Overview & Reviews
From its yacht-like boulevard cruisers of the early '70s to its more recent Super Duty pickups, Ford has long catered to buyers with king-sized transportation needs. The Ford Excursion followed in this tradition. This full-size SUV was manufactured between 2000 and 2005, and holds the distinction of being the longest and heaviest sport-utility vehicle ever produced.
With seating for up to nine passengers and a tow rating of 11,000 pounds (when properly equipped), the Excursion was mecca for SUV buyers with super-sized hauling needs. But its gargantuan proportions came at a price. Driving and parking a vehicle of this scale presented major challenges. And as you'd expect, fuel economy was dismal.
The Ford Excursion ultimately fell victim to high gas prices. Declining sales prompted Ford to retire the mega-size SUV after the 2005 model year. If you need a big SUV but not necessarily one that's the biggest in its class, we'd encourage you to explore less unwieldy, more fuel-efficient alternatives. But a used Ford Excursion could be a decent choice for those who have a genuine need for this level of roominess and towing capability.
Most Recent Ford Excursion
Built on Ford's F-250 Super Duty truck platform, the four-door Ford Excursion was the largest SUV in Ford's lineup, based on overall size and interior room. It was available with either two- or four-wheel drive.
In its first year of production, the Excursion was offered in just two trim levels: the base XLT and the more upscale Limited. The Eddie Bauer trim level made its debut in model year 2003 as a midlevel alternative, falling between the XLT and the Limited. In 2004, trim levels were revised to reflect the following hierarchy: base XLS, XLT, Eddie Bauer and top-of-the-line Limited.
Excursions were initially available with three engines. The standard engine on both XLTs and Limiteds was a 5.4-liter V8 good for 255 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, with both a 310-hp 6.8-liter V10 and a 235-hp 7.3-liter turbodiesel V8 offered as options. In 2001, the 7.3-liter turbodiesel saw its power increase to 250 hp. The Excursion's 7.3-liter turbodiesel was phased out in 2004 to make way for a new 325-hp, 6.0-liter turbodiesel V8 that also offered more torque and cleaner emissions.
All engines were governed by a four-speed automatic transmission, except for the 6.0-liter turbodiesel, which had a five-speed automatic. In a test involving a 2000 Ford Excursion equipped with the 6.8-liter V10, our editors averaged just 12.4 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Of all these choices, the 6.0-liter turbodiesel was the pick of the litter: With 560 lb-ft of torque, it was best suited for hauling heavy loads, and it delivered the best cruising range to boot.
Base-model Excursions boasted a generous standard features list, offering amenities like a rear air-conditioner, cruise control, full power accessories and a CD player. Pricier trim levels got you goodies like rear audio controls, power-adjustable pedals, a premium audio system and heated front seats. Options like an in-dash six-disc CD changer and a DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system were available across some trim levels.
The Excursion's interior was more utilitarian than elegant, with a no-frills dashboard that came courtesy of the Super Duty pickup. Top-tier trim levels were a bit more stylish. The Eddie Bauer model featured a cabin with a two-tone color scheme, and the Limited trim offered an interior with cherry wood accents. Nine passengers could be seated in XLS and XLT models; other models seated only eight as a result of their front captain's chairs. Excursions offered 146.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. This is the most capacity ever offered in a full-size SUV, but it still felt short of the cubic footage available in a full-size van -- arguably a better choice for large families.
In editorial reviews, the Ford Excursion's size prevented it from scoring high marks as a daily driver. Steering feel was vague, and ride quality was rough and bouncy. Routine trips down the expressway were a chore, as continual steering correction was needed to keep the big Ford from wandering out of its lane. Acceleration was leisurely no matter which drivetrain you selected, as the engines were tasked with motivating more than 7,000 pounds of vehicle. In consumer reviews, the Excursion was praised for its roomy interior and panned for its interior styling and poor fuel economy.
Past Ford Excursions
On the market for a mere five years, the Ford Excursion was a single-generation vehicle. Although we think GM's heavy-duty series Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL are better choices on the used market, if you're dead set on getting an Excursion, we'd recommend a 2004 or 2005 model with the optional 6.0-liter turbodiesel.
User Reviews:
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get the diesel - 2000 Ford Excursion
By CarStereo - December 23 - 2:00 amCant beat it with a family of 6 and the stuff that goes along with a family of 6. For a 7000lb vehicle getting 16mpg is mind blowing comparing that the Ford Explorer gets the same gas mileage. (Used to have one of them too.)
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Love my excursion - 2000 Ford Excursion
By Willie Miller - December 22 - 2:00 amI asked several owners about the reliability and gas milage before I purchased an Excursion and got rave reviews from all on reliability and service problems. Gas milage is nothing to write home about but you can load everybody and their stuff and go wherever you want. The thing is built like a tank and rides quite well. I anticipate owning it many years. One of the people I questioned bought his from a state auction and drove it 100,000+ miles and had to have something with the wipers fixed(something due to the speed variable setting, I figured). If this was all, since most new cars have several bugs(especially the debut model like this one is) I was sold.
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superior - 2003 Ford Excursion
By marie sanchez - December 20 - 2:00 ami love my 2003 excursion. the only negative comment i can think of is its bad in gas. other then that the ride is nice the appearnace is there.
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Best Vehicle I Have Ever Owned ! - 2001 Ford Excursion
By Randy R. Falde - December 19 - 2:00 amBought the 2WD model because all my driving is highway, oftentimes towing a 7x14 enclosed trailer, which it handles in an excellent manner. The Excursion is the safest, most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven. My mileage averages 14-17 mpg when not towing and about half of that when towing.
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Diesel - 2003 Ford Excursion
By bluewaterangler - December 17 - 2:00 amThis SUV is awesome. With the 7.3 turbo diesel I am averaging 18 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. The comfort level is tops.
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I LOVE My Excursion - 2000 Ford Excursion
By paper - December 13 - 2:00 amWe bought this SUV because of our family size and we do a lot of out door activities. The whole family could not be more happy and comfortable. For me there is no more gut wrentching tows up the mountains with out travel trailer.
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Big Blue - 2002 Ford Excursion
By dagger - December 10 - 2:00 amComfortable, competent on road hauler. V-10 gives great power, little sacrifice to mileage. MUST get 4X4 in snowbelt!! (not great in RWD in snow) Watch the parking garage heights!! Not sporty, but swallows 8 people, plus their stuff (Hurray for George Carlin and "stuff") Delivers what the Hummer H2 and Suburban/Yukon XL promise
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4 door limited V-10 - 2000 Ford Excursion
By AutumnSkye - December 6 - 2:00 amI bought this SUV for me, with 4 kids I hate to be the MOM in the Minivan, did that hated it!!! I love my Excursion, I put the loudest kid in the back, turn up the radio so when they fight, I cant hear it.
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The Greatest SUV Out There - 2003 Ford Excursion
By Jamal - December 3 - 2:00 amMy experience with vehicle is is all good. it takes the road like it onws it. ther is nothing like the Excursion.idrove the sub. and the deni xl they dont even compare.
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Good Start for Model Run - 2000 Ford Excursion
By John Kalinoski - December 1 - 2:00 amMaintenence is best left to those that deal with big diesels as there is more oil in there than any of the weekend warrior types can change easily.
