ive had my ST for about 5 months now. Definitely my favorite after owning 3 previous explorers. Packed with response and power for sure. Sport mode in conjunction with the manual paddle shifters make this model a speed demon for sure. GREAT JOB FORD !!
I'm not lying I'm a four sigmatic I love the Shelby collection of the F-150 Super Snake Saleen F-150 Jack Roush F 150 nitemare you're great with this vehicle here Publix on winter these guys giving us a great summary on this
I'm putting this up against a F-150 because I can substitute a small utility trailer for a bed when needed. I like it better than the Honda Passport, etc. because of the rear drive, added power and weight would seem to make it a more competent tow vehicle. And the blue is quite sweet.
I live in maine I like the fwd awd setup for stability. I think the only reason they used the rwd is because GM'S incompetence in not delivering with their part fwd 10speed. hopefully ford if they want to team up with anyone they team up with Toyota/aisin. lol but I'll love to get this even with the red. even though I'd love a heavier duty fwd 10speed
matthew williams You should allow yourself a threat, road test an all wheel drive propulsion chassis in the snow and ice and you’ll appreciate the handling advantage of this chassis over any traction set up !,
@@silverbullet6084 they have some pretty significant differences. there is way much more chrome on the platinum, while the ST is more blacked out. It just looks sportier, but of course its a subjective thing. Also, you can option the smaller screen on the ST which looks significantly better than the larger screens
So we just picked up our 2020 explorer ST last week and let me tell you, this car is unbelievable. I was actually going to buy out our lease end 2017 explorer but decided to lease again and wow, really happy we did. The power and drive is almost 10x better, I love the 4 pipe exhaust and just the aggressiveness of the car. The engine, the look, the sound and the performance are all top notch. It’s our family SUV so the increased room for passengers was a big plus. The ST street pack and technology package were a great choice. I really can’t get enough of driving this car, it’s really the mustang of SUVs. Only downsides compared to our 2017 is less trunk as noted in the video and i noticed getting into the driver seat I have less headroom in getting through the door, not a big deal but I have to crouch a little more to get in. If you are on the fence on getting the ST, I highly recommend.
Always excellent and informative video, as usual! Just a small suggestion, your vehicle and wheelbase length comparison scale should have numerical inch indicators. That would allow for quick specific info comparisons. Cheers!
Just a short note of appreciation to you my man, your reviews are definitely worth seeing, you don't treat your viewers like they're dolts or hooligans on the road. You're informative and specific in regards to the vehicles you're reviewing. Mucho appreciated especially are your comparisons with other models in the segment. Glad to be a subscriber.
Thanks Alex! Great review!! Finally someone who got it right and compared this to the Durango RT, as well as making those comparisons to the Germans. Sounds like a suitable replacement for my 2011 Durango Hemi Crewlux. Note that by the time you option out a Durango RT (tech package, tow package) to equal the Explorer ST, the prices are very close. The Explorer also brings a surround view camera and pedestrian monitoring that the Durango lacks. I also was happy to learn that you can get 4-way lumbar, although it looks like you need the optional tech package (with the portrait screen) for that. Given that the ST is estimated to be 20% of the mix (according to the order guide), I think that markups will be relatively short-lived. At least I hope so. :)
You could also just get an Aviator, which has the same power and a lower base price. Starts as RWD instead of AWD so that could be a plus or a minus, depending on your preferences.
Possibly the best video I’ve ever watched on RUclips, the details and knowledge of the brand will definitely help me make the most informed decision. Thank you 🎉
I disagree. Firstly because of the extra weight. This is close to 50:50 distribution. Secondly because it spoils the fun to have so much power that you simply cannot exploit. You just can’t rev it out most of the time. I had. 2017 Mustang GT. I was incredible. It was also incredibly frustrating. You just couldn’t wring it out on the road without losing you license. Totally spoiled the fun. A Miata that I could rev to the line would have been much better. And that’s why 400hp in this is perfect. It doesn’t need any more. More is not always better. Just my view....
Nice job you show this vehicle perfect I'll watch any of your videos. And I'm hard to impress. You sold me I've spent 120k with Ford in the last 3 years looks like it's going to be 180k in the last 5 years. Just ordered my new 2020 st explorer last week... should have it in 6 to 8 weeks I'll post a vid when I get it mama gunna love her new ride when it gets done being built.
People will generally swap the intercoolers on their EcoBoost engines and tune the turbos for higher PSI for big gains for not a lot of money. Luckily, the aluminum blocks are pretty solid in the Gen3+ EcoBoost engines.
The 2020 Platinum with a tune would be the real sleeper. Has the same engine with a lower horse power ECU tune, so theoretically has the same overall potential with a tune. Without all the “Ford Performance” tuning and blacked out trim it would be much less conspicuous.
I totally agree about the tow hitch receiver being uncovered....some of the vehicles with cheap plastic covers (Escalade, Tahoe, etc.) look awful. A tow hitch is a beautiful thing! Be proud of it.
Excellent job by Ford. Amazing engine under the hood, 400 HP 🤟😋!! and the interiors with very nice gadgets i Thanks Alex for your excellent job. Greetings from Chile 🇨🇱
If one can afford a ST, it's hard to beat the packaging. 0-60 5.1 sec, seating for 6 or lots of cargo room, great handling, and can tow 5600 lbs. That's hard to beat for between $50-60k. Makes me curious what an Aviator hyrbrid will do with 450 hp and 600 lb-ft.
