2020 Ford Expedition

The burly SUV takes up a lot of space on the road, but with a little more finesse to its design than the likes of the Chevrolet Tahoe or a regular truck, for that matter. Ford approached the family-hauler with a "bigger is better" attitude in all senses, so there's an imposing grille and a stocky look in general. Halogen headlights are standard on lower trims, with the King Ranch and Platinum trim levels favoring chrome front bits and LED headlights instead. The same concept applies to the rear lights. Wheel sizes range from 18 inches on the XLT all the way to the massive 22-inch items on the Platinum. A panoramic vista roof is standard from the King Ranch, too. Retractable door runners found on the Limited trim and above are just one of the ways the Expedition is a step above the rest.

Remember all that towering and intimidation we were talking about earlier? Its 122.5-inch wheelbase is significantly longer than the 116-inch wheelbase of the Chevrolet Tahoe and is on par with the Toyota Sequoia. Its height also matches up to rivals and comes in at 76.4 inches from the ground up for 4x4 models, and 76.6 for 4x2 derivatives. A 79.9-inch width measurement further emphasizes the "taking over the road" attitude, as do curb weights ranging from 5,368 to 5,623 pounds depending, on your choice of spec and drivetrain. The SUV is capable of handling a maximum 9.8-inch ground clearance, which is in line with the abilities of its rivals, too. Not that this car is designed for serious off-roading, but approach and departure angles of 23.3 and 21.9 degrees for 4x4 models (23.4/22.2 degrees on 4x2s) should make taking on family adventures in the outdoors a breeze.

Ford makes a wide palette of color choices available for the Expedition vehicles, and, impressively, six of the shades are available as standard from the base-level XLT through to the King Ranch, and include understated colors like Oxford White, Iconic Silver and Magnetic, with the bolder end of the spectrum ended off by Blue, Desert Gold, and Agate Black. XL fleet-only cars have exclusive access to Race Red, as well as a handful of the standard options. Only four of the standard colors are available on the Platinum which includes all of the colors mentioned before, except for Iconic Silver and Oxford White. Three additional colors are available across the range for between $395 and $595 and include Rapid Red, Burgundy Velvet, and Star White.

The entirety of the Expedition range shares the same twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, though the Platinum has been fine-tuned by Ford to provide some extra power, and despite it having a smaller engine that many rivals, it delivers similar power outputs. Each trim level can be equipped with either 2WD or 4WD drivetrains and the large SUV makes the claim of class-leading towing capability thanks to a maximum towing capacity of 9,300 lbs in 2WD guise, while a 4WD-equipped model will achieve a 9,200 lbs figure when equipped with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Towing Package; standard towing ranges between 6,500 and 6,600 lbs. The Expedition proves there is a replacement for displacement, with the EcoBoost engine providing exemplary performance whether used day to day in traffic or when loaded up and towing the family way on holiday.

This gargantuan SUV doesn't follow the pack, and is one of the few in the segment that utilizes a smaller engine with not one, but two turbos for extra gusto over the traditional naturally-aspirated engines employed by rivals. The 375-horsepower V6 found in the Expedition range up to, and including the King Ranch trim level, is slightly more powerful than the bigger engine found in the Chevrolet Tahoe, thanks to those turbos we mentioned. The Expedition's 3.5-liter powerhouse also delivers considerably more torque than both the Tahoe and the Toyota Sequoia, with a whopping 470 lb-ft glowering down on the Tahoe's 383 lb-ft and the Sequoia's 401 lb-ft figures. Notably, the same engine is shared between all trims, but the Platinum receives some fine-tuning from Ford that boosts its output figures to 400 hp and a slightly stronger 480 lb-ft. A ten-speed automatic transmission is shared by all trim levels, too, and delivers untroubled shifting that complements the engine perfectly.

For such a big SUV, it does relatively well at hiding its size from the driver's seat and provides more agility than you'd expect from a vehicle in the segment, though it's not exactly perfect. Comfort is a given and there isn't much on the road that can lay claim to unsettling the Ford's ride. An independent rear suspension does well to improve its handling and comfort levels, and provides as much dexterity as a vehicle this size possibly can. The Expedition's large frame still rolls in and out of corners, considering its portly curb weight and eight-seater capacity, but not badly enough for us to really complain about it. Equipping AWD to any of the models will see an increase in all-weather capability and the addition of extra drive modes for varying terrains, if you enjoy some exploring now and again.

