By 2005, drivers and reviewers alike were complaining that the Ford Explorer Sport Trac was desperately in need of a redesign. The 2005 Explorer Sport Trac suffered both from its outdated platform (based on the mid-1990s Explorer SUV chassis) and from its poor performance in newly-introduced government rollover safety tests.

When compared to the Explorer SUV, with its more responsive ride and easier handling (thanks to a total update in 2002), the '05 Ford Explorer Sport Trac came up short on comfort. And when compared to workhorse pickups like the F-150, the Sport Trac didn't match up for utility, capacity, or versatility.

The 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac was offered in three choices of trim: XLS, XLT, and Adrenalin. The Adrenalin trim was aimed at younger drivers who wanted flashy styling and a high-end sound system; the XLS and XLT trims targeted a more traditional sport-utility market.

Under the hood, the '05 Explorer Sport Trac offered a 4.0 liter, single overhead cam V6 engine with 210 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque; the Sport Trac had a towing capacity of 5,300 pounds. Features like automatic disc brakes and optional 'Safety Curtain'; overhead airbags might have made drivers feel secure, if it hadn't been for those pesky rollover test results.

In response to all the negative feedback, Ford gave the Sport Trac a year off for a complete redesign. An updated model was launched in the 2007 model year.