Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition is a fullsize SUV built by the Ford Motor Company. Introduced in 1997 and redesigned for 2003 and again for 2007, it slots between the smaller Ford Explorer, and the now discontinued Ford Excursion. The Expedition offers up to nine passenger seating and a range of V8 engines. It is similar to the Lincoln Navigator, especially for 2004 with the introduction of the Limited trim line, only to be suceeded in 2007 by the King Ranch trim line. One million Expeditions have sold since 2004, reflecting high consumer demand for its family-friendly interior, cargo space, and high towing capacity. A specially modified Special Service Vehicle version is also available from Ford for law enforcement. All Expeditions were built in Wayne, Michigan from 1997 to 2009, when it moved production to its Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky. This SUV (especially the larger EL model for 2007) is once again Ford's top-of-the-line SUV.

See Wikicars' comprehensive Ford Expedition Review.

Recent Changes
The Expedition has been completely redesigned for the 2007 model year. The new model resembles the trucks from its F-Series, with a three-bar grille, large headlights, and domed hood. The biggest difference, however, may be in its dimensions. The 2007-present Expedition offers a choice between the stock model and an EL, or Extended Length, version, which lengthens the wheelbase by 12" and increases cargo capacity by 24 cubic feet.

Features and upgrades
For the 2009 model year, both the Expedition and Expedition EL added new features. Among them the Ford Sync entertainment system and Sirius Travel Link. Both are standard on Eddie Bauer, Limited and King Ranch and optional on XLT. In addition, Flexible Fuel capability became standard on all trims, allowing the vehicles to take gasoline, E85 (85% Ethanol/15% gasoline), or any combination of the two, along with a capless fuel filler tank, a post-crash alert system and a perimeter alarm.

Starting with the 2010 model year, Ford's MyKey and trailer sway control became standard on all trims. Also, the optional packages were renamed to Rapid Specificated Order Codes and upgraded with additional features (100s for XLT, 200s for Eddie Bauer, 300s for Limited, 400s for King Ranch) for the newer models.

For the 2011 model year HD radio is now standard on all trims, along with a dual DVD system that is now placed at the headrests of the two front seats. In addition, silver cladding have bee added as a exterior trim. The level trims have been modified, with the newly-designated XL serving as the standard base level and the XLT now upgraded to second level, replacing the discontinued Eddie Bauer level. Both Limited and King Ranch levels trims remain unchanged.

Styles and Major Options
The 2011 Expedition is available in two body styles and four trims. Buyers may choose from the base length model or an EL (Extended Length) version, and both body styles are offered in XL, XLT (replacing Eddie Bauer), Limited, and King Ranch trims. In addition, all models are powered by a now upgraded 5.4L 310hp V8 engine, and both rear wheel drive and four wheel drive are available on all models. The EL naturally offers standard 8-person seating and more cargo room. Some of the standout features available by trim include:

XL


 * 17" silver alloy wheels
 * 8-way (6-way power) driver's seat
 * Cloth seating
 * Manual air conditioning
 * 6-speaker AM/FM/MP3/CD audio system
 * Cruise control
 * Power windows, locks, and mirrors

XLT

Adds to or replaces XL features with:
 * 6-way power driver/passenger seats with driver seat memory
 * Leather seating
 * Simulated wood dashboard insert and shift knob
 * Automatic A/C with separate rear controls
 * Full overhead console with storage
 * 7-speaker Audiophile AM/FM/MP3/in-dash 6disc cd changer audio system
 * Trip computer
 * Leather steering wheel

Limited

Adds to or replaces XLT features with:
 * 18" alloy wheels
 * 8-way power heated front seats w/driver seat memory
 * Leather/genuine wood steering wheel
 * Body-colored bodyside cladding, fender flares, and grille moldings

King Ranch

Adds to or replaces XLT features with:
 * 18" machine aluminum wheels with the King Ranch Logo
 * King Ranch logo on front fender and tailgate
 * Rear view camera
 * Chaparral leather seating on all 3 rows of seating, steering wheel insert, center console, door panel inserts
 * 1st-row heated and cooled seats with 10-way power driver seat
 * Carpeted floor mats with King Ranch logo

Pricing
Today's actual prices for the Ford Expedition can be found at CarsDirect.

Gas Mileage
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Reliability

 * RECALL ALERT: On February 11, 2008, Ford announced a recall affecting 124,000 Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators built from 2007 to 2008 due to a spring system inside their door handles that could break. Ford is offering to replace the mechanism in all affected vehicles free of charge.


