What Makes the Explorer ST-Line So Unique?

As America’s all-time best-selling SUV, you’ve surely heard of the Ford Explorer, but have you taken the time to check out what makes this three-row SUV so special? If you’re looking for plenty of cargo room and space for the entire family, the Explorer has it in spades, just as it has great capability—an attribute it’s boasted for the past three decades.

For those who are looking for a new Ford Explorer for sale, we’d like to take your search one step further with the 2025 Explorer ST-Line. What makes this trim so special? It’s a combination of things, of course: drivers need the right amount of power, loads of style, a dash of special features, and a cool factor to tie it all together.

The 2025 Ford Explorer is offered in a variety of trims, but the ST-Line deserves special mention for combining its sporty vibes with practical performance. So, let’s take a look at what makes the Explorer ST-Line stand out from the rest of this SUV’s trim lineup.

Powerful Performance

Drivers who are familiar with the Ford brand know that ST trims are designed with road performance in mind. Historically, Ford vehicles that wear the ST badge have a more powerful engine, sports tuning, and a leaner, more athletic appearance; after all, ST stands for “Sport Technologies.”

However, for drivers who like sports styling but aren’t as excited about the responsibility that comes with more horsepower, Ford has offered the ST-Line since 2016. Ford’s ST-Line trims share their exterior and many interior features with the STs, but they’re usually powered by the standard engine option for that model rather than the top-horsepower version that powers the ST trim.

The 2025 Ford Explorer lineup has been fully refreshed in many ways, including updated power and performance. This three-row, rear-wheel-drive SUV has a recalibrated 10-speed automatic transmission for 2025. Powered by a 300-hp 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged inline-four engine, the Ford Explorer ST-Line is offered with optional four-wheel drive, which includes a total of six selectable drive modes and hill descent control.

All trims are equipped with the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist suite of driver assistance technology, which includes familiar features like forward collision mitigation and lane-keeping assistance. Starting in 2025, however, drivers who select the Explorer ST-Line will have the option of adding Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving to their suite, enabling semi-autonomous driving on hundreds of thousands of miles of highway across North America. BlueCruise also includes hands-free Lane Change Assist and In-Lane Repositioning, allowing you to keep a safe distance from other drivers on the road.

Furthermore, ST-Line drivers are now also on the invitee list to attend Ford Performance Racing School’s ST Driving Experience. Drivers of ST vehicles have the opportunity to learn more behind the wheel from the experts at this complimentary course, providing a unique experience for drivers who appreciate the sportiness and agility of ST and ST-Line vehicles.

Dazzling Design

We’ve made several references to the sporty good looks of the 2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line, and for good reason. The interior and exterior have been refreshed and redesigned for the 2025 model year. According to Kelley Clark, the Explorer’s chief engineer, “The new Explorer starts with a great foundation. Customers told us they love the way it drives and the choice of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. So, we focused on improving other areas, including redesigning the interior with new materials, textures, and colors to make sitting inside Explorer as enjoyable as driving one.”

Whether you select the standard 20-inch Ebony wheels or the ST-Line Street Package with its 21-inch Magnetite wheels and red brake calipers, the Explorer ST-Line is sleek and refined for ideal aerodynamics.

Inside, drivers can enjoy the sleekness of a Black Onyx hue for their upholstery, instrument panel, door panel, and console. The seats are ActiveX with cloth inserts, and red accent stitching continues from the seats to the panels for an all-in performance immersion. Lastly, silver mesh gives the interior of the Explorer ST-Line a futuristic feel.

The shape of the cabin has also been updated, with more room offered to front-row riders thanks to an open dashboard design. ST-Line drivers can also select optional ambient lighting to set the mood for their drive.

The Ford Explorer ST-Line includes power-adjustable heated front seats. A second-row bench seat with 35/30/35 fold-flat capability is standard for the 2025 model year, but second-row captain’s seats with E-Z Entry functionality can be optioned in. The third-row bench seat has a manual 50/50 split fold, allowing you to curate an exactly right cargo/passenger balance in your Explorer. When properly equipped, you’ll also have the ability to tow loads up to 5,000 lbs, making the Explorer the ultimate in adventure vehicles.

Terrific Technology

Ford has made significant updates to the Ford Digital Experience platform as well as the FordPass Connect system with 5G Wi-Fi technology to ensure drivers have as much access to their world as possible when behind the wheel. In a world in which we all spend a little more time driving than we may prefer, Ford Explorer drivers can access their Google Play, Spotify, and Amazon Music/Audible accounts to play their favorites through the Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker sound system with subwoofer in order to help them enjoy their commute.

Ford Explorer drivers also have more infotainment options than ever when in park. When the vehicle is fully stationary, the infotainment system can be used to access videos on YouTube and Prime Video. The touchscreen can also be used as an internet surfing screen thanks to the available Vivaldi Browser app and a Bluetooth-connected keyboard. You can even play games, like the Ford-exclusive Asphalt Nitro 2, using the touchscreen and a Bluetooth gaming controller.

Of course, not all technology is found on a touchscreen. The 2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line is loaded with comfort and convenience features. This includes tri-zone electronic automatic temperature control, dome or map lights in all three rows, and at least two USB-C ports in each row of seating.

The Ford Explorer ST-Line also has several additional driver assistance features, including a 360-degree exterior camera simulation with a split view on the infotainment screen, front and rear parking sensors, reverse brake assist, and a rearview camera with guiding grid lines. Remote start is also offered on the ST-Line trim of the Ford Explorer.

And it wouldn’t be a Ford vehicle without optional packages to help drivers customize their experience. In addition to the Street Pack, ST-Line drivers can also select an optional Premium Package, which adds power-folding side mirrors, PowerFold third-row seats, and a wireless charging pad to make life even more convenient.

Driving the 2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line

There are plenty of three-row SUVs on the market today, but drivers who are looking for a truly unique driving experience choose the Ford Explorer ST-Line. It has all of the iconic good looks of Ford’s Sport Technologies trims but opts for the more economical, road-friendly engine over the souped-up version that comes standard in the ST trims.

As the name suggests, the Explorer is designed for adventure. But behind the wheel of the ST-Line lies a different sort of journey—one that takes each mile in style.