2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Review

Ford Explorer Sport Trac – Driving Impressions: The idea of marrying a comfortable car-like interior to a pickup truck cargo bed is nothing new. Chevrolet popularized the concept with its El Camino, and Ford followed suit with something called a Ranchero. Subaru's Brat was a car with a pickup bed, Volkswagen created a Rabbit with a similar design, and Dodge sold a little something called the Rampage as recently as the early 1980s. These car-based pickup trucks eventually faded away as traditional pick-‘em-ups gained refinement and personal-use acceptance, but during the SUV boom of the 1990s, some manufacturers revisited the idea, this time using popular sport-utes as the basis of a “new” kind of niche vehicle. Chevrolet created the best of the new breed in the Avalanche, a modified Suburban with a short pickup bed that could be extended into the cabin when five-passenger seating capacity was not needed. Ford responded with the smaller, less expensive Explorer-based Sport Trac, which countered Chevy's innovative design with a rugged, plastic-composite cargo box, a tailgate extender, and a rear cab window that could be lowered completely into the rear bulkhead. For 2007, the Explorer Sport Trac and the Avalanche are completely redesigned, each sticking to their original formulas but adding refinement and power to the mix. This proves an unfortunate strategy for Ford. Added refinement means added cost, the addition of a V8 engine is poorly timed with record oil prices, and not only has Ford decided against copying the Chevy's slick “midgate” design to extend the cargo bed into the cabin, it has ditched the trick roll-down rear window of the previous model. The end result is, like the El Caminos and Rancheros that came before it, a vehicle that is too much of a compromise to be worth investigation except by a small, and likely unprofitable, segment of the populace. But that doesn't mean the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac doesn't have its redeeming features. If you're still reading, you must be interested. The Explorer Sport Trac is a comfortable, refined five-passenger SUV melded with a tough, rugged cargo box that's designed to get dirty. The sheet molded composite cargo box is 4.5-feet long and is separate from the passenger cabin, unlike the integrated cargo box for the Avalanche. Lined for extra durability, the Sport Trac's bed boasts two-tier storage ability, an optional hard tonneau cover, three integrated bins with drain plugs, and is dent proof. It also resists scratches, and has meaty tie-down hooks on the outside to secure a load. The optional tubular aluminum cargo cage is used as a divider inside the bed or a bed extender with the tailgate lowered. Because the Sport Trac has moved to the current Explorer SUV frame for 2007, it is a whopping 444-percent stiffer than the old model, and gets an independent rear suspension as well as softer shock tuning for improved ride and handling characteristics. The standard engine is a German-made 4.0-liter V6 that makes 210 horsepower and emits fewer smog-forming pollutants than a Honda Accord Hybrid, according to Ford. The optional 4.6-liter V8 is a dual-overhead cam unit shared with the Mustang GT, making 292 horsepower and connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. Choose a Sport Trac with 4WD and you'll get Ford's automatic Control Trac system with a torque-multiplying 4WD Low gear set. Hauling capacity includes a tow rating of 5,310 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,450 pounds for the V6 while the V8 manages a 6,800-pound trailer and 1,390 pounds of people of cargo. Rack-and-pinion steering, a four-wheel-disc antilock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution, and Advance Trac stability control with Roll Stability Control are also onboard. Identical to the Explorer SUV from the B-pillars forward, the Sport Trac is 16.8 inches longer and has a similar interior. As in the previous model, rubber covers the floor underneath Berber carpeted mats, but now there's a new console-mounted gear selector designed to resemble that in the Sport Trac's big brother, the F-150. Safety equipment includes dual-stage front airbags with occupant sensing, front side-impact airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, and an optional Safety Canopy system of side-curtain airbags. Ford offers the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac in two trim levels: XLT and Limited. The XLT model includes standard features such as air conditioning; a stereo with CD/MP3 playing capability; power windows, door locks, and mirrors; remote keyless entry, cruise control; and 16-inch aluminum wheels. Adding the V8 engine to the XLT also brings dark tinted glass, a Class II trailer towing hitch, tie-down hooks for the cargo bed, and bed storage compartments. Step up to the Explorer Sport Trac Limited and you get 18-inch machined-finish wheels, automatic headlights, fog lights, monochrome exterior trim, upgraded interior décor, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. A variety of options is available on the Sport Trac. Those, ahem, to the Limited model include two-tone leather upholstery, a 10-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and steering wheel-mounted controls for the stereo and climate systems. Either model can be equipped with an Audiophile sound system with a six-disc CD changer, Sirius satellite radio, a moonroof, power adjustable foot pedals, a towing package, a bed extender, a hard tonneau cover, and a heated windshield. We test drove a well-equipped 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Limited with 4WD and the 4.6-liter V8 engine. Our pickup packed a Convenience Package, an Electronics Package, and other highlights like the Safety Canopy side-curtain airbags, the Audiophile sound system, the hard tonneau cover for the bed, the leather upholstery, and the heated windshield. The sticker on our truck was $33,630 including the $695 destination charge.

