2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Review
Price Estimate: $2,422 - $3,784





+13
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Comfortable cabin, available V8 power, superior towing capacity, top-notch safety scores.
Cons
- Small cargo bed compared to traditional pickup trucks, V6 less fuel-efficient than brawnier V8.
What’s new
The 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac receives standard satellite radio and available heated leather seats and heated side mirrors. Trailer sway control has been added to the stability control system, and the optional navigation system has been updated and includes Sirius Travel Link. The new Adrenalin package adds 20-inch wheels and exclusive styling cues, with full-time AWD (no low range) an option on Sport Tracs so equipped. Finally, a hard tonneau cover for the bed joins the options list.
Edmunds says
The 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a good all-around utility vehicle that's worth a close look in this specialized segment.
For sale near West Bloomfield, MI
13 listings
- 61,586 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 4'2” bed, 4l, 6cyl
- Patriot Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (302 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Rear Bench Seats
- Stability Control
- Aux Audio Inputs
Close
Located in Oakland, MD
MD STATE INCPECTED NO RUST COLD AIR !! YOU WONT FIND ANOTHER ONE THIS NICE
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
15 Combined MPG (13 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FMEU51E19UA27274
Stock: 241982
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-11-2025- 185,450 miles
- 1 accident, 3 owners, personal use only
- 4'2” bed, 4l, 6cyl
- Gamas Auto Sales (459 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Rear Bench Seats
- Stability Control
- Aux Audio Inputs
Close
Located in Sussex, NJ
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
15 Combined MPG (13 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FMEU51E59UA09201
Stock: A09201
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-30-2025
Vehicle overview
Automakers have long been intrigued by the half-people mover, half-truck design. Decades ago, the El Camino was the standard-bearer in this niche market; more recently, Subaru gave it a go with the Baja, a short-lived four-door, trucklike contraption based on the popular Outback. But here's the thing: Most people who value the utility of a truck bed would like it to be attached to a burly utility vehicle, not the front half of a passenger car. The 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is their dream come true. The back half is a pickup bed, and the four-door front half comes from Ford's venerable Explorer SUV.
The Sport Trac shares its basic platform with the current Explorer, but it rides on a 13-inch-longer wheelbase, which frees up passenger room and also allows for a decently sized cargo bed with three built-in storage compartments. Like the Explorer, the Sport Trac features an independent rear suspension, which puts its ride comfort and handling dynamics on par with the similarly conceived Honda Ridgeline. Only the Sport Trac offers Ford's exclusive Sync system, however, as well as an optional V8 under the hood. The Sport Trac also trumps the Honda in maximum towing capacity.
There's a lot to be said for the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac as a family-friendly utility vehicle. Midsize crew-cab pickups are better suited for heavy-duty hauling, but the Sport Trac trounces these workhorses in terms of interior accommodations and ride comfort, and it can still carry its fair share of cargo. Moreover, while midsize SUVs offer more covered cargo space, they simply can't match the utility of an open truck bed. The Ridgeline, a very good vehicle in its own right, has traditionally been the Sport Trac's only real competition in years past, though this year's new Hummer H3T is another one to consider. We suggest driving all three before you buy, but you certainly can't go wrong with the Ford if you're shopping in this segment.
Performance & mpg
Standard power for the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac comes from a 4.0-liter V6 that generates 210 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. This tried-and-true engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Optional is a 4.6-liter V8 that cranks out 292 hp and 300 lb-ft matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Both models are available with either rear- or four-wheel drive, except for when the Adrenalin package is specified -- these models are available with either rear- or all-wheel drive (a full-time system with no low range).
Acceleration with the V8 is respectable for a 2.5-ton truck, with 60 mph arriving in 8.1 seconds. Towing capacity is another strong point, as the 4WD Sport Trac boasts a 6,990-pound maximum towing capacity when properly equipped.
EPA fuel economy estimates are 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined for V6 2WD models; remarkably, V8 2WD models are rated slightly higher at 15/21/17 mpg. Same goes for 4WD Sport Tracs: the V6 is rated at 13/19/15 mpg, while the V8 comes in at 14/19/16 mpg.
Safety
Antilock disc brakes, stability control with trailer sway control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags are all standard on the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. In government crash testing, the Explorer Sport Trac earned a perfect five stars in both frontal and side impact tests. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal offset crash test, the Sport Trac scored "Good," the highest rating possible.
