26 Ranger Raptor or 26 Explorer ST

[cc1999]

What other options would you say are better at a $60k price point in the 3 row unibody class?

I would put my money on a V8 Durango. That would be my pic of 3 row unibody class SUVs in that price range.

For the main reason being multiple different V8s to pick from.
But for me, I just love a V8, the sound of 392 firing up is simply music to my ears.

I did own a 2014 Hemi Durango and it was a fun comfortable SUV to drive.

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[Mystic]

I would put my money on a V8 Durango. That would be my pic of 3 row unibody class SUVs in that price range.

For the main reason being multiple different V8s to pick from.
But for me, I just love a V8, the sound of 392 firing up is simply music to my ears.

I did own a 2014 Hemi Durango and it was a fun comfortable SUV to drive.

I would have gotten one for the same reason, but it's just such an old platform and I feel like it's well past time for a refresh. If they did that I would trade my ST in ASAP.

 

[cc1999]

I havnt heard of the ford everest til now. That looks great. Really wish we got that here. Imagine an everest raptor

Exactly, I think with Nissan coming back into the body on frame mid-size segment to compete with the 4-runner, I have to think it could still be on Ford's Radar to bring the Everst here someday to offer up a challenge to the 4 runner which is mostly flying solo right now in that segment.

 

[Bt_okst]

I would rather have a GX550 as well, but it's not really apples to apples.

My '25 ST was $58K OTD with the only major package available (sun & sound).

To get to $70k you have to select just about every single box available in the configurator including a black painted roof for almost $5K. Not really a good faith comparison at that point. It starts at $54K and is well optioned at $60K.

But yes, to each their own.

I agree at the 60k mark it's very competitive and they are really fun to drive. I'd want the black roof and the sun and fun pkg, and connectivity pkg etc so it got to 70k easily. This wasn't even adding bluecruise at over $4, which im not interested in.

Im just not a fan of the materials ford uses in its interiors and trim, and lack of seat movement options at its supposed premium trim levels when you get into that price point. But again at sub $60k it'd be tough to beat.

And the performance and fun to drive factors are definitely there in an explorer st.

 

[cc1999]

I would have gotten one for the same reason, but it's just such an old platform and I feel like it's well past time for a refresh. If they did that I would trade my ST in ASAP.

I don't think there is much that hasn't been updated on the Durango, I don't know of much feature wise the Explore has the Durango doesn't offer. I would have to think reliability has to be pretty solid, given its age and there seems to be so many in law enforcement use which have to meet pretty stringent durability requirements.

Your right though, it still looks a lot like the 2014 I use to own.

I do like the wider look of some of the performance model Durango's, some of them look really pretty cool still today, and that V8 makes up for a lot. LOL

 

[MauiMax]

Exactly, I think with Nissan coming back into the body on frame mid-size segment to compete with the 4-runner, I have to think it could still be on Ford's Radar to bring the Everst here someday to offer up a challenge to the 4 runner which is mostly flying solo right now in that segment.

And anybody who says the bronco competes it definitely doesnt. Also just looked up pics of the everest on 35s and if they do ever bring it here i want one.

 

[Jeffola]

speaking from experience, I have had two explorer ST's and now my daily is the Ranger Raptor, by far the ranger has been more fun and as its a popular truck, lots of accessories.

 

[Mystic]

And anybody who says the bronco competes it definitely doesnt. Also just looked up pics of the everest on 35s and if they do ever bring it here i want one.

This is my dream!!

Not sure about reliability, but the little diesel they sell it with over in Oz would be pretty cool too. Google says they get 27-33MPG in that configuration...would have great range for extended overglamping activities.

I think the new 4Runner is horrifically overstyled...Everest much calmer and pleasing to the eye IMO.

 

[DirtDerrick]

Have you not looked at the Explorer Tremor? I almost got one the other day. It has the 3.0L motor and you can tune it & most parts work from the ST.

 

[Grabber]

I wish Ford would bring the Everest, I would order one tomorrow. Really a sharp looking truck and a Raptor version would be even better.

