Execs: Easy, highly effective and comparatively environment friendly engine; snug experience; adult-friendly third row; superior driver help tech
Cons: Decrease-quality inside than rival SUVs, particularly the higher trim ranges
On the subject of the 2023 Ford Expedition, its biggest asset rests beneath the hood. Accessible in three energy outputs, all of which outperform almost each comparable competitor, Ford’s EcoBoost turbo V6 is buttery easy and surprisingly quiet for a truck engine. It additionally returns gasoline economic system that’ll seemingly prevent lots of or extra yearly on the pump – cash that may be properly spent in the direction of the adventures and toys that may be loved together with such a giant, succesful household hauler. The Expedition additionally offers aggressive inside house (which means huge), stable infotainment and security tech choices and characterful trim stage choices within the King Ranch and Timberline (pictured above).
After all, the full-size SUV phase has by no means been extra aggressive contemplating how good GM’s numerous entries have grow to be with the introduction of the Jeep Wagoneer (we’d point out the brand new Toyota Sequoia however it utterly misses the mark). That makes the Expedition’s job that a lot more durable in attracting consideration, particularly with an inside that’s simply not as interesting visually or in high quality as its major rivals. It’s not a carbon copy of the F-150 cabin, which is sweet, however it’s laborious to not suppose Ford couldn’t have gone additional as Chevy, GMC, Jeep and even Toyota did. That mentioned, it’s the one major demerit in a giant household SUV that’s in any other case very robust.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gas Financial system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2023?
After substantial adjustments had been made final yr, together with the introduction of the brand new Timberline pictured above, the Expedition carries over into 2023 unchanged other than wheel design availability and a brand new pink paint coloration.
What are the Expedition inside and in-car expertise like?
After final yr’s updates, the Expedition doesn’t share the sprint design of the F-150 for the primary time in its prolonged historical past. Certain, it’s largely shared with the F-150 Lightning, however we’ll ignore that technicality. This transformation was largely necessitated by the supply of the 15.5-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen (pictured above, prime) additionally discovered within the Lightning and Mustang Mach-E. It capabilities fairly totally different from the usual system: the nonetheless fairly huge 12-inch touchscreen shared with higher trim stage F-150s, the Bronco and others. It’s pictured above, backside proper. Although totally different, we discover each straightforward to make use of, however actually wouldn’t hesitate to verify the field for the larger display. Decrease trim ranges get a big coloration instrument panel show bordered by analog gauges, whereas a full 12.4-inch all-digital show is out there on Timberline upward (pictured above, backside left).
Sadly, whereas the Expedition inside is now much less trucky in look, its supplies high quality isn’t as robust as its GM and Jeep opponents. The design additionally appears a bit low lease in comparison with what you’ll see in these rivals, particularly with the small touchscreen base design. The Jeep Wagoneer specifically places it to disgrace, and higher Expedition trim ranges specifically simply don’t present a sufficiently high-lux vibe. If you’re contemplating a King Ranch or Platinum, it will undoubtedly make sense to take a look at the mechanically associated Lincoln Navigator as a substitute.
How huge is the Expedition?
As with its GM and Jeep opponents, the Expedition is out there in two lengths: normal and longer Expedition Max. They function the identical dimension third-row (once more, like its opponents), with the Max’s further size going completely to the cargo space. The usual Expedition is 210 inches lengthy, which is actually the identical because the Tahoe/Yukon. The Wagoneer is 4 inches longer. The Max doesn’t develop fairly as a lot as its rivals, although, because the Suburban is 4 inches longer and the Wagoneer L 5 inches longer than the Max, respectively.
That size comes into play with cargo house behind the third row, however we’re actually speaking levels of enormity right here. The Max’s further foot of size yields an additional 16.9 cubic-feet of house, which is greater than a complete Honda Accord trunk. We predict that further versatility makes the Max’s value premium properly value it and higher justifies the Expedition’s value premium on the whole over huge crossovers and minivans. After all, if it received’t slot in your storage, it’s all a moot level. Ditto if in case you have your coronary heart set on the Timberline – it’s regular-length solely.
The usual Expedition offers 104.6 cubic-feet of boxy, space-efficient house when each rear rows are lowered, a quantity basically between massive three-row crossovers and minivans. Its SUV rivals, once more, are just a bit higher. When all seats are in place, the amount clearly shrinks significantly to 19.3 cubic-feet. That’s nonetheless higher than most three-row crossovers, and we discovered it was ok to carry 5 suitcases. Though the Tahoe/Yukon specs present that it has more room again there, our testing didn’t actually again that up. The Wagoneer, however, is the king of the phase behind the third row.
As for passengers in that third row, solely the Wagoneer surpasses the Expedition’s house and luxury. Even then, simply barely. After all, the Expedition has a equally negligible third-row benefit over the GM SUVs as properly. Second-row house will not be surprisingly voluminous. Remember, although, that the Expedition is kind of excessive off the bottom, so it may be troublesome to achieve all rows of seats, particularly the rearmost one. Swish exits are uncommon.
What are the Expedition gasoline economic system and efficiency specs?
Each Expedition has a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6, however it’s uniquely out there with three outputs tied to trim stage. All have a 10-speed automated with rear-wheel-drive normal on all however the Timberline, which comes normal with the four-wheel-drive system supplied on all different trims.
