New Car Profile of the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle

Description: Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: $23,470-$29,885
Invoice Price Range: $21,313-$27,023

Riding on Ranger's chassis but toting the body of an Explorer wagon, Ford's unique Sport Trac works as both truck and wagon. It looks like Explorer from prow to the back of the second side door, but then the wagon's enclosed cargo compartment gives way to a sawed-off pickup bed. That back box, crafted from sheet-molded composite plastic, extends for 50 inches.

Inside, four full-size doors make entry easy from any seat, and the seat system has two front buckets and a back bench that splits and folds to form a brief cargo bay. Sport Trac draws power from Ranger's single-cam 4.0-liter V6.

Optional 4WD traction is offered with a dashboard switch to shift easily from rear 2WD to 4WD high gear or into four-wheel low for off-road travel.

For 2004 there are four trims with XLS, XLT, XLT Premium and Adrenalin. The latter contains a 510-watt Pioneer audio system with nine speakers plus a six-disc CD player with MP3 capability. A fresh color palette adds tint choices like Competition Orange Clearcoat and Dark Blue Pearl Clearcoat Metallic.