Our Thoughts Exactly: 2025 Ford Explorer ST

“Why was there a Ford Explorer ST on the karting course?”

That was the question came to mind when George and I took our laps on the autocross loop at the 2025 Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally. They had the 2025 Ford Explorer ST out on Road America’s four-plus mile road course the day before. 

Perhaps to prove a point. This is not just a sporty three-row SUV. It is a part of the Ford Performance family. 

Of course, we already had the mid-cycle refreshed 2025 Explorer in for a written review, along with a  video review. What more could we glean from this Rapid Red ST?

Let’s start with the idea of a performance Explorer. Granted, it is nothing new. The 2013 Explorer Sport came packed with an EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 that made it leap. In this generation, that performance model became the ST, serving up the same formula of a twin-turbo V6 and plenty of horsepower. 

While we reviewed a Platinum with the same 400-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6, the ST is a different kind of Explorer. At least, that serves as a reminder of what this specific vehicle is all about. 

Let’s get this out of the way. We had no intention on putting this Explorer ST on any racing venue. Not even another karting course. Most people will not track this SUV. Instead, it is about rocking the performance-oriented aesthetic and winding up the powerful motor underneath its hood. 

Admittedly, this is the first Explorer ST of this generation we worked with. It is the sexier offering of the four trim levels available for the updated 2025 model. The ST-Line model practically looks the same, except for what’s underneath its hood. Rental car customers will most likely take the Active model when they travel. 

And, no, this is not the undercover version of the Police Interceptor Utility – the public service variant of the Explorer. 

With that out of the way, the 2025 Explorer ST is the sportiest take on this popular SUV. At its most basic level, it looks like an updated Explorer. There are some specific cues that the ST takes from the Ford Performance team. 

For example, the grille has a tighter mesh-like design. You will find ST badges on the grille and the liftgate. The brakes get red painted caliper covers, too. The finishing touch is a set of 21-inch Magentite finished alloy wheels. It is sort of a daerk gray/black kind of finish. 

Stepping inside, the ST sports a combination of ActiveX leatherette and Miko inserts. Miko looks and feels like a cloth-ish, suede-ish, and/or Alcantara-ish material. They’re bolstered well and grip you in. Red stitching and ST logos appear where they need to be and are done tastefully. 

Everything else is what you expect in a high line Explorer. Captain’s chairs for the second row, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, the 13.2-inch Ford Digital Experience with Google Built-in, wireless smartphone mirroring, power folding third row seats, and so forth. 

It also shares the same power 400-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 as our prior Platinum tester. The difference is that it is the standard engine on the ST. A ten-speed automatic transmission sent power to all four wheels. 

Now that we got the 2025 Explorer ST’s basic information out of the way, perhaps we should talk about the experience of driving this performance-oriented SUV. Instead of answering “how does it drive,” we should enjoy this the best way possible – stretching out its tires and take it away from the usual driving loop. 

For context, the 2025 Explorer ST arrived the week of a national holiday. I decided to take some time off from my “day job” to do some driving to celebrate. There were two trips on the agenda – both within two-to-three hours from home. 

My first drive was a day trip towards La Crosse, Wisconsin. It was a decision made by a construction mess at the junction of Interstate 90 and US Highway 52. I pointed to two locations that Google’s AI and Apple Maps pointed me to. One, was a Queer owned coffeehouse just southeast of downtown La Crosse past Viterbo University. The vibe and the drinks were wonderful. The other was a Hmong restaurant just east of downtown. I was craving Hmong sausage. They did not disappoint. It was definitely great! 

The other drive was up to a party on the national holiday up in Pine County, Minnesota. This would expose the 2025 Explorer ST on a mix of interstate highway and rural roads. It did fine on paved and gravel surfaces. It was a very uneventful outing – expect for a spot of construction up in Hinkley and three lanes buckling from the heat on southbound Interstate 35 north of the split to The Cities. All of which resulted in heavier than usual traffic backups. 

Considering the miles put upon it, the Explorer ST did fine on smoother pieces of tarmac. The rougher spots emitted some noise and nominal vibration. Handling was also fine, especially on the bluffs section of Interstate 90 west of the Mississippi River. 

These drives presented a good opportunity to use Blue Cruise. After a few stints with the hands-free driver assistance technology, I began to understand the ins and outs of this feature. You have to work with the traffic and some changes in the road, but it is truly an effective way to “relax” while gobbling up miles of Interstate highways. However, you must be able to take the wheel at a millisecond’s notice. 

One flaw we found was the way it did not want to do a lane change. Granted, the conditions must be right to do so. However, if you feel you can do so quickly, the system will not let you as intended. You have to take the wheel to make a lane change with some resistance from the system. 

As for fuel economy in my care, I returned 20.9 MPG with all the traversing during the national holiday week. 

Since we reviewed the 2025 Explorer Platinum, prices have gone up, now starting at $40,050. This ST tester came with a sticker price of $61,290.  

After seeing this at Road America over a month ago, my first concern with the 2025 Explorer ST was its size and how it manages to continue to drive after a heavy stint on thre track and autocross. My thoughts were confirmed that this vehicle is better suited away from any motorsports venue. 

Instead, the 2025 Explorer ST belongs on the highway and around town. Especially when it is equipped with performance-type tires. When it was put through its paces, the 2025 Explorer ST did what it was asked to do. 

Sure, it’s a cool version of Ford’s three-row SUV. Whether it is for you is another consideration to make. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by the Ford Motor Company – our opinions are of our own

All photos by Randy Stern