Performance

Ford didn't offer a V8 engine in the previous Explorer Sport Trac. For this redesign, the new 4.6-liter V8 engine, shared with the Mustang GT, is significantly more powerful on paper than what the competition offers but doesn't feel like it's pushing 292 ponies. This engine is sluggish until revs build, and then the engine displays some verve. But it sure drinks fuel like it's got all those ponies under the hood, despite Ford's claim that its class-exclusive six-speed automatic conserves fuel. We eked out just 13.4 mpg during a week of driving. Improved fuel economy might be wishful thinking, but the transmission does shift smoothly at all times; even when kicking down for extra power. On four-wheel-drive models, the transfer case is a push-button unit that is simple to use. A light illuminates when 4-Low is engaged, and an icon on the dash is displayed.

Handling

The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is built on a stretched version of the Explorer SUV platform, which includes an independent rear suspension. This, in combination with pavement-biased tires and relatively soft suspension tuning, means the Sport Trac features an excellent ride quality even with the 4WD version. Of course, the trade-off is that when driving off-road, the Sport Trac needs to take bumps and dips slowly lest it bottom out. The running boards and extended wheelbase are also huge liabilities on lumpy landscapes – this is not a vehicle made for serious four-wheeling. Plus, the P235/65R18 Michelin Cross Terrain tires on our test truck spun pretty easily in the dirt. Back on pavement, those same tires offer decent grip, and the Sport Trac features predictable handling thanks to a suspension that soaks up all the bumps and dips in the road. The brake pedal feels good underfoot, and it's easy to bring the Sport Trac to a smooth stop. Steering is numb with noticeable play on center and responds in linear fashion off center, but effort levels feel too high at slow speeds. The Explorer Sport Trac is long, making it hard to maneuver in cramped parking lots or on tight trails. The turning circle is reasonably tight for such a long truck, but you'll still need plenty of space for manuevering.

Visibility

Ford supplies the Explorer Sport Trac with a good view out from the driver's seat. The side mirrors are an odd shape and seem a bit too small, but they're square which helps. The rear headrests intrude upon the view out of the back window. Forward visibility is quite good.

Fun to Drive

Despite its new chassis and suspension, despite the availability of the new V8 engine, despite the option of 4WD, the new 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is not much fun to drive. It's slow, with leaden responses to input from the driver's seat, and not particularly adept off-road. I think I liked the original if less sophisticated truck better, which offered a rougher ride and what felt like sharper responses.

Front Comfort

Ford installs firm, supportive bucket front seats in the Explorer Sport Trac, providing a tall driving position with a good view forward. To get into the truck, it's a bit of a step up due to the taller front buckets with their more substantial bolstering, and the shorter you are the harder this is. The running boards, useless for all but the shortest people, require a wide step over them to get in and they also get in the way during four-wheeling excursions. Still, entry and exit are pretty easy for a pickup truck, and all passengers save the driver get assist grips. Once seated, the driver finds a soft center console and door panel armrest, but the upper door panel is hard plastic which is no good for elbows. However, that upper part of the panel offers a wide expanse on which to rest an arm. The Sport Trac's steering wheel is thick and nicely padded, making it a pleasure to grip. Unfortunately, the locations of the door grips and door releases are awkward to use every time you exit the car or climb in and shut the door. Ford says it is going to redesign the door panels in a future iteration of the Sport Trac.

