If you don't care as much about straight-line speed, you can look at the Mazda CX-9, which is way down on power by comparison, but handles a lot better than anything else in the three-row, midsize class. The Dodge Durango SRT is one option, which offers a bit more power, but it's more expensive than the ST's $54,740 starting MSRP. While the 2020 Explorer competes with a number of other midsize crossover SUVs, the performance-oriented ST doesn't have many obvious rivals. The Explorer offers tons of cargo space, with 18.2 cubic feet of room behind the third row, 47.9 cubes behind the second and 87.8 cubes with both rows folded flat. Sport mode adds a bit of weight to the steering's action, too, and it amplifies the engine noise being pumped into the cabin. Sport mode is where I spend most of my time while driving the ST, which speeds up the transmission's already quick gear changes, and improves throttle tip-in. Power runs through a new, 10-speed automatic transmission, which offers smooth, snappy shifts and will even skip a couple of gears if necessary, both while upshifting and downshifting.įord fits the ST with the same drive modes as other Explorer models, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Slippery, Trail, Deep Snow/Sand and Tow/Haul. The ST is powered by a boosted version of the 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 you can get in the Explorer Platinum, making 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. You can even get the ST with hill-descent control. Still, this fast Explorer offers more than eight inches of ground clearance, and a relatively decent approach angle of 21 degrees. The longer wheelbase means the Explorer is slightly more capable off-road, too, though that's obviously not the point of this sportiest ST trim.