2022 Ford Explorer ST Line Release Date, Performance And Prices – The 2022 Ford Explorer made its debut on Friday, and the biggest changes come for the performance-oriented. ST trim Ford will now sell you an Explorer ST with rear-wheel drive, or if you don’t need the extra power, the Explorer ST Line arrives for all the show without the go.

Previously, the Explorer ST came with a standard four-wheel drive system, but Ford said not all owners use their SUVs the same way. Thus, it wanted to provide a RWD option for the go-fast people hauler.

RWD becomes the standard layout for the SUV now, though we don’t know prices just yet. Presumably, it’ll make the the vehicle a little cheaper with 4WD optional.

No matter where power flows, a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 remains, as does the 10-speed automatic transmission. Power remains quite healthy at 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.

Rumor emerged last week that next year’s Ford Explorer ST would get standard rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive. The rumor was true, so now you can have all 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet sent to the back.

But if you want, all-wheel-drive is still optional. And Ford has even more news regarding the 2022 Explorer lineup.

Ford has also launched the Explorer ST-Line, an ST in all but power and price. Following in the footsteps of the smaller Edge ST-Line introduced for 2020, the Explorer ST-Line slides in between the XLT and Limited trims.

It’s ST-aping appearance features include the black grille, black Explorer badge on the hood, blacked-out headlights and taillights, integrated exhaust tips and set of 20-inch machined aluminum wheels. Inside, Ebony Black seats come with black Miko synthetic suede inserts, and there’s a sport-style steering wheel plus red contrast stitching throughout the cabin.

2022 Ford Explorer ST Line Performance

Surely, there’ve been Explorer customers who want the looks of the ST without all the extra power. Don’t fret because Ford has a solution in the 2022 Explorer ST Line.

The SUV looks identical to the actual ST (save for ST Line badges), but it rocks a 2.3-liter turbo-four engine making 300 hp. The new model slots between the XLT and Limited trims and comes standard with 20-inch wheels, ST design such as the blacked-out grille, heated seats and steering wheel and much more.

Flick through the options list and you’ll find an available 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, wireless phone charging and a 360-degree camera. Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 suite of driver-assist and active safety systems comes along for the ride, and drivers will find the cabin stitched with red accents throughout to keep the sporting looks alive.

2022 Ford Explorer ST Line Engine

The big differentiator is under the hood. While the ST gets the 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, the ST-Line sticks with the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft.

Ford hasn’t detailed pricing for the 2022 Explorer lineup yet, but says the ST-Line will be $2,575 less dear than the Explorer Enthusiast ST, and $7,570 less expensive than the Explorer ST. That gives us a ballpark, but we’re waiting to see by how much — or if — the ST comes down from it’s current price of $50,245 by going to rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel.

If you’re looking for ST power with luxury, the King Ranch and Platinum trims now get the same output as the performance Explorer. Those two have used detuned versions of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 making 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque.

For 2022, they’ll both be elevated to 400 ponies. They will also get a standard Technology Package that includes a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio and multi-contour seats.

2022 Ford Explorer ST Line Price

The ST line slots between the XLT and Limited trims. You can get started in the ST-Line for about $45,845, while the RWD ST begins at around $48,430. This is $2,000 cheaper than the AWD model.