@@heartcomedy5 Explorer is 198.8 inches long, Aviator is 199.3...so only a half inch difference in length. Explorer AWD weighs 4345 lbs, Aviator GT is 5678 lbs, non-GT AWD is 4897 lbs. So they are basically identical in size, but yeah the Aviator is heavier...especially the hybrid GT.
Just test drove one. Extremely impressed. Great ride and steering, nice materials and controls, the large Navi screen looks absolutely fine in real life and is no concern and the power is ridiculous!! Like Alex says, it’s kind of a discount BMW. That’s now nicely it drives. It is now at the top of my list.
Thank you for the time you spent on the very detailed reviews. By far the best on RUclips. Think you have convinced me to start shopping for this model of Explorer.
Got mine today in Magnetic grey with tech pack, street pack and dual panel moon roof. It’s absolutely gorgeous in the flesh, it drives fantastic and that tablet? I’m used to it in 10 mins. Looks great in real life. The ride is perfect.
@@dcarts5616 come on bro u cant compare a luxury suv to having kids plus people having been living beyond there means since the dawn of time and still have kids u only have 1 life enjoy it!😁
Alex, I have to say that I'm impressed with the overall features and performance you've described with this review. While I really love my current RX350, I do NOT like the front wheel drive. Looking forward to your full review of this model later on.
Well done Ford. Finally, an Explorer that's not a penalty box. It took 9 years just to catch the JGC/Durango. But it may be short-lived, given that the Grand Cherokee will be moving to the highly-flexible Giorgio II platform and will receive the new 3.5L I-6 twin-turbo engine. That said, I do like this Explorer. The ST is so more my speed, and is an excellent family hauler. It is interesting that tow rating is so low at 5600 pounds. And I wish Ford would have stolen a couple of Lincoln interior designers because this looks dated already.
What a great in depth review. I'm calling my Ford guy this week to order an ST. Thank you for you no-nonsense and honest review. FYI, after July the ST will be coming out with a more aggressive sounding exhaust.
I ordered mine (Agate Black) on 4/30/2019. It's been in production for a bout two weeks and will probably be delivered in early August. It has the Track Pack and Moon Roofs. I can't wait.
Alex is always on point with product info. Most might not know but the 5.7 hemi in the Durango is easily upgradeable in power. From exhaust headers to superchargers can be put on this motor, if you desire it.
After driving a Chrysler 300 AWD (rental on a business trip) in the rain and mashing the pedal at the stop light once it turned green, I’m a huge fan of all wheel drive. That thing was fun and was VERY helpful in heavy traffic when it’s raining and you need to pull out into traffic and get moving fast!
The BMW might be more luxurious and have better fit and finishes, but it will break down more frequently, parts will be more expensive, service availability will not be as convenient or easy to find, it will cost more to insure, and it will depreciate faster. BMW should put a depreciation gauge on the dashboard right next to the tach. It would have to be something like a calendar / odometer combo gauge, with a dollar figure overlay, so you could see how much value your new BMW is losing with every passing mile, and every passing day. This gauge would run continually in the background, so that when you get into the vehicle after a prolonged absence, it would be able to tell you exactly how much less it is worth since the last time you drove it. I would also suggest that they include a Doomsday / Sunset feature with the depreciation gauge. This feature would activate when the car has achieved maximum worthlessness, which can be described as the point where it would make more sense financially to have it crushed and made into a coffee table, than it would to replace the carbon ceramic brakes.
I was expecting nothing from this, so maybe that's why I'm surprised. Good to see Ford understanding that their interiors sucked and did something about it, especially with the instrument panel.
That portrait style screen looks terrible in my opinion 🥴 Loved the ones already built into the car, or at least one that was horizontal to give it a cleaner look
GARRETT Colby the engine bay is not quite big enough for the 5.0 coyote v8 and the engine cooling system as well but I still see your point though a v8 would have been nice a 4.0 V8 built just like the 5.0 V8 might fit though and added a supercharger to the 4.0L V8 making 500 Hp and 450 TQ.
Finally someone who knows how to give a proper review, Nicely done and look he’s not comparing it to the Ford Fiesta or the Ford Focus ST because Of badging, It’s a SUV and should be only compared to other SUV!, This vehicle would be perfect for those large families with five kids and they can trailer the rest 😂😂😂😂, Cool I like the split screen, I did notice the steering wheel from the Explore should also go into the Ford Edge ST because the steering wheel was too small for the Edge ST, Why didn’t they have the option for a V8 for those old school boys? Excellent review nicely done! 😎🏁
The Ford website says only the low beams headlights are LED, but the high beams are halogen. Is that possibly true, on a $60k vehicle?! Btw, you're the best on RUclips, keep it up! Thanks for all the hard work you put in!
once again, thanks a lot Alex for these comprehensive reviews, you are the best wen it comes to professionally reviewing cars and I always take your opinion seriously when buying a car. keep up the great job.
