The millennium started off well for Ford as they released the Ford Explorer Sport Trac in 2001, which Car and Driver referred to as a sport-ute at the time. Indeed, the Explorer Sport Trac was different to many standard cars released back then.
Conventional sports-utility vehicles have a wagon-body rump, where cargo is stowed and protected from the elements and sticky fingers. Unlike on a traditional sport-ute, the rump of the 2001 Explorer Sport Trac is an open cargo box.
Despite all this, Car and Driver were correct to point out in the 2000s that it is just a pickup truck really. Technically, the Sport Trac is closer to the Explorer than it is to the Ford Ranger.
The latter provided the American automotive company with the inspiration to produce the Sport Trac. Ford regards the Sport Trac as the third model in the Explorer line, a line that until the 2000s consisted of three- and five-door wagon models.
The company's vice-president for trucks at the time, Gurminder Bedi, expected very little cross-shopping between the Sport Trac and other four-door pickups, such as the Nissan Frontier. Back then, Bedi hoped that customers would opt for a pick-up with more interior room, such as the Explorer Sport Trac.
Considering this vehicle is still considered to be an icon years later, the good news for anyone who is a fan of the Explorer Sport Trac is that it is still on sale to this day, and there are many decent prices for this model online. Auto Trader states that the best price for the 2001 Ford model is between $21,910 - $24,680. Auto Blog also puts a similar price on the Explorer Sport Trac.
Although the 2001 Ford model has an excellent price to this day, what other outstanding features does it have that should persuade anyone reading this article to purchase one? Let's find out.
What We Love About The 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac's Performance, Engine And Safety Features
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This 2001 Ford model comes with a fantastic V6 engine that is 4.0-liters in size. In terms of its transmission, it has a five-speed manual and it is a four-wheel drive model. It is not exactly a fast model, but that is not the main reason as to why people choose pickup trucks. However, its engine is still very reliable. For example, it has an output of 205 HP at 5,200 RPM. Furthermore, its torque levels are 240 lb-ft at 3,000 RPM.
There are airbags near the driver and passenger seats as well as rear child safety locks as standard. A panic alarm is optional and the headlights come in halogen. Also, there are height adjustable safety belts at the front and remote keyless entry on all doors.
What We Love About The 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac's Interior And Exterior
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Rugged lines seem to dominate the Explorer Sport Trac's exterior, but that does not make it any different to many other Ford models. It is as if the American automotive company did not try hard to make this vehicle stand out. The exterior has some styling cues that shamed other pickups during the 2000s.
Cargo space in the bed is decent enough, and a bed liner comes standard across the board. Roof rails and step board both come as standard in the NBX and 4x4. Despite this, a bed cover and cargo cage are available in the 4x4. Regarding its length, the Explorer Sport Trac measures 5,230 MM while the tiniest model of the F150 has a length of 5,702 MM.
Bearing in mind that the early 00s were not that different to the 90s, this 2001 Ford model likes to remind drivers of that inside the car. Nowhere is that more apparent than with the dashboard and the odometer which is the roll type.
The column stick frees up space for the center console that houses the cupholders. Amenities inside include a power window at the rear, and dual audio system and climate control for front and rear occupants. Space for four is ideal, but drivers might be pushing it a bit if they are hoping to fit an extra body inside.
There are four exterior colors available: Harvest Gold Clearcoat Metallic, Toreador Red Clearcoat Metallic, Estate Green Clearcoat Metallic, and Black Clearcoat. Regarding interior colors, the only options on offer are Medium Prairie Tan with Cloth Captain's Chairs and Dark Graphite.
Hopefully these features of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac are enough to entice anyone who is reading this piece to buy one. It is a decent pickup and worth adding to any classic car collection.