2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac rear

Ford has always been strange in its grouping of its compact crew cab truck in with its SUV family, but at least now there's truth in naming. While the old Explorer Sport Trac rode on the lazy, aging Ranger platform, the new Sport Trac switches over to the architecture of its mode modern namesake, easily explaining the claimed 444% (!!!) increase in stiffness and the new independent rear suspension. It also explains the optional V8 – the enhanced one with 292 horsepower that went into the 2006 Explorer – which makes short work of the Dodge Dakota's V8. That engine mates to the class's only 6-speed automatic; a 210-horsepower 4.0 V6 and 5-speed automatic comprise the other powertrain. Ford took some cues from Honda's Ridgeline by offering an "innovative" cargo box with tiered storage and drain plugs. 6,800 pounds remains a competitive (but not class-leading) towing capacity, and the skimpy 4'2"-long cargo box suggests passenger comfort was the emphasis.