Explorer sport is the way to go imo. I road tested it and it's a blast. Especially with the terrain management system. You put it on sand during winter and you'll be 4wdrifting all winter long!!!! And the Ecoboost got loads of torque to move that tank.
Others to look at are scarce ; Journey (sport minivan blargh), Rogue (re-blargh, anemic engine coupled with retarded CVT), Santa FE (not the sport one, good power but bleh), Sorrento (As painfull it is to admit, I quite like its looks, but still no contender to the EXSPORT), The new Honda Pilot (CVshit also).
I am currently on the same market as you, look for 2014 explorer sports on kijiji, pretty good deals to be had as of lately.
Have fun!