2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Review
2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Comfortable cabin, available V8 power, ample towing capacity.
Cons
- Small cargo box compared to regular pickup trucks, weak and thirsty base V6, dated interior design.
What’s new
For 2010, the Ford Explorer Sport Trac receives minor alterations to feature availability.
Edmunds says
The 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a decent all-around utility vehicle that's worth a close look in this specialized segment.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4dr Crew Cab (4.0L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$262/mo for Explorer Sport Trac XLT
Explorer Sport Trac XLT
vs
$240/mo
Avg. Compact Truck
Vehicle overview
Even though pickup trucks are America's utility vehicle of choice, they don't always meet the needs of every buyer. Full-size crew-cab models have plenty of room and bed space, but they're also unwieldly to drive. Compact or midsize pickups have a smaller footprint but don't typically have a particularly large backseat. For people stuck between these two choices, there's the midsize 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.
With its hybridized half-SUV, half-truck design, the four-door Sport Trac rides on an extended-wheelbase Explorer platform. This allows the Sport Trac to offer a pickup-like cargo box (albeit modest in size) as well as an enclosed cabin that's just as roomy as a regular Explorer's. Its independent rear suspension -- a rarity among trucks -- helps the Sport Trac deliver a relatively superior on-road ride and more adept handling characteristics. The Ford Explorer Sport Trac also comes in many different flavors to suit specific needs, including V6 or V8 power and two- or four-wheel-drive traction.
Overall, the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a well-rounded, family-friendly utility vehicle with plenty of appeal for the niche buyer. We would still suggest checking out the handful of other similar vehicles in this segment, though. The Honda Ridgeline is a more polished vehicle but lacks the pure grunt of a V8-equipped Sport Trac, while the full-size Chevy Avalanche has a unique "midgate" design for greater versatility. Crew-cab models of the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma, meanwhile, are more rugged and capable. Choosing one is really a matter of personal preference and budget, but we think you'll be quite satisfied if you wind up with the Ford in your driveway.
Performance & mpg
The 2010 Explorer Sport Trac comes standard with a 4.0-liter V6 generating 210 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Optional on the Limited is a 4.6-liter V8 that cranks out 292 hp and 315 lb-ft of torque that is paired with a six-speed automatic. All Explorer Sport Tracs are available with either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, except for Adrenalin-equipped models, which substitute a full-time all-wheel-drive system for 4WD.
V8 acceleration is respectable, with 0-60-mph sprints taking just over 8 seconds. Towing is another strong point, with a maximum trailering capacity of 7,160 pounds when properly equipped. EPA fuel economy estimates for a V6 2WD model check in at 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined. Upgrading to the V8 actually improves fuel economy to 15/21/17 mpg. Fuel economy for 4WD models is essentially identical.
Safety
All 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Tracs feature standard antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control with rollover protection and trailer sway control, front side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags. In government crash testing, the Explorer Sport Trac earned a perfect five stars for protection in both frontal and side-impact tests. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal-offset crash testing, it returned a top-ranked "Good" rating.
Driving
Thanks to its fully independent suspension, the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac delivers a smooth and well-damped ride with respectable handling and good steering response for a truck. The cabin is calm and quiet under most conditions, owing to ample acoustic insulation. Its V6 engine is coarse and unimpressive, however, in terms of both power and efficiency -- especially when compared to the Japanese competition. The V8 is the preferred choice with its smooth, broad power band and slightly better fuel economy.
Interior
The Explorer Sport Trac's comfortable cabin is virtually identical to that of its namesake SUV, with highlights that include solid build quality and a straightforward layout of controls. That said, the Explorer's materials quality remains mediocre and its design rudimentary. Most of the climate and audio controls are packed with plenty of similar-looking black buttons, and the regular audio head unit still displays its info in Ford's old-school, '80s-look green LED readout. Thankfully, the optional Sync phone/MP3 voice activation and hard-drive-based navigation systems are both effective and modern.
The 60/40-split rear seats fold to create a flat cargo area, and the 4.5-foot utility box out back features a power point and is constructed of corrosion-proof composite material with a molded liner that resists scratches and dents. The box is also notched, facilitating two-tiered storage of materials. Three cargo bins are built into the bed's load floor, with drain plugs enabling their use as ice boxes or for storing wet items.
