The Ford Expedition is all-new for 2019 and is one of the best offerings in the full-size SUV category. It has plenty of power, a smooth ride and a roomy and classy interior.
The 2018 Expedition is available in three trims: XLT, Limited and Platinum. Starting prices range from $51,790 to $78,865 which is more than most rivals. If you haven’t shopped for a full-size SUV lately, you may be in for some sticker shock. Rear-wheel-drive is standard and four-wheel-drive is available. It’s available in two lengths: Expedition and Expedition Max.
The Expedition has three rows of seating with room for seven or eight passengers, depending on whether you choose second row Captain’s chairs or bench seating.
The Expedition is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that produces 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Platinum trim gets the same engine but it’s bumped up to 400 hp and 480 lb.-ft. The engines are paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission.
While the Expedition is an SUV with body-on-frame construction that tips the scales at 5,692 pounds, it handles like a much smaller vehicle. Acceleration is peppier than many rivals and the V6 provides plenty of power to move the Expedition’s bulk down the road. While it’s not exactly sporty, the Expedition is pretty nimble for its size. The ride is smooth even on rough roads and over bumps.
Fuel efficiency is about average for a large SUV. EPA ratings for my tester are 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway with a combined rating of 19 mpg. I got 18 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
When properly equipped, the Expedition can tow up to 9,300 pounds with standard Trailer Sway Control, and trailer backup assist and trailer brake controller are optional.
The interior is upscale and attractive. Materials and trim are of high quality and rival what you’d find in a Lincoln, Ford’s upscale brand. There’s lots of room for passengers and cargo. A rarity in three-row vehicles: even adult passengers in the third row will have a decent amount of space, and the vehicle’s large doors make it easy to get in and out of the back rows.
Standard features include push-button start, rearview camera, rear parking sensors, nine-speaker audio system, satellite radio, four USB ports, Bluetooth, and the SYNC connectivity system with a 4.2-inch display screen.
Ford’s MyKey technology is also standard. It helps parents encourage teenagers to drive responsibly. You can program the key to restrict driving mode settings, such as limiting the vehicle’s top speed and setting maximum volume levels for the audio.
Optional driver assistance features include blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, front parking sensors, active park assist, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic braking.
Available features include a 360-degree camera, navigation, 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, rear-seat entertainment system, wireless phone charging, Wi-Fi hot spot, and the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The SYNC 3 system is open of the best infotainment systems currently available. It’s very user-friendly with large virtual buttons and reacts quickly to touch and voice commands.
The 2018 Expedition has more cargo space than most competitors. There are 20.9 cubic feet with all three rows in place, 63.6 cubes with the third row folded and 104.6 cubes with the second and third rows folded. The second and third rows fold flat with the cargo floor. A hands-free power liftgate and power-folding second and third row seats are optional. There are numerous cubbies and bins in the cabin to store small items.
The 2018 Expedition has excellent reliability ratings of five out of five from J.D. Power.
The good:
Powerful engine
Comfortable ride
Cavernous and upscale cabin
Plenty of cargo space
Excellent reliability ratings
Capable of light off-roading
Excellent towing and hauling capability
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available
The not-so-good:
Spendier than the competition
Some rivals offer better off-road capability
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $65,800. The Equipment Group 302A is $6,440 and adds a panoramic vista roof, voice-activated touchscreen with navigation, driver assistance package, enhanced active park assist and LED headlamps. Second row leather-trim bucket seats are $740. Heavy-duty trailer tow package is $1,570. Reversible cargo mat is $40. Rear seat entertainment system is $1,995. Delivery fee is $1,295 bringing the grand total to $77,880.
Bottom line:
The 2018 Ford Expedition is more agile and more capable than the outgoing model with an upscale cabin and lots of standard features. It’s worth checking out if you need a full size SUV to haul the family and all your toys.
