Pickup and go a new way

Newton, MA -With the strength of a stallion and the nimbleness of a mare, the new 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac could win the best of breed at any show. This new SUT or Sport Utility Truck I drove combines the best of an SUV-seating for five, smooth ride and maneuverability, and drop-down backseats-with the best of a pickup-the bed-to create a horse of a different color.

This set of wheels drew stares whenever I hit the streets. Well-thought out engineering is obvious in every part of the SUT. A composite floor topped by carpeted floor mats took whatever came in on my riding boots and cleaned up with a quick hosing. The 50-inch composite bed features four inside and six outside tiedowns and a 12V plug-in. This bed, which requires no liner and better yet, won't rust, makes the Sport Trac about 15 inches longer than standard Explorers.

The 4x4 I drove (the Sport Trac also comes out in a 4x2) featured a 204 hp 4.0 l, single overhead cam V-6 with a five-speed automatic transmission. Mileage wasn't bad for an SUV. After a week of driving in the city and on the highway, I averaged 17.8 mpg.

Smaller and less boxy than previous Explorers (and I've owned one two-door and three four-door Explorers since their introduction in 1991), the only problem I had with the interior was getting my hand between the door and the seat to adjust it. I also didn't like the white dashboard at first, but after driving at night, I found it much brighter and easier to see. The standard floor console of the Sport Trac includes redesigned cup holders and a nifty soft-pack storage bag that allows you to pop it out and carry it along. The Comfort Group, which I drove, included six-way power leather bucket seats and a rear-seat console with independent climate/audio controls, two headphone jacks for backseat passengers and two cupholders.

The test-drive model featured an awesome, 290W audio system with six speakers, a sub-woofer, and a 6-disc CD player right in the dash.

The rear seats fold down separately in a 60-40 combination. I was able to carry a couple saddles and two friends without overcrowding. Backseat riders found increased leg-room from past models of Explorers. Behind the seats are a couple of hidden cargo bins and places to attach the kids' car seats. Another sweet feature of the Sport Trac is a power rear window offering extra ventilation without wind noise and the ability to slide in longer loads that won't fit entirely in the bed.

I was able to carry my usual 600 lbs of horse feed in the back with no problems. I just opened the tailgate, flipped over the optional, U-shaped tubular bed extender and locked it in place over the top of the tailgate to extend the bed an extra 23 inches. To make the 50-lb bags of feed easier to remove, I released a couple of clips on either side of the extender, and unloaded the truck in a few seconds. With the tailgate down, the Sport Trac should carry a standard 4x8 sheet of plywood. Ford also offers an optional composite bed cover that comes in two locking sections with a piano hinge allowing for separate access to the bed.

While I didn't go off-roading during my test drive, with less than 7 inches of ground clearance, I don't think the Sport Trac will do as well as some other SUVs. But it does have the standard Explorer switch-activated, four-wheel drive system with four operating modes, which has traditionally been a plus when driving in New England winters.

The Sport Trac handles better than any other SUV I've driven. With the longer wheelbase and stiffer frame, the Sport Trac offers thicker side rails and a new tubular crossmember to beef up rigidity. Front suspension offers a little more control and road feel with power rack and pinion steering, gas shocks, torsion bar springs, and a front stabilizer bar. Rear suspension has two-stage variable-rate leaf springs. I also found the ride quieter and quite a bit smoother than on previous Explorers.

Will I replace my F-250 Super Duty with a Sport Trac? Not a chance, it just can't haul the hay. But I did add one to my driveway as a second car a few weeks after the test drive!