2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac and Sport: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Sport and Sport Trac survive from the 1995-vintage Explorer design, their 4-dr wagon companion having been replaced by the all-new 2002 Explorer (see separate entry). Sport is a 2-dr wagon. Sport Trac has a 4-dr SUV cabin, but gets a 4-ft-long pickup-truck bed in lieu of an enclosed cargo area. Both use a V6 engine with manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. They offer rear-wheel drive or Ford's Control Trac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. ABS is standard. Sport has 4-wheel disc brakes, Sport Trac has rear drums. Front side airbags are optional on Sport but unavailable on Sport Trac.

COMPETITION

This is by far the hottest market segment right now. Crowded with more than 20 vehicles, midsize SUVs vary in size and type but nearly all seat five adults and offer V6 or V8 engines. Our Best Buy is the car-based Lexus RX 300. Though it lacks a low range in 4WD mode, it's the most carlike to drive and offers all of the versatility of a truck-based model.

Our Recommended choices are all traditional SUVs: the Dodge Durango, which offers optional third-row seating; the best-selling Ford Explorer clone Mercury Mountaineer; the Teutonic Mercedes-Benz M-Class; the utilitarian Nissan Xterra; and the refined but expensive Toyota 4Runner.