Late last year, Steeda Autosports got its hands on the 2025 Ford Explorer ST, intent on studying the performance-oriented crossover so it could take what it learned and run with it. The Explorer ST is a beast in its own right, but Steeda has certainly upped the ante, and in a recent video, the aftermarket tuner set out to answer a question: does a cold air intake actually make the crossover faster?
The best way to test that hypothesis, of course, is to turn the 2025 Ford Explorer ST loose on a dragstrip. The first run is the control run, running without the cold air intake (and the air conditioning, but that was driver error). The crossover gallops from zero to 60 mph in 5.27 seconds. With that run on the books, it's time to slap the intake on.
Steeda says that its cold air intake system provides several advantages over the stock intake. However, one side of the intake is larger than the other, potentially reducing airflow. Steeda's cold air intake seems to eliminate this issue, and the best part is the removable lid, which helps keeps dirt and debris down and lower the air intake temperatures.
With everything squared away, it's time to put the 2025 Ford Explorer ST to the test. The first pull produces surprising results - the crossover is actually slower, pulling a 5.30-second run. After regrouping and giving it another shot, they reduce that time to 5.20 seconds - only marginally better.
For one last test, the team removes the air box cover. While the 2025 Ford Explorer ST sounds a lot better, it only pulls a 5.44-second zero to 60 mph run. So, in short - the cold air intake really doesn't improve the crossover's speed. If anything, it's detrimental.
Even if the cold air intake doesn't help much, Steeda does know its way around the 2025 Ford Explorer ST. In fact, we think it's a nice-looking ride both inside and out.
Comments
Most factory airboxes do very well getting the right amount of air into the engine. You would have to look at a better intake manifold to increase the air that can freely come in.
You can have any interior color you like from Ford…as long as its black…unreal they offer only limitied colors…explorer only two…black and gray…no white..creme color etc, go to most all Ford dealerships..truck two..90% have black interior…i had black interiors before, hardest to keep clean…and very hot in hi temps…