a great list, but I am jealous if you got a full sized spare. Mine is a very small donut.

 

[KegsBdry]

What a great list, but I am jealous if you got a full sized spare. Mine is a very small donut.

You might be right. It's been awhile, I'll update my list! Thanks

 

[STJIM]

And what are we getting for that $17K extra?

Massage front seats, intelligent cruise control, heated and cooled seats, multiple zoned climate control, wireless phone recharger, built in phone stand when driving, panorama sunroof, ST ground effects projection at night, full screen infotainment system, 15 speaker sound system, remote key fob start stop, 'free' app to remotely start/unlock/lock your vehicle from anywhere in the world, navigation, various dashboard displays per driving mode, auto high beam headlights, auto windshield wipers, auto dimming rear view mirrors, hidden keypad on external door, keyless entry on all four doors, exterior lock button on all four doors, foot waving opening trunk, 3rd row collapsible seating, hidden floor compartment storage, spare tire (not a can of FixAflat), various ambient lighting choices, auto breaking if you're not paying attention, rear wheel lockup when pivoting for emergency cornering, lane departure warning system, self parking in parallel/perpendicular parking spots, and 400HP!

I'm certain there are more but that's all that comes to mind. I was very surprised most of these luxuries existed, let alone were standard on an Explorer ST.

Not bad for ~23mpg.

That was great. thanks!

 

[Big Turk]

What a great list, but I am jealous if you got a full sized spare. Mine is a very small donut.

You might be right. It's been awhile, I'll update my list! Thanks

I think the space may be large enough to fit a full size tire. I will have to grab one of the 18" wheels I picked up and see how it fits. Cheers.

 

[st8]

Heh, what's 11 mpg compared to the SRT's additional $17,000 asking price over the ST!

Right? Lol I mean all those things that are better….we’ll it’s significantly more expensive as well. So yeah, it better be superior in most areas.

 

[CareerFiremanGuy]

Right? Lol I mean all those things that are better….we’ll it’s significantly more expensive as well. So yeah, it better be superior in most areas.

The thing is, is it worth the $17k price gouge and 11 mpg? Hmm ...

 

[CareerFiremanGuy]

And what are we getting for that $17K extra? ...

I think you meant to say "What are we not having to pay $17k extra for and still getting". Right?

 

[MikeWolfe]

Get a $600 re-calibration for your ST
It will then blow all the others away
I also saw an improvement in gas mileage & got rid of the stupid A.S.S.
Will do 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds now with 5 STAR 94 octane performance calibration
LOVIN IT

 

[CareerFiremanGuy]

Data supports the 1/3 bolt is a non issue for stock ST's. Tuned, it's a gamble, and not one I'm willing to take.
Brace is a not an option as I don't want my warranty getting hassled.
So a 100% bone stock high 13 sec SUV that cost me $53k new, it'll do just fine.

 

[bluesnake01]

I've owned BMW's for the better part of the last 20 years and I don't understand why people say they cost so much to maintain. I guess if you are having a dealership do all of the maintenance then maybe, but that holds true for every vehicle. Now in the case of the X5M it does hold 10 quarts of oil whereas the St only holds 6 so there is more cost there.

+1

Had a BMW 335i running mid 12's with mixed E85 and piggyback tune clocking almost 120k miles. Most I ever spent outside of oil and tires? $1,000 for an oil pan gasket and electric water pump, those went out around 90k miles, past the CPO warranty. Owned it for about 5 years as well. Only warranty work that was done to it was my headlights that turned yellow inside and plastics that were broken in the interior (previous owner). Car was not in the shop for anything else other than a recall with the injectors.

If my Explorer goes that long as well and as cheap, I would be extremely happy. I actually would be more wary on newer cars in general because of the electronics, much more problems that you cant fix with a wrench.

 

[bluesnake01]

Question for OP though, why did you get rid of the Stinger GT? Currently in the market to possibly add one to my stable. Either that or RDX, odd choices but wife is settled for any of those two lol

 

[CareerFiremanGuy]

Well, no one's posted here in a while so I thought C&D's recent comparison test would be of interest ...

MDX Type-S is a bit slower, but costs $17k - $14k more than an ST:
Price (base/as tested) $67,895/$73,745
0-60 mph: 5.4 sec
1/4 Mile: 14.0 sec @ 101 mph

Durango SRT is a good bit faster, but costs $20k - $25k more than an ST:
Price (base/as tested) $70,555/$85,930
0-60 mph: 4.3 sec
1/4 Mile: 13.0 sec @ 105 mph

Tested: 2022 Acura MDX Type S vs. 2022 Dodge Durango SRT 392
https://www.caranddriver.com/review...ype-s-vs-2022-dodge-durango-srt-392-compared/

 

[PlatinumST]

Money no-object, I'm taking the Durango SRT all day, every day. I had a 2018 SRT: better interior...

What did you like better about the SRTs interior?

 

[tjanicki]

Agree, I had 2 challengers, and a 2019 RAM, interior on the dodge is better for sure. I got the ST because the Ram was a pig on fuel.

 

[STupidExplorer]

Agree, I had 2 challengers, and a 2019 RAM, interior on the dodge is better for sure. I got the ST because the Ram was a pig on fuel.

My main deciding factor on the ST over any other options boiled down to Size and Price. I am brand loyal and always had GM vehicles but they had nothing offer me in a 3rd row vehicle. I needed a sometimes 3 row vehicle (10% be if the time) that had a decent power from the factory with the ability to add more. The Durango Hemi was a pig on gas a little bigger than we needed the Tahoe was way bigger than we wanted. We got the ST at 50,000$ with all the things we wanted for a great price. Still love the competition just not for my situation.

 

[ARC]

My ST with the 400a package came in at 51,500. This is much less than the SRT!
In terms of performance the SRT "was" quicker until you spend 500-600 for a tune and walk on SRT's all day long, and still have 15k plus in your pocket. Just my way of looking at it.

 

[TLST22]

It's a shame Acura didn't add more power to the MDX Type-S, I think the looks and interior are a killer combo but that price point of $70+k is just waaayyyy too much. You can get a much better performing SUV at that price point that still offers an excellent interior and technology package.

Me? I'll stick to my ST, just can't beat the performance and price I paid for it.

 

[CareerFiremanGuy]

... Me? I'll stick to my ST, just can't beat the performance and price I paid for it.

I came to the same conclusion when shopping for a high performance SUV.

Nothing comes close to the ST for price/performance except for the Audi SQ5, but the Audi's lines are too "curvy" for me.

The ST's lines are way more aggressive.

 

[CareerFiremanGuy]

Agree, I had 2 challengers, and a 2019 RAM, interior on the dodge is better for sure. I got the ST because the Ram was a pig on fuel.

Alex on Autos bought a Durango SRT and gave it a "D" for fuel economy.

He was getting 14.9 mpg combined.