2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Road Test

Only the Name Remains the Same

There is no greater sense of helplessness than being seated in the

D is for "disconcerting". In a sentence: driving down the steep hill in the capable Explorer Sport Trac with those journalists was a disconcerting experience. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

rear of a 4X4 while an impassioned brother journalist from Quebec forces it to defy the fundamentals of gravitation by clawing to the summit of a bolder-strewn precipice. Fortunately my francophone friend exhibited superior off-road competency - but more importantly he was driving the all-new 2007 Ford Sport Trac powered by a 4.6-litre, three-valve per cylinder V8. Ford chose to launch the Explorer-based four-wheel drive (4WD) Sport Trac in sunny California, and in doing so gave journalists the opportunity to test their mettle - and that of Ford's - on an off-road course replete with steep pitches, large mud holes and dirt, plenty of dirt. 

Should

Everything about the new Sport Trac is bigger, stronger and better, which is always good for a truck. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

you have any familiarity with the old Sport Trac, it's time to hit "delete" and wipe your mental hard-drive clean; only the name remains the same. The 2007 edition of Ford's SUV/pickup crossover emanates from the highly praised latest generation Explorer - and there's nothing like starting from a position of strength when developing new products. The new blueprints incorporate a wider, deeper cargo box that is 26.7-percent larger. The reconfigured box includes three weather-resistant gear bins for stowing wet equipment or keeping wet things ice cold! Visually, the 2007 Sport Trac incorporates DNA from its predecessor but that's where the familial likeness ends.

Today's Sport Trac utilizes a wide stance, big wheels, flared fenders

Michael Ford, project manager of the Explorer Sport Trac. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

and clean lines to project a bold, muscular appearance. The new exterior also incorporates a purposeful chrome grille, jewel-like headlamps and aero-efficient roof rails to define its contemporary, upscale attitude. An optional two-piece hard bed cover is available to complete the total package. The clever lid is lightweight yet can support 136 kg (300 lbs) according to Ford engineer, Michael Ford (no relation to Bill Jr.), Supervisor of Exterior Ornamentation. During our drive, Michael described the exhaustive steps taken to wind tunnel test exterior attachments such as the bed cover, roof rails and step bars. Apparently each "vector" had to be analyzed... and so on. Looks like the hard work paid-off Michael, the Sport Trac is conspicuously quiet on the highway.

Popping

Navigation system is optional on the top of the line Limited model. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

open one of the four Sport Trac doors reveals a completely revised interior in which the materials in use are of much higher quality than previous. Not only are components and switchgear more pleasing from a tactile point of view, and more functional, but they encompass an improved layout and far better assembly accuracy. The new architecture moves the shifter from the steering column to a very attractive, flow through centre console integrated into an uncluttered centre stack housing audio, HVAC, and an optional navigation system. The tidy design is almost entirely button-operated, which can be counter-intuitive and prone to driver-distraction when searching for a specific function control.