The model within the XL, XLT and STX produces 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. That is already greater than the Tahoe/Yukon’s normal 5.3-liter V8, and extra torque than their 6.2-liter V8 choice (it’s extra torque than the each of the Jeep Wagoneer’s V8s, too). Gas economic system is great for a full-size SUV at 17 mpg metropolis, 23 mpg freeway and 19 mpg mixed with RWD and 16/22/18 with 4WD.
The Restricted, King Ranch and Platinum model produce 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. Gas economic system adjustments negligibly regardless of this improve, and is subsequently a lot stronger than the improve engines of its opponents. It ought to prevent an considerable quantity on the gasoline pump.
The Expedition Timberline is probably not the range-topping trim stage, however it nonetheless will get essentially the most highly effective model of the three.5-liter good for 440 hp and 510 lb-ft. Solely the Grand Wagoneer L’s new turbo inline-six can prime that horsepower (and does so by quite a bit), however Ford maintains its torque lead. Gas economic system goes down, largely as a result of Timberline’s all-terrain tires, to 16/19/17. We averaged 18.5 mpg in 380 miles of testing. The Stealth trim additionally will get this model, however its gasoline economic system was not identified on the time of this writing.
What is the Expedition prefer to drive?
The engine is arguably the Expedition’s best attribute, no matter which state of tune and trim stage you get. The three.5-liter turbo V6 is buttery easy and whisper quiet in comparison with the V8s present in most rivals, and there’s no arguing about its energy output. Even the bottom model will get this huge truck transferring with authority, whereas the Timberline and its top-dog 440 hp and 510 lb-ft feels each bit like one of many quickest full-size SUVs on the street. That the gasoline economic system is usually stronger than most rivals is icing on the cake.
The remainder of the Expedition driving expertise is spectacular as properly. It doesn’t really feel fairly as large and yacht-like because the Jeep Wagoneers with higher physique management and seemingly faster steering. We haven’t had an opportunity to check an Expedition with the out there steady adaptive dampers, however judging by what they do within the mechanically associated Lincoln Navigator, we count on them to extend the Expedition’s consolation and composure even additional. Most surprisingly, although, the Timberline doesn’t appear to endure a lot for its all-terrain tires and “tough street” suspension tuning. We didn’t detect objectionable tire roar and nonetheless discovered the experience completely snug.
All of that mentioned, we should in fact go along with the standard full-size SUV disclaimer that you shouldn’t low cost the sheer dimension and weight of the Expedition. It might present a commanding view of the street and make you’re feeling impregnable, however it’ll even be more durable to park and deal with worse because of its slower steering, large dimensions, top-heavy weight and truck platform. That latter component additionally leads to some shivers felt by means of the construction over sure sorts of bumps you simply wouldn’t get in a big crossover. All of this is also mentioned of its GM and Jeep opponents. So there, disclaimer supplied.
What different Ford Expedition opinions can I learn?
2022 Ford Expedition First Drive Evaluate
Highlighting the myriad adjustments made final yr, together with the introduction of the Timberline
2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch Highway Check
We check the surprisingly tasteful, cowboy stylish King Ranch throughout a street journey. Observe that this was written earlier than final yr’s updates, so inside impressions specifically not apply.
Ford Expedition Baggage Check | How a lot suits behind its third row?
We use precise stuff to find out how huge the Expedition’s cargo capability is.
What’s the 2023 Expedition value?
Expedition pricing is larger throughout the board than the Chevy Tahoe’s trim ranges, however they don’t at all times line up by way of function content material or normal energy, so it’s greatest to do a deeper dive into the specs and options earlier than dismissing the Ford as too costly.
The XL STX, XLT and Restricted function the everyday ladder-like improve of kit, with the Restricted specifically including common objects like leather-based, heated entrance seats and a sunroof. Issues then fork in numerous instructions. The King Ranch provides numerous luxurious options a minimum of elective on the Restricted, plus distinctive western-inspired coloration schemes and badging (the brick pink inside has been a King Ranch trademark for years). The Platinum is extra similar to the Luxurious in look, however maxes out on content material. The Timberline is much less luxurious to start with than the Restricted, however has normal four-wheel drive, extra energy, a skid plate, black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, Path Management off-road drive modes and distinctive orange highlights in every single place. You may add a lot of the niceties from the posh trims.
All costs beneath embody the hefty $1,895 vacation spot cost. 4-wheel drive is $3,050 on all however the Timberline, which has it normal.
XL STX: $75,020
XLT: $61,085
Restricted: $69,955
Timberline: $73,295
King Ranch: $80,010
Platinum: $82,460
XLT Max: $63,085
Restricted Max: $71,955
King Ranch Max: $82,010
Platinum Max: $84,460
What are the Expedition security scores and driver help options?
Each 2023 Expedition comes normal with ahead collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-keeping help, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning methods and automated excessive beams. The Co-Pilot360 Help 2.0 bundle, elective on the Timberline and normal on these trims above, provides entrance parking sensors, reverse braking help, a 360-degree parking digital camera system with a number of views and digital camera washers, and adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality and lane-centering steering help. In testing, we discovered the latter to carry out very properly, even on tighter, congested highways and in moist situations.
The NHTSA gave the Expedition an ideal 5 stars in each crash class, although it solely acquired a three-star rollover score (not shocking and constant for a full-size SUV).
