Verified Performance Tests i Updated Sep 2026 · 49 recorded runs

Ford Explorer 0–60 Times

The Ford Explorer 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 49 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and MotorWeek and more.

The fastest tested Ford Explorer is the 2026 Ford Explorer ST, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 4.90 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 13.50 seconds at 102.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.

The slowest tested Ford Explorer is the 1991 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer, which took 11.70 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 18.20 seconds at 75.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.

Out of all the Ford Explorer tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 7.86 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 15.98 seconds at 87.21 mph.

Fastest 0–60 4.90sec 2026 ST · stock

Average 0–60 7.86sec Across 49 runs

Avg ¼ Mile 15.98sec @ 87.2 mph trap

Slowest 0–60 11.70sec 1991 Eddie Bauer

Across 49 verified runs, the Ford Explorer ranges from 4.90 to 11.70 seconds 0–60, with a 7.86-second average.

The Ford Explorer is ranked in these lists

#32 Fastest Pickup Trucks

#35 Fastest Quarter Mile Trucks

#41 Fastest Cars of 2026

#48 Fastest SUVs

#48 Fastest Quarter Mile SUVs

#75 Fastest Turbocharged Cars

#87 Fastest Cars of 2025

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Ford Explorer Performance Overview

Ford Explorer performance spans 48 independently verified tests across 1991 to 2025, tracing a steady shift from slow-launching truck-based SUVs to quicker turbocharged family haulers. Early UN46 models used the 155-hp OHV Cologne V6 and sat at the slow end of the record, with the 1991 Eddie Bauer needing 11.7 seconds to reach 60 mph and the 1992 Eddie Bauer improving to 10.5. In the UN105 years, output rose to 160–210 hp through OHV and SOHC Cologne V6s, cutting times to 8.4 seconds in the 2000 Sport 2-door.

The U152 and U251 generations continued that progression. A 2005 XLT reached 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, then the 292-hp 2006 Eddie Bauer V8 lowered the mark to 7.8. With U502 from 2011 to 2019, the Explorer broadened from naturally aspirated V6 power to turbocharged and twin-turbocharged gasoline engines, moving from the 2011 Limited at 7.5 seconds to the 2013 Sport EcoBoost at 5.9 and the 2017 Platinum EcoBoost at 5.8 seconds.

Today’s U625 generation adds gasoline and hybrid powertrains, with outputs from 285 to 400 hp. The current benchmark is the 5.1-second 2025 ST, which also posts the quickest quarter-mile result at 13.8 seconds at 100 mph, placing the modern Explorer at the top of its own performance history.

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Ford Explorer 0–60 Times by Generation: UN46 to U625

6 generations

Generation	Years	Avg 0–60	Fastest 0–60	Tests	Notes
U625	2020–present	6.22s	5.10s — 2025 ST	13	The U625 generation (2020–present) averaged 6.22 seconds to 60 mph across 13 tests, led by the 2025 ST at 5.10 seconds. Output ranged from 285 to 400 hp across 2.3L Turbo, 2.3L Turbo I-4, 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6, 3.3L V6, 3.3L V6 + Elec configurations.
U502	2011–2019	7.28s	5.80s — 2017 Platinum EcoBoost	13	The U502 generation (2011–2019) averaged 7.28 seconds to 60 mph across 13 tests, led by the 2017 Platinum EcoBoost at 5.80 seconds. Output ranged from 240 to 365 hp across 2.0L Turbo I-4, 2.3L Turbo I-4, 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6, 3.5L V6 configurations.
U251	2006–2010	7.98s	7.80s — 2006 Eddie Bauer V8	4	The U251 generation (2006–2010) averaged 7.98 seconds to 60 mph across 4 tests, led by the 2006 Eddie Bauer V8 at 7.80 seconds. Output was 292 hp across 4.6L V8 configurations.
U152	2002–2005	9.08s	8.20s — 2005 XLT	5	The U152 generation (2002–2005) averaged 9.08 seconds to 60 mph across 5 tests, led by the 2005 XLT at 8.20 seconds. Output ranged from 210 to 239 hp across 4.0L V6, 4.6L V8 configurations.
UN105	1995–2001	9.42s	8.40s — 2000 Sport 2-door	10	The UN105 generation (1995–2001) averaged 9.42 seconds to 60 mph across 10 tests, led by the 2000 Sport 2-door at 8.40 seconds. Output ranged from 160 to 210 hp across 4.0L V6, 5.0L V8 configurations.
UN46	1991–1994	11.00s	10.50s — 1992 Eddie Bauer	3	The UN46 generation (1991–1994) averaged 11.00 seconds to 60 mph across 3 tests, led by the 1992 Eddie Bauer at 10.50 seconds. Output was 155 hp across 4.0L V6 configurations.

U625 2020–present

Avg 0–60 6.22s

Fastest 5.10s

Tests 13

2025 ST

The U625 generation (2020–present) averaged 6.22 seconds to 60 mph across 13 tests, led by the 2025 ST at 5.10 seconds. Output ranged from 285 to 400 hp across 2.3L Turbo, 2.3L Turbo I-4, 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6, 3.3L V6, 3.3L V6 + Elec configurations.

U502 2011–2019

Avg 0–60 7.28s

Fastest 5.80s

Tests 13

2017 Platinum EcoBoost

The U502 generation (2011–2019) averaged 7.28 seconds to 60 mph across 13 tests, led by the 2017 Platinum EcoBoost at 5.80 seconds. Output ranged from 240 to 365 hp across 2.0L Turbo I-4, 2.3L Turbo I-4, 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6, 3.5L V6 configurations.

