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:

• 

  No comparison - 2005 Ford Excursion
  By BlackWidowDiesel - October 11 - 11:51 am

  Believe it or not we traded in our 2004 BMW 745i for this beast, I also have a 2003 F350 Crewcab LB 4X4 Powerstroke and love it even though it has a rough ride, my wife wanted something more practical that we can use to tow our tow hauler. I did add most of the amenties the BMW had and then some, like DVD surround sound, Bluetooth hands free set up, Ipod adapter and Pioneer nav system. This thing rides plush and has tons of power. I had a Suburban for years and it was too soft for towing. Not to mention horrible torsion bar front suspension that had constant alignment problems and bad brakes. Sub also had fuelpump problems. This monster does it all in luxury and comfort with decent MPG-Diesel

• 

  I like my Excursion - 2000 Ford Excursion
  By Mark from UT - October 5 - 10:34 pm

  The Exursion has been great for our family outside some break and power window issues. Diesel engine rocks. Pulling a 4800 pound boat around UT mountains is no problem and the truck is great in snow. Wont give it up.

• 

  Love this Ford - 2004 Ford Excursion
  By vicratz - September 29 - 1:59 pm

  I have had zero problems with my Excursion and Im impressed! It drives as well today and it drove when I bought it. The steering wheel leather doesnt hold up well but thats about it.

• 

  Love my X - 2000 Ford Excursion
  By Steelsoldiers - September 10 - 11:36 pm

  I have always owned full-size extended or crew-cab pick-up trucks so the size of the Excursion doesnt bother me at all. My family is expanding and I love all of the air conditioned seating it provides for my kid, dog, wife and all of their stuff. I have been averaging 19-20 MPG on the highway with my Powerstroke, which is exceptional for a SUV of this size. No 5300 or 6000 powered Yukon XL will be able to match it! Its too bad Ford quit making this vehicle. I say bring it back with the new Super Duty chassis and the 6.4L Powerstroke!

• 

  No Problem - 2002 Ford Excursion
  By Bob - September 6 - 5:50 pm

  What a great truck/suv. Hard to find and there is a reason why. Reliability and ready to roll when needed

• 

  Love my 5.4 Excursion - 2000 Ford Excursion
  By shannon - September 3 - 9:47 am

  I purchased this from a friend who didnt need it anymore. I love this vehicle, and really dont see what the big deal is about size. This is the same chasis as a crew cab short bed truck and there are tons of them on the road! Dont dismiss this little gas engine either. Not only does it have enough power for trailering, it gets over 14 mpg average. I wish people wouldnt have bashed this as badly as they had. I will look for more of these trucks to replace this one when it wears out.

• 

  Cruise Liner on Wheels - 2001 Ford Excursion
  By agateland - August 26 - 5:29 pm

  My wife and three kids can travel all over without the usual cramped feeling and without any fighting amongst the kids. Can also load up our toy hauler (10,000 lbs.) and go over any mountain pass with ease. Feels very safe when driving in any kind of traffic. Overall a great vehicle. Bought new and have had it for six years.

• 

  Six years and still going strong - 2000 Ford Excursion
  By North Dallas 40 - July 26 - 1:54 pm

  I purchased my 2000 Excursion Limited Diesel back in 2001 with one eye open, not sure what to expect. My wife had just totaled our 2001 Suburban and I was looking for a diesel. Six years later, I have not had a single reliablity issue with the truck. Other than routine maintenance (brakes, hoses, fluids, etc...), the truck has given us 131,000 trouble free miles. I get 17mpg around town, and 23 on the highway. I am 64"/330lbs and I am very comfortable in the truck. I plan on keeping this vehicle for many more years, or until it gives up the ghost.

• 

  Bang for your buck for a monster beast - 2001 Ford Excursion
  By junbug1970 - June 24 - 10:55 am

  The gas mileage is better than my Durango even though this truck is 10 cylinder. The best comfortable ride for long drive. Towing a 9000lbs boat feels like towing a pair of jetskiis (effortless). Three of my door actuators are not working, so I have to replace that. Parking this beast in a small parking lot takes me about 3-4 back and forth motions. Need better turning radius.

• 

  Excursion is awsome - 2002 Ford Excursion
  By truckman - June 12 - 5:03 pm

  Have seen bad accidents involving Excursions and they have proven incredably safe. The ride is very good even thought it is built on a F-250 frame and it will pull hard with any size tow load. My diesel has over 130k miles on it and most are towing miles and still have had no problems. Im also impressed with the bodys build quality. The only problem I have had is every year I go to Pensacola, Florida and on a 10 or 12 mile stretch of highway 10 the electronics radio, gauges cut out randomly then return to normal, this has happened in the same spot the last four years, it still runs fine and dosent happen anywhere else but I just thought it was funny.