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.
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