 * RECALL ALERT: On February 11, 2008, Ford announced another recall affecting 57,000 E-Series full-size vans and 2007 Expeditions and Navigators equipped with the 5.4L V8 due to a defective fuel rail crossover hose, which could crack and leak and potentially cause a fire.

Safety
The 2007 Expedition was not tested for side-impact, but results on the NHTSA website show that it received 5-Star ratings for all front-impact crash tests. Additionally, the Expedition earned a 3-Star rating for 2WD rollover and a 4-Star rating for 4WD.

Some of the standard safety features on the Expedition include:
 * Traction control
 * Front and rear anti-roll bars
 * Four wheel anti-lock brakes
 * Driver/passenger front- and side-impact airbags
 * Overhead safety canopy system
 * Occupancy sensors
 * Side impact bars

Colors
Colors will vary by trim, but a complete list is viewable at CarsDirect.com. Some of the available choices are: Exterior
 * Black Clearcoat
 * Dark Blue Pearl Clearcoat Metallic
 * Oxford White Clearcoat
 * Redfire Clearcoat Metallic
 * White Sand Tri-Coat Metallic
 * Vapor Silver Metallic

Interior
 * Camel
 * Camel/Gray stone
 * Charcoal Black/Camel
 * Stone

Main Competitors

 * Nissan Armada
 * Toyota Sequoia
 * Chevrolet Tahoe
 * GMC Yukon
 * Toyota Land Cruiser
 * Chevrolet Avalanche

Hybrid Models
There are no hybrid models of the expedition in production at this time. Ford does however, produce a hybrid version of the Escape, the Ford Escape Hybrid.

Resale Values
According to Kelley Bue Book, "over a five-year period, Kelley Blue Book expects the Expedition to retain only an average residual value rating, behind that of the Chevrolet Tahoe, Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Pathfinder, but on par with the Dodge Durango.

Criticisms

 * "We've never been big fans of the Expedition, finding it unwieldy and ponderous to drive." - Automobile
 * "Front seats offer a myriad of power adjustments, but I had trouble finding a comfortable setting." - New Car Test Drive
 * "...emergency handling maneuvers reveal the effects of Expedition's 4,900-pound or higher curb weight." - Edmunds.com
 * "...comfortable seating in the first two rows;... [but] the third row is cramped for all but smaller children." - New Car Test Drive
 * "If you really need the use of the third-row seat and need to load a lot of cargo, you may be better off with the longer Chevrolet Suburban or a used Ford Excursion." - Kelley Blue Book

Current Generation: (2007–present)


For 2007, the Expedition was redesigned by Pat Schiavone, utilizing the T1 platform originally launched with the F-150. The new platform provides 10% more torsional rigidity than the previous model, and includes the independent rear suspension. As in previous years, the Expedition is powered by the 5.4 L Triton V8 engine, rated at 300 hp and 365 lbf·ft (495 N·m) of torque, which when properly equipped can tow up to 9,100 lb (4,130 kg). In addition, a 4.6 L V8 gas-electric hybrid, rated the same for both power and torgue as the 5.4 L, and a 4.5 L V8 diesel engine, rated at 300+ hp and 450 lbf·ft, was available for the 2007 lineup.

The 2007 Expedition was unveiled at the Houston Auto Show rather than at Detroit, Los Angeles, or New York where most new models are, as 20% of all Expedition sales are in Texas. The first 2007 Expedition to roll off a Ford assembly line was donated by Ford to the Peter family of Jamaica, Queens as part of an episode of the ABC series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition that aired May 7, 2006.

For the 2008 model year, Power deployable/retractable running boards became available, along with a Rear View backup camera system. The camera, which is mounted under the Expedition’s center liftgate appliqué, utilizes the Gentex auto dimming rear view mirror’s picture-in-mirror technology to display what it sees.

For the 2009 models, additional features included the now standard FlexFuel capability, which can take gasoline, E85 (85% ethanol/15% gasoline), or any combination of the two, and the newly installed EasyFuel capless fuel-filler system. The 5.4L V8/FlexFuel feature also upgraded its torque power to 310hp and 365lb-ft. The 2009 models also boosted its maxium towing capacity to 9200 lbs. for its 4x2, and up to 9000 lbs for the 4x4.