Driving
Thanks to its fully independent suspension, the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a pleasure to drive relative to traditional trucks. The ride is almost luxury-car plush, and the liberal use of noise insulation creates a hushed cabin. In terms of acceleration, the V8 provides a smooth, broad power band, with performance about the same as that of V6-powered Japanese crew-cab pickups. The V6 is another matter -- it's coarse and ponderous relative to the V8, and as it's also less fuel efficient, we recommend the V8.
Interior
The Sport Trac's cabin is virtually identical to that of the Explorer SUV, which means it boasts solid build quality and an uncomplicated dash with simple controls. The Sport Trac's rear seatbacks are split 60/40 and fold to cover the seat bottoms, creating a flat cargo area.
Out back, the 4.5-foot cargo box is constructed of corrosion-proof composite material with a molded-in liner that resists scratches and dents. The box is also notched, enabling two 2x4s to be placed across the span to provide tiered storage of building materials. Three cargo bins are built into the bed's load floor, and they conveniently feature drain plugs that allow them to be used as ice boxes or as storage for wet items.
2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac models
The 2009 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, full power accessories, a power rear window, foglights, keyless entry, cruise control, air-conditioning, a drop-in storage bin with power points, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a CD player. The Limited adds color-keyed bumpers and heated side mirrors, sidestep bars, 18-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable pedals, heated leather seats, the Sync multimedia integration system, HomeLink and a power driver seat. The Adrenalin package is new this year for the Limited and has 20-inch wheels and specialized exterior and interior trim details.
Major options, depending on the trim, include a heated windshield, a sunroof, rear parking sensors, a voice-operated navigation system with Sirius Travel Link (Limited models only), dual-zone automatic climate control, an upgraded sound system and a cagelike bed extender and hard tonneau cover for the cargo box.

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Compare 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Michigan
$243/mo for Explorer Sport Trac XLT
Explorer Sport Trac XLT
vs
$226/mo
Avg. Compact Truck
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
$493/yr
vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV
for Average Midsize SUV
Frequency
1.5x/yr
vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV
for Average Midsize SUV
Severity
19%
vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV
for Average Midsize SUV
powered by RepairPal
Ford Explorer Sport Trac Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
All Fords Trucks Need This Style
4.88 out of 5 starsDennis, 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.
Would've never thought it
5 out of 5 starsrd2007, 08/22/2008
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4dr Crew Cab (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
I was a Ford hater and never would have considered buying one. I was initially looking at the Avalanche and while reading reviews I noticed some positive ones for the SportTrac. I went to the dealership and was also looking at the Expedition, but they could not get me the numbers I wanted so I decided to try out the SportTrac. I took a drive in it and was amazed at how well it drove. … It's quiet, smooth, and the V-8 has plenty of go in it. So far I have had it for two months and it's been perfect. My mileage has been about 15-16 overall, but that is mostly because I tend to have a little fun now and then. It's the same mileage my CX-7 got and that thing didn't have anywhere near the room.
Ford made this vehicle bland
3.63 out of 5 starsjahfre, 01/15/2012
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Limited 4dr Crew Cab (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
I bought a Sport Trac in 2001 and drove it for 9 years, putting 260,000 miles on it over the period.
That truck was special. Little details and features were well designed and useful...from the tie-down cleats on the bed to the 'bump' feature on the rear sliding window. Dozens of things made those early model year Sport Trac attractive.
When I finally wore out the first one I ran to the … dealership to get another one. UGH. It is a totally different vehicle...so much worse in so many ways I cannot go into all of them.
I use mine to haul rocks, firewood, gravel, etc. The bed was not designed to be used for these things. Awful.
Primary Vehicle
4.25 out of 5 starsJ. Hines, 07/02/2010
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4dr Crew Cab (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Pretty much satisfied with the vehicle. Only drawbacks are fuel economy, of which I am getting close to 18 mpg around town, and the tire pressure indicator keeps going off. Have had 2 dealerships look at the tire pressure indicator but no solution yet.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, so we've included reviews for other years of the Explorer Sport Trac since its last redesign.
2009 Explorer Sport Trac Highlights
XLT
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $25,985 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $243/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
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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