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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Sport Trac - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By strac - July 3 - 10:00 amAn excellent "cross-over" vehicle. As a previous two-time Explorer owner, I always had to borrow friends pickup trucks in order to haul anything big. Now I have the best of both worlds; a luxury SUV, and a place to carry my bikes!
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Maintenance Nightmare - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Indy - July 1 - 4:00 pmYou name it. It had to be fixed. Leaks transmission fluid like a sive. Major transmission problems. Complete replacement at 5,000 miles, pan gasket replaced too many times to count, major transmission repair ($2,000) at 75,000. ABS sensor failure - warrany, windshield replacement - warranty, plus a ton of other stuff. Worst truck Ive owned. Would not buy again.
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Great vehicle - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Em - June 25 - 7:50 amThe Sport Trac is a great vehicle for people who consistently need cargo room even though they live in an urban area or want to avoid the gas-trap of larger trucks. Ive used the truck to haul hay and grain for my horses (which it does easily) as well as to take guests and friends to more formal events in town. Very versatile!
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Fun and Conentional - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By SareBear - June 20 - 2:00 amIm a college student and several times a year I am in need of a vehicle that can move me from apartment to apartment. Also important to me is a comfortable ride for my 3 large dogs. With the Sport Trac, you have it all. With the tonneau cover you can put anything at all in the bed. Once the seats in the back are folded down, the dogs love standing back there and stichink their heads out the rear power window. This is my first SUV/Truck and I absolutely love it!
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Perfect urban combo rig - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By ssnydes1 - June 15 - 2:39 amBought this rig with 70K easy miles to go in the winter to a project in Northern Canada. It was outfitted with most of the options available including a nice stainless front pushbar/grill. Has meaty offroad tires and handles perfect in the snow with a quiet and comfortable ride. It is limited in the amount you can haul, but it has creature comforts of the $40K crew cabs that are selling now. Ultimately I will use it to haul around a light trailer with a WW1 biplane replica to airshows with my friends and it is perfect. Buy it if you need the crew capacity and limited hauling space. I get in the upper 20s fuel economy on the highway. Around town...ouch! It has been perfect in the snow.
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2005Adrenalin - 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By BillT - June 13 - 12:23 amFirst Sport trac was a 2001 XLT (Company car). Loved it. Traded in at 80,000 for only one on the lot.. Adrenalin. Special Red. A beauty Have never seen another. That is #1. Will be made to trade in soon and I will to buy the trade. Gas mileage is frustrating..can only average 16.
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Excellent Choice - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Timmy23 - June 1 - 2:00 amThe 2001 Sport Trac is amazing. Its smooth running v6 engine is quiet and powerful. The ride is very improved from the 2000 explorers, it rides more like a luxury car than a truck. Its fuel economy, all though not great, isnt bad at all (I average about 19 city, 22 hwy)its very comfortable and stylish. I reccomend it to any and everybody.
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Good Design-Marginal Quality - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By William - May 31 - 1:30 amA intermitent rattle around the pasenger door has never been found. Ford engineer just denied hearing the rattle, so now we people ask what the rattle is I tell them that there is no rattle. The brakes are horrible, rotors warp at 10,000 miles, at 32K I am having up graded rotors & a third set of pad installed. I understand that this is a problem Ford has been having but the dealer / Ford, in the true form is denying any problem. I love the design & functionally of the vehical, just wish the quality was there.
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The beginnings of a love affair - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Gary DelVecchio - May 20 - 10:00 am1st truck Ive ever owned. Was concerned about a move to a truck re. comfort and ride. Was very pleased with both ride & comfort. Wish it got a little better fuel economy.
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Love the Truck - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By WDAVIS - May 13 - 10:00 amGreat design everyone loves the truck I have the best of both worlds suv/pickup only problems is the rotors and the front pads whats going on Ford lets fix this problem.
