The front bucket seats have been upgraded for 2003. We found last year's seats nicely contoured and quite comfortable. Ford has changed the interior colors for 2003. We weren't crazy about the looks of last year's dark brown gabardine upholstery, although it appeared easy to clean.

The rear seats are roomy. Rear legroom is ample at 37.8 inches, a full seven inches more than in the Nissan Frontier crew cab pickup. The rear seats split 60/40 and fold down without having to remove the headrests, quickly expanding cargo space inside the cabin. The back seat incorporates three child seat tether anchors.

The center console provides big fixed cup holders in front, forward of the armrest, along with a little slot good for coins and tickets. Forward of that is another tray with two more slots, one of them fairly large.

A removable nylon pack under the center armrest enables Sport Trac drivers to carry their console contents with them. It even has a shoulder strap. But we found it more awkward to use in the vehicle than a fixed, rigid compartment. We rarely used it, because we didn't want to deal with first raising the armrest, then lifting the limp material top secured by Velcro.

The parking brake requires a long reach to release, which we found irritating.

Comfort Group ($1230) for the XLT adds six-way power for the driver's seat and power lumbar support for both driver and passenger; plus a deluxe floor console with auxiliary rear-seat climate and audio controls; an overhead console with map lights, a digital compass and an outside temperature gauge; automatic headlights; and an electrochromic rear-view mirror. The compass and outside temperature gauge are highly useful and appreciated tools that more carmakers should fit in their vehicles, especially any vehicle that may head into the backcountry.

The leather seating option ($655) for the XLT now includes electric heat and six-way power and adjustable lumbar support for both driver and passenger.

A power rear window slides up and down, which the kids in the back seat will love. Besides providing flow-through ventilation, it allows rear-seat passengers to reach through and grab things out of the bed, such as drinks from a cooler.