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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  Best for me - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By waterguy - October 28 - 2:00 am

  The Sport Trac is the perfect pick up for the way I use a pick up. Excellent seating for 4 full sized adult people. Easy to get in and out. Excellent in the snow.

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  my 2004 Sport Trac Adrenalin - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Scott89racin - October 27 - 7:16 pm

  I have had very few problems with my Sport Trac. Ball joints were replaced at 12k and the transfercase was rebuilt at 29k due to a problem with hanging up in low or not shifting into 4wd at all. Drivers window reg was replaced at 29k and they fixed an evap problem at 35k under warranty.For having such a small engine it still pulls and I have more than once exceeded the 3500 lb towing capacity by 100%(I towed combined 7000 once) The trans cooler is a definete plus for towing. My friends Silverado trans went out going over the divide in Colorado with less miles towing about the same loads as me.(a Jeep) My fluid was cool to the touch while he had smoke comming out of his fill tube!

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  Awesome truck! - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Moms Ride - October 14 - 11:26 pm

  I love this truck! Not only does it look good, but it handles great too, in all kinds of weather and all kinds of terrain. Parking is a breeze, because it turns on a dime. The 4 doors help to make family living convenient, as well as shopping, with the fold down seats. I will definitely buy another!

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  2002 - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By qa9031 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Have transported, king size mattress, mulch for the yard, scuba equipment, boating equipment all with relative ease, great vehicle.

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  A Long Wait....A Quick Disappointment - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By KO4321 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  This brand new truck was purchased as a college graduation present to myself. Nine months later, I had to be given a brand new engine. My dealership was excellent through all of my problems. But, I felt Ford should have shown me some type of support (even just a letter of apology). A year and a half and 2 recalls later, I am very disappointed not only in the quality of this vehicle but in the lack of customer service that Ford has shown me. Without the tonneau cover, the back is too light and slides in rain and snow.I am young, and will own several more cars in the future. However, none of them will be a Ford.

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  Why did Ford build this? - 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By fmrdlrauto - September 29 - 9:24 am

  It is Nov 2012 as I type this. Altho this pkp has less than 12,000 mi it has had to have ALL 4 brakes & 2 rotors replaced due to early failure. Not much room for a 61 guy like me. Pkp is underpowered and avgs 17 mpg city/hwy cmbind. Short bed is nxt to worthless. You cannot unlock doors with keypad on door, only with keyfob! Late fathers trk. Drove many pkps over the years. This is the worst. Had so much trouble with my 99 Sable and this 2005 Pkp, I am now a proud 2010 Honda Van owner. No wonder FORD dropped this model. Choppy ride, & controls are in weird places. Id have been ashamed to sell this trk to my customers. Give me an old F150 4x4, 8ft. bed!

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  Noise????? - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By ben13 - September 23 - 10:00 am

  I owned an Explorer (02) which developed low hum in rearend around 40 + MPH. The dealer tried several fixes and finally said live with it. I decided to trade in on sporttrac (03) no hum initially, but guess what after about 2K miles the old hum is back only louder and more annoying (riders notice it immediately). A local Ford dealer had a gtreat fix - ride with the radio on!!!!! Thanks ford. Ive had several ford products over the last few years and this one is the last.

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  Best Truck Period - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Shermstix - September 15 - 2:00 am

  This Vehicle is amazing. It is basically the Explorer SUV with a cut out for a composite bed. Smooth ride coupled with a luxurious interior make this "Truck" feel as if you were driving a Lincoln. I would recommed it to anyone who has a family but still needs to haul large items like when you are landscaping. Plus it is Ford tough!!

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  Very impressed - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By dan the man - September 5 - 10:26 pm

  I have owned many a truck--and I am very pleased to have purchased this one. My wife actually picked this one out--I was not aware it had a frame which allows it to tow over 5,000 lbs--the current V6 explorers only do 3,500 lbs because of their more uni-body construction (I believe I am correct in this). The rear power window is a god-send! It is large and easy to operate. I love the rubber floors--easy to get messy and easy to clean up! I have a 5x10 trailer and a property that needs a smaller truck to maneuver around the trees so the Sport Track can easily tow the trailer when the load out paces the smaller truck bed and it can also more easily get around the trees on my lot! Buy it!

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  I love this Ford! - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By James G. King - August 26 - 2:00 am

  jUST AN AWESOME VEHICLE! a LOT OF THOUGHT WENT INTO DESIGNING THIS VEHICLE!