The 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Limited 4x4 V-8 reminds Motor Mouth of a prickly pear: Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside.
Boasting a 292-horsepower engine, three tons of towing capacity and a 4.5-foot cargo bed, the Sport Trac ($29,965 base price) can handle virtually any job or road condition.
But the model also offers plenty of creature comforts, from four full-sized doors to a true three-person back seat.
On the outside, the Sport Trac looks like a cross between a traditional Ford Explorer and a flatbed truck.
A beefy hood sweeps past large doors, oversized folding side mirrors and 18-inch alloy wheels back to a big flatbed that takes up a third of the vehicle's size.
Running boards help you step into the Sport Trac's high-up cabin, which features great legroom, headroom and hiproom for all occupants.
Motor Mouth's test model came with optional $995 front heated leather seats done in a manly (if somewhat kitschy) black and gray.
The driver's seat also included an optional 10-way electric seat adjuster for added comfort.
The Sport Trac's dashboard features two big, no-nonsense dials: A speedometer/fuel gauge and tachometer/temperature meter. A small digital display provides additional information, like how much further you can go before needing gas.
Motor Mouth's test model also came with a great LCD touchscreen to control the vehicle's optional navigation system ($2,505) and standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo. (My test car had a $195 optional Sirius Satellite Radio hookup.)
There is also a separate digital display and a dozen easy-to-use buttons to control the Sport Trac's standard dual-zone climate system.
In back, the Sport Trac's 60/40 split rear seats offer enough space to realistically accommodate three adults - a rarity these days. When not in use, the rear seats fold down to provide extra cargo space.
Motor Mouth's test model also featured a great optional rear- seat DVD system ($1,295).
Outside, the Sport Trac's cargo bed offers enough space to tote a snowmobile or even a kayak or two. A bed liner comes standard, while my test car included an optional bed cover ($595) and cargo cage/ extender ($195).
If all of that doesn't provide enough cargo space, the Sport Trac has a standard roof rack, while Motor Mouth's test model added an optional Class III tow hitch ($225).
Other nice options on my test car included a power sliding rear window ($245), while good standard features included front and side airbags, antilock brakes and electronic stability control.
On the road, the Sport Trac's high-up ride, V-8 engine, six- speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive combine to provide solid performance.
The model features a smoother-than-expected ride for a four- wheel drive, along with good acceleration, cornering and braking.
The Sport Trac 4x4 comes standard with special "4WD High" and "4WD Low" settings for rough road conditions or steep upgrades. However, Motor Mouth noticed no discernible differences driving in these modes.
Parking and backing up are OK, but require some care given the Sport Trac's large size.
Fortunately, Motor Mouth's test car came with an optional reverse- sensing system ($255) that beeps if you're about to hit something.
UNFORTUNATELY, there's no option available to improve the Sport Trac's relatively low fuel efficiency.
The EPA rates the model at 14 mpg/city and 20 mpg/highway. During a week of test drives, Motor Mouth logged a combined 13.8 city/ highway mpg.
Motor Mouth's only other real criticism with the model: The accelerator and brake pedal seem a little too close together. More than once, I found my foot stepping on the gas a bit when I pushed down on the brake.
As for pricing, the Sport Trac's $29,540 base sticker runs a little higher than the rival Honda Ridgeline RTX ($28,300).
However, the model lists for a bit less than a comparably equipped Dodge Dakota Quad Cab SLT 4WD (about $30,850).
Of course, rebates complicate such comparisons.
The Sport Trac carries a $2,000 rebate through May 31, while Dodge has put a $4,000 rebate on the Dakota until July 2.
BOX: Test drive: Information about the 2007 Ford Sport Trac:
** Base price: $29,540
** As tested: $38,240
** Type: four-wheel-drive five-passenger SUV/pickup
** Engine: 4.6-liter V-8 engine (292 horsepower)
** Transmission: six-speed automatic
** Mileage: 14 mpg/city, 20 mpg/highway
** Built in: Louisville, Ky.
(c) 2007 Boston Herald. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.