Build on an extended platform of the Explorer SUV, the Ford->ke4236 Explorer Sport Trac offered a perfect compromise between the dynamic performances of a genuine SUV and the utilitarian character of a full sized pickup truck.

Though, despite the innovative idea behind the concept, the Explorer Sport Trac never managed to maintain the market’s interest alive and had a pretty short life span, being sold between 2001 and 2010.

Ford->ke4236 tried to spice things up a little and gave the vehicle a small facelift in 2007, but it wasn’t enough to change the sad faith of its Explorer Sport Trac.

The 2007 facelift added a few exterior changes, some interior upgrades and also a new V8 engine together with a few tweaks for the old V6 unit.

Design

Compared to the previous generation, the 2007 model comes with small exterior changes and most of them were made to the front fascia.

The grille is totally new and it’s now offered with a nice shiny treatment which gives it a more upscale look. The massive headlights have been slightly reshaped, but they keep the same robust style as the old ones.

The old bumper was also replaced with a new one which gives the vehicle a more purposeful look.

The rest of the body remained unchanged and even the hood keeps the same lines as the previous model. The oversized wheel arches continue to flank each side of the truck, but the taillights now comes with a sportier design.

The composite cargo box features two-tier storage ability and there is offered an optional hard tonneau cover, together with three integrated tool and gear bins with drain plugs.

Interior

The entire cabin was completely redesigned. The new design scheme was more robust than the old one and the dashboard looks like it was injected with a serious dose of testosterone. The plastics were also slightly upgraded and most of them are more pleasant to touch than the previous ones.

Fortunately the strong build quality remained unaffected and we also like the fittings. Though, close inspection reveals a few of those hard plastic parts from the old Explorer still surfacing, particularly on the headliner and as you move to the rear of the passenger compartment.

The new instrument panel is simpler than the old one and features only two gauges for the speedo and tachometer. There is also a small information display nested between the gauges.

The steering wheel is more robust than the old one and offers a few useful adjustments to make your life on board easier. There are also a few integrated controls which are pretty easy to use.

Inside you’ll find sport bucket seats in front, folding 60/40 rear bench, and Tuflor rubber flooring. The old seats offered a good level of comfort and the new ones are at least at the same level. The all around visibility is also part of the first class, thanks to the wide windscreen and the sloped bonnet.

Engines and performance

The second generation was offered with a choice of two engines. The old 4.0 liter V6 unit continued to be available for the new Explorer Sport Trac, but it received a few tweaks which made it more efficient and performant, developing 210 hp and 254 lb.ft of torque.

New for 2007, was the introduction of a 4.6 liter V8 which developed a maximum output of 292 hp and 300 lb.ft. of torque. The V8 was by far much stronger than the V6 unit and offered a crisp acceleration regardless of what load was carried at the back.

The V6 was paired with a five speed manual gearbox, while the V8 was bolted on a standard six speed automatic. Both engines were offered with a choice of wither rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.

2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Engines Specifications

Ride and handling

The 2007 Ford->ke4236 Explorer Sport Trac was built on a new frame which is 444 percent stiffer than the previous model. The vehicle also comes with a new independent rear suspension which offers a better ride and handling. The cabin’s isolation is well made and there is no significant wind or engine noise.

The Steering is also decent and offers a proper road feedback, while the overall road manners of the truck are part of the first class.

The breaking power is assured by all-around disc brakes and the stop pedal has a nice feel inspiring confidence.

Verdict

The old generation was a fairly good product, but the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Track was even better. The vehicle came with a series of significant upgrades and we especially liked the new cabin which offered a high level of comfort and came with a wide range of features. We also need to send a shout to the new V8 unit that was also welcomed and delivered strong performances and a reasonable fuel consumption. The ride and handling were also among the best in the business.