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Decide Your Driving Style: Comparing The Rugged Ford Explorer Xlt Vs. The Sporty St Line

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to...

What To Know

  • The infotainment system is the same as the XLT, but the ST Line adds a premium audio system with 12 speakers.
  • The Ford Explorer ST Line is a great choice for drivers who want a more powerful and sporty SUV.
  • It offers even more features than the XLT, and it has a more powerful engine and a sport-tuned suspension.

The Ford Explorer is a popular SUV that offers plenty of space, features, and power. It’s available in a variety of trim levels, including the XLT and ST Line. Both of these trims offer a lot to like, but there are some key differences between them. In this blog post, we’ll compare the Ford Explorer XLT vs ST Line and help you decide which one is right for you.

Features

The Ford Explorer XLT comes standard with a number of features, including:

  • A 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque
  • A 10-speed automatic transmission
  • All-wheel drive
  • A 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
  • A six-speaker audio system
  • Heated front seats
  • A power liftgate

The Ford Explorer ST Line adds a number of additional features, including:

  • A 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque
  • A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters
  • All-wheel drive with a limited-slip differential
  • A sport-tuned suspension
  • Larger wheels and tires
  • A unique grille and body kit
  • A leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • A panoramic sunroof

Performance

The Ford Explorer XLT is no slouch when it comes to performance. Its 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine provides plenty of power, and the 10-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. The all-wheel-drive system provides good traction in all weather conditions.

The Ford Explorer ST Line is even more powerful than the XLT. Its 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine produces 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, which makes it one of the most powerful SUVs in its class. The 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters provides quick and precise shifts, and the all-wheel-drive system with a limited-slip differential provides excellent traction.

Fuel Economy

The Ford Explorer XLT gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The Ford Explorer ST Line gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Interior

The Ford Explorer XLT has a spacious and comfortable interior. The front seats are heated and offer plenty of support. The second row of seats is also spacious, and the third row of seats is best suited for children. The infotainment system is easy to use and the six-speaker audio system provides good sound quality.

The Ford Explorer ST Line has a sportier interior than the XLT. The front seats are leather-wrapped and offer more bolstering. The second row of seats is also spacious, and the third row of seats is best suited for children. The infotainment system is the same as the XLT, but the ST Line adds a premium audio system with 12 speakers.

Safety

The Ford Explorer XLT comes standard with a number of safety features, including:

  • A blind-spot monitoring system
  • A lane-departure warning system
  • A rearview camera
  • A forward-collision warning system with automatic emergency braking
  • A pedestrian detection system

The Ford Explorer ST Line adds a number of additional safety features, including:

  • A 360-degree camera system
  • A heads-up display
  • A lane-keeping assist system
  • An adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go technology

Which One is Right for You?

The Ford Explorer XLT is a great choice for families who need a spacious and versatile SUV. It offers a lot of features and good performance, and it’s relatively fuel-efficient.

The Ford Explorer ST Line is a great choice for drivers who want a more powerful and sporty SUV. It offers even more features than the XLT, and it has a more powerful engine and a sport-tuned suspension.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which Ford Explorer trim level is right for you is to test drive both of them. This will allow you to compare their features, performance, and fuel economy firsthand.

Which Trim Has More Horsepower?

The Ford Explorer ST Line has more horsepower than the XLT. The ST Line has a 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 400 horsepower, while the XLT has a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 300 horsepower.

Which Trim Has More Torque?

The Ford Explorer ST Line has more torque than the XLT. The ST Line has a 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 415 lb-ft of torque, while the XLT has a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 310 lb-ft of torque.

Which Trim Has Better Fuel Economy?

The Ford Explorer XLT has better fuel economy than the ST Line. The XLT gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the ST Line gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Which Trim Has More Features?

The Ford Explorer ST Line has more features than the XLT. Some of the additional features that the ST Line offers include a 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, a sport-tuned suspension, larger wheels and tires, a unique grille and body kit, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof.

Answers to Your Questions

Q: Which Ford Explorer trim level is better for families?

A: The Ford Explorer XLT is a great choice for families. It offers a lot of features and good performance, and it’s relatively fuel-efficient.

Q: Which Ford Explorer trim level is better for performance enthusiasts?

A: The Ford Explorer ST Line is a great choice for performance enthusiasts. It offers a more powerful engine, a sport-tuned suspension, and a number of other performance-oriented features.

Q: Which Ford Explorer trim level has more safety features?

A: The Ford Explorer ST Line has more safety features than the XLT. Some of the additional safety features that the ST Line offers include a 360-degree camera system, a heads-up display, a lane-keeping assist system, and an adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go technology.

Mike Sullivan

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to guides and industry news updates. When he's not writing about Ford, you can find Mike cheering on his favorite NFL team at the local pub on game days.
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