Overview & Reviews

The Ford Expedition is a full-size sport-utility vehicle based on Ford's popular full-size pickup truck platform. With rear- or four-wheel drive and seating for as many as nine adults, the Expedition has long been on the short list of vehicle choices for full-size families as well as anyone who needs the combination of versatility and grunt provided by a large SUV.

Big, tall and heavy, the Ford Expedition is every inch a truck, its large body wrapped around a comfortable and spacious cabin. The latest generation of the Expedition doesn't feel as cumbersome to drive as its extravagant dimensions and hefty weight suggest, but you'll still be reminded of just how full-size the Expedition is at the gas pump. In many cases, a large crossover SUV would be a better new or used vehicle choice given the advantages in fuel economy, handling and comfort. And if you really need something big and tow-worthy, other traditional SUVs like the Chevy Suburban are also worth a look.

Current Ford Expedition
The current Ford Expedition is offered in two lengths -- standard and EL -- and three trim levels: XLT, Limited and King Ranch. The EL has a 12-inch longer wheelbase and nearly 15 inches of additional overall length. The biggest reasons to consider the EL are the massive cargo space behind the third-row seat (more than twice that of the standard Expedition) and the longer rear doors that ease entry into the third row.

All Expeditions are powered by a 5.4-liter V8 that produces 310 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. As with most full-size SUVs, the Expedition is offered with a choice of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.

The well-equipped XLT comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, air-conditioning, a power driver seat, power-adjustable pedals, a sliding and reclining 40/20/40-split second-row seat, Ford's voice-operated Sync system, Bluetooth and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an iPod/USB interface and rear audio controls. Limited highlights include 20-inch polished wheels, a rearview camera, a power liftgate and a leather-lined, truly luxurious interior. The King Ranch adds special two-tone paint, unique wheels, upgraded leather upholstery and wood accents. Options include a load-leveling rear suspension, navigation, heated and cooled seats and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The Ford Expedition features fold-flat second-row seats as well as available power-folding third-row seatbacks that together create a wide, flat cargo floor. Families with infants will appreciate the sliding center position of the second-row seat, which can bring a child in a safety seat up to 11 inches closer to the front-seat passengers.

In reviews we've found Ford's full-size SUV pleasant to drive for a big SUV thanks to precise steering and a comfortable ride quality. In most situations, the 5.4-liter V8 provides decent performance. Take on a full load of passengers and cargo or hitch up a large trailer, however, and the engine's weakness becomes all too apparent. Shoppers who expect to regularly fill the cabin with passengers and/or tow heavy loads might want to consider the Ford's few rivals, which offer more available power.

Used Ford Expedition Models
The current, third-generation Ford Expedition is the product of a major refresh conducted for 2007. However, whereas previous-generation Expeditions could hold up to nine passengers, the current generation holds only eight, due to standard front bucket seats. Changes have been minimal; the most notable occurred for 2009 when the Expedition got Ford's Sync multimedia voice control system, and the following year, when trailer sway control was added.

The second-generation Ford Expedition was introduced for the 2003 model year. Compared to the current generation, the styling was different and a less stiff chassis resided underneath. Ride and handling were not as good, and the standard automatic transmission had only four gears. There were also fewer available features, including three-row side curtain airbags. However, compared to its predecessor, this Expedition was a vast improvement -- specifically in regards to driving dynamics, thanks to its independent rear suspension. It was also the first SUV to offer power fold-into-the-floor rear seats, a feature that its General Motors rivals wouldn't receive for more than a decade.

Engines for this second-generation model consisted of a 232-hp 4.6-liter V8 and a 260-hp 5.4-liter V8. For 2005, Ford dropped the smaller engine and increased the 5.4-liter V8's output to 300 hp. The model line eventually proliferated from four trim levels at its debut (including an off-road version called FX4) to six for 2006, including the opulent, western-themed King Ranch edition. Safety-minded shoppers should know that all years of this generation came with stability control, with tire-pressure monitors becoming available with the 2004 models.

In reviews, we thought this Expedition competed favorably with its contemporary competitors from General Motors, Nissan and Toyota. If there was one area of contention -- especially in pre-'05 models -- it was a lack of muscle. On the whole, though, this edition of Ford's big SUV provided solid handling for a vehicle of its size. It still felt like a big SUV, but the steering was decently weighted and body roll was well controlled around turns. The ride could be a tad harsh on rough roads, but overall, it was a comfortable cruiser.

Launched for the 1997 model year, the original Ford Expedition was met with heaps of praise. Its dimensions fell between those of the short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase versions of the GM sport-utilities at the time, enabling it to both accommodate a third-row seat and fit inside a normal garage, albeit tightly. With a front bench seat, it could carry up to nine passengers.