Good driving demonstration of the Ford Explorer ST. I think this is Ford's first time ever making a performance model for the Explorer. Looks great! Good nice n comfy features. The gripe about this vehicle is found in the interior. The infotainment screen has to go. The size of the infotainment screen is nice at 10 inches, but the placement of it wasn't well executed. It looks like it was tacked on at the last minute via glue or duck tape. The rival competitors have their infotainment screens with some uniformity on the dashboard. That's how it should be. The way it is right now it protrudes too much and could be a slight distraction while driving. Maybe for the 2021 model year or the 2022 model year Explorer, Ford might improve the placement for the infotainment screen so that it'll be a lot more seamless on the dashboard. The overall performance for the Ford Explorer ST is good, but not good enough when compared to the performance model vehicles by the rival competitors. It's no where close to be considered "A Mustang SUV" from a performance standpoint. It's getting there, but not there yet. The rival competitors such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, Dodge Durango SRT, BMW X5M, Mercedes Benz GLE AMG 63 and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo would make minced meat/mop up the floor against the Ford Explorer ST. The Explorer ST would be wiped off the face of the earth against those vehicles. The Explorer ST would definitely match up well against the same branding vehicles that has performance numbers one tier lower from the vehicle models mentioned earlier. Now that the Explorer has a performance model line, what Ford can do in a year or two is have another performance line for the Explorer which will make it two performance lines. If they have intentions on having second performance line for the Explorer, what they can do this time is drop in a V8 engine and that's when it'll be considered "A Mustang SUV". Drop in the 5.2 liter V8 engine that's from the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 which produces 526 horsepower. That would be impressive for sure. If Ford wants to be greedy or wants the Explorer to get even more attention, they can have a third performance line for the Explorer. If so they can drop in the V8 engine from the 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 which produces an even 700 horsepower or from the upcoming 2020 GT500 which will produce a WHOPPING 760 horsepower. That would be eye popping/mind blowing for sure. Well, let's see what happens in the coming years.
If this is any idication on the CD6 platform that will be used in more Ford products, I'm excited about the increased driving dynamics and more excited about the (out of my price range) Aviator.
Looks nice but need to pay down my tuned 17 sport a little more for the upgrade lol. Well not an upgrade for power, my sport tuned is doing about 500hp and 0-60 in 4.7sec.
I’ve driven an ST Explorer and truthfully, it’s hard for me to sacrifice the great driving experience for the more luxurious interior bits in the Platinum.
Almost 300K subs!!! Great!!! Small suggestion: displaying cargo bag information as “2/10” makes it seem like a low score (2 out of 10) rather than seats up/down count. I suggest something like “2,10” instead.
good review and I bought one. However he did not mention about the storage under the rear floor behind the 3rd row seat which increases cargo room as the cover can opened and lowered to the bottom
Can you do an in-depth video on the all digital gauges ? No one has covered it yet , and I would love to see all the options and customizations you could do. For example, I would love a more plain normal mode without the blue everywhere. Unsure what customization is available.
As an Atlas owner, I like this SUV a lot. Perhaps when we're ready to replace our Atlas, unless VW comes up with a performance version of the Atlas, I would consider this as a serious option.
@@JeffGalner we have the SEL-Premium model (top of the line) with the optional black 20'' Mejora wheels. It handles better than most 3-row crossovers. Has all the creature comforts and safety features. I personally like the looks but some people think it's boring. I paid $47.5k a year ago. It could use more power but it's not a dealbreaker. It could use more soft-touch plastics throughout, but again, not a dealbreaker. We're averaging about 16-18mpg which isn't great. But overall, we love the vehicle for its massive cargo space, which was critical as we have two babies under two years old. My wife isn't in love with it because the car is so big and it can be floaty at times. She prefers smaller vehicles, so when our kids are older and we don't need as much space, we'll most likely downsize. Overall, I like it for what we needed. A year ago, we didn't have as many options for 3-row crossovers, but now, there's the new Explorer, Telluride, and Palisade so that's exciting.
@@davepaek5014 Awesome, thank you. Those were my impressions of it, too. I think VW needed to skimp in some areas (power, interior materials) to not cannibalize Q7 sales. For your situation (and mine - a 5 year old and an infant), the Q7 was not very helpful. It drove like a dream, but without even putting my kids in it, I knew it would be a giant headache to live with. I'm looking to minimize headaches in my life! It was designed for driving, not using as a family. The Atlas appears to be just the opposite, to an extent. Even with the apparent lack of power, I was so pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable it was drive (although not as nice/powerful as Q7, but also $25k cheaper), and the interior passenger and cargo space is tough to beat, especially for rear-facing car seats that take up miles of room. The virtual cockpit and sunroof are straight Audi, which is awesome, and build quality appears to be very par-for-the-German-course, which is awesome, too. I think I'm going to look at the new Explorer, the Aviator, and the Palisade, but as of now, they all need to knock the Atlas off its leader's perch. Cheers!
@@JeffGalner I'm a VW guy, so I'm slightly biased. Our other daily driver is the 2018 Golf AllTrack. But for right now, for our long-distance family trips, we can stuff the Atlas with two high chairs, two pack n plays, a baby walker, baby related bags, all of our bags and more, easily into the cargo area of the Atlas. It swallows so much stuff without much fuss. Sure, Q7 drives better. In fact, my brother-in-law owns one and he's always envious of how much cargo space we have over his. I'm okay with not having the refined and powerful engine in the Atlas. After all, it's a family car and not for my daily commute. If I've learned anything as an adult, is that no one cares how fast you drive when you have passengers, especially the little ones.
