Picture a seven-seat SUV that carries three kids, a week of groceries and a cooler, and still gets to 60 mph faster than plenty of sports sedans. That’s the Ford Explorer ST, and since 2020 it has been one of the most fun-to-drive three-row SUVs sold in America.
The Explorer ST pairs a twin-turbo 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (400 hp and 415 lb-ft in most states) with a sport-tuned suspension, bigger brakes and a blacked-out look. New ones start in the high $50,000s. Used examples now range from under $20,000 for a high-mileage 2020 to about $50,000 for a nearly new 2026.
This guide covers every model year from 2020 to 2027, the full spec sheet, how the ST differs from the cheaper ST-Line, what used ones cost right now, the recall every buyer should check, and the years worth buying. If you’re shopping for a Ford Explorer ST for sale, read the buying section before you sign anything.
New to the sixth-generation Explorer? Start with our Ford Explorer model hub for the full lineup.
What Is the Ford Explorer ST?
The Explorer ST is the performance trim of the sixth-generation Ford Explorer, developed by Ford Performance and launched for the 2020 model year. “ST” stands for Sport Technologies, the same badge Ford uses on the Focus ST and Edge ST. The Explorer ST is the quickest of them: Ford’s own 0-60 claim is about 5.5 seconds, and independent tests have recorded times in the low 5s.
What makes an Explorer ST different from a regular Explorer:
- Engine: a specially tuned twin-turbo 3.0L EcoBoost V6 with a 10-speed automatic
- Chassis: sport-tuned suspension and larger high-performance brakes
- Top speed: 143 mph (electronically limited)
- Looks: gloss-black grille and trim, quad exhaust tips, ST badges, a rear spoiler and 20- or 21-inch wheels
- Inside: sport seats with ST embroidery, a flat-bottom steering wheel and paddle shifters
The sixth-gen Explorer rides on a rear-wheel-drive-based platform. That’s a big reason the ST feels balanced rather than nose-heavy when you push it through a corner. The 2020 ST came with intelligent 4WD as standard. For 2021, Ford added a cheaper rear-drive Enthusiast ST, and from 2022 on, rear-wheel drive has been standard on every ST, with 4WD optional.
Explorer ST vs the Old Explorer Sport
Before the ST, Ford’s fast Explorer was the Explorer Sport (2013–2019), which used a 3.5L EcoBoost V6. If you’re comparing a used Ford Explorer Sport with an ST, the ST is the clear upgrade. It has a newer platform, more power, the 10-speed transmission and a far better chassis. The Sport is the budget pick for buyers who want turbo V6 punch for well under $20,000.
Ford Explorer ST Model Years: What Changed From 2020 to 2027
The ST has kept the same basic engine since launch, but the years differ more than most listings suggest. The 2022 changes (rear-drive option, ST-Line) and the 2025 refresh (new cabin tech) are the two big dividing lines.
| Model year | Key changes to the ST | What buyers should know |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Optional ST Sinister Package ($1,695): gloss-black 21-inch wheels, dark ST badges, amber daytime running lights. Panoramic Vista Roof returns. | 2026–2027 ST buyers get an invitation to Ford’s one-day Explorer ST Experience driving school. |
| 2026 | New Tremor trim (can also get the 3.0L V6); bench seat now available on the ST | Mid-2026 builds sold in CARB-emissions states are rated 385 hp (see below) |
| 2025 | Mid-cycle refresh: new nose, 13.2-inch landscape touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital cluster, Google-based Ford Digital Experience, available BlueCruise hands-free driving, new 21-inch Magnetite wheels, black roof option | Starting price rose to $56,800 with destination. Lineup trimmed to Active, ST-Line, ST and Platinum |
| 2024 | Carryover; final year of the original interior | MSRP about $52,105 (4WD). Last ST with the older screen layout |
| 2023 ford explorer st | Carryover, minor package shuffles | Same V6 and chassis as 2022 at a slightly higher used price |
| 2022 ford explorer st | Rear-wheel drive becomes standard (4WD optional); new ST-Line trim; the 400-hp V6 also goes into King Ranch and Platinum | Builds before April 2022 fall inside the rear axle bolt recall window |
| 2021 ford explorer st | Rear-drive Enthusiast ST added at a lower price | Inside the recall window |
| 2020 ford explorer st | Launch year: 400 hp, standard 4WD, launch price about $54,740 | Cheapest way into an ST, but it has the lowest CARFAX owner rating of any ST year (4.6 out of 5) and sits inside the recall window |
The 2026 Horsepower Change in CARB States
Starting with mid-2026 production, Ford added a gasoline particulate filter to the 3.0L EcoBoost to meet tighter emissions rules. In the 17 states (plus Washington, DC) that follow California Air Resources Board standards, the 2026 and 2027 Explorer ST is rated at 385 hp, while torque stays at 415 lb-ft. Every other state still gets the 400-hp version.