Rear Comfort

Overall, the Explorer Sport Trac offers decent rear comfort, but it could be better. The rear bench is mounted very low and the cushion is too soft. Wider people will find that the seatbelt buckles are uncomfortable to sit on. Taller people will find that the hardware under the power driver's seat limits foot space and could damage shoes. Rear leg room is pretty good, and a set of full headrests protect against impact with the rear window in a wreck. Additionally, rear air vents and side window glass that goes all the way down help keep rear passengers comfortable. As an added bonus, the low, mushy seat and lack of rear wheel intrusion make entering and exiting the back of the Sport Trac easier than up front – even if the running boards are equally useless.

Interior Noise

The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a pretty quiet truck, benefiting from isolation efforts made with the Explorer SUV on which it is based. We uncovered virtually zero road, tire, and engine noise at speed, and wind noise was hushed.

Loading Cargo

Ford may have missed the boat on the Explorer Sport Trac's reason for being. First, the slick retractable rear window from the old model is gone, replaced by fixed rear glass. Second, Ford did not engineer a cargo bed “midgate” system similar to the Chevrolet Avalanche, opting instead to follow its original recipe of adding a separate composite cargo box to an Explorer SUV cabin. Third, our test truck came equipped with an optional tonneau cover for the cargo bed. The tonneau cover is heavy, hard to remove, and it gets in the way. Buyers must really want a weather-proof cargo bed to put up with this thing, and in that case, perhaps the Explorer SUV might better suit them. Assuming that an Explorer Sport Trac buyer cares about none of these issues, he will find a useful vehicle equipped with giant tie-down cleats, a swiveling bed extender, small integrated bed storage compartments, and a cargo box that is easy to clean. Loading is easy once you clear the liftover height, though we'd like to see grocery bag hooks integrated either on the bed extender, on the tailgate, or in the rear seat. If you need additional cargo space than the box will allow, the Explorer Sport Trac's rear seats fold down in a 60/40 split to create a hard floor.

Build Quality

Inside our test sample, we found no rattles or squeaks but lots of trim that was loose if not quite falling off. Applying pressure to the gauge pod, the A-pillar trim, and various dash and door panels, we found that our Ford Explorer Sport Trac wasn't assembled with the same degree of care as previous Honda Ridgeline test trucks. Still, fits were flush and gaps were tight, so maybe this is a moot point. On the outside, our test Explorer Sport Trac's assembly quality could have stood improvement. There was a major alignment issue between the front fascia/grille and the chrome garnish on the hood. Door gaps were inconsistent from side to side, the rubber molding fit sloppily on each side at the B-pillars, the plastic trim on top of the bed and on the rear bumper was loose and easy to pull off, and both the hood and tailgate were misaligned. Panel gaps weren't particularly tight on this thing, either.

Materials Quality

For all the talk at Ford about improving the quality of its interiors, there's plenty of hard plastic inside the Explorer Sport Trac. Take, for instance, the A-pillar covers, which are so glossy they appear to have been dipped in Vaseline prior to installation. Admittedly, other plastic bits resist shine more successfully but the graining on parts of the plastic is heavy and the fuzzy headliner is so 1990s. Seat leather is stiff, rough, and exhibits low gloss, but it feels durable. Seat sides are done in twill where they could potentially rub on the center console – a nice piece of detail designed to cut interior squeaks. In terms of switchgear, the buttons have a refined heft to their operation and the signaling stalk is nicely damped. The Sport Trac's rubber flooring is contrived – honestly, who is ever gonna hose this thing out?