The steering is rather imprecise and doesn't draw praise when it comes to directing the mammoth around the bends, but it's definitely liveable and is unlikely to be the contributor to any nasty surprises. Also, you'll have to make peace with the fact that you'll never enjoy an average-sized parking space again, as the Expedition isn't exactly what we'd call nimble. The Platinum offers some extra power, but not by a large enough margin to influence a purchasing decision. Still, with all things considered, the Expedition as a whole is worthy of a serious look if you're in the market for a large SUV that doesn't disappoint, even on the longest of journeys.

This segment does no favors for the ozone layer, but the Expedition manages better fuel economy than its rivals with an EPA estimated 17/23/19 mpg city/highway/combined in 2WD guise, which leaves the 2WD-equipped Toyota Sequoia's combined 15 mpg figure for dead and beats the Chevrolet Tahoe's EPA estimates of 15/22/18 mpg. According to the EPA, equipping 4WD on your Expedition won't compromise fuel economy figures other than a slightly lower highway figure of 22 mpg. Though the Expedition won't save the earth by any means, it saves a couple more trees and a couple of extra dollars for its owner in comparison to competitors, and when its 23.6-gallon fuel tank is full, you can expect just over 475 miles of traveling before you need to refill.

The Ford Expedition's interior doesn't leave much to be desired, but offers an abundance of space and standard features from the base level upwards. Its boxy design allows for a lot of real estate on the inside, though the presence of some discounted materials leaves a bit of a bad taste in one's mouth considering the price tag. Infotainment in the SUV, however, is a plus from base-level and includes all the goodies one would expect from a vehicle priced upwards of $50,000. A nifty power-folding function also comes with the third row for added convenience, and safety features are endless.

A space supernova in its category, the Expedition doesn't just look big on the outside. It ensures that every bit of space is used for something valuable on the inside, and the eight-seater doesn't shy away at the thought of hosting six-footers in the front or in the back. The Chevrolet Tahoe offers slightly more room in the front, but in terms of space in even the third row, the Expedition bests rivals easily and offers an unmatched 36.1-inch third-row legroom measurement against the Tahoe's 24.8 inches. An eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat guarantees a comfortable driving position and visibility from the driver's side is good. A power-foldable third-row graces models from the XLT trim upwards, and this trim level also adds heated seats for the second row. Second-row captain chairs can be added to the Expedition for an additional $595, but this will bring the total capacity down to seven seats.

Multiple interior options are available for the Expedition range and the XL and XLT trims both come with standard cloth upholstery available in either Ebony or Medium Stone. ActiveX leatherette upholstery can be opted for on the XLT, in the same shades for an additional $1,485. Leather upholstery comes standard from the Limited in the same color schemes, but the option of leather-trimmed seats with red accent stitching can be had for a whopping $7,065. The King Ranch trim level offers only Del Rio leather in Ebony contrasting hues, while the Platinum can be had with either Ebony or Medium Soft Ceramic leather. Woodgrain appliques grace the first three models of the lineup, while real wood is added to the center console of the Platinum.

The Expedition easily beats the Chevrolet Tahoe in this category with a total trunk space of 20.9 cubic feet behind the third-row in comparison to the Chevy's 15.3 cubic foot figure, and bests the Toyota Sequoia as well. The second row offers 63.6 cubic feet of space with the third row folded. The Sequoia reclaims the lead with a whopping total cargo capacity of 120.1 cubic feet against the Expedition's total of 104.6 cubic feet with all of the seats folded, though it trumps the Tahoe here again.

The Ford does well in terms of interior cargo space and is home to an outrageous 15 cupholders and cavernous door pockets. A deep center console allows for more than enough storage space for both the driver and passengers and sizable pockets are located on the back of both front seats.

At base level, the SUV provides enough features to be on par with rivals, but the SUV only becomes really memorable from the Limited trim upwards. From the fleet-only XL and XLT, standard convenience features are inclusive of an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, though a ten-way power-adjustable seat is available as an additional option, and a power-foldable third row makes a standard appearance from the XLT trim. An auto-dimming rearview mirror is standard along with a leather-clad tilt and telescopic steering wheel, push-button start and cruise control. Tri-zone automatic climate control only comes as standard from the Limited trim upwards, with lesser models having to be satisfied with manual climate control with one zone; retractable running boards and remote start and keyless entry are also available from the Limited model. This trim and higher models also boast a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, and ambient lighting. A plethora of added options are available and include features like a digital instrument cluster, heated front seats with ventilation and a hands-free liftgate. Standard safety features are abundant and include a rearview camera, automatic high beams, lane-keep assist, cross-traffic alert under the umbrella of Ford's Co-Pilot360 technology, which is standard on all models, with the Limited getting a bit more via Co-Pilot360 Assist.

