2027 Ford Explorer ST Sinister Package
By Lorenzo Bianchi June 11, 2026
New Sinister Package adds blacked out exterior details and ST badging.
Explorer ST continues with a 385 hp twin turbocharged 3.0 liter EcoBoost V6.
Ford will bring back the Explorer ST Experience driving program in 2026.
The Ford Explorer ST has never been the typical three row family SUV. Since arriving as the performance focused version of Ford's best known SUV, it has attracted owners who wanted practicality without giving up speed, sound, or customization. For 2027, Ford is leaning into that enthusiast culture with the introduction of the new Explorer ST Sinister Package.
Rather than changing the fundamentals of the Explorer ST, the package focuses on appearance and identity. Ford says the idea came directly from the community of owners who have spent years personalizing their vehicles with dark trim, black wheels, and subtle visual modifications.
Darker Styling Inspired By The ST Community
The most noticeable changes are visual. The Sinister Package gives the Explorer ST a darker appearance with blacked out exterior details throughout the vehicle.
Dark accented ST badges replace the brighter trim pieces seen on standard models, while amber glowing running lights add a distinct signature at the front. Large 21 inch gloss black wheels complete the look and give the SUV a more aggressive stance.
Ford describes the package as a factory interpretation of modifications that have become common within the Explorer ST owner community. The result is a version that looks closer to many enthusiast built examples while remaining a production vehicle.
Familiar Three Row Performance Formula
Under the styling updates, the Explorer ST retains the performance hardware that has defined the model in recent years.
Power comes from a twin turbocharged 3.0 liter EcoBoost V6 producing 385 horsepower. Ford pairs the engine with a sport tuned suspension designed to deliver sharper responses than a typical family SUV.
That combination continues to position the Explorer ST in a niche space. It offers three rows of seating and everyday usability, yet remains focused on acceleration and handling in a way few mainstream SUVs attempt.
Driving School Returns For New Owners
Ford also used the announcement to confirm the return of the Explorer ST Experience.
Customers who purchase a new 2026 or 2027 Explorer ST will receive an invitation to participate in a one day professional driving school. Scheduled to launch in the fall of 2026, the program is intended to help owners explore the vehicle's capabilities in a controlled environment.
The experience reflects Ford's continued effort to build a community around the ST badge rather than simply offering a performance trim level.
A Factory Package With Aftermarket Roots
A significant part of the Sinister Package story comes from Explorer ST owners themselves. Ford highlights the influence of enthusiasts who have spent years modifying their SUVs with gloss black wheels, dark trim pieces, and custom styling touches.
According to the company, the package was developed as a response to those trends, bringing some of the most common visual modifications directly into the factory lineup.
For 2027, the Explorer ST Sinister Package does not reinvent the performance SUV. Instead, it gives one of Ford's most enthusiast driven models a darker, more purposeful look inspired by the people who helped shape its identity.