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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  Versatility is top-notch, as is quality! - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By JR Comet - August 7 - 7:43 pm

  I 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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  2003 Ford Sport Trac XLT - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Crudup - July 4 - 2:00 am

  Drives like a wild horse. Ride is very bumpy. Wind noise.

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  Good individual/family mobile - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Mrhubert01 - June 25 - 12:10 am

  Quiet, 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

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  Nearly Perfect for Our Family - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By BKN6006_IN - June 24 - 2:40 am

  I had owned 3 Dodge Dakotas in a row, all bought new, since 1988. The last one, a 2002 (Generation 3) broke me of them for good; far too many problems. I traded it off for a used Sport Trac, which admittedly, scared me as Id been hit hard with a used car (from a dealer) before! The 04 was previously owned by the dealers service manager, and had 15K miles on it. It was everything I was looking for, with the exception of no manual transmission available. I had not owned an automatic since 1985! I have had the truck for 2.5 years now, and other than a rude surprise from the front brake calipers seizing and ruining all pads and rotors, there have been no issues at all. Very reliable and smooth.

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  2002 Sport Trac - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By WCH - June 14 - 2:00 am

  Traded in a 2000 Ranger V6 for the Sport Trac. Has all the room that I was looking for and the comfort to boot! Very nice leather interior, comfortable seats, high look-out view. Drives very well on the open highways, except on very windy days...then you get blown all over the place! Otherwise, decent ride for a truck. Gets LOTS of looks from everyone! Would recommend to anyone!

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  My little bull truck - 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By melody - June 13 - 4:03 pm

  In the year of Jan. 2009 we had a snow storm that surprised some of the locals i had left work at 1:00 AM driving slow on highway I 40 freeway and noticed vehicles losing control including a couple of police cars in front of me when the one police officers auto was sliding backwards the officer did manage to get his auto in control and i drove with my new 2008 sport track all wheel drive up the icy hwy with no problems and i felt very safe in my truck on the icy roads. I am very happy I bought this little bull, that left every one in the dust. Yea!

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  expierience - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By mary goongs - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Its fun going off road.

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  Problem Solver - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By SEVEREBEAGLE - May 27 - 11:40 am

  My lease is finally over! I really enjoyed this wanna be truck, too bad the gas mileage was not great. 16 mpg on a good week of city driving. I wish the new 2009 was out but not at the dealer yet. Two things need to improve, the gas mileage and the small compartments in the bed should be waterproof and with locks of some kind. I am really gonna miss this one.

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  Sport Trac - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Jacksprat - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Great car, my second one, first one had 40,000 miles on it and never back to dealer for anything. This one at about 15000 miles has never been back.Only thing that I dont like is the front bucket seat on the seat itself, sides are a bit high but other wise it is a great little truck.

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  great truck - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By gunnar - May 16 - 2:00 am

  A well built vehicle thats fun and adventures