The first-generation Ford Expedition came in just two trim levels: XLT and the more luxurious, two-tone Eddie Bauer. Both featured interior architecture that was nearly identical to the F-Series pickup, which offered good ergonomics but was rendered in lamentable materials. Its 215-hp 4.6-liter and 230-hp 5.4-liter V8 engines also could not keep up with the stronger motors from its primary competitors, a deficiency that was addressed in 1999 with a horsepower bump for both engines, of 25 and 30, respectively.

User Reviews:

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  2002 Expedition Eddie Baur - 2002 Ford Expedition
  By Daniel... - December 5 - 2:00 am

  This is an outstanding family vehicle.

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  good - 1998 Ford Expedition
  By artdorrie - December 4 - 2:00 am

  Very dependable and durable. A bit rough riding. Good AFWD feature. Smooth trans and engine. Air suspension somewhat of a problem. Pump and other components have relatively short life and fairly expensive to replace.

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  Money Pit - 1999 Ford Expedition
  By Exped - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Ater 45000 miles, things started to go wrong. Transmission replaced, CD player replace, heated seats repaired, rear- end replaced. Thank goodness for the extended warranty or we would have had over $6,000 in repairs ove the last year. Lease is finally up, will not be getting another one.

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  99 Expy Review - 1999 Ford Expedition
  By mhhurst - November 20 - 2:00 am

  I have a 1999 4.6 XLT 4WD Expedition. It is a very reliable and dependable vehicle. It was built solidly and has had very few trips to the shop for work outside of normal maintainence. There was one incident with the transmission at 30K miles. They dropped it out, flushed it and cleaned it. Put it back together and viola, problem was solved. Given they only had to replace the gaskets and the transmission fluid, I consider it an overall minor incident. 12K miles later my expy is still cruising along.

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  Love my Expedition! - 1998 Ford Expedition
  By Gee - November 7 - 2:00 am

  Bought it used and I love the truck! Great for long road trips. I drove from Cleveland to Vermont and then Maine and back. Very comfortable. ABS light issue and airbag light issue, both fixed. Drives like a dream! Nice to look at too.

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  dogg - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By dogg - November 5 - 2:00 am

  cool car awsome to drive and extremly fast and stylish

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  IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SUV GO EDDIE - 1999 Ford Expedition
  By GLENN COXON - November 4 - 2:00 am

  WELL ONLY ONE SUV OUT OF FIVE I HAVE PREVIOUSLY OWNED WAS WORTH BEING UPSET OVER WHEN IT WAS TIME TO SAY GOOD BYE AFTER THEY CALLED AND SAID THE LEASE WAS UP. MY 1999 EDDIE BAUER THE GREEN MACHINE.I LOVED IT AND IT LOVED ME ESPECIALLY AT THE GAS STATION BOY CAN THEY DRINK GAS AND AT $1.45 A GALLON ON AVERAGE IT CAN HURT THE OLD POCKET BOOK HAULING THREE TEENAGERS TO BUDDIES HOUSES AND SPORTS VENUES DAILY. WHAT THE HELL THEY ARE WORTH IT.ANYWAY WHAT A SAFE RELIABLE VEHICLE I LOVED IT.

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  Awesome Sport Ute - 1998 Ford Expedition
  By hoseman - November 3 - 2:00 am

  I recently trade the first Ford vehicle I have owned in approximately 15 years. Sikeston Motor Co. in Sikeston, MO gave me a deal I couldnt refuse. I needed a full size sport utility and the only thing that fell into my price range was the Expedition. I checked with the owner and he had paperwork documenting the maintenance history. The only problem Ive had was a single ignition coil and the vehicle has been all over the country. Including off road to various hunting and camping locations. I wouldnt consider buying anything else unless it was a diesel Excursion.

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  Dont buy this year - 1998 Ford Expedition
  By JMJ - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Due to the multiple electronic issues that this vehicle has caused us we are rushing to drop it before our extended warranty runs out. We know many others w/the SAME issues. The best 2 examples I can tell you from our experience was when it would continuously lock/unlock the doors while also having the radio on & the heater on full blast (no keys in the ignition) blamed on a faulty remote key. A more frightful example is where it was starting itself in our garage (again w/out keys). This time it was blamed on water shorting a computer... which sounds like the closest reason yet all of these electrical nightmares have happened.

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  Engine Trouble - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By pnewell - October 29 - 2:00 am

  After spending $1,500 on three engine repairs before 90k miles, I am not happy with the reliablility of this vehicle.