2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac models
The 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is essentially an Explorer SUV with a pickup-like cargo bed behind the second-row seat. Two trim levels are offered: XLT and Limited.
The well-equipped XLT features a composite cargo box, 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, full power accessories, a power-sliding rear window, air-conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a CD player with satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. The Limited model adds 18-inch wheels, color-keyed bumpers, heated side mirrors, leather seating, heated front seats, a power driver seat, Ford's Sync multimedia interface and a premium six-CD audio system with a subwoofer.
An Adrenalin Sport package is optional on the Limited and adds 20-inch alloy wheels and unique exterior and interior styling details. Depending on model and equipment, other available Sport Trac extras include V8 power, dual-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, rear parking sensors, power-adjustable pedals and a voice-operated navigation system with Sirius Travel Link and 10GB of digital music storage.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#30 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac from 2008-2022.$493/yr
vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV
for Average Midsize SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.5x/yr
vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV
for Average Midsize SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).19%
vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV
for Average Midsize SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.
5 star(73%)
4 star(20%)
3 star(5%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(0%)
44 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
After 8 months looks good, BUT!
doctomof ws, 06/20/2010
2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4dr Crew Cab (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
After owning a 2005 version of the Explorer SportTrac I was ready to try the newer version. I was attracted by its upgraded styling which I found more appealing than the older version from 2000 to 2005. Also I liked the idea of the independent rear suspension on the newer version versus the live straight axle of the 2005 iteration. It still drives like a truck. Stiff and solid, which for … me is a plus. It has the feeling of a vehicle that is strong and capable of hauling around my toys as well as being a dependable every day commuter. That's a very nice compromise in my estimation
5 out of 5 stars
Wish They Still Made 'em
Scratch, 04/12/2016
2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4dr Crew Cab (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Hard to find these days with low miles. We found ours with just 24000 on the odometer about 200 miles east of us in the Houston area. It was basically a garage queen; paint, undercarriage, and interior like new. Hard to negotiate price because these are in demand; after a couple days of negotiating, we met at a reasonable price. Happy to discover the Sport Trac comes … standard-equipped with a tow package including a 3.73 rear end, sway control, auxiliary transmission cooler, and class IV hitch rated at 5,250 lbs capacity. We purchased a Winnebago Drop 170S Travel trailer in May 2016. The unit weighs just under 3,000 lbs. dry. Installed a weight control hitch and were happy to discover how easily the truck handles the combined load of just under 4,000 lbs. Towing MPG is around 11.5 with overdrive off. Heard a rumor last week that Ford will reintroduce the Ranger and a new Bronco in 2020. Hope the Ranger is also equipped for light towing. The Sport Trac is, in my opinion, one of the best engineered products Ford ever designed. Wish they would introduce it instead of the Ranger, but I guess they know what they're doing...
4.88 out of 5 stars
All Fords Trucks Need This Style
Dennis, 06/30/2010
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4dr Crew Cab (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Test drove several different full-size trucks models including Ford. Had an F- 150 for 11 years. Not much had changed on the interior including, entire front display panel and radio. I was disappointed with this until I test dove the Sport Trac. It's like getting the inside comfort and styling of a luxury car, yet with the manly toughness and sporty styling of a truck. I get 23 mpg on … the highway and 17 mpg in town. This is slightly better than my previous F-150. My family and I really enjoy going places in this remarkable vehicle.
5 out of 5 stars
Swiss Army Knife
PaloRev, 08/10/2010
2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
After researching the options for replacement of our 2005 Ranger, settled on a new Sport Trac. We wanted the flexibility of four doors, room for five, a cargo bed and four wheel drive. Initially leaned towards an F150, but the smaller Sport Trac made more sense. Only thing comparable is the Honda Ridgeline, but the reviews we read didn't show it to be superior. Plus, the Honda is … more expensive and we weren't taken by the boxy styling. We ordered the Sport Trac in February and took delivery in April. The wait was worth it to get the exact color and options we wanted. Proven to be a very good decision. Vehicle's "Swiss Army knife" flexibility is great.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, so we've included reviews for other years of the Explorer Sport Trac since its last redesign.
2010 Explorer Sport Trac Highlights
XLT
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $28,210 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $262/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 5,250 lbs. |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Explorer Sport Trac include:
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintAcceptable
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