One reason I’m such a big fan of the Ford Expedition, at least in comparison to other full-size SUVs, is that the only engine choice is a killer twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine making 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 lb-ft of torque starting at just 2,250 rpm. If you upgrade to Platinum trim, you'll get an extra 25 horsepower and 10 lb-ft of twist. Maximum towing capacity tops out at 9,300 pounds.
Despite the Expedition’s prodigious 5,443-pound weight, this twin-turbo V6 provides robust power and response in all circumstances, whether you’re accelerating away from a traffic light or punching it to pass those people who forget that they need to push harder on the accelerator to drive up a hill or mountain grade. Plus, it has an unusual rumbling, almost chuffing note to it, similar to a Subaru or Porsche flat-six. I like it, but I could understand why fans of a V8 engine’s mellow burble might not.
The other reason I’m a big fan of the Expedition is for its independent rear suspension, as opposed to a solid rear axle setup. This improves the ride and handling, of course, but it provides two other important benefits.
You see, this more compact suspension design allows for a lower vehicle floor, and that translates directly to greater cargo capacity and a far more comfortable third-row seat. So if you’re seeking justification for your full-size SUV purchase, well, the Expedition actually does provide greater people- and cargo-hauling capability than any crossover SUV can. The primary competition can’t make an equivalent claim.
Getting back to the drivetrain, the Expedition has a 10-speed automatic transmission with multiple driving modes. Overall, the 10-speed automatic is quite agreeable, though it occasionally clunked into Drive when shifting out of Park.
You shift by twisting a rotary knob on the center console and access the driving modes using a button next to the transmission knob. Choices include Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow/Wet and Tow/Haul. The differences between Eco, Normal and Sport are predictable, and I spent most of my time in Normal driving mode.
Switching gears, so to speak, I’ve got nothing but praise for the Expedition’s ride and handling qualities. On the highway, the Expedition tracks straight and true, requiring very little in the way of course correction. The ride is almost sublime on smooth Southern California freeways, even without the Platinum trim’s standard adaptive damping suspension. And the Expedition is surprisingly quiet inside, even at higher speeds.
Around town, the SUV’s size is plainly evident, but my rear-drive test vehicle with 20-inch wheels and tires demonstrated a remarkably tight turning circle, making U-turns more manageable and helping significantly when it came to negotiating tight parking lots. Ford also calibrates throttle response for a gentle off-the-line launch, followed by quickly gathering speed as the twin-turbo V6 spools up. Braking is smooth, too, making it easy to bring the SUV to a calm and collected stop.
Yes, I did take the Expedition on the twisty mountain road portion of my test loop, but I didn’t hustle it. You can’t, because when you’re driving something this big, you have a responsibility to your fellow motorists, cyclists and pedestrians with whom you share the road. Nevertheless, even when traveling at more than the posted speed limit, the Expedition proved responsive, connected and assured, even when taking corners faster than any owners are likely to.
Oh, and by the way, this huge box on wheels averaged 18.3 mpg on my test loop. And I didn’t even use the Eco driving mode except to see how it affected powertrain response, though I did leave the exceptionally smooth automatic engine stop/start system engaged.