Like the previous model, the 2007 Ford Sport Trac borrows heavily from the Explorer’s design. From the driver’s seat you’ll notice the dual gauge cluster surrounded by chrome rings, the vertical instrument panel cover, the center console-mounted shift handle, and yes, those same odd, chrome door handles that engineers suggest will be quickly replaced with something a bit more intuitive. A traditional radio, the exact same unit seen in countless other Fords, sits near the top of the dash, and the climate controls sit a few inches below that, with the optional four-wheel-drive related buttons positioned in between. At the bottom of the panel are various controls, such as those for the power-adjustable foot pedals. An armrest with decent storage is situated between the front seats, which are buckets covered in mediocre leather or a dimpled cloth that looks and feels just like the stuff used in a 1985 Ford Tempo. Ah, the down side of retro.

Other design highlights include the rubberized flooring – carpet is not available, as Ford claims that Sport Trac buyers want a quick-rinse cabin. Hmm. If you’ve got a video of a Sport Trac buyer hosing out the interior, ever, please send it along – we’d love to see it. On the other hand, maybe the generous use of cheap, hard plastic is due to the chance of occasional precipitation, though water will definitely penetrate the gaps between the panels behind the rear seat, the loose pillar covers, and the flimsy passenger’s side kick panel. Rounding out the interior build-quality issues are inconsistent gaps on the outer edges of the dash, and a rough steel bolt head on the side of the center console.

Based on the redesigned 2006 Explorer, the 2007 Sport Trac offers an additional four to five inches of wheelbase and length versus the 2005 model (the Sport Trac skipped the 2006 model year), most of it dedicated to rear seat passengers. The two vehicles look much the same forward of the rear doors, marked by a clean front-end design with a large chrome grille. Behind the cabin is a composite bed that’s wider and deeper for 2007. Three storage wells are incorporated into the floor, two holding up to eight soda cans and the other running the width of the bed. They’re useful, but maybe not as much as the Honda Ridgeline’s large, single cargo hold. Sitting atop the box is an optional, two-piece, hard tonneau cover with locks and a safety release; with weight evenly distributed, 600 pounds of gear can be strapped on top. Finishing off the tail end are simple red and white taillights and a spring-assisted gate that, unfortunately, folds down yet doesn’t open from the side like the Ridgeline. Interestingly, the sheet metal used for the tailgate is the same stamping fitted to an F-150 flareside.

As with the interior, the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac’s exterior had its share of quality glitches. On our test truck, the fender flares, attached with adhesive, were separating in a few spots, the gaps around the headlights were notably large, the gaps around the tailgate were uneven, and there were spots where the doors didn’t sit flush with the body.