All I care is that someone other than dodge is bringing RWD back to the mainstream might trade in my old Mazda Tribute for this explorer Ford really put a lot of effort this generation
Sounds like the Explorer ST would definitely beat the Durango SRT on a track. Two tenths of a second difference is hardly noticeable when driving on the street. I would pick the Explorer ST over the SRT Durango for its better driving dynamics.
How about a drag race with the durango and explorer pulling a 7500 pound trailer..... Oh wait - the explorer cant pull 5700 pounds!! (even a V6 durango is over 6000#). Explorer looks good. But not sure I have ever understood an SUV with 2WD.
All well-equipped, full-sized SUVs are expensive - especially performance models that have 400 horsepower. Things like panoramic sunroofs, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, rear view cameras, blind spot warning systems, cross traffic alert, digital dashboard displays, dual-zone automatic climate control, touch-screen infotainment systems, Apple Car Play/Android Auto compatibility, 12-way adjustable seats with bolsters and built-in heating/cooling and massage functions, high-quality stitched leather, Bang and Olufsen 14-speaker sound systems, acoustic glass, 21-inch aluminum wheels, performance brakes, and twin turbochargers tend to add a few dollars to the price tag.
Maybe someday Ford/Lincoln will change the MKZ & Continental to RWD, since they're both offered with the 400 hp 3.0L engine. A performance oriented Lincoln?!
Durango RT is about $10-15k less than this... And is naturally aspirated. Durango 5.7 tows about a ton more than this. While I'm impressed Ford actually made one of these it's just not cost effective for me out of the gate and I'll be sticking with my Durango!
I’m looking at 2020 STs and all of them have the blue cluster. But, the cluster in this video is black/grey and looks awesome. Cool animations too. But, I’m not seeing that color scheme in any of the galleries for ANY of the listings I’m looking at-they are ALL blue. Can you change the color scheme?
ive had my ST for about 5 months now. Definitely my favorite after owning 3 previous explorers. Packed with response and power for sure. Sport mode in conjunction with the manual paddle shifters make this model a speed demon for sure. GREAT JOB FORD !!
Not going to lie. I’m digging this SUV hard. I really like it.
Agreed... it took me a few weeks but I just like it more and more.
Very nice SUV! Well done FORD!
I'm not lying I'm a four sigmatic I love the Shelby collection of the F-150 Super Snake Saleen F-150 Jack Roush F 150 nitemare you're great with this vehicle here Publix on winter these guys giving us a great summary on this
that blue color?? damn
I'm putting this up against a F-150 because I can substitute a small utility trailer for a bed when needed.
I like it better than the Honda Passport, etc. because of the rear drive, added power and weight would seem to make it a more competent tow vehicle. And the blue is quite sweet.
Finally, RWD layout is coming back to the mainstream. Very smart from Ford.
I live in maine I like the fwd awd setup for stability. I think the only reason they used the rwd is because GM'S incompetence in not delivering with their part fwd 10speed. hopefully ford if they want to team up with anyone they team up with Toyota/aisin. lol
but I'll love to get this even with the red. even though I'd love a heavier duty fwd 10speed
The st model is awd only
It's a shame it's so damn ugly
هنا ينتهي المطاف
matthew williams You should allow yourself a threat, road test an all wheel drive propulsion chassis in the snow and ice and you’ll appreciate the handling advantage of this chassis over any traction set up !,
I bet no one in any dealer can provide you this much detail information! very professional and knowledgeable.
Great review! The ST looks way better than the Platinum.
They are identical except for the badging, I have a platinum, don’t know why it would look way better? Because of a ST badge?
@@silverbullet6084 well and all that platinum
@@silverbullet6084 they have some pretty significant differences. there is way much more chrome on the platinum, while the ST is more blacked out. It just looks sportier, but of course its a subjective thing. Also, you can option the smaller screen on the ST which looks significantly better than the larger screens
So we just picked up our 2020 explorer ST last week and let me tell you, this car is unbelievable. I was actually going to buy out our lease end 2017 explorer but decided to lease again and wow, really happy we did. The power and drive is almost 10x better, I love the 4 pipe exhaust and just the aggressiveness of the car. The engine, the look, the sound and the performance are all top notch. It’s our family SUV so the increased room for passengers was a big plus. The ST street pack and technology package were a great choice. I really can’t get enough of driving this car, it’s really the mustang of SUVs. Only downsides compared to our 2017 is less trunk as noted in the video and i noticed getting into the driver seat I have less headroom in getting through the door, not a big deal but I have to crouch a little more to get in. If you are on the fence on getting the ST, I highly recommend.
How much is the lease of the ST in ur area?
You did it once again thank u Alex for uploading such a detailed review, I love all your videos ...
Meh
I actually like the smaller infortainment screen than the bigger one.
Im with you there
Me too
Yeah it looks out of place.
I've had mine for about a week and I wish it came with the smaller one
I hate both but i prefer the smaller one but i still got the bigger one
Alex does a super job and clearly knows his stuff. Very well done.
Always excellent and informative video, as usual! Just a small suggestion, your vehicle and wheelbase length comparison scale should have numerical inch indicators. That would allow for quick specific info comparisons. Cheers!
I bought the 2020 Ford Explorer ST and I love it! One mode practically steers it self.
Just a short note of appreciation to you my man, your reviews are definitely worth seeing, you don't treat your viewers like they're dolts or hooligans on the road. You're informative and specific in regards to the vehicles you're reviewing. Mucho appreciated especially are your comparisons with other models in the segment. Glad to be a subscriber.
