2027 Ford Explorer ST: Is 400 Horsepower Worth Nearly $60,000?
By Dave Boyd | All Terrain Nation
When you think about Ford performance vehicles, names like Mustang, Raptor, and even the legendary Ford GT probably come to mind. But there’s another vehicle in Ford’s lineup that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves: the Explorer ST.
For 2027, Ford continues offering its performance-oriented three-row SUV with up to 400 horsepower, aggressive styling, and enough room to haul the family around during the week while having a little fun on the weekends.
But with a starting price north of $53,000 and a well-equipped model approaching $60,000, is the Explorer ST still worth the money?
For our latest ATN Spec Build & Price, we jumped into Ford’s online configurator to find out.
A Family SUV With Some Serious Muscle
Under the hood of the 2027 Explorer ST sits Ford’s familiar 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6, producing up to 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Explorer ST delivers performance numbers that would have been impressive in a Mustang not that many years ago.
Ford notes that horsepower output can vary by state, with ratings of 385 or 400 horsepower.
What’s interesting about the Explorer ST is that Ford hasn’t forgotten about the enthusiast who still needs a practical family vehicle.
There are plenty of SUVs capable of hauling kids to school, making grocery runs, and taking the family on vacation. But how many offer this kind of horsepower with room for the entire family?
That’s where the Explorer ST starts to make sense.
And with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, it offers some additional versatility beyond simply moving people around.
What’s New for the 2027 Explorer ST?
Ford isn’t reinventing the Explorer ST for 2027. Instead, the company continues refining the performance formula that has made this SUV appealing to buyers looking for something beyond the ordinary family hauler.
The aggressive black grille, ST badging, sporty wheels, and distinctive exterior trim help separate the ST from the rest of the Explorer lineup.
One addition for 2027 is the available Sinister Package, which brings gloss-black 21-inch wheels, unique lighting accents, and black-outlined ST badges.
It’s an appearance package designed to give the Explorer an even more aggressive personality.
But here’s where I start asking questions.
At what point are we paying for actual performance, and when are we simply paying for appearance?
There’s nothing wrong with wanting a good-looking SUV, but when prices start climbing toward $60,000, every option deserves a little scrutiny.
Building Our 2027 Explorer ST – ATN Spec
Here at All Terrain Nation, we’ve owned and reviewed enough vehicles to know that checking every box on a manufacturer’s configurator isn’t always the smartest way to spend your money.
That’s why we’re introducing ATN Spec, our Build & Price series where we configure vehicles the way we’d actually consider purchasing them.
No imaginary unlimited budget. No adding expensive options just because they’re available.
For the 2027 Explorer ST, our goal was simple: build a performance-oriented family SUV that delivers the features we want without getting carried away with unnecessary extras.
Ford lists the Explorer ST with a starting MSRP in the mid-$53,000 range, before additional equipment and applicable charges.
And as anyone who’s spent time on a vehicle configurator knows, it doesn’t take long for that number to climb.
During our build, we explored the available equipment and watched the price approach $60,000.
That’s a substantial investment in a Ford Explorer, even one packing a twin-turbocharged V6.
Is the Explorer ST Worth Nearly $60,000?
This is where things get interesting.
At this price point, buyers have plenty of options. You could move into a luxury SUV, purchase a well-equipped pickup truck, or even consider something like a Ford Mustang GT if outright performance is your priority.
But the Explorer ST offers something those vehicles might not.
It’s a practical three-row SUV with enough horsepower to make driving entertaining.
You don’t have to give up passenger space or everyday usability to enjoy a vehicle with some personality.
On the other hand, 400 horsepower isn’t nearly as unusual today as it was a decade ago.
Performance has become a major selling point across nearly every automotive segment, and manufacturers are finding ways to deliver impressive horsepower numbers in vehicles that would have once been considered ordinary transportation.
That means Ford has to offer more than just a powerful engine and a couple of red letters on the grille.
The entire driving experience has to justify the price.
Would We Put the Explorer ST in Our Driveway?
There’s something appealing about a vehicle that can take the family on vacation, tow a small trailer, and still deliver a little excitement when the road opens up.
The Explorer ST checks several of those boxes.
But there’s also a difference between appreciating a vehicle and being willing to spend your own money on it.
That’s the question we want to answer with ATN Spec.
We’re not simply interested in how expensive we can make a vehicle. We want to find the combination of equipment, performance, and price that makes the most sense.
The 2027 Explorer ST gives us plenty to think about.
Would I enjoy driving a 400-horsepower family SUV? Absolutely.
Would I automatically spend nearly $60,000 to get one? That’s a much tougher decision.
And that’s exactly what makes this Build & Price interesting.
Watch Our 2027 Ford Explorer ST ATN Spec Build
In our latest video, we walk through Ford’s online configurator, examine the available options, and build the 2027 Explorer ST the way we’d actually consider ordering it.
Now we want to hear from you.
Would you spend nearly $60,000 on a Ford Explorer ST, or would you rather put that money toward something else?
Let us know in the comments.
And as always, keep following All Terrain Nation for automotive news, reviews, and our latest ATN Spec builds.
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