2026 Explorer ST-Line

Sport looks, honest pricing

ST-Line is the trim for buyers who want the Explorer ST's attitude, the blacked-out grille, the 20-inch Ebony-painted wheels, the hood badging, without the V6's price jump or its thirstier EPA numbers. It's still the 2.3-liter four under the hood, 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft, and the fuel economy holds at 20 city / 29 highway on the rear-wheel-drive version, dropping slightly to 20/27 with 4WD. What changes from the Active is the driver-assist hardware: Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 brings a genuine 360-degree camera view, useful for threading a Publix parking lot or backing a trailer down a boat ramp without a spotter. BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free highway driving system, is available as an option here, a meaningful upgrade for the Tampa or Orlando commute crowd who spend real time on I-4.

Inside, the ST-Line swaps in durable cloth seats with red contrast stitching and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the standard stereo steps up to a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen system with a dedicated subwoofer, a genuine jump from the Active's setup. Heated front seats are standard, and heated second-row seats are available for buyers who want the whole family covered on a rare Central Florida cold snap.

Where ST-Line sits in the lineup

Think of ST-Line as the style-forward middle ground before the lineup splits into off-road (Tremor) and luxury (Platinum) directions. It shares its engine and drivetrain options with the Active and Platinum, so the decision between ST-Line and those trims comes down to how much the styling and camera upgrade matter versus, on Platinum's side, massaging seats and a bigger sound system. Buyers cross-shopping the ST-Line against the full-V6 ST should know the horsepower gap is real, 300 versus 400, and the ST-Line can't be optioned into a V6 model; that jump requires stepping up to the ST trim itself.

What buyers say

Lakeland Ford's reviews consistently single out the sales team by name rather than just the vehicle. Gabby Pedraza, who traded in for a new Explorer this spring, wrote: "I usually get serviced here and they are always very friendly and helpful and recently I traded in my car with the best sales women, Natalie Uria! She was very efficient and worked to get me exactly what I wanted. I would recommend 100%." Denisse De Jesus, a 2026 Explorer buyer, echoed the same praise: "Got My 2026 Ford Explorer, Excellent Service and Amazing Service Provided by Natalie! Thanks Lakeland Ford!" Natalie Uria is a current Ford Sales Specialist at the dealership. That kind of repeat, specific praise across separate buyers is the reassurance a spec sheet alone can't offer on a purchase this size.

Frequently asked questions

What's different between the ST-Line and the regular Active?

The engine and base practicality are the same; ST-Line adds 20-inch wheels, black exterior trim, Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 with a 360-degree camera (versus Assist+ on Active), red-stitched cloth seats, a leather-wrapped wheel, and the 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. It's roughly $4,500 more for the styling and camera upgrade, not a different powertrain.

Does the ST-Line come with the V6 engine?

No. ST-Line runs the 2.3-liter turbo four exclusively; the 400-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 is standard only on the ST trim, and available (bundled with other equipment) on the Tremor. If the V6 is the priority, ST-Line isn't the trim to option into it.

Is BlueCruise worth adding to an ST-Line?

For anyone doing regular I-4 or Polk Parkway commuting, it's a genuine quality-of-life upgrade, hands-free driving on mapped highways with automatic lane changes. It's optional here rather than standard (as it is on Platinum and ST), so it's worth test-driving before deciding if it's worth the add.

How does ST-Line towing compare to the Active?

Identical: 5,000 pounds maximum with the standard tow package, same as every trim in the 2026 lineup. The styling and camera upgrades don't change what the ST-Line can pull.

Try the sport look in Lakeland

The ST-Line splits the difference nicely between value and flash. Current ST-Line inventory is posted on the dealer's site, and a back-to-back drive against the Active or the full ST at the West Memorial Boulevard showroom is the fastest way to feel the difference the wheels and camera actually make.