Mini Test Road Test
The market for three-door, mid-size sport-utes is strictly minor league when compared with the arena where robust five-door SUVs compete --about 150,000 units vs. millions. Nevertheless, the Explorer Sport owns some 75 percent of the market, according to Ford, which is one of the reasons the three-door Explorer is getting a midyear makeover ahead of the redesigned five-door, due to debut this fall. The other reason is to maintain stylistic consistency with the newly launched Sport Trac.(see page 99).
Generally, the changes are cosmetic inside and out. With the exception of the rear liftgate, all the sheetmetal is new, conceived to give the Sport a, well, sportier appearance.
However, there are some functional updates. The Sport retains its leaf-spring rear suspension, but it's the Sport Trac's double-leaf design rather than a single leaf, effectively providing a rising-rate suspension capable of more load-carrying versatility. Retuned shock valving complements the new spring setup to yield better ride quality as well as improved handling, according to Ford, and new urethane body mounts have been added to improve noise isolation. Beyond that, the standard all-disc brake system has been upgraded with larger front rotors, more robust calipers, and new pad material. Four-wheel ABS remains standard equipment.
On the powertrain front, Ford's 4.0-liter SOHC V-6 --with 205 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque --replaces the wheezy old pushrod 4.0-liter as the standard engine, a distinct improvement. The V-6 is teamed with a five-speed automatic, but Ford plans to also offer a five-speed manual this fall.
The interior has been revised and includes the white-faced instruments that seem to be obligatory in sporty vehicles these days, two child safety-seat tethers integrated into the rear seat, three-point belts at all outboard seating positions, and the option of front side airbags.
Pricing for the 2001 Explorer Sport starts at $22,225 for two-wheel-drive versions and $25,245 for four-wheel drive.