The new entertainment features added to the 2009 models included Ford SYNC, a voice-activated, multi-entertainment system, a optional navigational system, and the newly compatible Sirius Travel Link. With the exception of the 2007-2009 XLT models that were built at the Wayne assembly plant only, the steering wheels also has tilt feature and radio controls, including Ford SYNC buttons, allowing the driver to press the button and use voice commands to activate the system. That feature would be added to the XLT trims that were built at the Louisville assembly from 2009 onward.

The 2010 models will continue to offer the same features that were added from the 2007 to 2009 model year. The only minor additions include Ford's new MyKey and Trailer Sway Control as standard on all trims and the renaming of optional packages to Rapid Specificated Order Codes, with upgrading numbers (100s for XLT, 200s for Eddie Bauer, 300s for Limited, 400s for King Ranch) for the newer models.

For 2011, HD radio and dual DVD headrests were added, along with a silver cladding for the exterior trims. Ford also made changes in the level trims, with the now designated XL trim as the base level and moving the XLT trim to second level, replacing the Eddie Bauer level trim. Both Limited and King Ranch trims remain unchanged.

From 1997 up to 2008, the Wayne, Michigan plant handled production of the Expedition. But in 2009, all current and future Ford Expedition models were moved to the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville along with its the Lincoln Navigator, as they join the Ford F-Series Super Duty production line. That plant used to build the Ford Excursion until 2005.

Expedition EL
An extended-wheelbase version of the Expedition, called the Expedition EL (for "extended length"), replaced the cancelled Excursion in 2007. At first it was supposed to be called the Everest but Ford changed their minds at the last minute. However, Ford now uses the Everest name for its SUVs in Asia.

It is expected to compete more effectively with the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL. The Expedition EL is about 15.8 in (40 cm) longer than the standard Expedition, for a total of approximately 222 in (18.5 feet or 563 cm), and has a 131 in (333 cm) wheelbase, producing 24 ft³ of additional cargo space over the standard 119 in (302 cm) wheelbase model. It was launched with the standard wheelbase 2007 Expedition in summer 2006. The Expedition EL can be distinguished by its longer rear-quarter windows; and the rear passenger doors do not cut into the aft wheel well trim.

Second generation (2003-2006)
For 2003 The Expedition was All-New from the ground up also new for 2003 was the Ford U platform for 8,300 lb (3,800 kg) towing and a more refined ride. Popular new features included power folding third-row seats and turn-signal mirror lights.

The base 4.6 L V8 engine was dropped in 2005 as the 5.4 L V8 was updated with 24-valve technology.

AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ is optional for 2005.

The Expedition uses the code U1 in the 5th and 6th positions of the VIN.

Engines:
 * 4.6L V8, 232hp 2003-2005
 * 5.4L V8, 260hp 2003-2005
 * 5.4L 3-valve V8, 300hp 2005-2006

First Generation/Origins (1997-2002)
The Expedition was designed to compete with both the larger Chevrolet Suburban, and the smaller Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, as well as the Toyota Land Cruiser (despite being in a different class). It replaced the fullsize Ford Bronco. Seating capacity ranged up to nine passengers with the third-row rear seat option, and the Expedition could tow 8,000 lb (3,600 kg). The Expedition was refreshed in 1999 with more power and updated trim.

Engines:
 * 4.6 L V8, 215 hp 1997-1998
 * 4.6 L V8, 240 hp 1999-2004
 * 5.4 L V8, 230 hp 1997-1998
 * 5.4 L V8, 260 hp 1999-2002

Worldwide
The standard size Expedition are sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, The CMNI, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam, The Philippines, The Middle East, Central America, The Caribbean, South America (Except Argentina and Brazil), Cambodia, Mongolia and South Korea.

Outside North America, including the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam, the Expedition EL is also imported to and sold in The Middle East and the Philippines, where in the latter the EL version is the only type of Expedition that is imported and sold there. Ironically, The Philippines is also where Ford also sells the Everest SUV.

As with the US version, both the Expedition and Expedition EL comes in 4 trim lines: XL (as of the 2011 model year), XLT (Base trim 2007-10, second level 2011-present), Eddie Bauer (2007-2010 models), Limited, and the King Ranch series. All four versions of the standard Expedition are sold internationally. However, with the EL, this version and its trims is limited in Canada (Eddie Bauer, Limited and King Ranch versions only), Mexico (Limited version only), The Middle East (XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited versions only) and The Philippines (Eddie Bauer version only).