The mark of a good fast car is that it is capable of effortlessly moving much faster than a driver realizes. With a good full-size SUV, a driver often doesn't feel as if he is piloting a large truck.
The Ford Expedition SUV I tested often felt much like a large luxury car. No wonder -- its assets include a quiet upscale interior, lots of comfort and convenience features, a smooth ride and plenty of punch from a 300-horsepower V-8 with lots of torque.
The rock-solid Expedition is Ford's largest SUV, weighing up to 5,607 pounds. It was substantially redesigned for 2003, when it got features including an independent rear suspension for a smoother ride and better handling. Few changes exist for 2006 because a revamped 2007 Expedition, which will be offered as a longer version, arrives this fall.
The current, handsome Expedition received more muscle for 2005 with a 300-horsepower V-8 from Ford's F-Series pickup truck, which allows strong acceleration. However, the V-8 only delivers an estimated 14 mpg in the city and 17 on highways with the standard, responsive four-speed automatic transmission. (The 2007 Expedition gets a more fuel-efficient six-speed automatic, but don't expect miracle mileage.)
Many people dislike big sport-utility vehicles, but some folks need a big, roomy, powerful SUV with lots of towing ability to haul boats or trailers. The Expedition holds seven to nine adults, depending on the model, and can tow up to 8,900 pounds. The third-seat area is especially roomy, which isn't the case with many SUVs.
The windshield is huge, and occupants sit high for a commanding view of surroundings. But extra effort is needed to get in and out and the available, rather narrow running boards aren't much help to those with large shoe sizes.
While generally as easy to handle as a big car, the sheer size of this 205.8-inch-long SUV can make it difficult to park, garage, back up or maneuver in tight spots. And a driver must keep in mind the Expedition's sheer size in urban traffic.
One recommended option is the $255 rear-obstacle-detection system because it's impossible to see what's directly behind the 77-inch-high truck below its rear window area, although large side mirrors allow decent rear visibility when, say, changing lanes.
That system and other options aren't offered for the base XLS because Ford says that model is mainly ordered by fleets, which avoid extras to keep costs down.
Trim levels also include the XLT, XLT Sport, Eddie Bauer, Limited and King Ranch. All come with rear-drive or a sophisticated four-wheel-drive system that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. That gearing and substantial ground clearance allow this SUV to be more than normally adept during off-road driving.
List prices range from $32,660 for the rear-drive XLS to $42,540 for the four-wheel-drive King Ranch version, which I tested.
Even the XLS has standard front air conditioning, cruise control, power driver seat, second- and third-row split/folding seats, AM/FM/cassette/CD/MP3 player and power mirrors, windows, door locks and remote keyless entry.
The XLT adds rear air conditioning and heater, along with running boards. The XLT Sport adds tubular side steps, and the Eddie Bauer adds leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, front captain's chairs, power adjustable pedals, upgraded sound system and heated power mirrors with turn signals.
The Limited adds heated/cooled front bucket seats, eight-way power front seats and chrome alloy wheels. The King Ranch's upgraded Castano leather upholstery eliminates the heated-cooled front seats, but it has power-folding heated outside mirrors with turn signal indicators -- and a power-folding third-row seat and King Ranch logos.
King Ranch is the name of a Texas ranch that dates to the 1800s and is one of the world's largest. I was there once and it seemingly took forever to ride from the ranch's entrance to a large structure nowhere near the boundaries of the place, where an auto preview was held.
A four-wheel-drive Expedition would be at home on that ranch with its wide-open spaces, but this SUV is pretty easy to drive in congested urban areas.
Steering is precise, and handling is comforting for a big, high SUV. It runs straight and stable on highways, and dicey situations can be helped by Ford's $595 AdvanceTrac anti-skid system with Roll Stability Control, which is from Ford-owned Volvo and utilizes rollover sensors.
The double-five-star NHTSA-crash-rated SUV also offers $595 head-protecting curtain side air bags with a rollover sensor.
The brake pedal has a nice progressive action. All models have anti-lock brakes and large 17-inch wheels and big 70-series tires. Most four-wheel-drive models have all-terrain rubber.
The $1,500 rear-seat DVD entertainment system is among many options and will be considered a "must" by many families with children. However, the power-folding split third-row seat, which costs $495 if you don't get the King Ranch, takes too long to fold forward to enlarge the cargo area, which isn't roomy with the third-row seatbacks in their upright position. Second-row seatbacks also fold forward for even more cargo space.
The large rear hatch has a separate opening upper glass window. Although heavy, it's easy to open or close.
Gauges are OK, but should have larger numbers for an easier read. Climate and sound-system controls are rather small, but easy to use. The glove compartment has hardly any room for anything but the owner's manual. But the front console has a giant covered storage bin, and doors have storage pockets. Cupholders are conveniently located throughout the interior.
The Expedition does everything a big SUV should do -- and more.
2006 FORD EXPEDITION
PRICES: $32,660-$45,240
LIKES: Roomy. Smooth. Powerful. Nice ride and handing. Available four-wheel drive.
DISLIKES: Fuel thirsty. High step-in. Slow power-fold rear seats. |