2024 Ford Explorer ST Release Date, Models, Price – The Ford Explorer is designed for busy families, which means enough space for outdoor gear, shopping bags, and additional friends and family. The three-row SUV competes against the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Kia Telluride in the family SUV segment.
Redesign
For the 2024 model year, a more economical ST-Line version is available for $45,845, which pairs the less powerful 2.3-liter turbo-4 engine with the remainder of the sporty ST package. The ST is now available with rear-wheel drive as well as all-wheel drive. For the Explorer’s most luxurious King Ranch and Platinum trim levels, Ford gives them the 400-hp turbo V-6 from the ST, up from a 365-hp version already there.
Its diverse lineup of trims and powertrains caters to various family demands, from an austere minivan replacement to a decently capable off-road SUV to an intelligent, opulent car that feels like it might be badged with a premium brand. The Explorer is available in several trim levels: base, XLT, Limited, Timberline, ST, King Ranch, and Platinum. Most Explorers on the market will be equipped with a 2.3-liter turbo-4 engine producing 300 horsepower and mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. If you buy an Explorer, you’ll get rear-wheel drive as standard, but you can get all-wheel drive as an add-on.
Interior
The Explorer’s length and width increased with its most recent facelift. However, it is still smaller than rivals from Honda, Kia, and Subaru, let alone the new Jeep Grand Cherokee L. Compared to any of these competitors, it falls short in third-row comfort. Despite this, the Explorer earns an 8 for comfort in all categories, save the third row, because of its spacious seating for five, excellent cargo adaptability, and exceptionally plush front row accommodations. The only other criticism is that the second-row arrangement is somewhat bulky—so consider how frequently you might need to shift them.
The Explorer’s refinement is its strength compared to the majority of other models; it has a quieter cabin and a more comfortable ride than the majority of other models. Additionally, all fabrics and trims are well-fitting and finished. The Explorer’s front seats and dash feel low compared to other SUVs, but outward visibility is excellent. Whether you choose cloth or leather seats, you can count on them to provide adequate support for all-day driving. The popular XLT versions now have heated seats with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a 4-way adjustable passenger seat.
Engine
The Explorer lineup is powered by a 2.3-liter turbo-4 engine, stolen from the Mustang (the gasoline version) and many other Ford and Lincoln cars. This configuration produces 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque and works effectively and quickly with the 10-speed automatic transmission in conjunction with rear- or all-wheel drive. It’s the most confident and assured performer on the team.
The Explorer ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trim levels and Limited trim levels when optioned, all use a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 engine that produces 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque and theoretically provides significantly more performance. All-wheel drive is standard on the ST variant, which Ford claims can reach 143 mph and accelerates to 60 mph in less than six seconds. Nevertheless, in our experience, the ST may feel unexpectedly sluggish due to some clunky transmission delays.
The Explorer Hybrid, which is available in Limited and Platinum trim levels, combines a 3.3-liter V-6 engine with an electric motor and a small battery pack to produce 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque and travel a moderate distance, up to roughly 50 mph, with the gas engine turned off for a brief period. While the hybrid powertrain is the most efficient, achieving an EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined in rear-wheel-drive form, it is also unexpectedly unrefined, with juddery behavior at city speeds and a tendency to be smoothest when pushed hard—perhaps indicating that Ford tuned it for towing more than anything else.
Release Date and Price
The Explorer starts at $34,345 (plus a $1,245 destination charge) for the rear-wheel-drive base model. All-wheel drive adds approximately $2,000 to the price, depending on the trim level (standard on ST levels), and the most costly Explorer Platinum and King Ranch models start at nearly $55,000 and can reach nearly $60,000.
