2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Still riding on the previous-generation Explorer platform, the Sport Trac carries over into 2002 with minor under-the-skin changes.

Thinking outside the box has become a hallmark of success in today's rapidly changing business world. The same is proving true in the automotive realm, where rethinking conventional approaches has led to numerous variations on the basic transportation theme.


One of the most innovative embodiments of that philosophy is the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Introduced for the 2001 model year, this midsize hybrid blends the people-moving prowess of a traditional 4-door sport utility with the cargo carrying capabilities of a pickup truck. With its unique configuration, bounteous comfort-and-convenience touches and value-oriented pricing, the Sport Trac has found favor with a wide range of active-lifestyle buyers from coast to coast. Modestly tweaked for the 2002 season, it promises to be an even more popular choice for the young and young at heart.


Technically, the Sport Trac comes in one basic trim level. However, Value, Choice and Premium package accoutrements bring increasing levels of features. Even the most inexpensive variant, which opens at $22,255 plus $625 in destination, offers an impressive roster of standards. Prime among that lot is air conditioning, disc/drum brakes with ABS, power windows/locks/mirrors, AM/FM/CD/cassette sound system and privacy glass.

Front seats offer good lateral support; standard upholstery is cloth, but leather is available. All switchgear is within easy reach.

Newly added to the 2002 mix are an electrochromic rearview mirror, larger 22.4-gallon gas tank and 16-inch cast-aluminum wheels mounting 235/70 all-season tires in place of the original 15-inch alloys and 235/75 rubber. Whether rear-drive or fitted with Ford's Control Trac 4WD system, all Sport Tracs are fitted with the same 4.0-liter SOHC V-6 that makes 203 horsepower and 237 lb.-ft. of torque. Value-spec models see it paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox while all other versions come with a 5-speed automatic regardless of the number of driven wheels.


For this encounter, we sampled a Premium grade rear-drive model that based at $25,720. At that level, items like keyless remote entry, tilt steering column, cruise control, fog lamps, tow hooks, step bars and 255/70 tires also are incorporated into the mix. True Sybarites can add even more goodies, including leather upholstery, power moonroof and a high-end Pioneer sound system. We confined the upgrade roster to the aforementioned sound system with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer and a cargo cage, extras that bumped the price tag on our tester to $27,040.