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10 Best Sedans Under $25,000

2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

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Want to save money? Check out the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Overview

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2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

The 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is the second generation of a vehicle that started a sub-trend: A truck, with sport-utility characteristics, four doors, a rather short cargo bed and an assortment of ingenious features to enhance the anticipated active lifestyles of its intended buyers. It's not quite a sport utility vehicle and it's not quite a truck. On the large size in this group are the Chevrolet Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT, while more directly competitive in size is the Honda Ridgeline. The original Sport Trac was based on the Ford Explorer, as is the newest version. But the Explorer has grown up, both in size and sophistication, and so has the Sport Trac.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you want to be able to go just about anywhere, you require some truck-type cargo capacity but not necessarily a lot, you tow a trailer but not necessarily a great big one and you want the advantages of a separate body-on-frame construction and an available V8 engine, the 2010 Ford Sport Trac deserves your attention

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you need a real sport utility vehicle with enclosed cargo space or a third-row seat, or you need a real truck with a full-size cargo bed, the Sport Trac is not for you.

What's New for 2010

For 2010, the Explorer Sport Trac can be outfitted with the latest SYNC communications and entertainment system, while the Limited models gain chrome roof rails and side steps.

Driving the Explorer Sport Trac

Driving Impressions The 2010 Ford Sport Trac's driving experience, both on pavement and off, is exceptionally good. No small amount of credit for this excellent behavior is due the fully-boxed frame, which...

is so remarkably stiff that visible movement between the passenger cab and cargo box is essentially undetectable, even under very rough conditions. Also playing a significant role is the independent rear suspension, a benefit borrowed from the Explorer, so that on the road the ride is smooth, even and comfortable, and off-road the wheels stay in contact with the surface and keep things going. For most folks the Sport Trac will be the best-handling, best riding truck they've ever driven.

Favorite Features

Frame and Suspension
The fully-boxed frame and fully-independent suspension deliver a combination of ride smoothness, handling precision and off-road capability that is particularly noteworthy.

Versatile Cargo Box
The cargo box is made of composite material, so it won't rust and, with its three storage compartments, offers a lot of versatility for odds and ends of an active weekend.

2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Details

Interior

Inside the Sport Trac everything fits well and is thoughtfully arranged. The seating is quite roomy and comfortable, in both the front and rear, and a long day behind the wheel should prove pleasant. One gripe: The odd door-pull handles are not at all intuitive even as to where they are, let alone how they work. On the good side, there's an optional heated windshield and rubber floor coverings make it easier to clean out the mud. The composite-material cargo box contains three storage bins with drain plugs. The largest is up forward under the cargo floor, requiring crawling into the cargo box to store your stuff, while the equivalent feature in the Honda Ridgeline is conveniently near the rear.

Exterior

The 2010 Ford Sport Trac's exterior does a good job of striking that delicate balance between street style and off-road character, and the Ford designers have managed to make it look not exactly like a work truck, but not exactly like a soccer-mom sport utility vehicle, either. The roof rack, external cargo-box tie-downs, fairly large tires and prominent wheel arches give it a properly rugged image, while the big chrome grille and front-end treatment lend style.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Major standard equipment on the XLT includes power assists for windows, door locks and exterior mirrors, AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player, power rear window, fog lamps, power outlets for front and rear seats and the cargo box, manual air conditioning, cruise control, outside temperature display, compass, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, 16-inch tires and AdvanceTrac, which includes the functions of traction and stability control and also features Roll Stability Control with Trailer Sway Control, which helps to inhibit potential rollovers. On the safety side the standard equipment includes front, front-side and side-curtain airbags. The standard engine is a 4.0-liter 210-horsepower V6 with a five-speed automatic transmission.

Optional Equipment

Major options include the Limited trim level, which adds 18-inch alloy wheels, step bars, six-way power driver's seat and some other trim items. Other options include upgrades to the sound system, leather seating, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, power moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, SYNC, navigation system, trailer towing package, a heated windshield and numerous other convenience and trim features. The optional four-wheel-drive system is operated by a button and includes a low range. The optional engine is the 4.6-liter V8 with six-speed automatic transmission.

Under the Hood

Most drivers will probably find the 4.0-liter V6 more than adequate for most of their driving, with 254 pound-feet of torque and plenty of acceleration to keep up with any likely traffic situation. But if your trips include filling the cargo box with dirt bikes and the inside with two or three buddies, then pulling a loaded trailer up hills, you'll probably want the V8. The biggest penalty with the larger engine is, predictably, fuel economy, although you won't see a huge difference between the V6 and V8 in either city or highway numbers.

4.0-liter V6
210 horsepower @ 5100 rpm
254 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20(2WD), 13/19 (4WD)

4.6-liter V8
292 horsepower @ 5000 rpm
315 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 (2WD), 14/19 (4WD)

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2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.8

Out of 10

Based on 150 Ratings for the 2007 - 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac models.

Review this car

Value

8.9/10

Quality

9.1/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

8.9/10
Comfort

9.1/10

Styling

9.3/10

Drives like a car, cruise control, great sound sys

By Rolltidegirl (AL) on Friday, March 30, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 98,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Gas mielage, dependability, low mateanence, comfor"

Cons: "small cargo area"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Purchased in 2009 and only had one major expense, bearing went out in the drivers side front, it was still under my extended warranty so all I paid was the deductable. I get 9.2 MPG almost all interstate driving. Travel to/from work 106 miles 5 days a week. Comfortable ride, love the sound system and CD (multiple-5). Leather heated seats are great not only in the winter months. On cool morning in April/May nice. cold air, fold down rear seat that are flat, not just lay down. Extra leg room in the front and able to move the electric seat forward for rear passengers comfort. Like tre 4x4 truck bed with hard cover lid that locks, could use some more room when hauling lumber. Extra ports for electronics, front and back. Cruise control, radio, heat/air controls all on the steering wheel. Dimmer rearview mirror is great. Plenty of power with a V8 engine. Driving 30,000 miles per year this has been a great truck, wish they would have continued to make this model in 2012 so I could trade up. Love opening the slide moon roof, even in cool weather or tilt the top for fresh morning air, little noisy but just turn up the sound system and you will not mind it. Great fro pull my boat, extra tub type deep wells in the cargo area for bunge cords, gloves, small tools. Tie downs are great, the best ever, never have to worry about how you are going to tie off a load and secure it for safety, there are plenty of tie offs on this truck. The locking truck bed/lid combination are great and there is a hidden storage area in the back of the truck bed that is sealed so you can put in extra jacket, beach towels, items you don't want to get dirty if hauling something. No carpet inside the cab, this is great. Go fishing, get muddy, just take out the desiner mats spray the inside gently and vac out the water give it a few minutes and it's dry and ready to drive. Not too high off the ground but the runners are great if your a small person getting in and out. Love, love, love the puddle lights after locking up, they stay on longer that most to give you time to get past the truck or see the vehicle next to you. All in all this is a great truck to own and drive."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Comfort of a car, flexibility of a truck. Great.

By Rick (OH) on Friday, March 30, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 65,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is a great vehicle. Purchased brand new, very comfortable to drive. This is a very solid car, made with quality in mind. Other vehicles of this type just seemed cheap and like a tin can. Have no complaints and have only had to perform normal maintenance such as oil changes and tires."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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