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 21 through 30 of 560.00-
Great ride - 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By ryan - November 4 - 7:56 pmI came out of a 2003 4x4 F250 w/ the V10. I loved th truck but needed a vehicle with a lower payment and lower fuel bill. The Sport Trac did both. I have really enjoyed the ST. I think the 4.0 v6 handles it better than the 4.6 v8 handles the F150. Fuel mileage is avg. about 17, and, with the tailgate down, my Honda Foreman 4wheeler will fit in the back(the side tie downs come in very handy for this. Would definately recommend this vehicle.
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Explorer Sport Trac - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By kzerby - September 1 - 1:36 amI purchased this vehicle because I am going to be having a child soon and needed something with more room. I chose the Sport Trac because of its unique ability to carry passengers and still haul items in the pickup bed. I also chose this vehicle because of the decent reviews it has gotten from most reviewers. Also I love the color (Island Blue)! So far I have 1450 miles on my Sport Trac.
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2003 ST - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By TChapman - August 24 - 10:00 amThis my second Sport Trac and I love this vehicle. It fits all of my needs with its bed and interior room. I have had no issues with it since purchased.
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Reliable and Utilitarian - 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Rick Smith - August 13 - 12:03 amThis is the second Sport Trac I have owned. The first proved to be so very useful that my wife and I had to buy another. I like all of the features and it rides very nicely. I dont need a "real truck" and we need a vehicle with a back seat.
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st - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By nightrider55 - July 21 - 10:00 amlove my truck,have added $1000 in after- market parts. this is the only truck ford has made and never had to advertise it has sold on looks and owners praises
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disapointed in anderson - 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By gerald morris - July 4 - 1:33 pmthe only problems i have with this vehicle is (very noisey engine) and (poor fuel mileage) "six cyl". For this reason i wont keep it for long.I should have got a V8. Also, the toneau cover leakes.
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Looks Are Deceiving - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By nailsdiana - June 26 - 4:50 pmMy husband and I purchased our Sport Trac in Mar.2000. When we first got it we loved it. Everyone turned their heads to look at it. This vehicle is very noisy, you can always hear air noises and whistling. The dealership has tried to fix that and cant. We have been to the dealership with numerous little things going wrong:the alarm system,the keypad on the door,the overdrive switch,and the oilsending unit.This truck rides rough.
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Fun in the Sun - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By ReefDiver - June 8 - 10:00 amOverall I love my Sport Trac, I use it for kayak diving which is very gear intensive and, as you can imagine, wet and sandy. The bed allows me to keep the dirty things out back while my leather interior doesnt have to deal with any of it. If I had one complaint it would be fuel economy but I knew I wasnt buying a Honda
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So Far So Good - 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By coach - April 23 - 3:30 pmThe truck is a great family vehicle. Comfortable for the commute and great for light home owner hauling. 4WD works well and pulls great. The only complaints are the poor location for the seat warmers and the squeaky drivers seat. The seat warmer needs to be moved to the dash area where you will not bump it while getting in. The drivers seat squeaks and was told by Ford, "Dont know why." Other than that it is a great car. I can not complain about the fuel, because I know it is a truck. Looking forward to the 8 cylinder.
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A good mix - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Dan - April 1 - 11:20 amI absolutely love the versatility of this vehicle. Ive loaded a fridge, mountain bike & TV stand in the back and carried 4 adults in the cab. You just cant beat that versatility. Its not a superior truck, nor a superior passenger vehicle. If you need a dedicated truck, buy a truck. If you need an SUV to haul the family, buy an SUV. However, if you want a vehicle that performs both jobs well (not perfectly, mind you) then you cant go wrong with a Sport Trac.
