EV Owner Test Drives the 2026 Ford Explorer ST-Line for the First Time — The Honest Reaction That Surprised Everyone
2026 Ford Explorer ST-Line: https://msaford.com/new-inventory/year/2026/model/explorer/trim/st-line/ **TL;DR:** What happens when a fully electric vehicle owner gets behind the wheel of a 2026 Ford Explorer ST-Line? In the first episode of **Honest Rides**, Abbotsford comedian and TEDx speaker Monique Bellamy expected a quick test drive. Instead, she discovered Ford BlueCruise hands-free highway driving, found herself genuinely impressed, […]
2026 Ford Explorer ST-Line: https://msaford.com/new-inventory/year/2026/model/explorer/trim/st-line/
**TL;DR:** What happens when a fully electric vehicle owner gets behind the wheel of a 2026 Ford Explorer ST-Line? In the first episode of **Honest Rides**, Abbotsford comedian and TEDx speaker Monique Bellamy expected a quick test drive. Instead, she discovered Ford BlueCruise hands-free highway driving, found herself genuinely impressed, and finished by saying she wanted to “sell all my possessions” for the Explorer. Along the way, MSA Ford donated to the Abbotsford Food Bank, proving that a simple test drive can support the local community.
Watch Honest Rides Episode 1
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Can an Electric Vehicle Driver Enjoy a Gas-Powered SUV?
Absolutely.
Modern SUVs like the 2026 Ford Explorer ST-Line aren’t simply competing on fuel type anymore. They’re competing on technology, comfort, safety, and convenience.
For Monique Bellamy, who drives an all-electric Toyota bZ4X every day, the biggest surprise wasn’t the engine.
It was everything else.
Meet Monique Bellamy
If you live in the Fraser Valley, you’ve probably seen Monique before.
She’s:
- Abbotsford comedian
- TEDx speaker
- Busy mom
- Choir member
- Community volunteer
- Proud electric vehicle owner
She arrived at MSA Ford with no intention of changing vehicles.
In fact, she openly admitted she already loved her EV.
That’s exactly why she was the perfect guest for Episode 1 of Honest Rides.
There was no script.
No pressure.
Just an honest conversation and a genuine first impression.
A Test Drive That Gives Back
Honest Rides isn’t just another dealership review series.
Every participant receives a $25 gift card for completing the drive.
MSA Ford also donates $25 to the Abbotsford Food Bank.
During the trivia challenge at the end of the episode, Monique earned additional money—and chose to donate all of it to the Food Bank instead of keeping it herself.
That perfectly captured what Honest Rides is about:
Real people.
Real reactions.
Real community impact.
First Impressions of the Explorer ST-Line
Within minutes of climbing inside, Monique noticed several features that immediately stood out.
She liked:
- Comfortable seating
- Heated seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Dual-zone climate control
- Spacious interior
- Easy-to-use controls
- Quiet, refined cabin
As a busy parent, she especially appreciated the little conveniences that make everyday driving easier.
Sometimes it’s the everyday features—not headline specifications—that make the biggest difference.
Then Everything Changed: BlueCruise
The moment everyone remembers happens on Highway 1.
Monique had never experienced Ford BlueCruise before.
Once activated, the Explorer began steering, accelerating and braking on its own while monitoring her attention through its driver monitoring system.
Her reaction?
Pure disbelief.
She laughed.
She screamed.
She compared it to a Stephen King movie.
Then she realized how useful it actually was.
As someone constantly balancing kids, schedules and distractions, she immediately saw the value of hands-free highway driving.
Instead of feeling nervous, she became increasingly confident as the drive continued.
By the end of the demonstration she was asking:
“Why am I even here right now?”
Why BlueCruise Impressed a Busy Parent
Throughout the drive, Monique kept coming back to one theme.
Time.
Not because BlueCruise saves time.
Because it reduces stress.
She joked about finally being able to:
- Adjust her messy bun
- Talk with passengers
- Focus on her kids
- Relax during highway driving
While drivers must always remain attentive and ready to take control, the technology clearly changed how she viewed long-distance driving.
Her excitement wasn’t about avoiding driving.
It was about making driving feel easier.
Performance Still Matters
The Explorer ST-Line isn’t just about technology.
During the drive, the discussion covered its:
- 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine
- Approximately 300 horsepower
- 310 lb-ft of torque
- Turbocharged performance
For someone coming from an electric vehicle, acceleration and smooth power delivery were important topics.
Monique appreciated that the Explorer still felt responsive without sacrificing practicality for everyday family life.
The Unexpected Turning Point
The funniest moment may also have been the most revealing.
After spending time with BlueCruise, Monique laughed and said:
“I’m ready to sell all my possessions.”
Later she added:
“Put a ring on it.”
Those comments weren’t scripted.
They came from someone who showed up expecting nothing more than a quick drive around Abbotsford.
That’s exactly why Honest Rides works.
Real reactions are far more convincing than rehearsed sales pitches.
Honest Rides Is About People, Not Sales
The goal of Honest Rides isn’t to convince everyone to buy a vehicle.
It’s to let local Fraser Valley residents experience new technology and share genuine opinions.
Some guests may love it.
Some may not.
Both outcomes are valuable.
Monique simply happened to discover a feature she never expected would matter so much in her daily life.
Should You Test Drive the 2026 Ford Explorer ST-Line?
If you’re shopping for a three-row SUV around Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley, the answer is simple:
Take one for a drive.
Whether you’re coming from another SUV, a pickup truck—or even an electric vehicle—you may discover features that don’t show up on a specification sheet.
Sometimes the best way to understand a vehicle is to experience it yourself.
As Monique proved, you never really know until you get behind the wheel.
Experience the 2026 Ford Explorer ST-Line at MSA Ford
Want to see what all the excitement is about?
Visit MSA Ford in the Fraser Valley Automall in Abbotsford and experience the 2026 Ford Explorer ST-Line for yourself.
You might just discover your own unexpected favourite feature.
And while you’re here, you can support a series that’s helping local charities one honest test drive at a time.
