If you must have a large SUV, Ford makes a strong argument why it should be an Expedition
By Thom Blackett
|
August 29, 2006
Ford Expedition – Introduction
Ford Expedition – Photo Gallery: Typically, market segment growth is what spurs investors to capitalize on growing business sectors, yet when it comes to full-size SUVs, the pool of buyers is actually shrinking. Still, large suvs are huge profit centers and Ford comes out swinging with a redesigned 2007 Expedition sporting a fresh new look inside and out, a powerful engine that delivers best-in-class towing, a fold-away third-row seat, and a base price up to $4,000 lower than the competition. Plus, it’s now backed by a respectable five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. If not for high gas prices, now might be the best time ever to be a Ford Expedition buyer.
Ford Expedition – Model Mix
If there’s one thing the 2007 Ford Expedition does for the consumer, it provides choices. Choosing an Expedition requires answering a number of questions – XLT, Eddie Bauer, or Limited? Rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive? Regular length or the EL (extended length) version? And that’s not even taking into consideration the myriad list of options.
Ford Expedition – XLT Trim
Positioned as the entry-level model, the 2007 Ford Expedition XLT 4x2 is priced at $29,995 including an $820 destination charge. Adding four-wheel drive brings the base sticker to $32,895, with rear- and four-wheel-drive versions of the EL XLT starting at $34,445 and $37,345, respectively. The Expedition XLT features the usual array of power equipment, fog lights, an MP3 player, a height-adjustable driver’s seat with manual lumbar, up to three rows of cloth-upholstered seats, rear audio and air conditioning controls, 17-inch alloy wheels, side-curtain airbags, and front side-impact airbags.
Ford Expedition – Eddie Bauer Trim
Next in the Expedition pecking order is the Eddie Bauer model, with prices ranging from $36,395 for a regular rear-wheel-driver to $41,945 for an off-roading EL 4x4. With the higher sticker prices come desirable items like signaling, heated mirrors with memory; a keyless entry keypad on the driver’s door; dual-zone climate control; a 340-watt Audiophile sound system with a subwoofer, six-disc CD changer, and steering wheel controls; leather seats (vinyl third-row) with power front buckets and a power folding third-row split bench; Pueblo Gold exterior trim; and a trip computer.
Ford Expedition – Limited Trim
Buyers wanting all the 2007 Ford Expedition has to offer will want to opt for the Limited, priced between $37,845 and $43,395 including the $820 destination charge. This model is delivered well equipped with 18-inch alloys, color-keyed running boards and mirrors, heated and cooled front seats, mahogany wood interior trim, smoked headlights, as well as an exhaust tip and roof rails dipped in chrome.
Ford Expedition – Powertrain
At the heart of each and every 2007 Ford Expedition is a 24-valve, 5.4-liter V8 pushing 300 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 365 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,750 rpm. An all-new six-speed automatic transmission delivers engine output to the rear wheels, or when equipped with Control Trac’s automatic locking hubs and two-speed transfer case, to all four wheels. Regardless of which drivetrain is selected, Expedition buyers are taking home a hefty rig weighing between 5,578 and 6,155 pounds, but which can tow 9,200 pounds.
Ford Expedition – Suspension
Under the Expedition’s reworked skin is an independent suspension system, featuring double wishbones up front and a multi-link setup in the rear with standard stabilizer bars at each end. By moving away from a solid rear axle, such as that used by the Chevrolet Tahoe and its siblings, and by routing the axle shafts through the frame rails, the new Expedition provides a flat load floor without the seats having to be removed like in the GM SUVs.
Ford Expedition – Wheels and Tires
Three standard tires come on the various 2007 Ford Expedition models: 265/70R17 all-season, 265/70R17 all-terrain, and 255/70R18 all-season. Optional wheel and tire packages include 265/70R17 all-terrains, 18-inch alloys with 255/70 all-seasons, and 20-inch chrome alloys with 275/55 all-seasons. Whatever set of rims and rubber finds its way to your Expedition, it’ll be directed by a variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering assembly.
Ford Expedition – Expedition EL
New for 2007 is the Expedition EL, a stretched version of the regular model. As such it not only adds weight but also 12 inches to the wheelbase, about 15 inches to the overall length and 21 inches to the maximum cargo capacity. In exchange for the extra room, the EL suffers from a turning circle that has grown by about three feet, a 9,000-lb. maximum tow rating that’s 200 pounds less than regular Expedition, and though EPA mileage estimates haven’t been released, the EL can expect a hit in the fuel economy department, too.
