The Sport Track is a timeless 5-seater truck that has become a treasured choice for classic car collectors. In the early Millenium, Ford wanted a truck that would be practical and simple. The result was the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, which marked the first generation of the Sport Trac lineup. In a market with a high demand for a functional truck, the Explorer Sport Trac quickly became one of the most popular working trucks in North America and the first mid-sized truck by the producer. The truck was marketed beside its Ford Explorer SUV variant.
Functional, efficient, and classy are the three words that perfectly define the specs on the classic truck. But unlike most trucks that rivaled it around the old days, the Ford Explorer Sport Trac is still a very easy vehicle to find these days. Today, a used Ford Explorer Sport Trac costs somewhere below the $15,000 streak.
The first generation of the Sport Trac featured a sole V6 engine, while the second generation either rumbled with a standard V6 or an available 4.6-liter 24-valve modular V8 engine under the hood. The Ford Explorer Sport Trac’s stat sheet labels it as more of a utilitarian vehicle than its flashy truck counterparts. The Sport Trac didn’t have many attractive features. Customers of the Ford Sport Trac were likely more interested in the truck's powertrain as opposed to its looks or extra features offered by bigger trucks, like a larger cargo bed.
The truck got its design from the Ford Ranger SuperCab and the F-150 SuperCrew. As far as we know, the Sport Trac’s specs lean closer to the Explorer than the Ranger model. The production of the mid-sized SUV went on until Ford closed the curtains on the truck after the 2010 Sport Trac.
Today, we will be taking a look into what we love about the first mid-sized truck created by Ford Motor Company: The Ford Explorer Sport Track.
Design And Available Trims
For a classic vehicle, the Ford Explorer Sport Trac has a cool design and some cues that blow some of its competitors out of the water. But still, from the design of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, it’s very easy to see that Ford didn’t focus much on making the car stand out. As said earlier, Ford intended this to be more of a utilitarian vehicle.
On the design, the first generation model measures a 125.9-inch wheelbase and is about 205.9 inches in length, 71.8 inches in width, and 70.5 inches in height. The second-generation model, on the other hand, offers 4.9 inches, 4.3 inches, and 1.9 inches more in wheelbase, length, width correspondingly. While it may seem trivial, every inch counts. Any model made from 2007 to 2010 has a wider space.
Speaking of models, the first-generation model is offered in 3 trims: XLS, XLT, and XLT Premium. The choice was made to drop the number to two trims in the subsequent lineup, which left the XLT and the Premium. The second-generation lineup should be more suitable.
The Ford Sport Trac Comes With A Classy Cabin
As with its closest rival the Honda Ridgeline, the Ford Explorer Sport Back offers an impressive cabin, providing massive legroom and headroom. While it may not have many interior features, especially when compared to the countless modern alternatives, the Sport Trac still has enough features that have kept it relevant till today.
The 2010 Sport Trac has a single-disc CD stereo with a satellite radio and power rear-sliding window, which come standard. The available features are heated power-adjustable front seats, Ford’s SYNC infotainment system, and the dual-zone automatic climate control, among others.
Engine Choices And Driving Performance
As sketched earlier, the first generation of the Sport Track, produced from 2000 to 2005, features a 4.0-liter Cologne SOHC V6 engine, which works aside either a five-speed M5OD manual or a five-speed 5R55E automatic transmission system. The V6 engine can produce upwards of 205 HP at 5,200 RPM and 240 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 RPM. This engine is standard in the XLT model today.
The optional 6-speed automatic transmission system, and the Sport Trac Adrenalin (which was later canceled), marked the beginning of the second generation of the mid-sized truck. As a utilitarian truck, the available 4.6-liter 24-valve Modular V8 Engine makes more sense, especially when it comes to driving the heavy truck around even before you talk about hauling stuff.
Considering that the engine can churn out up to 292 HP at 5,700 RPM and a maximum of 315 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM, the mid-sized truck is all you'd need to move an average-sized trailer. For these specs, we recommended the 2010 Explorer Sport Trac Limited model.
In regards to its performance, the Explorer Sport Trac never disappointed then, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint now. The 5-seater truck has a very reliable powertrain that shifts responsively, and the non-rigid handling makes it so easy to drive while the automatic climate control keeps you comfy inside the car.
The Explorer Sport Trac Has A Remarkable Towing Capacity
The towing capacity on a truck highly depends on its engine. The V6 Sport Trac can tow about 5,060 lbs, while the 4.6-liter V8 powertrain is capable of pulling up to 7,160 lbs.
Overall, the Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a truck that falls between the variant SUV and a Ford Ranger since it’s not too big to be considered as a full-sized truck but does offer features from the SUV model. The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a perfect choice if you are looking for a truck that will carry five people and a medium amount of cargo as well.