2002 Ford Explorer Sport

After the redesigned four-door Explorer debuted as an early 2002 model, not everyone remembers that a two-door companion remains in Ford's lineup. The Explorer Sport, its prior-generation roots intact, is conveniently sized and easy to handle with the right amount of allure to those wanting a sport-utility vehicle larger than the Escape but smaller than the full-size Explorer.

Yet to be redesigned like its four-door sibling, the Explorer Sport's main exterior change for 2002 is 16-inch cast-aluminum wheels.

Explorer Sports are surprisingly friendly vehicles that are especially popular with people who live in houses with short garages where a four-door Explorer might not fit. Explorer Sports are 180.4 inches long on a 101.8-inch wheelbase in contrast to the 113.7-inch wheelbase and 189.5-inch overall length of a four-door Explorer. Ford's compact Escape actually rides on a longer wheelbase, but is only 173 inches long. The Explorer Sport is just about the same width as an Escape, but nearly two inches narrower and three inches lower than an Explorer. Yet, despite its more compact dimensions compared to the Explorer, the driver still feels high up and fully in command.


Visibility is good except for the view over the driver's left shoulder, and it's easy to see the hood corners for guidance. Ground clearance is 6.7 inches for both 2WD and 4WD models. When properly equipped, towing capacity for a two-wheel-drive model is as high as 5,120 pounds. Twisting a knob on 4WD models permits "shift on the fly" operation.


New 16-inch cast-aluminum wheels have been installed on all 2002 models, replacing the previous 15-inchers. Otherwise, little is new except for revised content of the Comfort option group, including the addition of automatic headlights and an electrochromic rear-view mirror. A power moonroof is optional.