Infotainment in the Expedition is intuitive, and the SUV is well-equipped with standard features. At fleet level, a four-inch LCD screen serves as the central infotainment system, while an eight-inch touchscreen houses Ford's Sync 3 technology from the XLT trim upwards and packs standard functionality including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as voice recognition and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Two USB ports come standard in the front, though two can be added to the third row at an extra cost, and a six-speaker sound system is standard. The Limited trim adds a 12-speaker premium Bang & Olufsen sound system. A voice-activated touchscreen with Navigation and SiriusXM functionality is available for an additional $740 on the XLT and Limited trim levels but comes standard on the King Ranch and the Platinum. For added convenience on all models, a rear-seat entertainment system can be fitted to both front headrests for an added $1,995.

For the 2020 model, one recall has already been issued for inadequate seatback strength that might not restrain a passenger properly in the event of a crash, while the 2019 model saw two recalls for loose rear toe links that may have an adverse effect on handling, as well as the same rear seatback issue that the 2020 models face. Ford does well to reassure its customers with a class-standard three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Roadside assistance comes at no extra cost for five years or 60,000 miles.

At the time of writing, the IIHS had not rated the 2020 Ford Expedition SUV, but the NHTSA gave the brawny SUV a five out of five score for overall safety, making it a well-rated contender in terms of safety in the segment.

The Expedition comes fully-loaded with enough safety features to reassure even the most concerned purchasers. The list of features is inclusive of a rearview camera and rear parking sensors, six airbags (dual-front and front-side, as well as side-curtain), with optional inflatable rear seatbelts on upper trims. Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features is where it gets interesting. The suite is standard across all new Expedition trim levels and includes lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian monitoring and forward-collision warning as well as automatic emergency braking. A few additional safety features are available in the way of adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assistance and added parking sensors to the front, with adaptive cruise control given standard on Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum trims, by way of Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist. A surround-view camera system is also additionally available.

The 2020 Ford Expedition is a great vehicle to have on your shortlist if you're in the market for a large SUV, though you'll need quite the budget if you plan on enjoying a fully-loaded model. It puts itself ahead of rivals by many measures including space, standard features, and its capabilities on- and off-road. It's generous approach to modern tech drives it a step ahead of the rest, and its rather impressive safety features list makes it a surefire winner for those in search of a family SUV. The heavy set SUV offers more charm than you'd expect and provides better fuel economy than most rivals, thanks to its smaller engine and turbocharged outlook on life. But, the 2020 Expedition's price means that it has to work harder to really outshine its rivals, and for us, it does just that. Many large SUVs provide soulless hauling and enough features to get by, but the Expedition manages a personality that you wouldn't mind sticking with every day.

Although the Ford Expedition's price is rather high at a base level, the fleet-only, bare-bones XL comes in at a starting MSRP of $48,990. The 2WD XLT has an MSRP of $52,810, and equipped with 4WD, the price increases to $55,820. Moving up to the Limited trim sees a significant price hike and when 2WD is equipped, the MSRP increases to $63,345 and 4WD will add just over $3,125. The newly added King Ranch trim level will set you back $72,895, with the addition of 4WD driving the asking price up to $76,025. A top of the range Platinum with 2WD has a starting price of $73,935 and when 4WD is opted for, you can expect a hefty MSRP of $77,085. Notably, a $1,395 destination fee, and a $645 acquisition fee is applicable to your purchase of an Expedition.

There are five trims for sale in the 2020 Ford Expedition range starting with the fleet-exclusive XL, XLT and the Limited, and ending with the King Ranch and the Platinum trim levels. All models feature the same 3.5-liter V6 engine and can be had in either FWD or AWD. The Platinum trim's motor has been tweaked to produce higher outputs, however.

For those wanting to use the Ford Expedition as part of their business lineup, the XL is solely available for fleet purchases. It features the most basic elements of the Expedition range, but includes 18-inch wheels, cruise control, cloth seating surfaces, and the Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suite as standard.