Those states are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, plus Washington, DC. You won’t feel 15 hp on a public road. Still, if you’re buying a late 2026 ST out of state, check the window sticker so you know which version you’re getting.
Ford Explorer ST Specs at a Glance
All numbers below are for the 3.0L EcoBoost ST. Where a figure changed by year, the table says so.
| Spec | Ford Explorer ST |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 |
| Horsepower | 400 hp @ 5,500 rpm (385 hp on mid-2026+ builds in CARB states) |
| Torque | 415 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters |
| Drivetrain | 4WD standard (2020); RWD standard, 4WD optional (2022 on) |
| 0-60 mph | 5.5 sec (Ford claim); about 5.2 sec in independent tests |
| Top speed | 143 mph (limited) |
| Towing | Up to 5,600 lb on 2020–2024 models with the Class III tow package; confirm the 2025+ rating in the owner’s manual |
| EPA fuel economy | 18 city / 24 hwy / 20 combined (4WD, most years); 2025+ RWD rated 18 / 25 / 21 |
| Fuel tank | 20.2 gallons |
| Curb weight | About 4,700 lb (4WD) |
| Length / wheelbase | 198.8 in / 119.1 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.3 in |
| Seating | 6 with second-row captain’s chairs; 7 with the bench (offered on the ST from 2026) |
| Cargo space | 18.2 cu ft behind the third row; up to about 86–88 cu ft with both rows folded |
You can compare these numbers against any other SUV on the EPA’s official fuel economy site. In real driving, ST owners commonly report high teens in town and mid-20s on a steady highway cruise. Ford rates the engine on premium fuel; regular works, but you give up some of the rated power.
Explorer ST vs Ford Explorer ST-Line: Don’t Mix Them Up
The ST-Line looks like an ST but drives like a regular Explorer. It arrived for 2022 as a styling trim: blacked-out exterior, sporty wheels, red stitching, ST-style badging. Underneath, it uses the standard 2.3L four-cylinder.
This matters most when you shop used, because some listings blur the two. A 2022 Ford Explorer ST-Line or 2023 Ford Explorer ST-Line can look almost identical to an ST in photos, yet it is down 100 hp.
| Explorer ST | Explorer ST-Line | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L twin-turbo V6 | 2.3L turbo 4-cylinder |
| Power | 400 hp / 415 lb-ft | 300 hp / 310 lb-ft |
| Suspension and brakes | Sport-tuned suspension, high-performance brakes | Standard Explorer hardware (2025+ ST-Line Street Pack adds 21-inch wheels, upgraded brakes and red calipers) |
| Highway fuel economy | About 24–25 mpg | Up to 28–29 mpg |
| New price (2025) | From $56,800 | From $45,980 |
| Model years | 2020 to present | 2022 to present |
How to tell them apart in 10 seconds: look at the window sticker or the engine line in the listing (3.0L vs 2.3L). On the car itself, the tailgate badge reads “ST” alone, not “ST-Line.” The VIN also tells you, since the eighth character identifies the engine. If a seller can’t confirm the engine, walk away from that listing.
Which should you buy? If you want the ST look, better fuel economy and a lower payment, the ST-Line is a sensible family SUV. If you want the shove-you-into-the-seat acceleration that made the Explorer ST famous, only the real ST delivers it.
