A three-row SUV with 400 horsepower usually comes with a much higher price tag. The 2024 Ford Explorer ST is one of the exceptions, putting a twin-turbo V6, rear-wheel-drive layout and serious performance into a family SUV that starts well below $65,000.
That combination is what makes the 2024 Ford Explorer ST interesting. It isn’t simply a practical crossover with a powerful engine dropped under the hood. Ford gave the ST a performance-focused setup while keeping the seating capacity, towing ability and everyday usability that make the Explorer popular with families.
The result is an SUV that can handle a school run in the morning and still feel genuinely quick when the road opens up.
2024 Ford Explorer ST: The Power Comes First
Under the hood, the Explorer ST uses Ford’s 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6. It produces 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, making the ST one of the strongest performers in the mainstream three-row SUV class.
Power goes through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while four-wheel drive is available.
That rear-drive configuration is one of the more interesting aspects of the ST. Unlike many modern family crossovers that send power through the front wheels or use all-wheel drive as the default, the Explorer ST retains a layout that suits its performance mission.
The engine also delivers its torque relatively low in the rev range, so the SUV doesn’t need to be pushed hard before it starts moving with authority.
Independent testing has placed the Explorer ST’s 0-to-60-mph acceleration in roughly the five-second range, depending on configuration and conditions. For a three-row SUV, that is plenty of pace.
The 2024 Ford Explorer ST Stays Below the $65,000 Mark
The Explorer ST’s pricing is another reason it attracts attention.
For 2024, the model’s starting MSRP was roughly $50,000 before destination charges, taxes, fees and optional equipment. Choosing four-wheel drive pushed the starting figure to approximately $52,000.
That leaves considerable room below $65,000.
It is worth remembering, however, that the starting price is not necessarily what a buyer will pay. Optional packages and equipment can increase the final price, while dealer pricing and regional availability can also affect what shoppers actually find on the lot.
Still, the basic proposition remains unusual: 400 horsepower in a three-row SUV without moving into an expensive luxury performance model.
It Is Still a Family SUV
The Explorer ST’s biggest advantage may be that it doesn’t force buyers to choose between performance and practicality.
There are three rows of seats, with enough flexibility for family use and occasional extra passengers. As with most midsize three-row SUVs, the rearmost seats are better suited to children and smaller passengers than adults on long journeys.
Fold the rear seats and the Explorer becomes a useful cargo hauler as well.
The ST can also tow up to 5,600 pounds when properly equipped. The exact rating depends on configuration and equipment, so buyers should verify the towing capacity of the specific vehicle they are considering.
That versatility is important. The Explorer ST is not a weekend toy that happens to have extra seats. It can serve as the family’s main vehicle while offering considerably more performance than the average school-run SUV.
Fuel Economy Is Where the Compromise Shows
There is no getting around the fact that 400 horsepower has a price beyond the purchase sticker.
EPA ratings for the 2024 Explorer ST vary according to drivetrain. Rear-wheel-drive versions are rated at up to 18 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg on the highway. Four-wheel-drive versions are rated at about 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
Those numbers are respectable for a large, powerful SUV, but they are not a match for the more efficient four-cylinder engines available elsewhere in the Explorer lineup.
Driving style will also have a noticeable effect. Owners who regularly use the ST’s performance will naturally see fuel consumption move away from the EPA highway figures.
The same consideration applies to consumables such as tires and brakes. A performance-oriented SUV can cost more to run than a conventional family crossover, even when both share the same basic platform.
What Makes the ST Different From a Regular Explorer?
The engine is only part of the story.
Ford positioned the ST as the performance version of the Explorer, giving it suspension and chassis tuning intended to provide sharper responses. Its styling also separates it from the more conservative members of the lineup.
Inside, the ST receives sport-oriented touches rather than trying to turn the Explorer into a luxury vehicle.
That distinction matters because the Explorer ST is not really competing with high-end European performance SUVs on interior materials or prestige. Its appeal comes from a different formula: substantial power, everyday practicality and a relatively accessible price.
For some buyers, that will be more useful than a luxury badge.
How Does It Stack Up Against Other SUVs?
The Explorer ST occupies a fairly specific spot in the market.
Many three-row SUVs concentrate on comfort, efficiency and family convenience. Performance SUVs, meanwhile, tend to become expensive very quickly as power increases.
The Explorer ST sits between those two worlds.
Its 400-hp V6 gives it enough performance to stand apart from mainstream family SUVs, while the starting price keeps it far below many luxury performance alternatives.
That doesn’t make it the obvious choice for everyone.
A buyer who cares most about fuel economy may be better served by a less powerful Explorer or another efficient three-row SUV. Someone seeking a genuinely luxurious cabin may also find better options by spending more.
The ST makes the most sense for the buyer who considers acceleration and driving character important but still needs three rows.
The 2024 Model Has Another Interesting Advantage
The 2024 Explorer is particularly noteworthy because it belongs to the final model year before Ford introduced the significantly refreshed 2025 Explorer.
That means shoppers looking at a 2024 vehicle are buying the outgoing design rather than the newer version.
For some buyers, that’s a disadvantage. Others may see an opportunity, particularly if remaining inventory or used examples are priced attractively.
The 2024 ST also offers something that hasn’t changed about the formula: a large amount of engine for the money.
Its 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 remains the defining feature of the model.
What Should Buyers Watch For?
Anyone considering an Explorer ST should look beyond the horsepower figure.
Fuel costs will be higher than with a smaller-engine SUV, particularly for drivers who spend much of their time in traffic. Insurance premiums can also vary depending on the driver, location and insurer.
On a used ST, service history deserves particular attention. Buyers should inspect the condition of the tires and brakes and make sure the vehicle has been maintained properly.
It is also worth checking the exact drivetrain and factory equipment. Two Explorer STs can have noticeably different prices depending on whether they have four-wheel drive and which options were fitted.
The $65,000 ceiling therefore works best as a reference point rather than a guarantee of a particular transaction price.
Is the 2024 Ford Explorer ST Still Worth a Look?
The 2024 Ford Explorer ST makes an unusually simple argument.
You get three rows, a strong towing rating, available four-wheel drive and a 400-hp twin-turbo V6, all in an SUV whose starting price was comfortably below $65,000.
There are compromises. Fuel economy isn’t its strongest point, and buyers looking for a genuinely premium interior will find more expensive competitors with a more upscale feel.
But if performance is high on the shopping list, the ST is difficult to dismiss.
For a family that wants one SUV to do almost everything and doesn’t want to give up the fun part of driving the 2024 Explorer ST remains one of the more interesting performance bargains in the three-row SUV market.