As always, and as expected, an outstanding review by Alex on Autos
Thanks Alex! Great review!!
Finally someone who got it right and compared this to the Durango RT, as well as making those comparisons to the Germans. Sounds like a suitable replacement for my 2011 Durango Hemi Crewlux. Note that by the time you option out a Durango RT (tech package, tow package) to equal the Explorer ST, the prices are very close. The Explorer also brings a surround view camera and pedestrian monitoring that the Durango lacks.
I also was happy to learn that you can get 4-way lumbar, although it looks like you need the optional tech package (with the portrait screen) for that.
Given that the ST is estimated to be 20% of the mix (according to the order guide), I think that markups will be relatively short-lived. At least I hope so. :)
You could also just get an Aviator, which has the same power and a lower base price. Starts as RWD instead of AWD so that could be a plus or a minus, depending on your preferences.
check again. these are far cheaper
@@gondorian1006 the platinum makes 35 less horsepower
Possibly the best video I’ve ever watched on RUclips, the details and knowledge of the brand will definitely help me make the most informed decision. Thank you 🎉
Such praise, especially from a Durango owner! The 760 hp, 5.2L supercharged V8 from the Mustang GT500 would make this even tastier.
Shelby Explorer Cobra. Let Shelby have fun with the platform. That would be interesting.
I disagree. Firstly because of the extra weight. This is close to 50:50 distribution. Secondly because it spoils the fun to have so much power that you simply cannot exploit. You just can’t rev it out most of the time. I had. 2017 Mustang GT. I was incredible. It was also incredibly frustrating. You just couldn’t wring it out on the road without losing you license. Totally spoiled the fun. A Miata that I could rev to the line would have been much better. And that’s why 400hp in this is perfect. It doesn’t need any more. More is not always better. Just my view....
Nice job you show this vehicle perfect I'll watch any of your videos. And I'm hard to impress. You sold me I've spent 120k with Ford in the last 3 years looks like it's going to be 180k in the last 5 years.
Just ordered my new 2020 st explorer last week... should have it in 6 to 8 weeks I'll post a vid when I get it mama gunna love her new ride when it gets done being built.
hmmmm the Ford Explorer ST with a tune sounds like a true sleeper
People will generally swap the intercoolers on their EcoBoost engines and tune the turbos for higher PSI for big gains for not a lot of money. Luckily, the aluminum blocks are pretty solid in the Gen3+ EcoBoost engines.
The 2020 Platinum with a tune would be the real sleeper. Has the same engine with a lower horse power ECU tune, so theoretically has the same overall potential with a tune. Without all the “Ford Performance” tuning and blacked out trim it would be much less conspicuous.
ruclips.net/video/4_dRbFG-aI0/видео.html
Geronimo Jenkins A saftey engineer at my work drives a 2020 Platnium and they are nice
Unless I'm mistaken, This motor beats the power output of the F-150 5 liter. And at lower revs! That is remarkable.
I totally agree about the tow hitch receiver being uncovered....some of the vehicles with cheap plastic covers (Escalade, Tahoe, etc.) look awful. A tow hitch is a beautiful thing! Be proud of it.
Excellent job by Ford. Amazing engine under the hood, 400 HP 🤟😋!! and the interiors with very nice gadgets i
Thanks Alex for your excellent job.
Greetings from Chile 🇨🇱
Alex, your videos are absolutely the best.
If one can afford a ST, it's hard to beat the packaging. 0-60 5.1 sec, seating for 6 or lots of cargo room, great handling, and can tow 5600 lbs. That's hard to beat for between $50-60k. Makes me curious what an Aviator hyrbrid will do with 450 hp and 600 lb-ft.
Brian Winkler, it’s a lot larger and heavier. Maybe 0-60 in 5.5seconds but tows 8500lbs
@@heartcomedy5 Explorer is 198.8 inches long, Aviator is 199.3...so only a half inch difference in length. Explorer AWD weighs 4345 lbs, Aviator GT is 5678 lbs, non-GT AWD is 4897 lbs. So they are basically identical in size, but yeah the Aviator is heavier...especially the hybrid GT.
Dodge Durango SRT.
@@SteelTimeifyNah, too many on the road, everyone's got one
Great review! The ST looks way better than the Platinum. 👍
I have the platinum and they are identical except for the badging? Interior and exterior
Ford knocked it out of the park with this one. I want one!!
Just test drove one. Extremely impressed. Great ride and steering, nice materials and controls, the large Navi screen looks absolutely fine in real life and is no concern and the power is ridiculous!! Like Alex says, it’s kind of a discount BMW. That’s now nicely it drives. It is now at the top of my list.
Thank you for the time you spent on the very detailed reviews. By far the best on RUclips. Think you have convinced me to start shopping for this model of Explorer.
Got mine today in Magnetic grey with tech pack, street pack and dual panel moon roof. It’s absolutely gorgeous in the flesh, it drives fantastic and that tablet? I’m used to it in 10 mins. Looks great in real life. The ride is perfect.
I help make these suv's everyday at ford motor company they are top of the line and even more beautiful in person! 😊
Over on Torrence Ave? That's really cool. I worked in that area a lot over the years.
@@PartyUpLive yesss
With how expensive they are becoming, it makes people not want to have kids. Who does Ford think is going to buy these in 15-20 years?
