EXPLORER ST
Ford’s quick and brawny
Forty years on, the Explorer and the F-150 are the kingpins in the foundation upon which Ford has been built.
Introduced in 1980 as a 1981 model, the mid-size Explorer with its four doors and rear liftgate was designed as the replacement for the aging, two-door Bronco II as one of the first in the “E” line of SUVs slotted in between the compact Edge and full-size Expedition.
The design also morphed into the Lincoln Aviator, now discontinued Mercury Mountaineer and the name was also used on the intermediate Explorer Sport Trac pickup, and there continues to this day to be Interceptor special police service vehicles based on the Explorer.
The current, sixth generation Explorer debuted in 2019 as a 2020 model at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit with a choice of a 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder (300 hp, 310 lb/ft) or 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 (365 hp, 380 lb/ ft) with the then new 10-speed automatic transmission.
At the press debut, Ford also promised a higher performance ST model was in the works and it has now arrived.
The ST is an outgrowth of the Ford
Performance division that, like Audi S-Line or BMW M Power, is dedicated to the creation of top performance vehicles ranging from compact cars to trucks.
To create the Explorer ST, the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 is increased in power to 400 hp and 415 lb/ft of torque with a quicker shifting 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with selectable traction control.
Optional, and highly recommended due to the power of the drivetrain, is the ST Street Pack ($1,500) that come with 21inch aluminum wheels and performance brakes. These feature larger vented rotors, red-painted brake calipers with stainless steel pistons, and larger brake pads for even better stopping power.
With a top speed of 215 km/h, the Explorer ST puts a number of performance cars to shame, but it doesn’t end there.
The drive has a Sport mode which uses a selectable driver dial on the centre console that firms up steering response and while the gas pedal reacts more aggressively, gears hold longer and shift quicker and there’s a guttural growl from the exhaust.
There is a standard 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster with flat-bottomed, heated steering wheel embossed with an ST logo.
Other interior touches include unique floor mats, leather sport bucket seats with micro-perforation, City Silver accent stitching and ST logo.
ST clues on the exterior include black mesh grille treatment, “EXPLORER” badging across the front of the hood and you can’t miss the bright, quad exhaust tips at the rear.
Of course, a SUV is also about utility and the Explorer ST comes standard with a Class III Trailer Tow Package with Cargo Management System and Active Park Assist 2.0.
The parking assist is a new driverassist parking system that takes control of the steering wheel, gas pedal, brake pedal and gear shifter during parallel and perpendicular parking maneuvers with a simple touch of a button.
In terms of cargo, there is 1,131 litres of space behind the front seat.
With its blacked-out 21-inch alloy wheels and trim, the ST looks like it means business just standing still.
Step inside and press the starter button, and the engine swings into life with a grunt, which you know means there’s a lot of torque waiting to be used.
The vertical centre stack-mounted screen with Ford’s latest SYNC3 infotainment system dominates the instrument panel. Because there’s a lot going on with the display it is not that intuitive, but you get the hang of it with practise.
On the highway, the ST doesn’t feel as big and heavy as it is in real life and you can fling it around if needed, but there’s really no reason to do so.
As for straight line speed, few in its segment can keep up. But you must keep a wary eye on the speedo, as this truck is so high off the ground and noise intrusion so small that you will find yourself over the limit and not know it.
When you compare pricing against some of its German high-performance SUV competitors, the ST as tested here is an absolute bargain, starting at $59,099 and topping out at $66,499 including the $1,500 Street Pack and $1,850 destination fee.
I also noticed several other ST models on the roads around me, so the word is getting out about all the ST has to offer.
The brand has a slogan “Built Ford Tough” and the 2020 Explorer ST is just about as tough as they come.