Buying a Used Ford Explorer ST: Prices, Best Years and What to Check
The used market is healthy. In early November 2026, CARFAX listed about 2,700 Explorer STs nationwide and CarGurus showed around 3,000 ST 4WD listings, so you have room to be picky.
What a Used Explorer ST Costs Right Now
These ranges come from dealer asking prices on major US listing sites in November 2026. Mileage moves the price more than anything else, so use the mileage column to place a car within its range.
| Model year | Typical asking price | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $49,000–$51,500 | Under 10,000 mi |
| 2025 | $38,000–$49,000 | 8,000–50,000 mi |
| 2024 | $39,000–$42,500 | 25,000–52,000 mi |
| 2023 | $28,000–$39,500 | 30,000–92,000 mi |
| 2022 | $25,000–$36,000 | 34,000–94,000 mi |
| 2021 | $23,000–$34,000 | 36,000–122,000 mi |
| 2020 | $18,000–$29,000 | 53,000–139,000 mi |
The bargain end of the market is a 2020 or 2021 with six-figure miles. The value sweet spot is a 2022 Ford Explorer ST for sale with 40,000–60,000 miles, which usually lists in the low $30,000s, roughly $25,000 below what a new one costs.
Best Years to Buy
- Best overall value: 2022–2024. You get the rear-drive option, the full 400 hp, and builds from mid-2022 onward sit outside the rear axle recall window.
- Best for tech: 2025–2026. The bigger screen, Google-based navigation and BlueCruise are a real upgrade. Prices on lightly used 2025s are already well below new.
- Best on a budget: 2020–2021. These are fine if the recall work is documented and the service history is complete. Otherwise, keep looking.
The Recall Every Buyer Must Check
Ford recalled certain 2020–2022 Explorers, including the ST, because the rear axle’s horizontal mounting bolt can fracture under hard acceleration. Ford issued a first recall in April 2022 and a second one in 2023 covering about 238,000 vehicles. In a worst case, the driveshaft can disconnect, causing a loss of drive power or a rollaway risk in Park. Warning signs include clunking or banging from the rear when you accelerate.
The fix is free: dealers replace the rear axle bolt and the subframe bushing and inspect the axle cover. Before you buy any 2020–2022 Explorer ST, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup and ask for paperwork showing the work was done. Our Ford recall guide explains how to read the results.
Used Explorer ST Inspection Checklist
- Confirm it’s a real ST. The listing, window sticker or VIN should show the 3.0L V6, not the 2.3L.
- Run the VIN for open recalls and get the axle-bolt repair receipt on 2020–2022 models.
- Do a hard launch on the test drive. Any clunk or thump from the rear is a red flag.
- Check the tires. The 20- and 21-inch performance tires wear quickly and cost more to replace than regular SUV tires.
- Inspect the brakes. The ST’s bigger brakes work hard; look for grooved rotors and ask when pads were last changed.
- Ask about tunes and mods. The ST is popular with tuners. An aftermarket engine tune can cause warranty problems, so get the stock calibration details or skip the car.
- Test every screen function. A few owners report a glitchy or unresponsive infotainment screen. Make sure everything works before you sign.
- Read the service history. A turbo V6 needs regular oil changes. Gaps in the record are worth negotiating on, or walking away from.
For a deeper walkthrough of paperwork, test drives and negotiation, see our used Ford buying guide.
Finding a Ford Explorer ST for Sale Near Me
Start wide, then narrow down. Search national listing sites with the trim filter set to “ST” (not “ST-Line”), widen the radius to 200 miles, and sort by price-to-value badges. A Ford Certified Pre-Owned ST costs a little more but adds an extended powertrain warranty and an inspection, which takes much of the risk out of an older 2020 Ford Explorer ST for sale. Shipping a car one or two states over is often cheaper than overpaying locally.
Living With an Explorer ST: Ownership Costs and Maintenance
The ST costs more to run than a four-cylinder Explorer, but not dramatically so. The extra spending goes to fuel, tires and brakes, not to the engine itself.
