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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  07 V8 Sport Trac - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By T. Clark - December 31 - 7:26 pm

  Fun to drive, and stylish. Not terrible gas mileage for this type of vehicle. With the addition of Dynomax exhaust you can realize more low end grunt, slightly better mileage and a pure performance sound. Interior is very comfortable once you get used to the low slung door handles. Entrance can be tricky if your over 6 however. The 6 speed auto needs work to be considered a performance transmission. Fly by wire system is what it is I suppose, although I would trade it for cables in a heartbeat.

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  Love my baby - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Kateg1111 - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I love this car; I was originally going for the traditional explorer, but my husband convinced my to get the Sport Trac; Im so glad he did. Its fun to drive, smooth ride, and dependable. Plus, is got safety gadgets galore. Thats important with a baby on the way!

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  Embarassment to America - 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By scubajeff - December 22 - 11:43 am

  What 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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  sweet truck - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By dpc2003 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  2nd one ive owned...just a truly unique, totally cool package. All you need in one vehicle.

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  The Amazing SportTrac - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By explorer man - December 13 - 10:00 am

  This is the the best vehical. I take it 4 wheelin daily and it works great. The only down side is the gas tank is huge so it takes about $30 to fill it up.

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  I like a lot, but - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By ScriberDF - December 13 - 1:46 am

  All things equal, I like this truck a lot. It does what I wanted it to do, and 21 mpg on the highway is slightly better than what I thought Id get. Power is good, comfort is good, not great (cloth seats). However, there are a couple things Im a little irritated by: The tailgate has literally come off in my hands four times in the past year, and Im told "thats the way it was designed," to come off easily so it could be replaced with the tailgates that allow air to flow through (dont know the term for them). Thats fine, but this is very, very poorly thought out. The tailgate should not accidentally come off; there should be a latch or other device that needs to be disabled first.

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  Love My Sportrac - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By dhcody - December 1 - 10:03 pm

  Read these reviews and had to have a Sportrac. I have 3k miles on the truck and I get 17.8 mpg with the 6cyl in town. Drives like a sports car yet is smooth as a big car on the road. No complaints in Houston heat with air conditioner as others have mentioned. A must is the rear slide window and electric front seat. Spend a little extra for the Limited it makes for great curb appeal. I also got the electronics package with audio and a/c controls in the stearing wheel. Nice extra. The back up alarm is a nice feature to keep you from running into something or someone. Overall I am well pleased, guess time will tell about maintenance problems. I would have to rate this one a 9.5 plus.

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  nice - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By slime - December 1 - 2:00 am

  only had the truck for a month but love the ride and drive

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  Love the thing - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Captain Frog - December 1 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun vehicle that continues to amaze me. I own two sailboats and the short bed is just what I need without having to give up a roomy interior.

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  Great Compromise - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By D. L. - November 28 - 8:33 am

  Bought in 2007; with 25,000 miles; XLT Premium. Like new. Saved a bunch. Looked at new Jeep four door, too much metal showing, and Dakota four door, noisier and more truck-like. Well pleased with this compromise design. Good looking, solid, quiet. Fits in my garage. Have added K&N air filter, removed resonator, changed to flow- through muffler. 16 mpg in suburban driving.