What's wrong with the XL5? Only the drag brake? Brushed motors don't have much in terms of ESC tuning. And if you're required to use the stock motor I don't see much advantage to buying something else. I'd spend the money on better tires or body before I swap out the ESC in that class.
The reason it's common with crawlers is because that's the one class of RC vehicles where brushed motors are still common.