Remember when buying a large SUV didn’t cost as much as your first or second house? Then again, your house didn’t have smart cruise control, a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera or even a fancy Bang & Olufsen stereo with 22 speakers. Heck, most of us used to be happy with a couple big boxy speakers and a receiver with bass and treble controls.
Well, times are changing fast and big is definitely viewed as both better and necessary by many vehicle buyers today despite the increased cost of gasoline. To meet that demand Ford, has refurbished its large Expedition SUV and, like every other maker, has slathered on so much luxury that it rides like a living room atop velvet wheels.
The tested Expedition Limited 4x4 added a whopping $13,960 worth of options to the full-size off-roader already gussied up in its mid-level trim that starts at $69,040, including delivery. So, this handsome blue-gray, Blue Tinted Clearcoat ($395 extra), hit $83,000 on the nose. My second home was only slightly more and came with a half-acre lot. Hey, it was a few decades ago!
Beyond the size and cost, note that there are three trims costing more, plus an Expedition Max that’s nearly a foot longer. The Expedition is a pleasant highway cruiser because it’s loaded with luxury and seven drive modes allowing a driver to take it off road or at least splash through mud and slush with the ultimate authority.
I enjoyed the body-on-frame truck, and you would too on a long highway jaunt as the interior is quiet, the leather seats well cushioned and shaped, plus the handling easy, if vague. In fact, there’s barely any road feedback yet still the big brawler is easy to corral in a lane.
Oh, there’s body lean in a tight turn, but there’s no Sport in this Sport-Utility truck, outside of the Sport drive mode you can dial in to firm the wheel. But still it only feels heavier, not sportier or more responsive. Other modes include Normal, Eco, Mud/Rut, Sand, Slippery, and Tow/Haul. There’s also a Pro Trailer setting for easier backing up with a trailer, presumably hauling a high-powered cigarette boat.
Power is not a concern, despite the disappearance of Ford V8s. No, the twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost engine normally creates 325 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. But the test unit added the $9,880 option package that includes both a huge panoramic power sunroof and to the power point, an upgraded 440-horse version of the same engine. It also included a sport-tuned suspension, black painted aluminum wheels and a bunch more (see the stat box).
Towing? Yes, it’ll pull 9,300 pounds.
Shifting comes from a silky smooth 10-speed automatic and despite the sport suspension, the Expedition’s ride is boulevard premium. Think old Caddy, Lincoln or Buick sedan in their hay day.
Inside the Expedition is lined with black leather featuring red stitching, part of the Stealth package, and includes a flat black textured trim on the dash and console that is particularly snazzy and avoids nasty glare that gloss black trim often reflects. Trim around the trim is a chrome look.
No way to avoid the gargantuan 15.5-inch info screen mid-dash. It’s a $795 option here, replacing a 12-inch screen, which likely would be sufficient. No problem seeing this as it’ll overwhelm your eyeballs. Several friends told me it would be way too much for them to constantly look at, and I agreed in that it’s so big you struggle to find some of the touchscreen icons, such as those for heated and cooled seats and the heated steering wheel. Those need to be buttons that are easy to find on the console.
Most of the info screen’s functioning was good, and there’s a large volume knob embedded in the screen, which is a nice touch. But you must wait a minute for the screen to reboot every time you start the truck. Bigger isn’t always better!
Expedition is a three-row vehicle and roomy for up to eight passengers if you go with the standard second row bench seat. This one had captain’s chairs in row two (both heated), so would only accommodate seven. Cargo room is modest behind that third row, but large once it’s lowered and huge with both rear rows down. Remember there’s a Max version with another foot of cargo room in back.
Ford puts power buttons inside the power hatch for lowering both the second and third row split seats, which makes it flexible for hauling long items, but still packing four or five passengers aboard.
Speaking of power, there are power-adjustable pedals and a power tilt/telescope steering wheel too, and a wireless charger in the console. Power running boards also deploy whenever the vehicle is unlocked or a door is opened and then re-fold after all doors have been shut for several seconds or the ignition is turned on. I still worry about how these will survive Wisconsin winters, but I’m assured they will.
Ford makes sure all the usual safety equipment is here, from smart cruise to lane control devices, which all work just fine.
A few odds and ends: Ford continues with its rotary gear shift knob on the console, which I still find a bit awkward, but I’m sure it’s here to stay.
That Stealth package also adds black accents in addition to the wheels, the badging is black as are the mirror caps and the tires are giant 22-inchers, meaning they’ll cost a fortune to replace, but then this is an $83k vehicle, so one assumes cost is a minor concern to the buyer.
Likewise, gas mileage is nothing special. I got 17.8 mpg and the EPA rates this at 16 mpg city and 22 highway. Currently no hybrid Expedition is offered.
A base Expedition XL with rear-wheel-drive lists at $51,080 with delivery and one can add 4WD for about $2,000. That’s not inexpensive, but is roughly $30,000 less than the tested Limited.
If you want or need more fancy features there’s the King Ranch and Platinum versions, the Platinum listing at $77,000 and easily exceeding $87,000 with options. A new more off-road worthy Timberline edition with additional ground clearance, bigger tires and underbody protection also was new for 2022.
One could imagine Expedition feeling overpriced, but consider the Chevrolet and GMC competitors, the Tahoe/Yukon and Suburban are equally pricy and the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer can hit $100,000 or more. Less pricey models are the Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia, depending on trims.
FAST STATS: 2022 Ford Expedition Limited 4x4
Hits: Handsome truck with oodles of power and room. Good ride, big towing capacity, off-road capable, seats 7 or 8, comfy seats, heated and cooled front seats, heated second row, heated wheel, good safety equipment, panoramic sunroof, power running boards, 7 drive modes, wireless charger, power pedals, power tilt/telescope wheel, pro trailer feature.
Misses: Vague steering, feels huge, monster info screen feels overwhelming, heated seats and wheel handled via screen, rotary shift knob takes getting used to.
Made in: Louisville, Ky.
Engine: 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6, 375 hp/470 torque
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Weight: 5,837 lbs.
Wheelbase: 122.5 in.
Length: 210 in.
Cargo: 20.9-104.6 cu.ft.
Tow: 9,300 lbs.
MPG: 16/22
MPG: 17.8 (tested)
Base Price: $69,040 (includes delivery)
Invoice: $67,356
Major Options:
- Blue-tinted clearcoat, $395
- Group 304A (panoramic roof, 3.73 Axle Ratio, black exterior badging, reverse brake assist, red brake calipers, 360-degree split view camera w/F&R washer, dual exhaust, floor mats w/logo, Ford Co-Pilot360 assist 2.0, black mirror caps, P285/45R22 tires, active 2.0 park assist, 22 speakers, engine sound enhancement radio equipment, enhanced active noise control radio equipment, Bang & Olufsen audio, black roof rails, power running boards, Stealth Performance Edition pkg. including red stitching, sport-tuned suspension & black painted aluminum wheels and 440-hp engine upgrade), $9,880
- Heavy-duty trailer tow pkg., $795
- CCD w/sport-tuned suspension, $995
- ControlTrac w/3.73 EDLS, $1,100
- 15.5-in. info screen, $795
Test vehicle: $83,000
Sources: Ford, www.kbb.com
