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:

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  FRONTEND PROBLEMS - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By TOM FRANKFURTH - November 17 - 2:00 am

  AT 45000 MILES MY TRUCK NEEDED BRAKES. AT 60000 MILES BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AND AT 71000 WHEEL BEARINGS ARE SHOT.

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  Just misses the mark - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By RDG - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Was a unique vehicle has too many little nagging problems to really enjoy ownership. The A/C fan quit within first week. Has had a noise in powertrain since new never fixed the dealer can never verify. Has recently developed a annoying popping sound while driving dealer has order parts per Ford TSB. Gas door was replaced a year ago because the hinge chipped the gas door opening. The tires were replace by recall.

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  Decent Truck - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By bennb - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Everything seems solid, but not outstanding to say the least. Moonroof shorts here and there. Engine replaced under warranty for head crack. Rear piece on tailgate bottom comes unglued. Seems a little on the poor side concerning integrity of build. Ride is OK, not great, but tolerable definitely. Paint on running board has chipped, interior finish on door handles and around the stereo scratches easily and peels as well. Really like the plastic bed, bed extender, and the tonneau cover helps overall satisfaction a great deal. A little tight in the back seat, but decent. A/C compressor slows at idle (engine idles too low?) .. no cooling then.

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  My First New Vehicle - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By cozmos - October 1 - 11:46 pm

  I love this Sport Trac even after 5 years. It is very comfortable in the front and back seats and I still think it is the sharpest looking truck on the road. It also has plenty of power for me. The ride has some choppiness and side to side rock that I dont like. I have had no maintenance yet.

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  Most Versatile Vehicle! - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Jim Johnson - August 31 - 6:16 am

  The Sport Trac ("ST") excels as an automotive Swiss army knife. It has decent performance and handling, seats five in comfort, functions surprisingly well as a pickup, and handles snowy roads with aplomb. And unlike the Chevy Avalanche, it doesnt look like it was designed by a committee. Simply the most versatile vehicle Ive ever owned!

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  I love the truck in spite of its flaws - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By percplayer - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I owned a Ford Ranger for 13 years and it was a great truck. When I saw the review of the sport trac in Car and Driver magazine, I knew this was the truck for me. I bought my sport trac the first year they were manufactured. Its been recalled a few times for small issues - nothing that I feel compromises the safety of the vehicle. The ride isnt as quiet as I expected in the cab, but thats about the only thing I really dont like about it. I love to drive my sport trac and it meets my needs.

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  Heart BRAKER - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By surreal - June 14 - 1:26 pm

  I love the look of the vehicle, very sporty chic looking, Ive had it two years and have had to replace the brakes twice and the rotors once, which I believe to be sub standard from the factory, and now have my suspicions about the bearings as well! Im a female, miles are all highway, and I do not do heavy braking. Im getting a LOT of road noise frequently from the front end, when its checked, its the brakes or the rotor. Now Im suspecting the bearings are bad! For my driving style, this is unacceptable for a vehicle of this type/cost to be having so many wheel problems. If used as a mans truck, worked, it would not survive long I fear. Im worried, so I bought the extended warranty!

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  Sport Trac - American Car - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Trac Owner - June 4 - 8:53 am

  The Sport Trac is the second Ford I have owned. In my experience the quality has been outstanding but fuel economy has been worse than any of the several foreign vehicles Ive owned. Took it to repair shop; they did computer analysis; couldnt find a problem. Suggested using premium gas which didnt help only cost me more money to buy! Im going back to foreign made especially with gas prices today.

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  Ford should keep it - 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By kirby28 - May 26 - 11:09 am

  I am reviewing a V8 Adrenalin 2010 6 speed. Im impressed! Quiet, smooth, gorgeous! But why such crummy gas mileage? And wait, no carpet(?) in a 38K vehicle?

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  Good Bur a Rough ride - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Good but a rough rid - May 16 - 4:56 am

  I first saw the Sport Trac in late 1999 in a commercial and I wanted it. So I sent to the several dealerships and they only had a few- but I found a 4x4 Gold w/ black trim. Of course I paid sticker - it was brand spankin new. I have had it since 2000 - 10years now and i have almost 72K miles on it. I just spent $700 for mew plugs, tune-up, etc. OVerall - its been a very good little truck. Gets me where I wanted to go, never got stuck.