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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  ST #2 - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Pjnmary - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Our 2004 Sport Trac is the second we have owned and we love it as much as the first (2001). Big enough for 5 people yet small enough to get into tight places, this truck/suv combo has it all. Available with the luxury of (heated) leather seats, Pioneer sound system, in dash 6 cd changer and sun roof (all of which ours has) and so much more! I originally traded my first ST in for an Expedition. That only lasted about 9 months. Had to have another Sport Trac! Cute, sassy, economical and just plain fun!

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  My second Vegas trip - 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Tim Monaghan - September 18 - 3:33 am

  Just completed our second Las Vegas trip in our Sport Trac from Victoria Canada. Great room, great comfort, even at Laughlins 120 degrees! We have towed a smaller 16-foot travel trailer throughout the western U.S. and Canada over 14,000 foot mountain passes without a hiccup. We love it.

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  My Baby Monster - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Kathy Dunn - September 18 - 12:30 am

  Having been in a bad car accident in 1995, I wanted another SUV that was BIG and SAFE. My husband was in the mood for a pick-up truck and, to my sadness, traded in my Explorer for a Chevy S-10 pick-up. After a year of me badgering my husband about trading in my Explorer that we got interest-free, he FINALLY broke down and took me to another dealer and I saw the "car of my dreams" -- an Explorer Sport-Trac. Since we need a truck bed where we live and have to bring our trash to a dumpster, the Sport-Trac solved all my problems. It gave me back my Explorer as well as giving me a truck bed in the back. I love my Explorer. It handles real good in snow. Most importantly, I feel SAFE!

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  chucks chioce - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By charles bryant - September 8 - 10:00 am

  slow off the line, not much power needs a 8 cylinder, other than that, it is a pretty good truck. i like the looks and the styling of the sport trac. perfect size.i dont like the where the cruise control buttons are they should be where they are on the g.m.s on the turn signal switch. the sun visor should have extensions like the g.m.s

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  Sporty - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By daveshack - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Great truck for every day around town use. Very comfortable for long and short trip.

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  love it - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By sport trac - August 21 - 10:00 am

  excellent, fun to drive, very handy features, very comfortable, a very good reliable truck to own

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  Great SUV - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By centenial - August 8 - 4:26 pm

  I had this Ford since I bought it. I had every intention of keeping it except for an accident that almost could have claimed my life. But due to the good lord and a well built vehicle we survived the accident although the Explorer was totaled. I had nothing but good driving experience with this truck. Very spacious, comfortable, and quiet, and plush. The only drawback that I was working on fixing was the need for at least a 4" lift, and than I believe this SUV would be a very capable 4x4.

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  A Good One - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Roger Wills - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I have owned Ford Trucks , Gmc Trucks, and Toyota Trucks and have found out that Ford builds the best. The Sport Trac (almost a truck) has the best ride and is a fun truck to drive. The leg room is great and there is plenty of room in the back seat for passenger comfort. Although the truck bed is not full size with a bed extender I can haul what I need and still have the comfort of an SUV.

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  Happy with my Sport Trac - 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Tony - August 4 - 9:16 pm

  This has been a great truck. Fits our lifestyle nicely, can still put a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back, seat 5 adults comfortably, tow a utility trailer and still drive the thing around downtown and not have difficulty finding a parking spot. Biggest disappointment is the gas mileage. I cant understand how a 6 cylinder not being driven hard gets such poor mileage. Build quality is great and I havent had a single problem with it.

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  I Should Have Read The Reviews Closer! - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By shorthorn5 - July 13 - 2:00 am

  A new car to me..I soon discovered the problem Black 2001 Ford SUVs/trucks can have with paint Someone else wrote about this here too. The surfaces are "crowfooting" or "crazing" like old pottery. Hood, fenders and roof! Ford customerservice said theyll cover cost.Whew! Dealership agreed to paint. Said there was anotherin the shop right then.Gonna take 7-10 days but will give loaner. Its a hassle but Fords standing behind it without argument. Luckily, its still under warranty--one more month!