Ford Expedition – Exterior Design
Thanks to the large blue oval on the grille and the updated but characteristic profile, the public should quickly recognize the 2007 Ford Expedition. The front end features the new corporate chrome grille with vertical slats, a raised hood that hints at the 300 horses housed underneath, and restyled headlights that are tinted on Limited models, giving that model a sportier look. The flanks are accented by subtle wheel flares and optional 20-inch chrome alloy wheels for Eddie Bauer and Limited versions.
Ford Expedition – Interior Design
A more aggressive approach has been taken with the interior design, which trades the stale shapes of Fords past to make room for an all-new F-150 inspired setup. From the reshaped four-spoke steering wheel and the new dash with its pronounced vertical instrument panel to the center console that houses the relocated shift lever, designers have unleashed an Expedition with a fresh, upscale cabin, especially when fitted with the Limited’s mahogany wood trim.
Ford Expedition – Comfort
The 2007 Ford Expedition’s front- and second-row seats provide generous amounts of room, and the center of the second-row bench slides forward – handy when a child seat is in place. The second-row seats tumble forward for improved access to the third row (if equipped), though they are not removable. Once seated in the rearmost row, passengers are afforded ample room, hard but wide side sills on which to rest their arms, outboard headrests, and three cupholders. Front and second row outboard passengers get the same hard window sills, though the armrests are padded.
Ford Expedition – Acceleration
There’s something empowering about driving a full-size SUV, especially one with a massive front end and a proudly-displayed, oversized domestic badge planted smack in the middle of the grille. Such is the feeling one gets when behind the wheel of the 2007 Ford Expedition. Crank the key, drop the six-speed automatic tranny into Drive, and you’ll appreciate how well 300 horses and 365 lb.-ft. of torque puts this 5,600-6,200-lb. into motion. The 5.4-liter V8 packs power aplenty for those times when you throw the hammer down, with the six-speed transmission providing smooth transitions.
Ford Expedition – Handling
The 2007 Ford Expedition’s brakes are effective and well-modulated despite the mass they’re charged with slowing, and while the steering is short of sports car responsive there’s decent road feel, masking the fact that this rig is not built for speed in any direction but straight ahead. On twisty roads, the steering gives you a sense of security, until you carry to much speed into a turn, whereupon the body roll and slight scrub from the optional 20-inch Pirelli Scorpion tires whisper: "This is a full-size SUV, idiot. Slow down."
Ford Expedition – Towing
As expected, you can feel the difference with 5,000 pounds being tugged down the road, as the driver is required to dig deeper into the Expedition’s throttle and the transmission takes more time before upshifting. We drove only a short distance, but that was time enough to appreciate the load-leveling rear suspension that keeps things level and steady, though slight winds had our trailer shifting a bit, which in turn got the Expedition EL’s tail bobbing a bit. Mileage with the trailer registered about 9 mpg, down from the 15 mpg average we calculated for the main drive.
If there’s one thing the 2007 Ford Expedition does for the consumer, it provides choices. Choosing an Expedition requires answering a number of questions – XLT, Eddie Bauer, or Limited? Rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive? Regular length or the EL (extended length) version? And that’s not even taking into consideration the myriad list of options.
Ford Expedition – XLT Trim
Positioned as the entry-level model, the 2007 Ford Expedition XLT 4x2 is priced at $29,995 including an $820 destination charge. Adding four-wheel drive brings the base sticker to $32,895, with rear- and four-wheel-drive versions of the EL XLT starting at $34,445 and $37,345, respectively. The Expedition XLT features the usual array of power equipment, fog lights, an MP3 player, a height-adjustable driver’s seat with manual lumbar, up to three rows of cloth-upholstered seats, rear audio and air conditioning controls, 17-inch alloy wheels, side-curtain airbags, and front side-impact airbags.
Ford Expedition – Eddie Bauer Trim
Next in the Expedition pecking order is the Eddie Bauer model, with prices ranging from $36,395 for a regular rear-wheel-driver to $41,945 for an off-roading EL 4x4. With the higher sticker prices come desirable items like signaling, heated mirrors with memory; a keyless entry keypad on the driver’s door; dual-zone climate control; a 340-watt Audiophile sound system with a subwoofer, six-disc CD changer, and steering wheel controls; leather seats (vinyl third-row) with power front buckets and a power folding third-row split bench; Pueblo Gold exterior trim; and a trip computer.
Ford Expedition – Limited Trim
Buyers wanting all the 2007 Ford Expedition has to offer will want to opt for the Limited, priced between $37,845 and $43,395 including the $820 destination charge. This model is delivered well equipped with 18-inch alloys, color-keyed running boards and mirrors, heated and cooled front seats, mahogany wood interior trim, smoked headlights, as well as an exhaust tip and roof rails dipped in chrome.
