The Ford Explorer dominates the three-row SUV market in the US. It has the name. It has the engines. And it has a massive price range.
For 2025 and heading into 2026 the lineup has been streamlined. Six trims total. A gap of more than $10000 between the base model and the top end. That’s a lot of money to gamble on door handles and badge engineering.
Which one is actually worth it?
The ST-Line Hits the Sweet Spot
Start at $40955 for the base Active. You’ll get the essentials. You’ll also get boring wheels. Skip it.
Move up to the ST-Line. $46850 starts the price tag. It’s $6000 more. Worth it. The 20-inch black wheels look aggressive. There’s a black grille. Black cladding. Darker taillights. Inside it’s synthetic black leather with cloth inserts and red stitching. It looks like you actually drive this thing rather than just park it in the garage.
Tech wins here too. The base model has six speakers. The ST-Line gives you ten via Bang & Olufsen. There’s a 360-degree camera system with a split view. You can add Ford’s BlueCruise for hands-free highway driving. The base model? Left out in the cold.
“Sporty appearance isn’t just a badge—it’s a statement that you don’t hate your own vehicle.”
Power and Price Tags
The ST-Line only gets the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. 300 hp. 310 lb-ft of torque. It’s peppy. It’s adequate. It’s the only choice here.
Want real speed? Ford does something weird and wonderful in this segment. They offer a 3.0-liter twin-scroll V6. It puts out 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. This engine is reserved for the ST trim and the new Tremor. The ST makes this SUV hit 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. It is one of the fastest family haulers on the road.
There is a catch regarding drive wheels. Most Explorers send power to the rear. You pay extra for all-wheel drive unless you buy the Tremor. If snow exists where you live buy AWD. Period.
For the ST-Line owners AWD is part of the “ST-Line Street Pack” package. You also get 21-inch gray wheels with red brake calipers if you choose it. The pack costs $3450 total. It’s not cheap but you can’t just buy AWD alone.
Should You Upgrade?
The base ST-Line at $46850 is great but there are three other things I’d spend money on:
* Premium package ($1350). Memory seats. Heated rear seats. Ambient lighting. An 110v outlet so you can charge a laptop. Rain-sensing wipers. Do the math.
* BlueCruise ($2495). Hands-free driving is nice on long trips.
* Fixed panoramic roof ($1695). Adds light. Doesn’t open. Good compromise.
Go Off-Road or Go Premium
The Tremor arrived in 2026. Starts at $51155. It sits higher. 8.7 inches of clearance thanks to a 1-inch lift and 18-inch all-terrain tires. Orange accents everywhere. It looks tough. Inside it actually delivers. Heated and ventilated front seats come standard. Heated rear seats too. Better than the ST-Line in terms of comfort tech.
There is a monster option called the Tremor Ultimate package. Add $11850 to the Tremor price. You get the V6 engine. A 14-speaker sound system. Massaging seats. Power-folding third row. Rain-sensing wipers again. BlueCruise.
It’s overkill? Probably. But some people want the whole package.
If you don’t care about dirt roads look at the Platinum. $52660. Quilted leather. Chrome trim. No V6. Just luxury. Then there is the ST. $56600. That 400-hp heart beating behind a sporty exterior. It’s the back-road missile mentioned in the brochures.
The Explorer works. It hauls families. It carries gear. It goes fast. You just have to pick your poison. A base Active with cloth seats and a slow engine. Or an ST-Line with leather and audio upgrades.
Or just spend the cash and buy the ST. What would you regret more five years from now: The price sticker? Or the boring ride?
The trim charts keep getting complex. Ford seems to think more packages equals better sales. Maybe they do. I’d just take the ST-Line and stop adding things you won’t use.
Or buy the V6 and stop pretending this is a grocery getter.
Which path feels right for you? The streets or the highway? Or just somewhere in between?
