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:
Showing 51 through 60 of 500.00-
2004 Excursion with 6.0 powerstorke - 2004 Ford Excursion
By Kim W. Baldwin - March 6 - 6:13 pmPurchased this vehicle used with 21,000 miles. Bought it for the room and reliability of the diesel. To date the average fuel economy has been good at 18.7 mpg/average. Plenty of room and power. This vehicle has the dvd option that I would not have picked if the vehicle was not purchased used but found that the grandkids love it. So far no complaints.
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Ford Excursion Diesel. King of the Road. - 2005 Ford Excursion
By rob - February 8 - 9:15 amThe Ford Excursion diesel is one of the nicest large SUVs I have ever driven, great fuel mileage, roomy, handles well, great in the snow. What more can you ask for?
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user - 2005 Ford Excursion
By Everyday User - December 4 - 3:10 pmExcellent, reliable, great towing, a must is diesel, we get 17.3 avg. for a very heavy vehicle with 9200 GVW. Had GM, Expedition,and Excursion is the best. Good ride on long cross country trips, and more comfortable seats than our Navigator which Excur. replaced. This is our only vehicle & wife is 54"and has no troubles.
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Big Boy!!! - 2000 Ford Excursion
By gambroise - November 12 - 3:03 pmThis vehicle turn heads everywhere you go. Other cars move out the way when they see you coming. You are in control all the time. You just have to remember when you are driving this vehicle that other people lives are in your hands. So you have to be alert at all times, especially when you are on the highways. Trying to find parking with this vehicle is very tough and make sure you make enough money to afford filling up the gas tank every week. Overall I think this is a great car but one has to make sure that this is not their main vehicle because using it everyday would definently put a deep hole in your pockets.
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wesleys 2000 excursion - 2005 Ford Excursion
By wesley - November 11 - 11:08 amYou sure feel safe in it, and you can haul tons of goodies. Pulls a 6k lb boat with out telling. Rides like a horse though. Pretty reliable
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THE BIG KAHUNA - 2005 Ford Excursion
By RICK CASTRO - October 9 - 2:00 amWe purhcased a 2002 Excursion, and sold it a year later for the smaller Expedition. BIG MISTAKE. In 2004, we traded in the Expedition for another Excursion, this time with 6.0 litre diesel. Mileage is no longer an issue, as we get about 17-19 miles to the gallon on the highway, and about 13-15 in the city. We can tow anything and go anywhere with it The 4-wheel on the fly system is great, and we now have plenty of room for our 3 kids, their friends, and of course our dog Savannah. THANKS FORD!!!!!!
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Brakes Suck - 2004 Ford Excursion
By HarryB - September 4 - 2:00 amI have a 2002 that I have replaced the brakes on this vehicle 5 times in 120000 miles. They are terribly undersized for the weight of the vehicle and dealer denies knowledge of any problem, even though I have talked to other owners and mechanics, 100% agree that Ford has a major design problem with the brakes. We finally replaced the brakes with racing brakes that were cross-drilled and slotted to disapate the heat (not a Ford product) and know the brakes are working much better.
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big is better - 2003 Ford Excursion
By sammyk - August 24 - 2:00 amThis is the second Excursion Ive owned. The first had the V-10 and really bad mileage. The 6.0 diesel is very powerfull and gets GREAT mileage for the size of the vehicle. On the highway, I average 24 MPG at 75 MPH. My Jeep Wrangler gets a paltry 15 MPGs. We have had a few minor, but annoying problems, particularly electrical ( A/C looses power.. just shuts off ) but far less than the problems we had with the 2000 V-10 ( also electrical, interior lights would blink on and off everytime it rained and it rains a lot in FLorida ). Overall, this vehicle represents the best value for people / cargo around.
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trailer hauler/people mover - 2002 Ford Excursion
By pdy2505 - August 12 - 2:00 amSo far reliable. 1 Firestone failure. Pulls a 9000 trailer very well getting 12-13 mpg. Gets 20 mpg+ without trailer with optional diesel. Will travel over 850 miles per 44 gal tank. Noisy outside but economy makes it worth it. Truck based, ride is harsh on bumps. 3.73 rear axle is right.
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Great Truck - 2003 Ford Excursion
By brooks white - August 6 - 2:00 amPay extra for the Diesel Engine, it is worth for the fuel economy. The new Turbo 6.0 engine is Fabulous and surprisingly quiet.