- Fuel: expect about 20 mpg combined. Premium is recommended for full power, which adds noticeably to fuel costs at typical US price gaps between regular and premium.
- Tires: performance tires on 20- or 21-inch wheels often need replacing well before 40,000 miles if you use the power. Budget more than you would for an ordinary SUV set.
- Brakes: the larger ST brakes stop hard and cost more to service. Pads and rotors are the big-ticket wear item for drivers who enjoy the car.
- Oil changes: the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor sets the interval. Owners who drive hard or tow often change oil sooner, which is cheap insurance for two turbochargers.
- Insurance: quotes usually run higher than for a base Explorer because of the power and repair costs. Get a quote before you buy.
Our Ford maintenance guides break down service schedules in more detail.
Doing Your Own Work on a 2020–2024 Explorer ST
Many ST owners do their own brakes, fluid changes and basic repairs. The sixth-gen Explorer is reasonably DIY-friendly, but its electronics, torque specs and twin-turbo layout leave little room for guesswork. A factory-level service manual covers the exact torque values, wiring diagrams and step-by-step procedures, so you get the job right the first time.
Working on your 2020–2024 Explorer ST yourself? Get the complete repair, wiring and torque-spec reference.
Is the Ford Explorer ST Worth It?
For the right buyer, yes. The Explorer ST is one of the few three-row SUVs that is genuinely exciting to drive, and owners rate it highly: CARFAX reviews average 4.8 out of 5 across more than 900 owners. Few vehicles at this price combine 400 hp, rear-drive balance, 5,000-plus pounds of towing and room for six or seven people.
Buy one if: you need three rows but refuse to drive something dull, you tow a boat or small camper, or you want a sleeper that embarrasses sports sedans at stoplights.
Skip it if: fuel economy is a priority, you never use the power, or a softer ride matters more to you than sharp handling. In those cases, an ST-Line or a Platinum is the better buy.
Our pick: a 2022–2024 Explorer ST with 40,000–60,000 miles and documented service. It is the best balance of price, performance and risk. If you want the latest tech and BlueCruise, a lightly used 2025 is worth the extra money.
Ford Explorer ST FAQ
How much horsepower does the Ford Explorer ST have?
The Explorer ST’s 3.0L twin-turbo V6 makes 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Mid-2026 and newer builds sold in CARB-emissions states are rated at 385 hp because of a new particulate filter; torque is unchanged.
How fast is the Explorer ST from 0 to 60 mph?
Ford claims about 5.5 seconds, and independent tests have recorded times around 5.2 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 143 mph.
Is the Ford Explorer ST still made?
Yes. The ST continues for 2027, when Ford adds an optional ST Sinister Package with gloss-black 21-inch wheels, dark badges and amber running lights for $1,695.
What is the difference between the Explorer ST and the Ford Explorer ST-Line?
The ST has the 400-hp 3.0L V6, a sport suspension and bigger brakes. The ST-Line copies the sporty look but uses the 300-hp 2.3L four-cylinder and standard chassis hardware, and it costs about $10,000 less new.
How much does a used Ford Explorer ST cost?
As of November 2026, asking prices run from about $18,000 for a high-mileage 2020 to around $50,000 for a nearly new 2026. A 2022 with average miles typically lists in the low $30,000s.
What is the best year for the Explorer ST?
The 2022–2024 model years offer the best value: full power, an available rear-drive version, and later builds outside the rear axle bolt recall. Choose a 2025 or newer for the updated touchscreen and BlueCruise.
Is the 2020 Ford Explorer ST reliable?
The 2020 has the lowest owner rating of any ST year on CARFAX (4.6 out of 5) and is part of the rear axle bolt recall. A 2020 with the recall completed and a full service history can still be a smart budget buy.
How much can the Explorer ST tow?
Properly equipped 2020–2024 Explorer STs are rated to tow up to 5,600 pounds with the Class III trailer tow package. For 2025 and newer models, confirm the exact rating in the owner’s manual or on Ford’s spec sheet for that year.