@@dcarts5616 come on bro u cant compare a luxury suv to having kids plus people having been living beyond there means since the dawn of time and still have kids u only have 1 life enjoy it!😁
chikidd24 a base model at $36K is not luxury. Debt is dumb, cash is King.
Alex, I have to say that I'm impressed with the overall features and performance you've described with this review. While I really love my current RX350, I do NOT like the front wheel drive. Looking forward to your full review of this model later on.
why did u buy a FWD RX350?
Well done Ford. Finally, an Explorer that's not a penalty box. It took 9 years just to catch the JGC/Durango. But it may be short-lived, given that the Grand Cherokee will be moving to the highly-flexible Giorgio II platform and will receive the new 3.5L I-6 twin-turbo engine.
That said, I do like this Explorer. The ST is so more my speed, and is an excellent family hauler. It is interesting that tow rating is so low at 5600 pounds. And I wish Ford would have stolen a couple of Lincoln interior designers because this looks dated already.
That looks really good in silver with the black trim. Much more aggressive looking than past Explorers.
truly sporty exterior appearance with a matching drive-train.
What a great in depth review. I'm calling my Ford guy this week to order an ST. Thank you for you no-nonsense and honest review. FYI, after July the ST will be coming out with a more aggressive sounding exhaust.
I ordered mine (Agate Black) on 4/30/2019. It's been in production for a bout two weeks and will probably be delivered in early August. It has the Track Pack and Moon Roofs. I can't wait.
I'm impressed. Great performance for a vehicle that size. Nice features list. RWD platform. This one's a winner.
I wish you would have covered interior quietness, otherwise great review as always.
I have one. Very quiet at high speeds
Outstanding job reviewing this product. You understand what this product actually is, and you reviewed it as such. Anyway, it's a cool product.
Unbelievable review. Well Done!
Thank You
Great review, Sofyan , Alex and Geese are my top 3 car reviewers.
Alex is always on point with product info. Most might not know but the 5.7 hemi in the Durango is easily upgradeable in power. From exhaust headers to superchargers can be put on this motor, if you desire it.
After driving a Chrysler 300 AWD (rental on a business trip) in the rain and mashing the pedal at the stop light once it turned green, I’m a huge fan of all wheel drive. That thing was fun and was VERY helpful in heavy traffic when it’s raining and you need to pull out into traffic and get moving fast!
The BMW might be more luxurious and have better fit and finishes, but it will break down more frequently, parts will be more expensive, service availability will not be as convenient or easy to find, it will cost more to insure, and it will depreciate faster.
BMW should put a depreciation gauge on the dashboard right next to the tach. It would have to be something like a calendar / odometer combo gauge, with a dollar figure overlay, so you could see how much value your new BMW is losing with every passing mile, and every passing day. This gauge would run continually in the background, so that when you get into the vehicle after a prolonged absence, it would be able to tell you exactly how much less it is worth since the last time you drove it. I would also suggest that they include a Doomsday / Sunset feature with the depreciation gauge. This feature would activate when the car has achieved maximum worthlessness, which can be described as the point where it would make more sense financially to have it crushed and made into a coffee table, than it would to replace the carbon ceramic brakes.
lol. True, true, true. That's why you lease those things.
It’s a Horrible suv and I’ve never had a bmw break down in ten years.
Sounds like ford built one hell of a truck
Another great review Alex, I'm really not digging that tablet screen. I prefer the screens to be better integrated into the dash.
I was expecting nothing from this, so maybe that's why I'm surprised. Good to see Ford understanding that their interiors sucked and did something about it, especially with the instrument panel.
Man this guy knows his stuff. Very thorough. Great review
Will definitely get this one once my lease is up on my 2018 Explorer sport.
That portrait style screen looks terrible in my opinion 🥴 Loved the ones already built into the car, or at least one that was horizontal to give it a cleaner look
Dylan Garcia you would dig the Aviator’s screen
To bad they did not make the 5.0 a option, if that were there I would be buying one.
Glad to see its back to rear drive again.
GARRETT Colby the engine bay is not quite big enough for the 5.0 coyote v8 and the engine cooling system as well but I still see your point though a v8 would have been nice a 4.0 V8 built just like the 5.0 V8 might fit though and added a supercharger to the 4.0L V8 making 500 Hp and 450 TQ.
Yep, agreed w/Rusty, it's about fitment. But if it hp/tq, bring on the tune!
Wish it had an off-road version. The wheel arches are just perfect.
I don't know how this got by me.. I missed this release completely and its totally what I am looking for.
Excellent, detailed review! Loved the comparisons to similar class vehicles. 👍🏽👍🏽
SOO waiting for your full review on this ST! Great review as usual.
I thought this IS the full ST review.
Finally someone who knows how to give a proper review, Nicely done and look he’s not comparing it to the Ford Fiesta or the Ford Focus ST because Of badging, It’s a SUV and should be only compared to other SUV!, This vehicle would be perfect for those large families with five kids and they can trailer the rest 😂😂😂😂, Cool I like the split screen, I did notice the steering wheel from the Explore should also go into the Ford Edge ST because the steering wheel was too small for the Edge ST, Why didn’t they have the option for a V8 for those old school boys? Excellent review nicely done! 😎🏁
Best review yet from an independent reviewer who knows what hes talking about.
Excellent review. I'm sold. Love it. Test driving it Wed literally! Have a dealer appt. Thanks.
