Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Name: 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Brand: Ford

EPA MPG: 17 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 17 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

Based on the previous-generation Ford Explorer, the four-door Sport Trac shares many of the strengths and weaknesses of its sibling. The Sport Trac is distinguished by a short, but deep rust-proof composite bed. Handling is competent, but the ride is stiff and choppy. The V6 engine sounds coarse and provides only mediocre acceleration. Fit and finish isn't impressive. Curtain airbags are standard.

2009 Pickup Trucks Reliability

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Ford Explorer Spo...

Ford Explorer Sport Trac

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Chevrolet Colorado

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Ford vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Ford vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Ford vs. Other New Car Brands

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2009 Midsized pickup trucks Ratings

2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

$6,450 - $7,850

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Chevrolet Colorado

$4,425 - $8,000

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Dodge Dakota

$4,350 - $6,350

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Ford Ranger

$5,825 - $7,850

EPA MPG 16 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 GMC Canyon

$3,075 - $7,825

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Honda Ridgeline

$7,475 - $8,550

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Mazda B-Series

$ NA

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Nissan Frontier

$5,375 - $8,550

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Suzuki Equator

$3,650 - $6,050

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Toyota Tacoma

$6,725 - $12,525

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

crew cab

2 front, 3 rear

4WD, Rear

4-liter V6 (210 hp)
4.6-liter V8 (292 hp)

6-speed automatic
5-speed automatic

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Model History

2007-2010

2007 Redesign Year

The 2007 redesign brought standard ESC and independent rear suspension, but only modest improvements to ride and handling. With the refinements, we found handling to be competent, but ride stiff and choppy. Also, braking performance had room for improvement, with a poor showing in our fade tests. Part of the problem is this version of the Sport Trac is based upon an earlier version of the Explorer, which lacked many of the refinements of the day. As result, we also found modest interior space, along with unimpressive fit and finish. However, outward visibility to the front is quite good and the seats are supportive -- if somewhat lumpy. The bed is good for a six-foot load with the tailgate open and the bed extender in place. It also contains hidden storage.

2001-2006

2001 Redesign Year

Based on the Explorer, the Sport Trac is a four-door pickup with a five-passenger cabin and a small cargo bed. Handling is secure and relatively responsive, but the ride is stiff, choppy, and uncomfortable. An adequate selection of storage nooks is provided, along with a removable zippered bag between the front seats. The four-foot cargo bed, with a volume of about 30 cubic feet, is made of sturdy, rustproof plastic. Because it is relatively short, its usefulness is somewhat limited, but an optional bed extender stretches the usable load floor to the end of the tailgate. Properly equipped, Explorer Sport Trac is good to tow 5,100 pounds. However, a tip-up of the two-wheel-drive version in the government rollover test is a concern. Therefore, we recommend only the four-wheel-drive version.