By Tom Crosby
AAA Carolinas

Ford’s Explorer Sport Trac, described as a sport utility truck, adds upscale options for 2008 along with standard upgrades to increase the comfort in a vehicle that already combines rugged versatility with interior ergonomics often reserved for more expensive rides. Our test-drive Sport Trac 4X2 Limited with the V8 engine came with several options, such as the $2,505 voice-activated Navigation system, a power moonroof ($850), two-tone bucket leather seats ($995) and other, less expensive features that pushed our final price tags to $34,625. The result is a vehicle with a car-like ride, due to the independent rear suspension, confident handling thanks to roll-control stability, and a quiet interior that allows easily heard conversation from any of the five seating positions. The side running boards, leather-wrapped steering wheel, pedal extenders and power adjustable driver’s seat made it easy to enter and relax. The Sport Trac is built on the Explorer platform derived from the successful Ford F-150 pickup truck and are either XLT or Limited models. all four-door crew cabs, with a V6 engine with 5-speed automatic transmission or a V8 engine with 6-speed automatic transmission and two- or four-wheel drive.

There are more than 200 possible configurations, much like a pickup truck. Ample highway prowess comes with the V8 engine, but it showed a hunger for fuel, averaging only 16 miles a gallon during a week of city/highway driving. Ford Sync is a new Ford feature that provides integration with mobile phones and with the Navigation system allows hands to remain on the wheel while talking, changing radio stations, looking for restaurants or attractions. While there is some initial training to learn proper verbiage, there is a space age feel speaking to a machine that does your bidding. Sport Trac’s 4x5 foot cargo bed, which can be outfitted with a lockable tonneau cover and cargo extender, is lined with a dent-proof and scratch-resistant plastic composite to protect it from hard use. Chrome clamshell style door handles and chrome trim around the temperature and audio controls provided stylish contrast with our two-tone leather accented interior. Sport Trac enjoys rugged good looks with a full chrome front grille and high wheel arches. The tonneau cover locks, as do three floor storage wells, and rear seatbacks fold for extra cargo space. The center console’s power outlet allows the cell phone to charge inside, with the engine off and the top down, and the phone cord outside. The rear window powers down, a new and nice touch.