The Ford website says only the low beams headlights are LED, but the high beams are halogen. Is that possibly true, on a $60k vehicle?! Btw, you're the best on RUclips, keep it up! Thanks for all the hard work you put in!
once again, thanks a lot Alex for these comprehensive reviews, you are the best wen it comes to professionally reviewing cars and I always take your opinion seriously when buying a car.
keep up the great job.
BEST REVIEW EVER !!!!
The first ford I’d finally buy!
Good driving demonstration of the Ford Explorer ST. I think this is Ford's first time ever making a performance model for the Explorer. Looks great! Good nice n comfy features. The gripe about this vehicle is found in the interior. The infotainment screen has to go. The size of the infotainment screen is nice at 10 inches, but the placement of it wasn't well executed. It looks like it was tacked on at the last minute via glue or duck tape. The rival competitors have their infotainment screens with some uniformity on the dashboard. That's how it should be. The way it is right now it protrudes too much and could be a slight distraction while driving. Maybe for the 2021 model year or the 2022 model year Explorer, Ford might improve the placement for the infotainment screen so that it'll be a lot more seamless on the dashboard. The overall performance for the Ford Explorer ST is good, but not good enough when compared to the performance model vehicles by the rival competitors. It's no where close to be considered "A Mustang SUV" from a performance standpoint. It's getting there, but not there yet.
The rival competitors such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, Dodge Durango SRT, BMW X5M, Mercedes Benz GLE AMG 63 and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo would make minced meat/mop up the floor against the Ford Explorer ST. The Explorer ST would be wiped off the face of the earth against those vehicles. The Explorer ST would definitely match up well against the same branding vehicles that has performance numbers one tier lower from the vehicle models mentioned earlier. Now that the Explorer has a performance model line, what Ford can do in a year or two is have another performance line for the Explorer which will make it two performance lines. If they have intentions on having second performance line for the Explorer, what they can do this time is drop in a V8 engine and that's when it'll be considered "A Mustang SUV". Drop in the 5.2 liter V8 engine that's from the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 which produces 526 horsepower. That would be impressive for sure. If Ford wants to be greedy or wants the Explorer to get even more attention, they can have a third performance line for the Explorer. If so they can drop in the V8 engine from the 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 which produces an even 700 horsepower or from the upcoming 2020 GT500 which will produce a WHOPPING 760 horsepower. That would be eye popping/mind blowing for sure. Well, let's see what happens in the coming years.
Very detailed or informative review as usual.. thanks Alex
Finally a review of the st!!!!!!
If this is any idication on the CD6 platform that will be used in more Ford products, I'm excited about the increased driving dynamics and more excited about the (out of my price range) Aviator.
I'll definitely be patient and wait for whatever problems it will have to be fixed by the 3rd model year.
The ST front end looks better but the back looks bland compared to the platinum, could be the colour with the black out bits
I get the 457HP / 825 torque ST-line version here in the Netherlands next month, I keep you posted on this bullet-SUV
I'll wait until Ford figures out the recall issues in 1st to 2nd year for this generation. Also because I want the 2nd row bench seats. Thanks Alex.
Alex, outstanding review as usual!!
Has a nice stance. This looks promising and wonder if Ford will eventually offer a more extreme version.
it’ll be electric if they do.
Awesome review 👍
I. Warming up to this SUV., I was on the fence when it was at the auto shot, but I think ford has some thing here
Looks nice but need to pay down my tuned 17 sport a little more for the upgrade lol. Well not an upgrade for power, my sport tuned is doing about 500hp and 0-60 in 4.7sec.
I’ve driven an ST Explorer and truthfully, it’s hard for me to sacrifice the great driving experience for the more luxurious interior bits in the Platinum.
Almost 300K subs!!! Great!!! Small suggestion: displaying cargo bag information as “2/10” makes it seem like a low score (2 out of 10) rather than seats up/down count. I suggest something like “2,10” instead.
I love this vehicle. If I could only pick a color now
I bought it in Atlas Blue. Lots of likes for the color
good review and I bought one. However he did not mention about the storage under the rear floor behind the 3rd row seat which increases cargo room as the cover can opened and lowered to the bottom
great review - have been waiting for this one
Can you do an in-depth video on the all digital gauges ? No one has covered it yet , and I would love to see all the options and customizations you could do. For example, I would love a more plain normal mode without the blue everywhere. Unsure what customization is available.
As an Atlas owner, I like this SUV a lot. Perhaps when we're ready to replace our Atlas, unless VW comes up with a performance version of the Atlas, I would consider this as a serious option.
I'm considering getting an Atlas. How has yours treated you?
@@JeffGalner we have the SEL-Premium model (top of the line) with the optional black 20'' Mejora wheels. It handles better than most 3-row crossovers. Has all the creature comforts and safety features. I personally like the looks but some people think it's boring. I paid $47.5k a year ago. It could use more power but it's not a dealbreaker. It could use more soft-touch plastics throughout, but again, not a dealbreaker. We're averaging about 16-18mpg which isn't great. But overall, we love the vehicle for its massive cargo space, which was critical as we have two babies under two years old. My wife isn't in love with it because the car is so big and it can be floaty at times. She prefers smaller vehicles, so when our kids are older and we don't need as much space, we'll most likely downsize. Overall, I like it for what we needed. A year ago, we didn't have as many options for 3-row crossovers, but now, there's the new Explorer, Telluride, and Palisade so that's exciting.