Ford Expedition – Powertrain
At the heart of each and every 2007 Ford Expedition is a 24-valve, 5.4-liter V8 pushing 300 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 365 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,750 rpm. An all-new six-speed automatic transmission delivers engine output to the rear wheels, or when equipped with Control Trac’s automatic locking hubs and two-speed transfer case, to all four wheels. Regardless of which drivetrain is selected, Expedition buyers are taking home a hefty rig weighing between 5,578 and 6,155 pounds, but which can tow 9,200 pounds.
Ford Expedition – Suspension
Under the Expedition’s reworked skin is an independent suspension system, featuring double wishbones up front and a multi-link setup in the rear with standard stabilizer bars at each end. By moving away from a solid rear axle, such as that used by the Chevrolet Tahoe and its siblings, and by routing the axle shafts through the frame rails, the new Expedition provides a flat load floor without the seats having to be removed like in the GM SUVs.
Ford Expedition – Wheels and Tires
Three standard tires come on the various 2007 Ford Expedition models: 265/70R17 all-season, 265/70R17 all-terrain, and 255/70R18 all-season. Optional wheel and tire packages include 265/70R17 all-terrains, 18-inch alloys with 255/70 all-seasons, and 20-inch chrome alloys with 275/55 all-seasons. Whatever set of rims and rubber finds its way to your Expedition, it’ll be directed by a variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering assembly.
Ford Expedition – Expedition EL
New for 2007 is the Expedition EL, a stretched version of the regular model. As such it not only adds weight but also 12 inches to the wheelbase, about 15 inches to the overall length and 21 inches to the maximum cargo capacity. In exchange for the extra room, the EL suffers from a turning circle that has grown by about three feet, a 9,000-lb. maximum tow rating that’s 200 pounds less than regular Expedition, and though EPA mileage estimates haven’t been released, the EL can expect a hit in the fuel economy department, too.
Ford Expedition – Exterior Design
Thanks to the large blue oval on the grille and the updated but characteristic profile, the public should quickly recognize the 2007 Ford Expedition. The front end features the new corporate chrome grille with vertical slats, a raised hood that hints at the 300 horses housed underneath, and restyled headlights that are tinted on Limited models, giving that model a sportier look. The flanks are accented by subtle wheel flares and optional 20-inch chrome alloy wheels for Eddie Bauer and Limited versions.
Ford Expedition – Interior Design
A more aggressive approach has been taken with the interior design, which trades the stale shapes of Fords past to make room for an all-new F-150 inspired setup. From the reshaped four-spoke steering wheel and the new dash with its pronounced vertical instrument panel to the center console that houses the relocated shift lever, designers have unleashed an Expedition with a fresh, upscale cabin, especially when fitted with the Limited’s mahogany wood trim.
Ford Expedition – Comfort
The 2007 Ford Expedition’s front- and second-row seats provide generous amounts of room, and the center of the second-row bench slides forward – handy when a child seat is in place. The second-row seats tumble forward for improved access to the third row (if equipped), though they are not removable. Once seated in the rearmost row, passengers are afforded ample room, hard but wide side sills on which to rest their arms, outboard headrests, and three cupholders. Front and second row outboard passengers get the same hard window sills, though the armrests are padded.
Ford Expedition – Acceleration
There’s something empowering about driving a full-size SUV, especially one with a massive front end and a proudly-displayed, oversized domestic badge planted smack in the middle of the grille. Such is the feeling one gets when behind the wheel of the 2007 Ford Expedition. Crank the key, drop the six-speed automatic tranny into Drive, and you’ll appreciate how well 300 horses and 365 lb.-ft. of torque puts this 5,600-6,200-lb. into motion. The 5.4-liter V8 packs power aplenty for those times when you throw the hammer down, with the six-speed transmission providing smooth transitions.
Ford Expedition – Handling
The 2007 Ford Expedition’s brakes are effective and well-modulated despite the mass they’re charged with slowing, and while the steering is short of sports car responsive there’s decent road feel, masking the fact that this rig is not built for speed in any direction but straight ahead. On twisty roads, the steering gives you a sense of security, until you carry to much speed into a turn, whereupon the body roll and slight scrub from the optional 20-inch Pirelli Scorpion tires whisper: "This is a full-size SUV, idiot. Slow down."
Ford Expedition – Towing
As expected, you can feel the difference with 5,000 pounds being tugged down the road, as the driver is required to dig deeper into the Expedition’s throttle and the transmission takes more time before upshifting. We drove only a short distance, but that was time enough to appreciate the load-leveling rear suspension that keeps things level and steady, though slight winds had our trailer shifting a bit, which in turn got the Expedition EL’s tail bobbing a bit. Mileage with the trailer registered about 9 mpg, down from the 15 mpg average we calculated for the main drive.
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company