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 11 through 20 of 560.00-
NOISEY!!!!!!! - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Elmar - April 25 - 10:00 amDeafening wind noise. NO turning radius. NOISEY Suspension. Poor Excelleration BUY a truck if you want a truck. Buy an SUV if you want an SUV. POOR DESIGN all over!!!!!!!
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Its cute, but . . . - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Cary in Florida - March 17 - 7:23 pmOur SportTrac is cute, but it doesnt handle well at all, and its loud and rough-running. It creaks when you turn the wheel "too far" in either direction (like when Im going through a drive- through restaurant!), the engine light constantly comes on (thankfully we got the extended warranty), and the drivers seat wont go close enough in for my comfort.
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Embarassment to America - 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By scubajeff - December 22 - 11:43 amWhat in the heck are they thinking in Detroit? Ford has been making trucks for well on 100 years. This is the most uncomfortable truck I have ever been in. This truck is provided as a work vehicle and I hate to get in the thing. The YukonXL I was in previously was by far a more comfortable, good riding truck. This SUV, while being a smaller body, has no excuse not to have a more comfortable and well designed seat at least. Then add the cheap cheap leather, and interior which looks like its a year old already, and I can see why the big three reps apologized for building cheap cars. This wasnt cheap, but it sure is built that way. Fit and finish? What a joke. Never again Ford. Never.
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THIS CAR IS JUNK - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By CINDI - April 27 - 10:00 amFROM THE DATE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE I HAVE SPENT MORE TIME IN RENTAL CARS THEN MAY OWN IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP THAT OFTEN I PURCHASED IT AT ABOUT 34000 MILES NOW IT HAS 39000 AND THE PIECE OF JUNK JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE AND THE DEALER THATS A DIFFERANT STORY I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM VICTORY FORD IN EPHARTA
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Common Features Not Present - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By The Truth - December 10 - 2:00 am10,000 miles on my 2002 Sport Track.In shop twice: 1st-pioneer 6-cd in-dash player wouldn’t play or eject CDs, and 2nd - multiple issues-drivers side window wouldn’t raise up; fuel pump problem; and plastic piece broke off the cage extender. Also, poor turning radius, noisy road ride, no lock for glove compartment, no option to recycle the air (except when using max AC, which doesn’t work when you need heat), and if you drive with a woman, shell note there’s no light on vanity mirror. And lastly, if you ever have to sleep in it, the seats do not fully recline. Sport Track is a great concept-but cheaply implemented by Ford.
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stranded @33,000 miles - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By curt jones - November 24 - 10:00 amNo problems for 3 years, I was a booster of the vehicle. It failed me coming home from a short trip. stranded for 3 days ( holiday weekend).I was one week over the three year warranty, the "on call" service would not help. It seems my thermostat self destructed, sending pieces to lodge in the water pump, the pump seized and froze causing the drive belt to overheat and break. I have also had many close calls when I change lanes due to the huge blind spot of its design. have taken a second job on weekends to pay for gas, will sell it soon.
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High Priced Junk - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Mike_A - September 22 - 10:00 amI have had it less than a year and its been in the shop 3 times. First the dealer sold me the bad Firestone tires which needed a recall. Next was the power stearing pump when out and the third was my oil pressure guage went haywire and come to find out almost all of the oil sensors had to be replaced. I have the 4x4 loaded model and baby it, dealer oil changes, garaged parked at work and home, never in snow/mud/rain completely taken care of. And the wind noise is unbearable at times, everyone that rides in it makes the same commit "what is that noise". The first chance to unload it for the loan amount its sold....any buyers???
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Worst gas hog I have ever owned - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Reed Thwaites - May 20 - 3:53 amThis truck was a wedding gift from my father so I probably shouldnt complain about it, but people want to hear it so hear it goes. It is a very heavy truck it takes a lot of effort to drive, the steering is tough the shocks are tough and the breaks are touchy. The fuel economy is not 16-17 its more like 10-12. I cant wait to pay off my other car so I can trade this hunk of junk in.
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No Faith in Ford Quality - Sport Trac - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Tomen8r - December 11 - 2:00 amI loved the Sport Trac when I first purchased in April, 02. But one transmission, 2 other tows from my driveway, busted electronics, broken power window motor, snapped door handle, as well as many rattles and jingles, well, the thrill is gone. I purchased this new vehicle for dependibility, but it is the least dependable vehicle I have, and its the NEWEST vehicle I have! In process of shopping around for a replacement. Some areas are just thrown together, with foam here and plastic there, some which doesnt fit. That and the mechanical problems lost all faith in Ford for me and the fam.
