Otherwise the Sport Trac cabin is a handsomely
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| White faced gauges give the instrument cluster a clean look. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
fabricated, well-constructed office in which to perform driving duties or simply enjoy the surroundings as a passenger. If I could wave a magic wand and make one improvement to the spacious environs, it would be in seat design. I found the seat cushions up front a little short for my lengthier than average legs. A longer seat cushion and more side-bolstering would elevate the optional leather-trimmed, heated, 10-way power adjustable perches in my tester from "superior" to "stupendous." If granted a second wave, the front doors would receive more logically placed door-pulls, but that's it. Ford has taken a giant leap forward in both interior and exterior Sport Trac design; the question is have they followed through with performance to match? In a word, yes.
My
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| Best stick to the V8 if you plan on going anywhere in a hurry. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
resounding affirmation is exclusive to the V8-powered Sport Trac. I haven't had the opportunity to test the base V6-powered version but given the marginal difference in
fuel economy (neither of which is particularly impressive) I wouldn't recommend going with the less powerful, and more importantly less refined, 4.0-litre, 210 horsepower V6. From the moment the new Sport Trac I tested came to life, I fell for its deliciously smooth V8 hustle. Unless taxed with demanding acceleration or hill climbing, the engine is near silent within normal operating parameters, with only a luxury-car burble to be heard. As the revs climb and the Sport Trac presses forward, the 292 horses announce themselves with an unobtrusive growl. The engine's maximum torque rating of 300 foot-pounds ensures strong acceleration up steep grades and near effortless towing performance. When properly equipped, the Sport Trac is tow-rated at 3,091 kg (6,800 lbs). While weighty subjects, the curb weight of the V8-equipped 4X4 Sport Trac is a reasonable 2,178 kg (4,793 lbs).
Part of the Sport Trac's favourable V8 performance is attributable to
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| All Sport Tracs have automatic gearboxes. The V6 has a five-speed auto, the V8 has a six-speed auto. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
the ability of its sophisticated 6-speed, over-drive equipped automatic transmission to insert the right gear at the right time, (the V6 is mated to a 5-speed automatic). Shift points were appropriate for all occasions, however, they felt programmed to prioritize fuel economy over performance, which is to be expected this day and age, of course. Unfortunately the Sport Trac is not equipped with a manual-mode feature, although the driver can gear-down through third and second gear to first gear. The Sport Trac is equipped with electronically activated, low-range gearing, mind you, making it a very capable climber. While powering its way up a steep ascent, an associate journalist compared the vehicle's tenacious grip to a cat on carpeting. I concurred with the metaphor but felt the feline comparison short-changed the robust Sport Trac. Before this becomes an episode of Wild Kingdom, let's just wrap-up the subject of hill-climbing ability by saying that more than a few eyebrows were raised among the clutch of jaded journalists while putting a bevy of V8-powered Sport Tracs through the rigors of off-roading.
When
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| Bed extender. It does what the name suggests. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
the low-range gears are not engaged, Ford's advanced Control Trac 4WD system keeps the vehicle in motion by automatically transferring torque to the front wheels as needed to maintain maximum traction at all times. Add Ford's AdvanceTrac electronic anti-skid program with Roll Stability Control (RSC) to the traction equation and the Sport Trac has all the bases covered for secure, dependable off-road performance; or for that matter controlled traction on snowy, slippery surfaces.
