The Ford Expedition is one of the most capable and family-friendly full-size SUVs on the market with its spacious three-row cabin, modern tech, and strong performance. It can fit up to eight passengers, tow a boat, camper or trailer, and has a diverse trim line-up that ranges from practical to luxurious to off-road focused. The upper trim levels can get spendy, but the Expedition is one of the most versatile choices in the segment.
The Expedition was first produced for the 1997 model year as Ford’s replacement for the two-door Bronco. It was meant to be an alternative family-hauler to minivans and wagons. The Expedition is the largest SUV in Ford’s line-up. Major competitors include the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Nissan Armada, and Toyota Sequoia.
In 2025, the Expedition was redesigned and is now in its fifth generation. For 2026, this body-on-frame SUV gets only minor trim and pricing updates.
The 2026 Expedition comes in four trims: Active, Platinum, Tremor and King Ranch. All four trims are available in the standard wheelbase, and the Active, Platinum and King Ranch trims are available with the long-wheelbase Max. Starting prices range from $62,700 for the Expedition Active to $87,360 for the King Ranch Max.
Rear-wheel drive is standard on the Active trim and four-wheel drive is available. All other trims come standard with four-wheel drive.
The regular- and long-wheelbase Expeditions can both fit seven or eight passengers, depending on whether you get captain’s chairs in the second row.
All models are powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 that makes 400 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. A high output 3.5-liter EcoBoost with 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet is standard on the Tremor and available on the Platinum trim.
Performance is a strength. The Expedition feels surprisingly lively for a vehicle that weighs about 5,500 pounds. Acceleration is brisk with a nice exhaust note, and the Expedition can hustle from a stop and when merging and passing at highway speeds. The transmission shifts quickly and smoothly. The ride quality is generally smooth and composed, even on rough roads and over potholes. Higher trims equipped with advanced suspension technologies are especially silky smooth. Steering is predictable, and brakes are responsive, which is what you want with a ginormous vehicle. Of course, there’s no getting around the sheer size of the Expedition – you’ll notice its bulk on urban streets and tight parking lots.
Fuel economy is about average for a full-size, body-on-frame SUV. EPA ratings for the Platinum, Tremor and King Ranch trims are 15 mpg city, 22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined. I got 17 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving. The Active trim does slightly better at 16 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined.
The Expedition has excellent towing capacity. When properly equipped, rear-wheel drive models can tow up to 6,300 pounds and four-wheel drive models are rated up to 9,600 pounds. You can easily hitch the trailer and back it up with the Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Backup Assist.
The cabin is attractive and spacious. Materials have a nice look and feel. Passengers in the first two rows enjoy generous leg- and headroom, and seats are comfortable and supportive, even on long drives. Adults can fit in the third row, but as is usually the case, the third row is best suited to kids or small adults. Passenger space in the third row is the same whether you get the regular or Max wheelbase.
A standout feature is the Ford Digital Experience, with a huge customizable 24-inch panoramic digital instrument display, which stretches across the driver’s field of view, and 13.2-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system is user-friendly, with logically arranged menus. It runs on Google’s software platform, so Google Maps and Google Assistant operate without needing to pair a smartphone. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard.
Cargo capacity is very good in the regular wheelbase and exceptional in the Max. The regular wheelbase has 21.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 60.8 cubes with the third row folded, and 108.5 cubes with the third and second rows folded. The Max expands these to 36.1, 75.4, and 123.1 cubes. A two-piece power liftgate is standard – the rear door opens in two sections, which is really nice when you’re unloading and loading things on a hill.
Here are the trims of the 2026 Ford Expedition.
Active – MSRP $62700 for the regular wheelbase and $65,700 for the Max wheelbase. It comes standard with rear-wheel drive and is available with four-wheel drive. The Active offers good value, with modern tech and full-size SUV practicality without venturing into luxury pricing.
- Remote start
- Keyless entry
- Push-button start
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Cloth upholstery
- Power-adjustable front seats
- Second-row bench seat
- Power-folding third row
- 24-inch digital gauge cluster
- Infotainment system with 13.2-inch touchscreen
- Six-speaker audio system
- Satellite radio
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Six USB ports
- Wi-Fi hot spot
- LED headlights and taillights
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Trailer brake controller (on four-wheel drive models)
- Class IV tow hitch receiver
- 18-inch wheels
Platinum – MSRP $74,250 for the regular wheelbase and $77,250 for the Max. The Platinum trim adds luxury and tech features, and arguably offers the best balance of features and value.
- Seven-passenger seating with power-folding tip-and-slide captain’s chairs in the second row (bench seating is available for the second row)
- leather-trimmed seats
- Front perforated, leather-trimmed heated and ventilated seats
- 10-way power driver’s seat with memory settings
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated second row seats
- Panoramic sunroof
- Black fixed running boards
- Signature taillamps
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- 20-inch wheels
Tremor – MSRP $81,700. This trim is not available with the Max wheelbase. The Tremor trim transforms the Expedition from a family hauler into a legitimate off-road vehicle, capable of tackling rough trails and challenging terrain.
- Standard 440-horsepower high-output EcoBoost V6
- Intelligent four-wheel drive
- 33-inch all-terrain tires
- Electronic locking differential
- Skid plates and underbody protection
- Rock Crawl mode and Trail Control
- Front tow hooks
King Ranch – MSRP $84,360 for the regular wheelbase and $87,360 for the Max wheelbase. The King Ranch focuses on western styling and premium comfort, aimed at buyers who want luxury features without moving into a luxury brand.
- Exclusive King Ranch leather interior
- B&O Unleashed premium sound system
- Standard Ford BlueCruise
- Premium suspension tuning
- Unique exterior design elements
- 22-inch wheels
Standard driver assistance technologies include
- Surround-view and blind-spot camera systems
- Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection
- Forward automatic emergency braking
- Lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist
- Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Pro Trailer Hitch Assist (controls speed, steering and braking when backing up to align the vehicle hitch with the trailer coupler)
- Pro Trailer Backup Assist (controls steering when backing up with a trailer)
Available driver assistance technologies include
- BlueCruise (Ford’s partially automated highway driving mode with automated steering, lane changing, acceleration and braking on certain roads)
- Driver-attention monitoring
The good:
Powerful engine options
Strong towing capability
Good variety of trims
Available with regular and long wheelbases
Cavernous, comfortable interior
Modern digital display and infotainment system
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Fuel economy
Higher trims are spendy
Pricing info:
My 2026 Ford Expedition Tremor test vehicle starts at $81,400. Dark Matter Gray metallic paint is $495. The console vault is $360. The Connection Package is $745 for a seven-year, one-time purchase (The first year is free). SiriusXM three-year plan is $300. The cargo tailgate manager is $405. The destination fee is $2,595, bringing the grand total to $86,300.
Bottom line:
The 2026 Ford Expedition is a strong offering among full-size SUVs, performing very well in the areas that matter most including passenger and cargo space, towing capability, technology and versatility. With its broad trim lineup and wheelbase options, the Expedition is definitely worth a look for families who want a capable and comfortable all-around vehicle without stepping up to a luxury brand.
