2022 Ford Explorer ST-Line: Sporty Digs for Less Dough
The Ford Explorer ST can be categorized as a family vehicle with its three rows of seating, but the performance-oriented SUV has the goods to take on more than just the carpool lane. The Explorer ST has 400 horsepower and 415 pounds-feet of torque courtesy of a specially tuned 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine and a top track speed of 143 mph. The majority of drivers won’t be hitting the track, however, so Ford has a new option for those who covet the sporty appearance of the Explorer ST but not the higher price tag: the 2022 Explorer ST-Line.
Related: 2021 Ford Explorer Now Comes in Value Versions of ST, Platinum Trims
2022 Explorer ST-Line Arrives
Following the introduction of the Edge ST-Line, Ford announced that an Explorer ST-Line follows. Slotting between the SUV’s XLT and Limited trims, the Explorer ST-Line swaps the ST’s 400-hp V-6 for a 300-hp, 2.3-liter four-cylinder. Both the ST and ST-Line feature a 10-speed automatic transmission. The new ST-Line is mostly an appearance package, but it does add some technology upgrades.
The 2022 Explorer ST-Line masquerades as the ST with matching exterior elements, including 20-inch aluminum wheels, a blacked-out grille, integrated dual exhaust tips, gloss-black hood badging, and blacked-out headlamps and taillamps. Inside, the ST-Line gets Ford’s ActiveX seats in black with red accent stitching; the material is designed to be easy to clean and resistant to stains. Also standard is a heated sport steering wheel and heated front seats.
The ST-Line offers optional technology upgrades like wireless charging, a 12-speaker sound system, auto-dimming rearview mirror and a 360-degree camera system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist Plus suite adds safety features like evasive steering assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and voice-activated navigation.
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Explorer ST: RWD Standard, AWD Optional
Drivers who don’t want to sacrifice the high performance of the Explorer ST can still save on the SUV by going with the standard rear-wheel-drive model, which is newly available for 2022. Previously offered only in all-wheel drive, the base RWD variant promises to be a more affordable choice.
ST-Line Means Thousands of Dollars in Savings
Ford has not yet announced pricing for the 2022 Explorer, but the automaker says the ST-Line will have an MSRP that is $7,570 less than the Explorer ST and $2,575 less than the Explorer Enthusiast ST, which is the base ST that started at $50,245 (with destination fees) for 2021.
2022 Ford Explorer Lineup Offers More
The 2022 Explorer gives shoppers more choices, tech and horsepower (depending on the trim). You can now choose a second-row bench seat or captain’s chair configuration for no additional cost, and two new paint colors are available: Stone Blue and Burgundy Velvet.
The King Ranch and range-topping Platinum models get a power bump to 400 hp (up from 365 hp in the outgoing model). The top two trims also benefit from a standard Technology Package that adds a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen, multicontour seats and an enhanced 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
The 2022 Explorer will hit dealerships later in 2021, and we expect pricing details to be announced closer to its arrival.
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