2025 Ford Explorer ST Review: When Performance and Practicality Collide

Do lunchtime discussions among work colleagues ever turn to midsize SUVs with a performance angle? It is not your average family hauler, the Explorer ST. This mid-sized performance SUV can knock you out yet give you the flexibility you want for school pick-ups, weekend getaways, and even a random extended road trip. The Explorer ST somehow also mixes rough-and-tumble performance with high-tech and comfort, and keeps it all just a pinch fun. If you are the type who likes to get a little revved about an honest and amusing car review, then buckle up. We’re going in-depth to explain what makes the Explorer ST the Explorer ST, what it has over the more sedate versions of the vehicle, and what it’s up against in today’s cutthroat SUV market.

First Impressions: Looks and Attitude

The 2025 Ford Explorer ST does not beat around the bush. It has that aggressive look to it, man, it’s like, hey, we are serious. It has a muscular front fascia, a reimagined grille, and some pretty aggressive body lines that instantly give it an in-your-face appearance. This isn’t the thing that fades into the background of a parking lot; nope, it’s going to jump out like a peacock at a pigeon party.

Beneath the hood, the Explorer ST features an engine that is powerful and responsive. The ST’s motivation factor is apparent not just in its design, but in its engineering. It is the kind of a car that makes you smile when you stomp the go fast pedal.

Specs That Pack a Punch

Let’s dig into some of the key specs the 2025 Ford Explorer ST boasts:

• Engine: 3.0L Turbo V6
• Horsepower: Approximately 365 HP
• Torque: Around 380 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: Intelligent 4WD system featuring rear-biased torque split
• Transmission: 10-speed auto (with sport-tuned mode)
• Suspension: Performance suspension, with an improved firmness for better handling

That figure translates into the sort of ride that’s pretty darn responsive and engaging, whether you’re merging onto a highway or carving through a set of tight curvy back roads.

On Road Dynamics

Explorer ST is designed to give other affordable performance SUVs a run for their money with its great performance, everyday drivability, and comfort, is not to be under spoken as well. It’s confident in the corners, which may remind you of a sports sedan, but still offers a comfortable ride for long trips. The steering is sharp, and the suspension is tight without being like you’re driving a go-kart on a potholey road.

You can tell Ford put some real thought into how to tune the Explorer ST for the enthusiast. An immediate, gratifying response when you press the accelerator makes you feel as though you are in command of a finely tuned machine. It’s the kind of car that makes you want to let loose on a perfectly winding back road, even if you’re just commuting to work.

Onboard: Where Performance meets Comfort

Slide into the Explorer ST, and there’s a cabin whose combination of performance oriented aesthetics and modern refinement has been decently followed through. The cabin is driver-centric, and those in the seats are supportive, with an easy to access and operate cockpit. Somewhere between the utilitarian and the upscale, it delivers both sporty bump and family-friendly sensibility.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

• Seats: Performance focused seating with bolsters and quality materials
• Infotainment: Ford’s latest SYNC system on a 12.3-inch touchscreen, with smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto)
• Instrument Panel: A digital screen that offers real gauges next to a fully digital display for showcasing real time performance data
• Storage Area: Ample space to pack tools, luggage or groceries to make sure you’re prepared for anything
• Materials: A combo of brushed aluminum accents and soft-touch surfaces

The inside of the Explorer ST tends a bit to the sporty side, but it’s not as if it ignores everyday comfiness. An excellent climate control, first-rate audio system, and a myriad USB ports make long drives less of a burden.

Other Explorer Trims

The Explorer ST is one flavor in the larger 2025 Ford Explorer family. For anyone who might not be pushing for every performance gain, Ford makes available a number of other trims:

1. Base Explorer
   A good, basic choice that hits all of the right marks for everyday driving
2. Explorer XLT
   Receives additional creature comforts such as enhanced infotainment and more advanced safety systems
3. Explorer Limited
   Provides upscale touches such as leather upholstery and premium technology options
4. Explorer Platinum
   The fully loaded model with every option you can possibly consider, from a panoramic sunroof to a cutting-edge driver assistance suite

The ST model is a standout with its stiffer performance tuning and sportier features. It is also available with an adaptive suspension system, performance exhaust and bespoke interior and exterior design features dedicated to the ST model.