The XLT comes standard equipped with halogen headlights, heated mirrors, and a tow hitch. Cloth upholstery is standard along with an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a leather-clad steering wheel. Push-button start and cruise control are on the list next to an eight-inch touch screen with SiriusXM functionality, which also enables Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Audio is channeled through a six-speaker sound system, and two USB ports allow for connectivity and charging. Notable safety features include lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian monitoring,rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning as well as automatic high beams.

A noticeable jump in features can be seen on the Limited trim with the addition of rain-sensing windshield wipers, power-deployable running boards, and remote start. The inside sees an upgrade with tri-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel and push-button start, while newly added ambient lighting sets the tone. A voice-activated touchscreen with navigation also comes standard with this trim alongside an upgraded 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and wireless charging.

The King Ranch comes equipped with even more features including LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof and bigger, 22-inch wheels. It is also the only trim to come with Ebony Del Rio upholstery, and it adds adaptive cruise control. There's also a 360-degree camera with split-view.

The top of the range Platinum Edition adds more power thanks to some extra fiddles from Ford and adds multi-contour seats with Active Motion, extra noise control and adds all-season tires.

Ford makes an extensive list of packages available for the Expedition range. Starting with the Black Accent package exclusively available for the XLT that adds black wheels and black exterior styling for an additional $1,895. Equipment Group 201A costs $1,485 and adds ActiveX leatherette to the first and second-row seats, as well as giving ten-way power adjustability to the front two. A panoramic sunroof can also be added to the Limited for $2,555. Equipment Group 300A adds darker 20-inch wheels, power-deployable running boards, leather upholstery for the first and second row as well as a premium 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Notably, an FX4 Off-Road Package is available on the XLT for an additional $1,650 and adds some extra capability in the ways of off-road shocks for the front and the rear, and a two-speed automatic 4WD as well as strengthened wheels and a heavy-duty radiator. On higher trims, pay an additional $2,035, and you'll get the lifted Off-Road Package with a 360-degree camera to do the same. A Heavy Duty Trailer Tow package comes for an additional $1,570 and adds a heavy-duty radiator, trailer back-up assist and a limited-slip differential, allowing you to tow 2,700 lbs more than the standard 6,500/6,600-lb capacity.

The King Ranch adds all of the features you need, without hiking the price up as substantially as the Platinum. It adds LED lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and power-adjustable running boards. While it's still pricey, the inclusion of features like tri-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel and ambient lighting along with voice control and the premium 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, and it starts to make sense. The King Ranch also offers something special that no other trim has, which is the Del Rio leather upholstery in a luxurious shade. This is easily the best value-for-money trim in the lineup and boasts some extra exterior styling to boot. Throw in the heavy-duty towing equipment if you need to haul large loads, and you're all set.

The competition in the American SUV market is tough, so luckily for the consumer, manufacturers are always kept on their toes and there's a constant battle between who can offer more for less. One such battle is evident between the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. Classic rivals, the Ford offers more power from a smaller engine thanks to its turbochargers, and offers better fuel economy. The Ford Expedition towing capacity rating is also superior. It's more spacious than the Tahoe with genuinely usable third-row seats at the expense of additional legroom for the front rows, but at higher levels, comes with a bigger price tag. In terms of general hauling abilities, the Expedition takes the cake yet again, and also walks away with a better interior, at least on upper trims. The Ford beats the Chevy with a five-star rating from the NHTSA in comparison to the Tahoe's four stars. The Expedition outshines a lot of rivals, but it especially outshines the Tahoe, if only by a small margin.

Ah, another shootout between America's favorites: Ford versus Toyota. The Sequoia offers a competitive interior and actually produces slightly more power than the Ford, but the slightly increased power doesn't warrant the massive downfall in fuel economy, and the Sequoia's EPA estimates of 13/17/15 mpg are mercilessly beaten out by the Ford's 17/23/19 mpg figures. The Toyota also offers slightly more space in terms of interior seating in general, and has the Ford by the neck with its larger cargo capacity. We'd like to comment on safety, but the Sequoia has not yet been rated by the NHTSA, so we'll have to compare the abundance of safety features found on both, and so far so good. Both offer extensive standard safety features, but we think the Expedition is going to take the cake again here. The fact that it's more affordable than the Toyota is just a bonus, while the modern drive makes the Sequoia feel its age.