Trying to please everybody

(Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com)

When the first generation Sport Trac appeared in 2001, I asked myself what its target market was. Combining the cabin of an Explorer with a pickup bed? Well, there seems to be a good customer base for it, since Ford decided to reintroduce the truck for 2007, still based on the new-for-2006 Explorer.

Under the hood of our test truck is a 4.6-litre, 24-valve V8 that produces 292 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. While those numbers suggest snappy performance for a pickup, and despite a 6-speed automatic transmission, we have the impression that there's several ponies in the herd instead of horses. Acceleration times are comparable to a Dodge Dakota equipped with a V8 that has 62 fewer horsepower.

(Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com)

But who cares. You don't buy a truck for racing. This V8 flaunts a very nice sound and gives the Sport Trac a towing capacity of 6,600 lbs (3,000 kg). No surprise, I melted my credit card at the gas station with a average of 17.5 L/100 km.

The Sport Trac's handling is pretty good. It offers a soft ride on the highway, but the suspension travel is rough around town, where the pavement is a little bumpier. I've got nothing wrong to say about the steering and braking of this truck, as they both make driving the Sport Trac pleasant and reassuring.

(Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com)

The four-wheel drive system intervenes at the right moment, and you can select the low range by simply pressing a button. It doesn't have the ability to eat up off-road paths, but this Explorer is pretty good on slippery roads or dirt trails.

Twenty years ago, conceiving a cabin that's both luxurious and utilitarian was unthinkable. Today, it's mandatory in premium pickups. The Sport Trac Limited is a good example of that.

The two-tone leather upholstery is magnificent and the seats offer good lateral and lumbar support. Personally, I like having a center armrest and the one in the Sport Trac would suit Arnold Schwarzenegger's right arm just fine. The dashboard is elegant and is highlighted by chrome trim spread across the cabin, and the materials used are of good quality. Visibility is good in all directions.