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 501 through 510 of 560.00-
Excellent Overall - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By alexv - March 26 - 6:23 amI use mine daily in the constuction industry. I travel a lot and commute daily around the Dallas area for projects. Overall, the truck is great. Excellent acceleration, interior room, decent trunk space & adequate towing. It is highly functional for the American family. Plenty of room for the kids in the cab & space in the trunk to bring stuff home from Home Depot. Lumbar support is nonexistant, as long trips can be brutal on the lower back.
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Sport Trac review - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By luckydan - March 25 - 10:00 amThis vehicle is very versatile. From loading up friends for the lake or tools for the job, it handles it. It is sporty, rugged, and yet comfortable with many upgrades available. It has suited my lifestyle perfectly. It drives very well and has a quite ride. Biggest complaint is the gas milage but it IS an suv, what can you expect?
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My second one. I love it! - 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By fink501 - March 23 - 11:56 pmMy first one was a 2001. We put 70,000 miles on it in 4 years trouble free. Quite impressive for a brand new model. My wife is an avid gardener and always had our previous cars full of flowers, dirt, rocks and trees. Although I would not consider my Sport Trac a truck my wife does and it works beautifully for her hauling. The rear seats fold flat and provide a very useful cargo area while being fully secure. We have a lockable hard tonneau cover which makes the bed quiet weather proof and very useful. The 4 wheel drive is only adequate, the ride is only adequate, the cargo capacity is only adequate, the size is only adequate but what sets the SporTrac apart is that it does all of these things.
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I LIKE IT! - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By jbelew - March 12 - 2:00 amI had an extended cab Mazda B3000 but the back seat didnt accomodate two kids very well. The Sport Trac is perfect for me. I didnt want to give up my truck but I needed more seating capacity. Now I have both. Unlike some of the competitors, this truck has a REAL back seat. Its actually very comfortable for kids and adults. I regret not getting the fixed center console. The removable nylon bag doesnt do anything for me.
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excellent - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By mark hopper - March 7 - 10:00 amfun to drive, comfortable, safe, reliable
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Good Mileage, Great Truck - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By TN Truck - March 1 - 10:00 amThis truck does it all! Looks great, interior is fine for carting around 5 adults, and the plastic bed means you need not worry about scratching up your paint. Mileage in the 18-20 mpg rane (mixed driving) is achievable if you keep your foot out of it -- tops in its class. Recently got 23 mpg on a trip to Alabama (interstate, 70 mph). 4.0 V6 is powerful enough to pull this 2+ ton truck, and get you in and out of traffic smartly. Base CD player is adequate... but Pioneer system for $200 more would have been better. A comfortable compromise between commuter vehicle, SUV, yet can function as a truck when you need it, which fits in a garage.
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Its all truck - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Dave Waldner - February 28 - 7:00 pmI bought it because my brother had previously owned it and after he traded it for a car he desperately wanted it back. It was lady driven between his and my ownership and she didnt want to part with it either. I bought it with 158000 kms and I use it like a real truck same as both previously did. It has hauled quads, loads of frozen meat, sand, and now I haul my 1300 lb lawn mower in the truck bed. Its got lots of power and its fun to drive. I also love the way it looks. Ive been getting between 23 - 28 mpg on the average week of work and play.
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Explorer Sport Trac - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Michael - February 26 - 2:13 amI was in the market for a new or used vehicle that made since for home ownership and a new baby boy. I owned a 2004 Ford Ranger and enjoyed it, but needed more room for two small dogs, and the three of us. I was looking at the Toyota Tacoma but found the price and the fact that you had to use premium fuel ludacris. I didnt make it to the Nissan dealership for the frontier quad cab but went through USAA and ended up buying the Explorer Sport Trac that night below invoice. This vehicle is a "SUT" Sport Utility Truck according to my insurance policy. What more could you want, reminds me of an F-150 with suv comfort, and a truck feel.
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Strange Mix - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Onitnerr - February 21 - 2:00 amThe 2003 Sport Trac is a strange mix. It looks good on the outside but once inside you realize that there is little or no room to reach down and adjust the seat settings or power bolsters. The door is so close to the seat itself that your arm can become trapped. Interior could use some dressing up. Even the premium 6 cd in dash sound system is blah to look at
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Overall Opinio - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By TracN Nelson - February 21 - 2:00 amThough we have had issues with front disk/disk pads squeeking. This seems to be common problems with all Sport Tracs. The dealer replace rotors and and pads twice, but after 4000 miles the squeek came back. Now I use different disk pads and now no squeeks. I replaced the original shocks and sway bar to more obsorbent shocks that reduces the rear of the Sport Trac from bouncing and the rear sway bar increase vechicle stability in turns and in hard braking, though the ride is much stiffer -
