Anyone have experience with the Ford Explorer ST?

Seeking Advice
1

Hey everyone,

I’ve been checking out SUVs with decent speed, and the Explorer ST caught my eye. Has anyone owned or driven one? Should I steer clear or avoid specific years?

2

I recently got the 2025 Explorer ST, and I’m loving it so far. It’s been 3 weeks, and no issues at all yet.

A few things to note:

  • It comes with a 5-year (or 100k KM) warranty and service from Al Tayer, which is a nice safety net. That said, I wouldn’t keep any American car longer than 5 years.
  • Some features like Wi-Fi hotspot and YouTube that are available in other markets aren’t here.
  • The gear knob isn’t great.
  • There’s no physical AC button; it’s all on the touchscreen, which can get annoying.

As for reliability, I think all brands have their quirks. I have a 2021 Toyota Camry V6 Sport, and it gave me more problems than my old Jeep. Take it for a test drive if you’re still deciding.

3

I’m planning to upgrade from my Honda sedan and looking at a used 2022 Explorer ST with GCC specs. I really like its performance and design compared to options like the Highlander, Pathfinder, and Sorento. It seems like a good family SUV that’s also fun to drive.

I do have some questions though:

  1. Do the GCC models have all the same features as the US ones? Like ADAS, lane-keeping assist, and auto-parking?
  2. Is maintenance costly? Are parts easy to find, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
  3. Any common problems I should know about?

Would appreciate any insights!

4

Get the Everest :heart_eyes:

5

Kingsley said:
Get the Everest :heart_eyes:

Do you have one? How long have you had it, and how’s it been?

6

Hayden said:

Kingsley said:
Get the Everest :heart_eyes:

Do you have one? How long have you had it, and how’s it been?

I have the Everest Limited, bought new from Al Tayer 6 months ago. So far, no issues. It drives great and has enough power for me. You should test drive both the Everest and the Explorer ST at Al Tayer. I personally preferred the look of the Everest, though the ST does have more power if that’s what you want. I went with the Everest because I wanted a 4x4.

7

@Kingsley
Thanks for the info! I’ll look into it.

8

Hayden said:
@Kingsley
Thanks for the info! I’ll look into it.

No problem. The newer Fords are definitely better than the older ones. Not as reliable as Toyota, but they’ve improved a lot.

9

Ford is good for the first 4-5 years, but after that, it’s like things start breaking on schedule. I’d recommend getting an extended warranty because some parts can be expensive, and Al Tayer isn’t very helpful if you just want to buy parts from them.