Engine: 4.6-liter, sohc, 24-valve V8

Engine Options: 210-hp 4.0-liter V6; 292-hp 4.6-liter V8

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Transmission Options: 5-speed automatic; 6-speed automatic

Standard Safety Equipment: front seat airbags; front seat-mounted side airbags; side-curtain airbags with rollover sensor; rear seat child safety seat anchors (LATCH); antilock brakes; AdvanceTrac stability control system with rollover mitigation; tire-pressure monitor

Optional Safety Equipment: rear obstacle detection ($295)

Basic Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles

Assembled In: Louisville, Kentucky

Model Tested: Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4X4 ($27,210)

Standard Equipment: cloth upholstery, manually adjusted bucket seats, 60/40-split bench seat in back; air conditioning; leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel; cruise control; power windows, door locks and foldaway outside mirrors; remote keyless entry; AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo; anti-theft system; trip computer with two-line information center; Berber floor mats; fog lamps; cargo bed storage compartment; Class II trailer hitch; roof rails

Options as Tested: 4.6-liter V8 with six-speed automatic transmission ($1295); Appearance Package ($695) with side step bars and P245/65R17 tires on cast aluminum wheels; Audiophile stereo ($510); heated windshield ($300); power moonroof ($850); adjustable pedals ($150); hard tonneau cover ($595); cargo bed extender ($195); Class III/IV trailer tow ($225)

Destination Charge: 720

Gas Guzzler Tax:

Layout: four-wheel drive

Horsepower: 292 @ 5750

Torque: 300 @ 3950

Miles Per Gallon in the City/Highway: 14/20

Wheelbase: 130.5 inches

Length/Width/Height in Inches: 210.2/73.7/72.5 inches

Track Front/Rear: 60.8/61.8 inches

Turning Cycle: 36.8 feet

Seating Capacity: 5 people

Head/Hip/Leg Room, f: 39.8/55.4/42.4 inches

Head/Hip/Leg Room, m: inches

Head/Hip/Leg Room, r: 38.5/55.5/36.9 inches

Trunk Volume: cubic feet

Payload: 1450

Suspension, f: independent, short-and-long arm, coil spring over gas-pressurized shocks, stabilizer bar

Ground Clearance: 8.4 inches

Curb Weight: 4830 pounds

Towing Capacity: 7000 pounds

Tires: P245/65R17

Brakes: vented disc/solid disc with ABS

Fuel Capacity: 22.5 Gallons