Performance SUVs have never been more plentiful — or more attainable on the used market. If you missed the Ford Explorer ST when it was new, now is arguably the best time to get acquainted. The ST variant of America’s long-running family hauler pairs a 400-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 with genuine chassis upgrades, making it far more than a badge-and-bodykit exercise. And thanks to depreciation — aided in part by some well-documented reliability concerns on the sixth-gen platform — early examples can be had for roughly half their original sticker price.
The ST Took The Explorer And Opened Up The Taps
2020 Ford Explorer ST finished in blue with black interiorFord
The Explorer’s importance within the US market cannot be undersold. Back in 1991, its introduction changed the face of the American automotive industry forever. At the time, your only choices for a family hauler were a station wagon or a minivan, and SUVs were typically harsh-riding off-roaders ill-suited for the school run. Ford created the Explorer to carry families and their belongings in comfort, while offering more ruggedness and versatility than the road-going minivan or station wagon.
Those first Explorers weren’t much in the way of sporting prowess. There was a “Sport” version sold, but it was simply a regular Explorer with a shortened wheelbase and two fewer doors — no meaningful performance upgrades were made. The first widely recognized performance-oriented Explorer arrived in 1998, when Saleen took the second-generation model and added a suite of upgrades, including an optional supercharger, to create the Explorer XP8.
The Saleen Explorer was a limited-edition, specially-built model that was discontinued after the 2001 model year. The next mass-market performance Explorer was the Explorer Sport, resurrected after its 2003 cancellation as a 2013 model. This time around it ditched the two-door body in favor of a standard five-door layout, and came equipped with a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. A cosmetic package that blacked out some of the chrome trim was included as standard, along with a set of sportier wheels and a lightly refreshed interior.
The Explorer Sport’s Improved Cousin
2020 Ford Explorer ST finished in blue with black interiorFord
With the fifth-generation Ford Explorer bowing out after 2019, the sixth-gen debuted a year later with a dramatically different design. The friendly, rounded lines of its predecessor gave way to a sharper, more angular look. The front-wheel-drive-derived platform was replaced by a rear-wheel-drive architecture, and the Explorer Sport was supplanted by the Explorer ST, which launched as the second-highest trim in the lineup.
2020 Ford Explorer ST finished in blue with black interiorFord
The ST badge — short for Sports Technologies — has been in use since its debut on the European Ford Mondeo ST24 in 1996. American buyers first got the nameplate in 2013, on the Focus ST hot hatchback. Unlike the outgoing Explorer Sport, the Explorer ST brings meaningful mechanical enhancements to the table, making it a genuine performance SUV rather than simply a standard model fitted with a potent engine.
The Ins And Outs Of The 2020 Explorer ST
Engine Details
3.0L twin-turbo V6
Horsepower
400 hp
Torque
415 lb-ft
0-60 MPH Time
5.5 seconds
Top Speed
143 mph (limited)
Curb Weight
4,701 lbs
2020 Ford Explorer ST finished in blue with black interiorFord
The heart of the 2020 Explorer ST’s performance story sits under the hood: a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6. The engine belongs to Ford’s EcoBoost “Nano” family and is closely related to the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, with both a larger cylinder bore and longer piston stroke used to achieve the extra displacement. It also features both port and direct fuel injection for improved efficiency and response.
2020 Ford Explorer ST finished in blue with black interiorFord
The sole transmission is a Ford 10R60 10-speed automatic. Drive goes to all four wheels via a full-time all-wheel drive system that lets drivers choose from seven modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Trail, Deep Snow/Sand, and Tow/Haul. The ST team also firmed up the springs and dampers considerably over the standard Explorer. Buyers could further option upgraded brake pads and a set of semi-slick summer tires for sharper on-road performance.
Current Pricing
2020 Ford Explorer ST finished in blue with black interiorFord
Used market valuations for the 2020 Ford Explorer ST have experienced notable depreciation, rendering the 400-horsepower performance SUV an intriguing secondary-market option. Originally debuting with a starting MSRP near $55,000, typical transactional values now span roughly $20,000 to $31,000 based primarily on total mileage, vehicle history, and regional demand. Higher-mileage examples approaching or surpassing 100,000 miles frequently hover near the $19,000 to $22,000 range.
Mid-tier offerings with moderate usage (50,000 to 80,000 miles) generally command between $23,000 and $27,000. Low-mileage, exceptionally preserved units featuring optional equipment like the Premium Technology Package or ST Street Pack can push prices toward $30,000 or higher. Factors such as drivetrain wear, clean ownership records, and factory maintenance history remain critical drivers of individual valuation. Overall, the significant reduction from original sticker prices positions the twin-turbocharged 2020 Explorer ST as a accessible entry point for buyers seeking three-row utility combined with sports-sedan performance.
Not A Ford Fan? Check This Dodge Out
2025 Dodge Durango R/T Gray Front AngleDodge
If you’re after a full-size SUV with serious power but prefer to shop outside the Blue Oval, the 2020 Dodge Durango R/T is worth a look. The Durango R/T traces its roots back to 2000, meaning it already had two decades of dedicated service under its belt by the 2020 model year. By then, the R/T produced 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque — 40 fewer horsepower than the Explorer ST, though that output comes from a naturally aspirated V8, which has its own appeal.
It was also considerably cheaper than the Explorer ST when new, with an original starting price of approximately $44,395 before destination fees. On the used market, a 2020 Durango R/T can be found for around $28,000 — meaning you’d pay a touch more for 40 fewer horsepower compared to the Explorer ST. All-wheel drive is available on the Durango R/T as well, just as it is on the Ford.
On a straight horsepower-per-dollar basis, then, the Explorer ST appears to offer the stronger value proposition of the two.
Sources: Ford, Stellantis, J.D. Power, Cars.com
