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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Why did Ford build this? - 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By fmrdlrauto - September 29 - 9:24 amIt 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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Nothing but problems - 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By dodad - October 27 - 9:00 amBought this Sport Trac in October, had nothing but problems since. First the PCM burned up. Then three weeks later it wouldnt start. Its in the shop right now .They dont have a clue whats wrong with it. It only gets 10 miles to the gallon of gas. Has no power at all.
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Give me back my Jeep! - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By jcpo - September 4 - 10:00 amI think I bought this truck only because I liked the looks, something different. It is so hard to handle, parking, backing up, and turning are hard. Backing up at night is nearly impossible. The gas milage is AWFUL! The re-sale value is awful as well. Ive already tried to trade it in and sell it out right and have not been pleased so far. I had a Ford Bronco II years ago and I loved it, then went to Jeep, loved it too. Now Im looking for a Jeep Wrangler. I cant wait to get rid of this Ford. What was I thinking?!?
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NO MORE ST - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By NO MORE SPORT TRAC - April 26 - 10:00 amBRAKES AND ROTORS HAS TO BE CHANGED LIKE OIL. NO GAS MILEAGE. STEERING NEEDES IMPROVEMENT, ALSO, HANDLING. BLACK PAINT CRACKING AT 1 YR. OLD, MANUFACTURER WILL NO NOTIFY CONSUMERS OF THIS DEFFECT. A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY TOLD US THAT WORKS AT THE BODY SHOP. SO, IF YOUR TRUCK IS BLACK, HAVE IT PAINTED BEFORE END OF WARRANTY
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2002 Ford Sport Track 4WD - Disastrous - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By mworthi - April 23 - 12:53 amWe purchased a used Sport Trac from CarMax with approx 48,000 miles. Got a great price on the vehicle. Vehicle in great condition at time of purchase. Within 2 years, had to replace the engine in the truck. (Replaced with a case engine, not new.) Today, (08/06/08) the transmission is smoking and appears to be shot. The vehicle is squirrely to drive. Would not recommend this vehicle to anyone. CarMax was great, but Ford was not in the situation. I have an F-150 with almost 200,000 miles, and would not trade it for anything, but Ford really missed it with the Sport Trac! Buyer beware!
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Ford Sucks... - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Mixedthought - September 11 - 10:00 amI dont think this vehicle is worth the money you pay for it. The interior is very small. You really cant fit to much in it. Too compact. Just bought the car 6 months ago and the driver door, cd player, and rear window are broken. Car is worthless.
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broken - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Ronnie - July 28 - 4:27 am04 Ford sport trx is the worst truck iv ever owned has 143000 miles on it pulled up in my driveway cut it off and it jumped time. iv now been told the 4.0 ... v 6 is the worst motor they ever made lot off problem on jumping time if the problem was that bad there should been a recall on the dam motor like the truck in all just go head get 302 in it you thank me cause Im stuck with no WAY FIX THIS PC CRAP I BOUT
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Occasionally the 3rd time ISNT a charm! - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By WJM - June 26 - 10:00 am3rd Explorer-nothing like the first one (1991)no concerns for 60000+ miles until 3/4 ton Chevy turned into me at 60mph. It took a beating but saved me! This vehicle is not what I thought it would be. Trouble on wet roads w/traction-wind noise around front windows that you cant hear a conversation w/pass. unless you both shout(occurs at 35 or higher mph). Gas milage is terrible town 11mpg & highway about 14+mpg. All kings of engine noises under the hood. Many more concerns also. Car seems very poorly assembled. My 91 was the best followed by 96 Eddie B. and this one is a distant 3rd, very distant!!
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POS - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By jdwk - November 24 - 2:00 amThe car is very useful, and is one of the few cars I dont mind riding in the back of. However, it has been terribly unreliable. It is in the shop every other month. While it has been relatively swift in the past, it currently is painfully slow and is getting less than 10 mpg! I just got it out of the shop again, and although the strange noise during acceleration is gone, it is still slow and I havent noticed an improvement in gas milage.
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Nice Looking But Weak Performance - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By The Gadget Man - April 25 - 10:00 amThe SUV/truck looks good and drives ok when going straight...but try to turn and it wobbles like a duck. If youre into something different than the ordinary...this is the vehicle for you...its not too big and not too small...the Big Bad Wolf would be confused with a vehicle like this.
