2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

The Sport Trac crew cab returns for 2005 virtually unchanged. Sport Trac plays a dual role, combining a 4-dr, 5-seat SUV cabin with a 4-ft-long pickup-truck bed. Based on the 1995-2001 Explorer design, Sport Trac has a V6 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission. It's available with rear-wheel drive or Ford's ControlTrac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. ABS is standard. Head-protecting curtain side airbags are optional. Also available are leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a sunroof.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Larger than Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to 8-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

Our Best Buys include the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Our Recommended picks are the Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Ford Freestyle, Nissan Murano, and Toyota 4Runner.

News

Sport Trac finally moves to the current Explorer platform. The redesigned truck is rumored for early 2006, perhaps as an '07 model. Basic format stays the same, but with larger dimensions and an available 300-hp 4.6-liter V8, borrowed from Ford's Mustang "ponycar." The recent Sport Trac Adrenalin concept is an exaggerated version of what's coming, but is also slated to reach dealers pretty much intact by mid-2007. Created by Ford's SVT performance division and badged accordingly, the production Adrenalin should have a 390-hp supercharged V8, standard all-wheel drive, a firmed-up low-rider suspension with big wheels, special styling touches, and a unique interior with four bucket seats. Keep checking back with us for late-breaking news.

2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Road Test

Pros	Cons

Rear-seat room	Steering/handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

4WD XLT Premium	Class Average
5	4.9

Good off-the-line power, fine around-town response. V6 feels overtaxed only in highway passing or on mountain upgrades. Maximum towing capacity is 5300 lb.

Fuel Economy

4WD XLT Premium	Class Average
4	3.9

Test 4WD Sport Tracs averaged 15-16 mpg.

Ride Quality

4WD XLT Premium	Class Average
4	5.1

Acceptable despite some chassis reverberation after bumps and a suspension that's unforgiving over sharp ridges, especially in 4WD version.

Steering/Handling/Braking

4WD XLT Premium	Class Average
3	3.8

Reasonably balanced with moderate body lean, but never nimble.

Quietness

4WD XLT Premium	Class Average
3	4.8

Not excessively loud for a truck-based vehicle, though tire and wind noise rise markedly with speed.

Controls

4WD XLT Premium	Class Average
6	6.3

Straightforward, logical, but a mild stretch to climate controls. Power-window switches illuminated. Novel back window powers up and down at the touch of a dashboard button. Interior materials range from serviceable to leather fancy; workmanship solid.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

4WD XLT Premium	Class Average
6	6.7

Step-in height somewhat high, but plenty of room, comfortable driving position.

Room/Comfort (rear)

4WD XLT Premium	Class Average
6	6.2

Roomier than any compact crew-cab pickup and most midsize SUVs, too. Ample space for two adults, and three can squeeze. Seat is hard, though, and lacks shoulder support.

Cargo Room

4WD XLT Premium	Class Average
6	7.8

Good in-cabin storage, and split rear seatback folds in single motion without removing the headrests. Short 4-ft cargo bed benefits from optional bed extender that effectively adds about 2 ft.

Value within Class

4WD XLT Premium	Class Average
5	5.6

Compared to crew-cab pickup trucks, the novel Sport Trac offers more passenger space but a smaller cargo bed. If that combination suits you, it's a good choice as a multipurpose vehicle.

Total Score

4WD XLT Premium	Class Average
48	55.1

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		37
Average Score		55
High Score		67

2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/02/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2WD XLS 4-door crew cab	$24,295	$21,880	$645

4WD XLS 4-door crew cab	$27,100	$24,348	$645

2WD XLT 4-door crew cab	$25,550	$22,985	$645

4WD XLT 4-door crew cab	$28,415	$25,505	$645

2WD XLT Premium 4-door crew cab	$27,985	$25,127	$645

4WD XLT Premium 4-door crew cab	$30,785	$27,591	$645

2WD Adrenalin 4-door crew cab	$28,785	$25,831	$645

4WD Adrenalin 4-door crew cab	$31,650	$28,353	$645

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

XLS

Powertrain

4.0-liter V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power windows, power rear window, power door locks, front-hinged rear doors, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital clock, tachometer, map light, variable-intermittent wipers, cargo-box light, visor mirrors.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, rear cargo box, roof rails.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

4-wire trailering harness, full-size spare tire, 235/70R16 tires, alloy wheels, 4WD models add: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer-case.

XLT adds to XLS:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, keypad entry, floormats.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, 235/70R16 white-letter tires.

XLT Premium adds to XLT:

Comfort and Convenience Features

8-way power driver seat w/power lumbar adjustment, rear climate and radio controls, overhead console, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside-temperature indicator, compass, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, side steps.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

255/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires, bright alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, front tow hooks.

Adrenalin adds to XLT Premium:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Pioneer AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Chrome alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, front tow hooks.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Comfort Group
XLT	$1,230	$1,046
8-way power driver seat w/power lumbar adjustment, overhead console, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside-temperature indicator, compass, rear radio and climate controls, automatic headlights.

Leather Seat Group
XLT Premium, Adrenalin	$795	$676
Leather upholstery, heated front seats, 8-way power passenger seat.

Premium Sport Group
2WD XLT	$700	$595
4WD XLT	$730	$621
Side step bars, fog lights, front tow hooks (4WD), 255/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires, bright cast alloy wheels.

Powertrain
Limited-slip differential
Adrenalin, XLS, XLT, XLT Premium	$355	$302


Safety
Curtain side airbags
Adrenalin, XLS, XLT, XLT Premium	$560	$476


Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
XLT Premium, Adrenalin	$800	$680


AM/FM/cassette/CD/MP3 player
XLT, XLT Premium	$150	$128


Pioneer AM/FM radio
XLT, XLT Premium	$510	$433
Includes in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Bed extender
Adrenalin, XLS, XLT, XLT Premium	$195	$166


Hard tonneau cover
Adrenalin, XLS, XLT, XLT Premium	$590	$502


Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
235/70R16 white-letter tires
2WD XLT	$130	$111

2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4-door crew cab

Wheelbase, in.	125.9

Overall Length, in.	205.9

Overall Width, in.	71.8

Overall Height, in.	70.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	4349

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	--

Standard Payload, lbs.	1491

Fuel Capacity, gals.	22.5

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.5

Rear Head Room, in.	38.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	37.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.0 /245

Horsepower @ rpm.	205 @ 5500

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	242 @ 3000

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	14/20

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4-door crew cab

Rollover Resistance	2

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	5/100,000 on Focus. 8/100,000 on Escape Hybrid battery pack. In CA, hybrid components are covered by a 10/150,000 warranty.

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	5/Unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: 4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive

< 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Photos

Also in the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Review:

Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Ford Explorer Sport Trac Road Test

Ford Explorer Sport Trac Prices & Equipment

Ford Explorer Sport Trac Specs & Safety

Ford Explorer Sport Trac Photos

Ford Explorer Sport Trac Full Review

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