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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Best SUV - 2001 Ford Excursion
By TxFiveO - May 13 - 2:00 amLarge comfortable SUV. Good turning radius, much better than Suburban. Mine has the 7.3L powerstroke diesel and gets 16 mpg around town and 20 mpg on the highway. With the 44 gallon fuel tank you want to to stop during a trip before you need need to stop for fuel. It is the best vehicle ever for that long road trip. Plenty of room for passengers and luggage.
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Dont Do iT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2002 Ford Excursion
By big texan - May 3 - 2:00 amMy excursion is terrible. I have had it 4 months and it has been in shop 11 times. I am trying to get it lemon lawed as we speak. The powerstroke is a great motor ans when it wasnt in the shop performed well but it really hasnt been out of the shop much. Buy the ESV instead. Ford SUCKS!
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Big Beast - 2000 Ford Excursion
By boarhog - April 30 - 2:00 amMy wife and love this truck. The diesel engine is great with lots of power to pull, great gas mileage. Has no problem with staying in fast lane. Feel very safe driving. Great for trips and kids have lots of room to spread out.I would buy another. To bad Ford has decided to dicontinue this truck. Had a suburban before and had nothing but problems.
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Big Beast - 2000 Ford Excursion
By mike - April 30 - 2:00 amMy wife and love this truck. The diesel engine is great with lots of power to pull, great gas mileage. Has no problem with staying in fast lane. Feel very safe driving. Great for trips and kids have lots of room to spread out.I would buy another. To bad Ford has decided to dicontinue this truck. Had a suburban before and had nothing but problems.
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I Love this Truck - 2002 Ford Excursion
By goodguy - April 23 - 2:00 amThis is the best vehicle I have evr owned. Buy one, you will love it. I get 18 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. I have the powerstroke so their is huge power on tap. My 8000 lb trailer and 5 adults does not even phase this vehicles power in the Monutains on Colorado. I have 50,000 on my 2002 and everything works the same as the day I bought it. In a family of 10 truck / SUV owners, I was the only vehicle that did not get stuck in our last snow storm in Colorado. We got 3 feet of snow and the Excursion went through it like a hot knife through butter. I drove the whole family around to get what they needed in the storm. I love this thing!
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I Love this Truck - 2002 Ford Excursion
By Goodguy - April 23 - 2:00 amThis is the best vehicle I have evr owned. Buy one, you will love it. I get 18 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. I have the powerstroke so their is huge power on tap. My 8000 lb trailer and 5 adults does not even phase this vehicles power in the Monutains on Colorado. I have 50,000 on my 2002 and everything works the same as the day I bought it. In a family of 10 truck / SUV owners, I was the only vehicle that did not get stuck in our last snow storm in Colorado. We got 3 feet of snow and the Excursion went through it like a hot knife through butter. I drove the whole family around to get what they needed in the storm. I love this thing!
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The King - 2003 Ford Excursion
By zerd3000 - April 22 - 2:00 amI have a 2000,2001,2002,and the new 2003 Excursion.I love all of them each year they get better.All of mine are limited excursions,and each with 600 horse power,so speed and power is not an issue.If the stop making them I will be very dissiponted.
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Please tell Ford to continue these - 2003 Ford Excursion
By Ecks Kurshun - April 21 - 2:00 amThis is a great vehicle to own
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user impressions - 2003 Ford Excursion
By eridolphi - April 10 - 2:00 amThe ride is not as good as expected. The seat sits a little higher than the F-250 truck making it more like driving a commercial vehicle. It is rough riding on rough interstate highway. The turning radius is wide. The vehicle does not drive as good as a Suburban but the engine, fuel mileage (18 mpg or better at 72 mph), size of tank, visibility is excellent. The engine runs great, although the first factory re-programing made it run rough and slower than it did before. This is a nice vehicle, a better value than the Suburban. A better seat and drivers position, with a smaller turn radius, would make it great.
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Great vehicle ** I even bought a second - 2001 Ford Excursion
By wattersm - April 3 - 2:00 amI have driven Suburban, yukons and expeditions. I drove the Limited Excursion and loved it so much I bought two of them. Now looking and getting two new ones with the deisel engines. Drive one and you will love it, no other compares!
