2001FordExplorer SportFord Explorer Sport2001 Ford Explorer Sport Base 4WDSport UtilityWagon4WDLouisville, KYThe 2001 Ford Explorer Sport receives styling changes as well as minor mechanical and interior improvements.Strong standard V6 engine, rugged styling, more maneuverable than a four-door Explorer.Not as versatile as a four-door Explorer, actual improvements in ride quality and interior quality are still an unknown.For the 2001 model year, Ford has updated the two-door Ford Explorer Sport. Primarily, these changes are aimed at making the Sport model more distinctive within the Explorer lineup. But there are also some mechanical changes that should address some of the issues we had with the previous model. Though the 2001 Sport still lacks the versatility of a four-door Explorer, it does offer even sportier looks. Every outer body panel except the liftgate has been updated. Styling cues from the 2000 model's Premium Sport Group -- an optional package that included side and wheel-lip moldings -- are now integrated into the sheetmetal of all 2001 models. The new Explorer Sport also features a more distinctive hood, grille and bumpers. There are also three new exterior colors: Mandarin Gold, Estate Green and Island Blue. Both two-wheel and four-wheel drive models are available. Inside, the Explorer Sport's front seats feature a more durable fabric and new dual-density foam. Seat travel for the driver has been increased by 1 inch. Three seat choices are available in the Explorer Sport: standard cloth captain's chairs, power-adjustable cloth sport-bucket seats, or power-adjustable leather sport-bucket seats. The sport-bucket seats are exclusive to the Explorer Sport model. The 50/50-split rear bench seat can be folded flat to allow more space for cargo. Maximum cargo capacity is 71.4 cubic feet. There are other improvements to the interior, including new trim, a standard CD player, deeper and larger cupholders, and a freshened instrument panel. The instrument panel features a new gauge cluster with white dial faces. There's also an optional Pioneer six-disc in-dash CD player and an optional overhead console. One complaint we had with the previous Explorer Sport was the choppy ride. Hopefully, Ford has improved things with new two-stage variable-rate taper leaf springs for the rear suspension. The Explorer's shocks are also changed to better match the new spring rates. Ford says the end result is improved handling and ride quality. There are also new urethane body mounts and new sound-deadening material for a reduction in noise, vibration and harshness. The 2001 Explorer Sport features a 4.0-liter SOHC V6 as standard equipment. The engine produces 205 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 240 foot-pounds of torque at 3,750 rpm. It's mated to a five-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. For safety, the Sport comes equipped with front airbags, optional seat-mounted side airbags, and child safety seat-anchor brackets. The 2001 Sport also features bigger front brakes than the previous model for improved performance and durability. While not a complete redesign, Ford's changes to the Explorer Sport are significant enough to make it worth a look. If the improvements to the suspension and interior work as advertised, this could be one of the better two-door SUVs available. Chevrolet BlazerGMC JimmyJeep CherokeeNissan Xterra336,000336,000336,0005UnlimitedNANANA64 litersV6205 hp @ 5000 rpm240 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm71 cu.ft.750 lbs.4990 lbs.180.4 in.70.2 in.67.8 in.3903 lbs.101.8 in.34.7 ft.6.7 in.39.9 in.39.1 in.56.7 in.57.9 in.51.9 in.43.6 in.42.4 in.36.6 in.4StandardStandardNot AvailableOptionalNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = GoodRating = GoodVery GoodVery GoodNot TestedNot Tested17.5 gal.16 mpg / 19 mpg15 mpg / 19 mpg280 mi. / 333 mi.263 mi. / 333 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$21,921$23,9557.35%$600N/A3% of the Total MSRPBASE 2WD (5M): 4.0L V6 SOHC SMPI 12-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 650-amp battery with rundown protection; 130-amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, 3.73 axle ratio; steel exhaust; front independent suspension with anti-roll bar, front torsion springs, front torsion bar, gas-pressurized front shocks, rigid rear axle suspension with anti-roll bar, HD rear leaf springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering, power steering cooler; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 17.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; front license plate bracket, side impact bars; liftback rear cargo door; trailer harness; roof rack; front and rear body-colored bumpers, rear step; body-colored bodyside molding; rocker panel extensions, body-colored fender flares; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote black folding outside mirrors; 15" x 7" silver alloy wheels with P235/75SR15 A/T OWL tires; full-size steel spare wheel; air conditioning,rear heat/AC ducts; premium AM/FM stereo w/clock, seek-scan function, auto-reverse cassette player, single-disc CD player, 4 speakers, fixed antenna; power door locks with 2-stage unlock; 2 power accessory outlets, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, volt gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, water temp, battery, lights on, turn signal on, key in ignition, low fuel, door ajar, trunk ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags; ignition disable; deep tinted windows, power windows with driver's 1-touch down function, fixed 1/4 vent windows; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, flip-up rear window, fixed-interval rear wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 4, front captain's chairs with fixed headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's and passenger's front seats include 4-way adjustment and easy entry; 50/50 folding split-bench rear seatwith tilt headrests; height-adjustable front seatbelts; cloth seats, vinyl door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full color-keyed carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats; interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, illuminated entry; dual vanity mirrors, driver's side auxiliary visor; day/night rearview mirror; partial floor console, glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo tie downs, cargo light; argent grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding and body-colored door handles.
BASE 4WD (5M) (in addition to or instead of BASE 2WD (5M) equipment): Part-time four-wheel drive and auto-locking hub control and electronic shift.