2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

This crew-cab pickup truck is redesigned for 2007, adding safety features, available V8 power, and independent rear suspension. Like the 2001-2005 Sport Trac, it's based on Ford's Explorer SUV, but has a 4x5-ft open cargo bed. Sport Trac seats five and offers a power rear window. Wheelbase grows by 5 inches vs. the previous Sport Trac, and is 16 inches longer than Explorer's. Like Honda's Ridgeline, Sport Trac has independent rear suspension designed to provide a more carlike ride than the solid rear axle common to pickups. XLT and uplevel Limited models are offered. A 210-hp V6 is standard. A V8 is optional for the first time; it has 292 hp. Both team with automatic transmissions, the V6 a 5-speed, the V8 a 6-speed. Sport Trac offers rear-wheel drive or Ford's Control Trac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. ABS and antiskid control with rollover sensors are standard. So are front side airbags. Optional are curtain side airbags that cover both seating rows and include rollover deployment. The cargo box, now made of dent-resistant composites, has three in-floor covered bins with drain plugs. Other options include heated windshield, rigid bed cover, frame bed extender, DVD entertainment, and rear obstacle detection.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Pickups offer a true-truck design in a relatively modest package. They are best suited for personal or light-duty use rather than commercial use, heavy hauling, or towing.

Our Best Buy is the Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks are the Dodge Dakota and Honda Ridgeline.

New or significantly redesigned is the Ford Explorer Sport Trac.