Most drivers will probably find the 4. They tend to be at the same or higher price point as some F150s but the features make them worth it. Essentially a Ford Explorer with a pickup bed, the Sport Trac offers plenty of room inside for people and out back for cargo. The seats are comfortable, though the bottom cushions front and rear could provide more thigh support. The Frontier and the Ridgeline are tops in rear-seat headroom, but by only tenths of an inch. The Sport Trac has an independent rear suspension, a design associated with sports cars, and this gives it a smooth ride and good handling.
Some drivers also complained about the door handles and the lack of a grab space making it hard to close the heavy doors. Understeer, where the truck wants to go straight instead of turning, is the default mode if a corner is entered while carrying too much momentum. To see what details are different this year, check out a of the two model years. Wind and road noise levels are acceptable, but not particularly low. By making the Sport Trac look taller, it also raises the Sport Trac's visual center of gravity, although the wider body and wider track help to reduce this impression.
On the other hand, with the Sport Trac's optional two-piece, lockable, hard tonneau cover in place, the enclosed volume of the cargo bed measures 37. Features The Sport Trac's cabin floor is covered in rubber for easy cleaning, and a heated windshield that has embedded tungsten filaments for superior defrosting capabilities is optional. A small, covered bin is also recessed into the floor at each side behind the wheelhouses. Wheelbase distance between the tires front to rear and overall length bumper to bumper are both almost 17 inches longer. Unfortunately, both engines are thirsty and offer unremarkable acceleration. The V-8 drives a six-speed automatic transmission, and they make a very good pair; the automatic willingly when more power was needed for passing and I was able to control how many gears the transmission downshifted by how far I depressed the accelerator pedal.
How the V8 responds when the gas pedal is pressed isn't quite as impressive as the 292 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque suggest, however. The Sport Trac's high ride height means the ride quality gets a bit busy over potholed or broken pavement, but otherwise, the ride is smooth, thanks in part to an independent rear suspension that also aids handling. A large V-shaped chrome grille incorporates part of the front bumper; I think it looks remarkably similar to the one on the Volkswagen Passat, but that's just my take. Room, on the other hand, is plentiful front and rear. Control Trac has three modes — Auto, High and Low — that are selected via buttons on the lower portion of the dashboard. Comparatively speaking, the Sport Trac's interior lands squarely in the middle of the segment. Three new exterior colors are added: Stone Green Metallic, Vapor Silver Clearcoat Metallic, and White Suede Metallic.
Room, on the other hand, is plentiful front and rear. Cause F150 is too big and bundlesome. Ford Sync is available on late-2008 models. The most notable new feature, available on late-2008 models, is Ford's Sync communications and entertainment system. Depending on how the truck was going to be us Driving ImpressionsThe Sport Trac offers a choice of V6 and V8 engines. I liked the appearance of a one-owner 2007 with 79K that was exceptionally clean and after a test drive, I bought it.
That said, I did like driving the Sport Trac. Not exactly the best of both worlds, but a practical and versatile vehicle just the same. Walkaround The 2008 Explorer Sport Trac looks very much like the 2008 Explorer. Despite these qualities, I'm a bit baffled by vehicles like the Sport Trac. Wheelbase distance between the tires front to rear and overall length bumper to bumper are both almost 17 inches longer. Foot clearance in the rear doorways when climbing in and out is cramped, but once inside, there's decent area beneath the front seats. The interior is comfortable and well layed out.
The Sport Trac's door panels, borrowed from the Explorer, aren't so good. The optional navigation system has newly available voice activation, and the Sync voice-activated communication and entertainment interface is available for 2008. The 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is pleasant to drive, with a smooth ride and plenty of power with the optional V8. The Dodge Dakota is much improved for 2008, and its longer traditional steel bed might be an advantage for some buyers. It's a great girl truck! Directional stability is good, and steering response is quick, considering the weight of the vehicle.
Power comes on smoothly, yes, with no discernible phasings from the variable valve timing. Though there are undoubtedly better places to test a vehicle of this sort the wilds of northern Michigan come to mind , driving the Sport Trac in urban traffic reveals just how maneuverable it is. Cloth front bucket seats are standard and two-tone cloth or leather front buckets are optional. I bought it new in 2008 and have not regretted one minute of it. It's also available with V-8 power for the first time, and these models get gas mileage that's as good as or better than the previous-generation V- 6 Sport Trac. 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.
An Adrenalin Package is new for 2008. The Sport Trac bobs up and down a bit over big bumps, but for the most part trucklike tendencies have been filtered out of the suspension. That means the Sport Trac is more maneuverable, important when making a U-turn or in crowded parking lots and other tight quarters. News Best Cars Staff April 15, 2018 Note: This review was created when the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac was new. It's larger than its predecessor yet surprisingly maneuverable in tight spaces. Back in the bed, a shallow, covered bin running the width of the floor is placed inconveniently all the way forward and thus out of reach from the tailgate. The five-seat sport utility truck is perfect for those who require some truck-type cargo capacity, but don't need an enclosed cargo space or full-size truck bed Reviewers are mostly positive about the changes, but the Explorer Sport Trac's practicality and versatility has tough competition in the top-ranked.
Understeer, where the truck wants to go straight instead of turning, is the default mode if a corner is entered while carrying too much momentum. There's a grab handle below the armrest that can be used to pull the door shut, and I imagine I'd adapt to this design over time, but I wonder why Ford fixed something that wasn't broken. All- are standard, but brake pedal feel leaves a lot to be desired; stepping on the pedal feels like sinking your foot into a pile of thick clay. The power is delivered smoothly, but isn't as responsive in passing maneuvers as some might wish. And while the V8 and six-speed automatic work well launching the vehicle from a stop light, passing power doesn't come on as quickly as some drivers might wish.