What type of vehicle is a Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a mid-size pickup truck built on the Ford Explorer SUV platform, blending the passenger comfort of an SUV with a dedicated cargo bed.
Launched in the early 2000s, the Sport Trac offered a unique alternative for buyers who wanted seating for five and the ability to haul cargo in a truck bed. It existed in two generations, spanning 2001–2005 and 2007–2010, before Ford discontinued the model as it restructured its truck lineup.
Overview of the Sport Trac
The Sport Trac sits between a traditional SUV and a pickup. It shares the Explorer's interior with a rear cargo bed behind a four-door crew cab, delivering five-passenger seating and a rear load area for gear, sporting SUV-like ride and towing capability with pickup practicality.
Generations and timeline
The Sport Trac was produced in two generations. The following list outlines the timeframes and the basic concept behind each era.
- First generation (2001–2005): Introduced as an SUV-based pickup on the Explorer platform, featuring a four-door crew cab and a mid-size cargo bed, available in rear- or four-wheel-drive configurations.
- Second generation (2007–2010): A redesigned model with updated styling and interior, maintaining the four-door crew cab and pickup bed while offering improved features and drivetrain options. Production ended in 2010.
These two generations illustrate Ford’s effort to offer a versatile vehicle that could serve family, outdoor, and cargo-hauling needs in one package.
Market positioning and lifecycle
In the context of Ford’s lineup, the Sport Trac occupied a niche between sport-utility vehicles and traditional pickups. After 2010, Ford did not revive the model, choosing instead to focus on a broader range of SUVs and trucks, including the full-size F-Series and the revived Explorer lineup in later years.
Summary
The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a mid-size, SUV-based pickup that combined Explorer-derived passenger space with a tractable cargo bed. Produced in two generations (2001–2005 and 2007–2010), it represented Ford’s attempt to bridge two vehicle genres before the niche was phased out in favor of other designs.
Why did Ford stop making the Sport Trac?
Ford SYNC integration was made optional on the vehicle in 2008 while Trailer Sway Control became standard in 2009. Due to slowing sales, the Ford Explorer Sport Trac was discontinued after the 2010 model year.
Is a Ford Explorer Sport Trac a full-size truck?
The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a popular pickup truck. Ford Motor Company has been its manufacturer since 2001. It is a variation of the Ford Explorer SUV that is "stretched" to become a mid-size pickup truck.
Is the Ford Explorer a truck or a SUV?
| Ford Explorer | |
|---|---|
| Class | Compact SUV (3-door/Sport) (1991–2003) Mid-size SUV (1991–2010) Mid-size crossover SUV (2011–present) |
| Chassis | Body-on-frame (1991–2010) Unibody (2011–present) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ford Bronco II |
What class of vehicle is a Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer is a mid-size crossover SUV that slots between the larger Expedition and smaller Escape. Historically, it began as a compact SUV with a body-on-frame chassis and transitioned to its current mid-size crossover unibody construction with the 2011 model year.
You can watch this video to see a review of the Ford Explorer, including its design and features: 56sW.T.F Car ReviewsYouTube · Dec 3, 2024
- Modern class: Today, it is classified as a mid-size crossover SUV, designed to offer seating for up to seven passengers and a balance of performance, technology, and practicality.
- Chassis: Since 2011, the Explorer has used a unibody construction, which is common in crossovers, and is now a rear-wheel-drive-based platform.
- Historical class: From 1991 to 2003, it was also offered as a compact SUV with a 3-door/Sport body style, and from 1991 to 2010 it used a body-on-frame chassis before the redesign.
