The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a four-door, five-passenger, midsize pickup, which sees some interior updates, improved safety features, and modified options packages for 2008. Whether you are headed for the open road or out into the country, the versatile and rugged Sport Trac is designed to tackle it all with confidence.

The Ford Explorer Sport Trac comes in two trim levels - XLT and Limited. A 4.0-liter, SOHC V-6 producing 210 horsepower comes standard with a five-speed automatic. A 4.6-liter, V-8 engine is available, which generates 292 horsepower and has a six-speed automatic transmission. With the more powerful engine option, the Sport Trac can tow up to 6,800 pounds. Both engines are available with two- or four-wheel drive. Fuel consumption for the 2008 V-6 2WD Sport Trac is rated 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, while the V-8 posts 13/20 mpg (city/highway).

This is essentially an Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle modified to include a small pickup-like cargo bed. The XLT comes with a composite cargo box, 16-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, power rear window, fog lights, keyless entry, cruise control, air conditioning, drop-in storage bin with power points, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and CD player. The Limited gets color-keyed bumpers and side mirrors, sidestep bars, 18-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable pedals, Homelink system, and a power driver seat. Options available include heated windshield, sunroof, leather seating, navigation system (with voice operation), upgraded sound system, Ford Sync and, for the cargo box, a cage-like bed extender and hard tonneau cover.

Standard safety features include anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side air bags, and side curtain air bags. In federal government crash testing, the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac received five stars (the best possible) 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.