IT’S A BEST BUY BECAUSE:
The Expedition offers a cavernous cabin, strong powertrains, a long list of high-tech available comfort and safety features, and excellent road manners for a full-size SUV.
BUT…
The sheer size can make it tricky to park and maneuver in close quarters.
WORTH NOTING:
Like its General Motors rivals, the Expedition offers two body lengths—the extended-length Expedition MAX is 9.1 inches longer in wheelbase and almost a foot longer overall than the regular-length version.
WHAT IS IT?
The Expedition is Ford’s full-size SUV; it offers seating for up to eight people and can tow up to 9300 pounds. Trim levels ascend through XL, STX, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum models in regular and extended-length MAX body styles. A turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission is standard on all; it makes 380 horsepower (a bump of five hp from 2021) in the XL, STX, and XLT, and 400 hp in the Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum. New for 2022 are the off-road-oriented Timberline trim and the street-performance Stealth Edition Performance Package, both of which get a 440-hp version of the turbo 3.5 V6. Available comfort and convenience features include a hands-free power liftgate, heated power-folding mirrors with puddle lamps, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated tip-and-slide second-row seats, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, self-parking system, and a panoramic sunroof. Available safety features include forward collision warning and mitigation with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
WHAT’S NEW?
The Expedition receives a substantial refresh for 2022 that brings a new grille; updated headlights and taillights; and available features such as a 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster, 15.5-inch portrait-style infotainment touchscreen (shared with the Mustang Mach-E), Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving assist feature, and Ford Power-Up over-the-air software updates. The Timberline model’s unique features include a raised ride height, all-terrain tires, protective underbody cladding, two-speed transfer case, and special trim accents. The Stealth Edition gets a sport-tuned suspension for sharper on-road handling, plus blackout trim elements and 22-inch black aluminum wheels, and red brake calipers.
FUEL ECONOMY
EPA ratings for the 2022 Expedition had not been released as of this writing. For 2021, the Expedition was rated at 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway with 2WD and 17/22 with 4WD. The Expedition MAX was rated at 17/23 with 2WD and 16/21 with 4WD. In Consumer Guide® testing, a Limited 4×4 averaged 15.4 mpg and a MAX Platinum 4×4 averaged 14.6 mpg, both in 60-percent city driving.
VALUE IN CLASS
Full-size SUVs offer outstanding capacities for people, cargo, and towing, but those heavy hauling capabilities come at a significant cost—both in initial purchase prices and at the gas pump. These plus-size behemoths are also no picnic to park. The Ford Expedition is a Best Buy pick in this class because it delivers class-leading levels of tractability and technology features without compromising on capability, and the extensive roster of new features and trim level additions for 2022 bolster its standing in this segment.
| BASE PRICE RANGE | $50,110 – $81,815 |
| BODY STYLES | 4-Door Wagon |
| AVAILABLE ENGINES | 375/400-HP, Turbocharged 3.5-Liter V6 |
| DRIVE WHEELS | Rear or All-Wheel Drive |
| BUILT IN | USA |
| EPA FUEL-ECONOMY RANGE (2021) | 16-24 MPG |
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