Overview & Reviews
Pickup? SUV? How about both? The specialized Ford Explorer Sport Trac was a vehicle meant to offer the best of both worlds, which is to say the cargo-hauling ability of a pickup and the comfortable interior of an SUV. It was, in essence, an Explorer with a pickup bed grafted to the back.
There have been two generations of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. We were never very impressed by the original. Though clever in concept, it lacked in execution. The first Sport Trac was low-tech, underpowered and saddled with poor handling characteristics. The redesigned second-generation model, which debuted for the 2007 model year, was a much better package overall thanks to improvements in its power, cargo and towing capacity, and handling and comfort characteristics.
In most respects, Ford succeeded at its goal of building a vehicle that could act as both a pickup and an SUV. For consumers in need of a vehicle for hauling recreational gear or just something that can be used for light-duty trips to Home Depot, the Sport Trac should work just fine. We recommend shoppers take a look at some competing automakers' crew cab midsize pickups of the same time period, however, as they fulfilled much of the same role and offered advantages in refinement, performance and cab/body style configurations.
Most Recent Ford Explorer Sport Trac Models
The most recent generation of the five-passenger Ford Explorer Sport Trac was offered from 2007-'09. It came in a single body style: a four-door crew cab pickup. Although it shared the fundamental structure of the Explorer SUV, the Sport Trac was nearly 17 inches longer. The added length came from its longer wheelbase, which allowed room for the 4-foot cargo bed as well as plenty of rear legroom.
The Sport Trac's bed was constructed from sheet-molded composite (SMC), which was lighter than steel and wouldn't rust or dent. There were three integral storage compartments, and options included a folding cargo-bed extender and a hard tonneau cover. The bed contained a 12-volt power outlet.
Two trims were offered: base XLT and luxury Limited. The XLT's standard features included power mirrors and windows, keyless entry, cruise control, air-conditioning and a CD player. The Limited adds larger 18-inch wheels, color-keyed bumpers and mirrors, foglights and side-step bars. Major options include a sunroof, dual-zone climate control and a navigation system.
There were two engines offered in this generation. The standard 4.0-liter V6 engine (210 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque) was matched to a five-speed automatic transmission. The available 4.6-liter V8 (292 hp and 300 lb-ft) came paired with a six-speed automatic. There was also a choice of either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
In reviews of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, we found the vehicle competent, with no major faults. Acceleration is average, even with the V8, and handling pleasant enough to fulfill Ford's target of carlike driving qualities. In addition, the cabin was comfortable and worked well enough. Although adequate in most respects, the Sport Trac wasn't outstanding in any one area. Accordingly, we'd advise consumers shopping for a multipurpose crew cab pickup to check out the Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Frontier before making a decision.
Changes throughout this generation's brief span were minor, with Ford adding the Sync system for 2008 and upgrading the optional navigation system for '09.
Past Ford Explorer Sport Trac Models
Sold from 2001-'05, the first Ford Explorer Sport Trac suffered from the launch-model blues. It was based on the old, second-generation Explorer and built around the Explorer's 4.0-liter V6 engine, chassis and suspension. At the time, we noted that we liked the vehicle's dual-nature configuration and many available features, but disliked its sloppy handling, limited towing and hauling capabilities, and subpar off-road abilities.
Changes to this generation were minor, so used-model shoppers should probably not feel a need to focus on any particular year.
User Reviews:
Showing 71 through 80 of 560.00-
210,000---Need I say more - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Jen - October 27 - 9:26 pm210,000 miles has not broke down once! No motor problems at all. Now that I wrote this review it will probably break down---right! (Actually I am knocking on wood). I think I have been very lucky with this truck. Do and would recommend to anyone.
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Great SUT - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By topsy - October 2 - 2:00 amIm very, very happy with this SUT (Sport Utility Truck). It meets all of my needs. It feels very solid.
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Sport Trac is the One - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By sporttracz - September 16 - 10:00 amThe Sport Trac is a fantastic family vacation vehicle. Going to the beach in it is the best. No more sand in the carpet and no fishy smell inside the vehicle. Carry the family, boogie boards and fishing rods without any problems. It also has been great towing a large pop-up camper. You hardly ever know that it is behind you. The gas mileage towing the camper was 16.4. I felt this was exceptionally good considering we had the truck and the camper loaded up. I highly recommend anyone looking for a new family vehicle to look at the Sport Trac.
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Great truck, but short on amenities - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By ST Driver - September 16 - 10:00 amExcellent truck... getting 17-19 MPG keeping the foot out of it -- great for a truck/SUV. Ample torque off the line for merging, but fades a bitabove 50 mph. Interior is comfy, big and handy, but lacks basics like compass/outside temp gauge found std on cars costing half as much. Power mirrors and cruise not enough to justify the $1.5K extra for XLT package - shouldve bought XLS and had those added for about half that. Zero reliability issues in first 3k miles - fun to drive, but a bit bumpy.
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I love my Sport Trac! - 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Lindzay71676 - September 11 - 10:00 amI absolutely love this truck. You get the best of both worlds as an SUV or as a truck with the bed on back. The interior is very luxurious with all the extras. My best vehicle purchase so far!
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Second One Purchased - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By johnniemize - September 10 - 12:20 pmI purchased a 2003 Sport Trac XLT and kept it for three years with 12,000 miles per year. Like it so well that I went and purchased a 2007 Limited with a V8 and like it even better.
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Excellent SUV - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Hoeting - September 7 - 2:00 amWe love our SportTrac and plan to purchase another one this year. Absolutely NO problems at any time. Its a joy to drive and very convienient with the extended bed. Highly recommend!
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Good Ford - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Mike123 - August 10 - 10:00 amIt is a great truck, that can be used for many differnt reason. It can carry a load and also looks good while doing it.
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Versatility is top-notch, as is quality! - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By JR Comet - August 7 - 7:43 pmI purchased my Sport Trac a month ago and Ive been nothing but impressed with the truck. The bed is awesome, I can put groceries in it and use it as a trunk or load items in it like a bed, as I have done both. The ride is very quite and smooth, you have to get the V8, which is powerful and quiet. The gas mileage, so far, is about what I expected and I anticipate about 13- 15 mpg in town and 18-20 on the hwy. These trucks can be a car, truck and SUV, all in one. Best vehicle purchase Ive ever made and Ive had Toyota, Nissan, Ford and others.
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Good individual/family mobile - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Mrhubert01 - June 25 - 12:10 amQuiet, comfortable ride....roomy and satisfactory power..would make a good family vehicle...great for trips ...more flexibility than traditional explorer I do have issue with lifespan of the seat covers-cloth Had a sunroof installed and tonneau put on. I have nearly all options on this one now...and really holding value
