Ford Explorer Sport Trac Overview

Sure, sport utilities can carry cargo, but what do you do when you need to haul a load of lumber or a pile of dirt? Compact pickups can do that, but who are you going to call when it's time to take the whole family out? The Ford Explorer Sport Trac can handle either of these tasks.

Sport Trac is an SUV with a pickup bed. It has an outdoorsman's interior designed for easy cleaning and a bed made of a nearly impervious composite material. Yet Sport Trac can carry a family of five in comfort.

As its name implies, the Explorer Sport Trac is based on the Ford Explorer, the best selling sport-utility in America. Sport Trac is based on the previous-generation Explorer, however, so it does not benefit from the 2003 Explorer's independent rear suspension and other advances. But Ford has enhanced Sport Trac's safety systems for 2003. Four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS come standard. Seat belts are now height-adjustable and are fitted with pre-tensioners.

Ford's new Safety Canopy side-curtain air bag system with rollover sensors is available for 2003 Sport Tracs (except early models). Safety Canopy air bags offer head protection in a side impact and remain inflated longer than conventional air bags, helping prevent occupants from being ejected in a rollover.