ReggieMRegalOne05 Legaspi
Well-Known Member
Here's another review from MSN's Dan Jedlicka:
Expert Rating
Dan Jedlicka's Rating:
7 out of 10.
About Dan Jedlicka
Bottom Line:
Redesigned Sport Trac is a big improvement over its dated predecessor.
Pros:
Roomy
Versatile
New V8 availability
Cons:
Marginal rear seat comfort
Gauges a little hard to read
High cargo bed floor
Expert Review
Tough trucks no longer are the darlings of the vehicle market. They've been hurt by high gasoline prices and a move toward more fuel-thrifty "crossover" vehicles that often deftly combine attributes of both cars and trucks.
However, the truck market isn't about to go away. And vehicles such as the redesigned 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac compact pickup truck make sense for folks who need a roomy vehicle that can be used as the family bus and for hauling—yet is sturdier than a general crossover vehicle.
Replaces Dated Model
The new Sport Trac replaces a dated model based on the 1995-2001 Explorer SUV. The 2007 version is nearly 17 inches longer than the regular Explorer and is identical from the second roof posts—or "B pillars"—forward. But its back doors and rear roof posts are different. And, of course, it has a pickup truck bed.
The Sport Trac's wheelbase, or distance between axles, is a whopping 130.5 inches, or nearly 5 inches longer than its predecessor's. The new model also is nearly 2 inches wider and looks far more attractive.
Smooth Ride
The longer wheelbase, more rigid construction and a new car-like independent rear suspension go a long way towards giving the new Sport Trac a smooth ride, sturdier feel and above-average handling for a pickup truck.
In fact, only the fairly new Honda Ridgeline compact pickup, which also has an independent rear suspension, favorably compares in the ride department. However, the Ridgeline has only a 122-inch wheelbase, and the Sport Trac's body-on-frame construction makes it better suited for towing than the Ridgeline's car-like unibody construction.
The Sport Trac is fun to drive, even for a truck, with precise steering, almost car-like handling and brakes that provide decent stopping distances.
List prices range from $24,245 to $27,940 for XLT trim levels and from $25,845 to $29,540 for top-line Limited versions.
For the first time, the Sport Trac is offered with a V8, available for both XLT and Limited trim levels. It has a 4.6-liter 292-horspower overhead-camshaft unit hooked to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Lively V8 Acceleration
The V8 propels the Sport Trac to 60 mph in a fairly quick 7.5 seconds and provides decent 65-75 mph passing, although it's pretty hefty at 4,516 pounds.
Other Sport Tracs are powered by a 4.0-liter V6 with 210 horsepower and less torque. The V6 shoots power through a 5-speed automatic transmission. While it's no weakling, that engine provides slower acceleration and less towing capacity than a Sport Trac V8.
Two Drive Systems
The Sport Trac comes with rear- or 4-wheel drive, which can be used on dry roads and has low-range gearing for off-road use.
There are almost no estimated fuel economy differences between the Sport Trac V6 and V8. The V6 delivers 15 mpg in the city and 21 on highways with rear-wheel drive and 15 and 20 with 4-wheel drive. Figures with the V8 and rear-wheel drive also are 15 and 21, while those with 4-wheel drive are 14 and 20. Only regular-grade gasoline is required.
The front-seat area is spacious and has supportive bucket seats. The roomy back seat area accommodates three adults, but the rear bench seat is only marginally comfortable on long drives. However, rear seatbacks fold forward for impressive in-cabin cargo room.
It's not too hard to get in and out of the generally quiet interior, thanks to such items as large outsid
Expert Rating
Dan Jedlicka's Rating:
7 out of 10.
About Dan Jedlicka
Bottom Line:
Redesigned Sport Trac is a big improvement over its dated predecessor.
Pros:
Roomy
Versatile
New V8 availability
Cons:
Marginal rear seat comfort
Gauges a little hard to read
High cargo bed floor
Expert Review
Tough trucks no longer are the darlings of the vehicle market. They've been hurt by high gasoline prices and a move toward more fuel-thrifty "crossover" vehicles that often deftly combine attributes of both cars and trucks.
However, the truck market isn't about to go away. And vehicles such as the redesigned 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac compact pickup truck make sense for folks who need a roomy vehicle that can be used as the family bus and for hauling—yet is sturdier than a general crossover vehicle.
Replaces Dated Model
The new Sport Trac replaces a dated model based on the 1995-2001 Explorer SUV. The 2007 version is nearly 17 inches longer than the regular Explorer and is identical from the second roof posts—or "B pillars"—forward. But its back doors and rear roof posts are different. And, of course, it has a pickup truck bed.
The Sport Trac's wheelbase, or distance between axles, is a whopping 130.5 inches, or nearly 5 inches longer than its predecessor's. The new model also is nearly 2 inches wider and looks far more attractive.
Smooth Ride
The longer wheelbase, more rigid construction and a new car-like independent rear suspension go a long way towards giving the new Sport Trac a smooth ride, sturdier feel and above-average handling for a pickup truck.
In fact, only the fairly new Honda Ridgeline compact pickup, which also has an independent rear suspension, favorably compares in the ride department. However, the Ridgeline has only a 122-inch wheelbase, and the Sport Trac's body-on-frame construction makes it better suited for towing than the Ridgeline's car-like unibody construction.
The Sport Trac is fun to drive, even for a truck, with precise steering, almost car-like handling and brakes that provide decent stopping distances.
List prices range from $24,245 to $27,940 for XLT trim levels and from $25,845 to $29,540 for top-line Limited versions.
For the first time, the Sport Trac is offered with a V8, available for both XLT and Limited trim levels. It has a 4.6-liter 292-horspower overhead-camshaft unit hooked to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Lively V8 Acceleration
The V8 propels the Sport Trac to 60 mph in a fairly quick 7.5 seconds and provides decent 65-75 mph passing, although it's pretty hefty at 4,516 pounds.
Other Sport Tracs are powered by a 4.0-liter V6 with 210 horsepower and less torque. The V6 shoots power through a 5-speed automatic transmission. While it's no weakling, that engine provides slower acceleration and less towing capacity than a Sport Trac V8.
Two Drive Systems
The Sport Trac comes with rear- or 4-wheel drive, which can be used on dry roads and has low-range gearing for off-road use.
There are almost no estimated fuel economy differences between the Sport Trac V6 and V8. The V6 delivers 15 mpg in the city and 21 on highways with rear-wheel drive and 15 and 20 with 4-wheel drive. Figures with the V8 and rear-wheel drive also are 15 and 21, while those with 4-wheel drive are 14 and 20. Only regular-grade gasoline is required.
The front-seat area is spacious and has supportive bucket seats. The roomy back seat area accommodates three adults, but the rear bench seat is only marginally comfortable on long drives. However, rear seatbacks fold forward for impressive in-cabin cargo room.
It's not too hard to get in and out of the generally quiet interior, thanks to such items as large outsid