U251 2006–2010

Avg 0–60 7.98s

Fastest 7.80s

Tests 4

2006 Eddie Bauer V8

The U251 generation (2006–2010) averaged 7.98 seconds to 60 mph across 4 tests, led by the 2006 Eddie Bauer V8 at 7.80 seconds. Output was 292 hp across 4.6L V8 configurations.

U152 2002–2005

Avg 0–60 9.08s

Fastest 8.20s

Tests 5

2005 XLT

The U152 generation (2002–2005) averaged 9.08 seconds to 60 mph across 5 tests, led by the 2005 XLT at 8.20 seconds. Output ranged from 210 to 239 hp across 4.0L V6, 4.6L V8 configurations.

UN105 1995–2001

Avg 0–60 9.42s

Fastest 8.40s

Tests 10

2000 Sport 2-door

The UN105 generation (1995–2001) averaged 9.42 seconds to 60 mph across 10 tests, led by the 2000 Sport 2-door at 8.40 seconds. Output ranged from 160 to 210 hp across 4.0L V6, 5.0L V8 configurations.

UN46 1991–1994

Avg 0–60 11.00s

Fastest 10.50s

Tests 3

1992 Eddie Bauer

The UN46 generation (1991–1994) averaged 11.00 seconds to 60 mph across 3 tests, led by the 1992 Eddie Bauer at 10.50 seconds. Output was 155 hp across 4.0L V6 configurations.

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Ford Explorer 0–60 Times by Year and Trim

49 tests · 22 years

▾

Model Year 22

2026 Ford Explorer

1 verified run

Avg 0–60 4.90 sec

Avg ¼ Mile 13.50 sec

Recorded Tests 1

#01

2026 Ford Explorer ST

4.90sec 0–60

0.0s · 0mph 0.0s · 0mph

13.50s ¼ mi @ 102.0 mph

▾

0–60 mph: 4.90 sec
¼ Mile ET: 13.50 sec
Trap Speed: 102.0 mph
Engine: 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6
Drivetrain: AWD
Transmission: 10A
Horsepower: 400 hp
Torque: 415 lb-ft
Curb Weight: 4,723 lbs
Power-to-Weight: 11.8 lbs/hp
MPG EPA: 18 C / 25 H / 20 Obs
Production Vehicle
Body Type: Suv
Powertrain: Gasoline
Test Source: Car and Driver
Overall Rank: #1 of 49

How we verify Ford Explorer performance data

We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Ford Explorer trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.

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Ford Explorer 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution

0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is faster

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Ford Explorer performance FAQs

10 questions

The 2025 Ford Explorer ST reaches 60 mph in 5.1 seconds in the quickest recorded run, with another verified test at 5.2 seconds. Its best quarter-mile is 13.8 seconds at 100 mph, making it the quickest Explorer currently on record.

The fastest Ford Explorer ever recorded is the 2025 Explorer ST, with a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds. It also owns the quickest quarter-mile result for the model line at 13.8 seconds at 100 mph, ahead of every other Explorer test on record.

The fastest stock Ford Explorer is the 2025 ST. It hits 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and runs the quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds at 100 mph. All 48 Explorer tests on record are production vehicles, so the fastest overall result is also the fastest stock result.

For 2025, the Explorer ranges from 6.1 seconds to 5.1 seconds from 0-60 depending on trim. The Active does it in 6.1 seconds, the Platinum in 5.9 seconds, and the ST in 5.1 to 5.2 seconds. Across all 48 Explorer tests, the overall average is 7.92 seconds.

The U625, or sixth-generation Explorer, is the quickest generation on record. Across 13 tests, it averages 6.22 seconds from 0-60, and its fastest run is the 2025 ST at 5.1 seconds. Power spans 285 to 400 hp, with gasoline and hybrid versions represented.

The fastest fifth-generation U502 Explorer is the 2017 Platinum EcoBoost, with a 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds. Across 13 tests, the U502 generation averages 7.28 seconds. That made it notably quicker than earlier generations, but still slower than the current U625 generation’s 5.1-second best.

A first-generation UN46 Ford Explorer is much slower than newer models. Across 3 tests, that generation averages 11.0 seconds from 0-60, and the quickest run is 10.5 seconds by a 1992 Eddie Bauer. Output for the generation ranges from 155 to 155 hp, all naturally aspirated gasoline models.

The 2025 Explorer ST is quicker. The ST reaches 60 mph in 5.1 seconds in the best test, while the Platinum does it in 5.9 seconds. Both use 400 hp and 415 lb-ft with AWD, but the ST also leads in the quarter-mile, running 13.8 seconds versus the Platinum’s 14.5 seconds.

The 2025 Explorer ST is 1.0 second quicker to 60 mph than the Active. The Active posts 6.1 seconds, while the ST runs 5.1 seconds in its quickest test. In the quarter-mile, the Active records 14.7 seconds at 94.1 mph, compared with the ST’s 13.8 seconds at 100 mph.

The best quarter-mile time ever recorded for a Ford Explorer is 13.8 seconds by the 2025 ST. One run trapped 100 mph and another 100.8 mph. For broader context, the average Explorer quarter-mile across all 48 tests is 16.03 seconds at 86.9 mph.

Sources

Car and Driver

Motor Trend

MotorWeek

0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Ford Explorer can do, not a single marketing claim.

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