 

[25BlackRaptor]

I own and love both. OP needs to decide which flavor fits his or her lifestyle. You don't buy either car for hopes to get money back. Both cost $$$ to insure, not the greatest on gas, you should keep up with routine maintenance, you'll probably want to mod either one... go test drive both and pick one!

 

[Lion77]

SUV vs PU ...

Which is the faster unit, more affordable to mod, and will hold value better ...?

C&D listed the RR at 14.1 sec quarter mile and the ST at 13.8. Pro Cal tune for the RR adds 50 HP which is 5 tenths quicker, knocks your quarter mile down to 13.6 for the RR.

Pro Cal for the ST adds a put 30 HP, tuned vs. Tuned they are darn close, stock vs. Stock they are about a car length apart (3 tenths).

My good friend from high school whose an army vet has 21 ST and ive driven it, nice highway cruiser with attitude, but it is a bit bland.

He liked my RR after driving it so much thats now his next vehicle as the ST is almost paid off (has over 130k miles on it).

 

[AutoFanatic43]

I did both. 2024 Ranger Raptor and a 2026 Explorer ST. Both are great vehicles and we're well on way into mods on both.

 

[Lion77]

On that same token, the RR can do things off-road the ST can only dream of! That's really the bread and butter of the RR, it's a rally / 4x4 trail truck. The Tremor package Explorer is a "light duty" off-road setup, it's just not built like the RR and won't ever have the articulation or ground clearance, it doesn't have a pickup bed, it wasn't designed to be jumped or handle heavy impacts to the suspension driving at higher speeds on rough terrain etc.

I think the Tremor package Explorer is a great option, don't get me wrong and it does what it was designed to do, the ST is the original on-road sport SUV formula, but I would say Tremor vs. RR is a bit more Apples to hybrid apples.

You can do a lot of practical traveling with the Tremor / ST, but it's not really intended to be a legitimate 4x4 platform, it's a road going SUV with a bit of light duty off-road capability for dirt roads, farm fields, gravel roads etc. You're not going to go jumping it 2-4 feet in the air at the sand dunes or crawling up the side of a rocky hill like the Hell's Revenge gate keeper, you're not going to throw whole 4x8 sheets of plywood or drywall into the bed from Home Depot (but you could tow a Trailor and do that, again extra work / cost though).

If you spend 99% of your time on roads your average AWD mid-sized SUV can drive on (i.e., Escape, Mazda CX-50 or similar) and no-road handling / ok fuel economy on the highway is more the emphasis, the ST or Tremor Explorers are probably the better bet. Or if you need more than 5 seats.

If you enjoy legitimate off-roading, literally taking the vehicle on rough terrain like OHV Parks, Sand Dunes, Desert Running, Rough 4x4 trails with obstacles and also need something with reasonable utilitarian capability, the RR is the better option for you. Plus, you can tailor the Ranger into one of two flavors:

4x4 trail hero on 35's with GOAT strut spacers

or

Rally / Baja / Track focused hoonigan with lightweight wheels on stock tire size, on stock suspension where it's more handling / speed focused.

Throw in a Pro Cal tune on premium fuel and it really wakes up.

I'm going the Rally / Baja route first because I enjoy the high-speed stuff and am not too keen on taking away from acceleration / braking / handling on-road or off-road for added 4x4 capability, most trails around me are easy to moderate (1-5 out of 10), but that's how I use the truck, 90% on-road, 10% off-road and I prefer higher speed terrain. I also enjoy the on-road acceleration when touring or just hooning around bumpy gravel pack back roads, the stock suspension / tire size is well suited to a wider variety of applications.

I also tow periodically and use it for utilitarian purposes, so long term durability is also a focus of mine, and I think stock tire sizes / lightweight wheels are better in that regard, but who knows, someday I may up the tires to 35's with a lift if I want to shift focus to more 4x4 uses, but having the taste of higher speed stuff....probably not! I also come from a 2016 Mustang GT Stage 2 Power Pack (455 hp 5.0L), so yah, I like the power / speed / handling side, but now it's offroad!

 

[Ron Quixote]

Do you want to haul people and their crap? If so, an SUV is way nicer than a pickup, particularly for road trips four-up. A covered truck bed is fine, but a hatch is ultimately easier.

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