@@davepaek5014 Awesome, thank you. Those were my impressions of it, too. I think VW needed to skimp in some areas (power, interior materials) to not cannibalize Q7 sales. For your situation (and mine - a 5 year old and an infant), the Q7 was not very helpful. It drove like a dream, but without even putting my kids in it, I knew it would be a giant headache to live with. I'm looking to minimize headaches in my life! It was designed for driving, not using as a family. The Atlas appears to be just the opposite, to an extent. Even with the apparent lack of power, I was so pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable it was drive (although not as nice/powerful as Q7, but also $25k cheaper), and the interior passenger and cargo space is tough to beat, especially for rear-facing car seats that take up miles of room. The virtual cockpit and sunroof are straight Audi, which is awesome, and build quality appears to be very par-for-the-German-course, which is awesome, too. I think I'm going to look at the new Explorer, the Aviator, and the Palisade, but as of now, they all need to knock the Atlas off its leader's perch. Cheers!
@@JeffGalner I'm a VW guy, so I'm slightly biased. Our other daily driver is the 2018 Golf AllTrack. But for right now, for our long-distance family trips, we can stuff the Atlas with two high chairs, two pack n plays, a baby walker, baby related bags, all of our bags and more, easily into the cargo area of the Atlas. It swallows so much stuff without much fuss. Sure, Q7 drives better. In fact, my brother-in-law owns one and he's always envious of how much cargo space we have over his. I'm okay with not having the refined and powerful engine in the Atlas. After all, it's a family car and not for my daily commute. If I've learned anything as an adult, is that no one cares how fast you drive when you have passengers, especially the little ones.
@@davepaek5014 and when parenting, convenience and utility wins every day and twice on Sundays! Bench or captains chairs?
All I care is that someone other than dodge is bringing RWD back to the mainstream might trade in my old Mazda Tribute for this explorer Ford really put a lot of effort this generation
Sounds like the Explorer ST would definitely beat the Durango SRT on a track.
Two tenths of a second difference is hardly noticeable when driving on the street. I would pick the Explorer ST over the SRT Durango for its better driving dynamics.
Who cares if a large 3-row SUV is faster than another though? I'd probably have to drive both to see which I prefer for it's given use.
The Durango has 295s all the way around with electronic dampers. Highly unlikely.
HellKitty 101 lol, again who cares? Is it really a bragging point?
How about a drag race with the durango and explorer pulling a 7500 pound trailer..... Oh wait - the explorer cant pull 5700 pounds!! (even a V6 durango is over 6000#).
Explorer looks good. But not sure I have ever understood an SUV with 2WD.
@@hellkitty1014 The Explorer is smaller, lighter, and more nimble.
That should be enough for it to beat the Durango around a road course.
It's a great looking SUV but also very expensive.
All well-equipped, full-sized SUVs are expensive - especially performance models that have 400 horsepower. Things like panoramic sunroofs, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, rear view cameras, blind spot warning systems, cross traffic alert, digital dashboard displays, dual-zone automatic climate control, touch-screen infotainment systems, Apple Car Play/Android Auto compatibility, 12-way adjustable seats with bolsters and built-in heating/cooling and massage functions, high-quality stitched leather, Bang and Olufsen 14-speaker sound systems, acoustic glass, 21-inch aluminum wheels, performance brakes, and twin turbochargers tend to add a few dollars to the price tag.
Excellent review
2020 Explorer isn’t a CUV, it’s RWD again. Makes it a real vehicle
You do the best reviews.
Ford has a winner on their hands with this SUV..
Vel Boone Not at $58k they don’t.
This is just a mommy mobile with an ST badge slapped on it. This and the Edge ST are insults to the ST brand.
Excellent video. So in depth!
This is the first time I am in love with a crossover. Too bad there is always a more rational way to spend $60K.
Gas mileage is at 12.3 and traction control is off. Umm doing doughnuts bro?
Excellent!! Simply the best video !!
Excellent review Alex on excellent vehicle thank you so much
I have 2013 explorer sport and i will work harder to get the ST ❤️😍 lovely truck
WOW Thanks for the enthusiasm. I have ordered the V6 hybrid in Norway :)
That’s a nice looking Explorer.
Maybe someday Ford/Lincoln will change the MKZ & Continental to RWD, since they're both offered with the 400 hp 3.0L engine. A performance oriented Lincoln?!
the MKZ 3.0T AWD is already performance oriented even its fwd biased
I guess. The Focus ST/RS is fwd. But my point is that Lincoln sedans use to be RWD, just like the Explorer. In the spirit of Alex's headline.
Durango RT is about $10-15k less than this... And is naturally aspirated. Durango 5.7 tows about a ton more than this. While I'm impressed Ford actually made one of these it's just not cost effective for me out of the gate and I'll be sticking with my Durango!
I'll take Ford or Chevy all day over Fiat just my opinion
Ordered the 2022 version of this trip day!!
I’m looking at 2020 STs and all of them have the blue cluster. But, the cluster in this video is black/grey and looks awesome. Cool animations too. But, I’m not seeing that color scheme in any of the galleries for ANY of the listings I’m looking at-they are ALL blue. Can you change the color scheme?
Just test drove an Aviator today. Very nice ride. I’m waiting for the plug-in hybrid though.
Just received my third recall letter for my 2017 Sport . . Rear link may break without warning.... no thx it going back when lease is done.