Mid-Size Performance SUV Feud Rivals

The 2025 Ford Explorer ST isn’t alone in the performance SUV sector. It also competes head-on with several models that combine power and utility. Just a few competitors to consider:

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

• Engine: Typically sports a V8 powerhouse
• Strengths: Known for its off-road prowess and rugged appeal
• Why It Competes: It combines luxury with a raw, unfiltered performance that attracts traditional Jeep enthusiasts

Dodge Durango SRT

• Engine: Boasts a high-performance V8
• Strengths: Emphasizes brute force with a muscular design and aggressive styling
• Why It Competes: It offers a bold alternative for those who want an SUV that can double as a performance beast

Acura MDX Type S

• Engine: Turbocharged powertrain tuned for performance
• Strengths: Blends performance with upscale luxury and advanced technology
• Why It Competes: It appeals to buyers looking for a performance-oriented SUV with a premium feel

BMW X3 M40i

• Engine: A robust turbocharged inline-6
• Strengths: Known for its refined driving dynamics and high-quality interior
• Why It Competes: It provides a blend of sportiness and everyday usability with a touch of German engineering finesse

All of them being offered make their own kind of statement in the modern performance SUV space where the Explorer ST’s distinctly American mixture of muscle and practicality seems that much more interesting.

What I Wish Was Different

No ride is ideal, and the 2025 Ford Explorer ST is certainly no different. My one peeve is the infotainment system. Its interface, though modern and feature-rich, feels like it could use extra detailing to match up with the performance vibe of the vehicle. Lol it’s as if it was made for some other user. It feels like someone not as good as me with tech is using it. A more intuitive configuration would make it simpler to wade through the various settings when you’re on the move.

And the ride quality, though impressively sporty, can grate on the nerves over long highway stretches. The performance-tuned suspension, however, while stellar for twisty bits and general fun driving, is a bit stiff for when you’re cruising on less-than-perfect roads. Wouldn’t hurt for a little more refinement there.

There’s also the fuel economy question. For a vehicle of this size and caliber, the numbers are decent but not out of this world. If you’re thinking of using it frequently for long road trips or as an everyday driver, you might yearn for a little more MPGs without having to cripple performance.

Is It Just Another Ford Explorer, or Worth Celebrating?

In this 2025 Ford Explorer ST review you can tell that this SUV puts together a lot of what car guys and family folks are looking for in a performance SUV. The hard-styled bodywork, muscly motor and elegantly shaped cockpit all blend together to give this a taste of the high life, without it being in any way unobtainable. The ST version proves that combining performance with everyday practicality needn’t be the sole preserve of sports cars. In short, the Explorer ST is exceptional simply because it isn’t trying to be all things to all people. It knows it’s a performance biased SUV, but also that its a family car driven to deliver good usability.

And when you stack the Explorer ST against its rivals, it stands its ground with American smarts and a no-nonsense attitude. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, Dodge Durango SRT, Acura MDX Type S and BMW X3 M40i all serve as their own unique spins on performance and luxury. Explorer ST has that perfect combination between Price, Power, Technology and Attitude that only an unmistakable SUV like the true American spirit can offer.

There are things I wish were a bit more polished—the infotainment system could be easier to use and the ride could be a little more comfortable on longer drives. But those are minor nitpickings in a package that delivers on what it promised: performance without sacrificing practicality.

In the end, if you are in the market for an SUV that can put up with some heavy driving without getting sick and yet can still take what life throws at it, then the 2025 Ford Explorer ST may be the ride you have been looking for. It has a combination of muscle and practicality that is difficult to come by.

How do you feel about the 2025 Explorer ST? Would you have one or is there another performance SUV that tickles your pickle? Share your thoughts in the comments below!