What We Know So Far About the 2022 Ford Explorer ST-Line: The People’s ST

Exciting things are about to be coming to The Faricy Boys Automotive Salida, the Ford dealer near you, and it started with the Edge. Ford took all of the cool parts of the ST, but instead of dropping a sports-tuned engine under the hood, they gave it a standard engine. Not a bad engine, of course, but one that doesn’t require specially-tuned suspension and heavy-duty brakes to control. The result was known as the “ST-Line,” and now, for 2022, the Ford Explorer will be given the ST-Line treatment.

As Lee Newcombe, Ford Explorer marketing manager, observed in Ford’s August 20, 2021 press release introducing the ST-Line, “No two SUV drivers use their vehicles the same way, so our goal is to meet the needs of as many as possible,” and he’s absolutely right. As the fastest-growing market in the automotive industry, SUVs attract many different types of drivers. There are families who appreciate the extra roomy seats and cargo space. Adventure-lovers gravitate towards SUVs, too, looking for a reliable vehicle that can take to the trails and even serve as a campsite from time to time. Some people use their SUVs to tow, and others prefer the solid, secure feel of a heavy vehicle.

So what does the 2022 Ford Explorer ST-Line entail? Ford hasn’t released all of the details yet, but there is quite a bit of information circulating in the automotive world as we prepare for the launch of the 2022 Explorer and all of its variants. Here’s what we know so far.

What Makes It an ST-Line?

One of the really great things about Ford vehicles has always been the drivers’ ability to customize their ride to meet their needs. So when it came to creating the 2022 Ford Explorer lineup, Ford simply took a look at what the customers have identified as important wants and needs and put them together to create what many consider the Ultimate Ford Explorer Lineup. For 2022, the Ford Explorer will be offered in eight trims: base, XLT, ST-Line, Timberline, Limited, ST, King Ranch, and Platinum. A hybrid engine version of the Limited and Platinum will also be offered.

Ford’s marketing manager, Jeff Marentic, explained the reasoning behind this vast quantity of trims in an August 2021 press release: “We’ve taken Explorer, already the all-time best-selling SUV, and given our customers the chance to put the emphasis on the things they value most. For on-road performance and styling, our new rear-wheel-drive Explorer ST and new Explorer ST-Line are specifically designed to appeal to new customer groups with different adventure needs.”

How Different From the ST Is the ST-Line?

The traditional Explorer ST has a 3.0L EcoBoost engine that provides an impressive 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. It’s also been given specialized brakes to contain all that power, all-wheel drive, and sport-tuned suspension. Plus, it looks cool, with a blacked-out grille and gloss black features.

But, as we’ve established, not everyone is interested in that many horses, though they may be very interested in that sporty, sleek exterior. For those individuals, there is the Explorer ST-Line. From the outside, it looks exactly like the ST, with 20-inch aluminum wheels, dual exhaust tips, gloss-black badging, and blackout lamps. But under the hood is the standard 2.3L turbocharged inline-4 that powers the base, XLT, Timberline, and Limited Explorers. This engine is no slouch, of course, providing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Best of all, it comes rear-wheel drive standard, though all-wheel drive is available to those who prefer it.

With its more powerful engine, the Explorer ST requires a significant amount of gasoline. To get an idea of what gas mileage we can expect from the 2022 model, let’s take a look at the 2021 version. Drivers of the standard all-wheel drive version will get about 18 miles per gallon city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway, while those who select the new rear-wheel drive ST will see the same mileage in the city and a slight increase to 26 miles per gallon highway. In contrast, the engine in the ST-Line traditionally gets around 21 miles per gallon city and 28 miles per gallon highway in its standard rear-wheel drive form, while the all-wheel drive loses just one mile each way, dropping it to 20 miles per gallon city and 27 miles per gallon highway.

All the Cool Parts Are Present on the ST-Line

As far as meeting expectations as part of the best-selling SUV lineup in America, the 2022 Ford Explorer ST-Line does its job with gusto. Drivers of the newest model of Explorer aren’t just getting all of the cool exterior appearance features; they’re getting a whole suite of top-shelf offerings.

The first row seats are clad in ebony black Active-X trim with Miko inserts with red accent stitching. They’re also heated, as is the sport-style steering wheel. The second-row seats are captain’s chairs by default, but drivers can select to have the bench seat installed instead. This increases the number of passengers the Explorer can tote about. The captain’s chairs are awfully impressive, though, sliding back to provide 39 inches of legroom or sliding forward to accommodate more cargo.

The third row offers 32.2 inches of legroom, which often makes it most attractive to those with shorter legs or those who can convince the second row to compromise on the available space. With all seats occupied, drivers will have 18.2 cubic feet of cargo room. With the second and third row stowed, that expands to a massive 87.8 cubic feet. Other very cool features in the cabin include the newly available 12 speaker premium sound system, wireless charging pad, and reversible vinyl/carpet cargo floor mats.

The Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is also on board, including safety and driver assistance technology such as the Lane-Keeping Assist System, Reverse Brake Assist, and Automatic Emergency Braking. Newer features, such as Evasive Steering Assist, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, which can help you out when traffic is at its peak, and voice-activated navigation. Instead of asking your passengers to look up directions, why not ask your Explorer directly?

A Great New Option for Customers

While it’s likely that some drivers will initially be confused by the ST and ST-Line differences, the good news is that there’s no bad choice. Both vehicles are tuned in and ready to be the next best SUV you’ve ever driven. There’s just that matter of one going significantly faster than the other, of course.

However, the fact that a major automotive manufacturer such as Ford is taking the time to listen to their customers and understand how they use their vehicles is a huge step. For years, consumers have often joked about “wanting what they tell us to want” in reference to the heavy marketing for certain cars over others. With the new 2022 Ford Explorer lineup, it appears that each trim is custom-tailored the way drivers have been requesting for quite a while. We’ve all had that one vehicle that “would be perfect if it just had…” or dealt with a feature that we didn’t necessarily want on board. But with the 2022 Ford Explorer ST-Line, drivers are finally going to have the opportunity to get the exact car they want without flipping through pages of possible customizations.