2023 Ford Expedition

Full-size SUVs are very popular in the US, and big haulers like the Ford Expedition and its competitors are among those leading the pack. Rivals include the GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe, and like the Expedition, these truck-based SUVs are big inside, ride high off the ground, and can seat three rows of passengers. With space for actual adults in the third row, the Expedition is no 5+2 crossover; it's a full-size people mover - a minivan on stilts that you can take off the road onto that dirt track without it batting an eye. Its sheer height makes it trickier to get into, but that's par for the course in this class. And for even more interior volume, you can upsize them all to their respective extra-long versions - we review the Ford Expedition's extended-wheelbase model separately, however.

A twin-turbo V6 gas engine is at the heart of the Expedition, but in various states of tune - outputs range from 380 to 440 horsepower, and both 2WD and 4WD are available. Despite a vast range of trims and benefiting from a raft of 2022 updates, the latest Expedition doesn't have it easy: with tough competition from the GM twins and the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer, it needs to pull out all the stops to win buyers over.

The range begins with the XL STX at an MSRP of around $55,000. The XLT trim has a starting price closer to $60,000, and then we see a significant increase in pricing to the Limited, which closes in on $70k. The new Timberline with standard 4x4 will cost you a little over $70k. The King Ranch represents another big increase, with an MSRP of just over $78,000, while the top-tier Platinum places in the mid-$80k mark. The XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum can be had as extended-length Max models for $2,000 more. These prices exclude Ford's $1,795 destination charge.

There are many ways to inflate the price of the Ford Expedition. For example, upgrading from 4x2 to 4x4 costs $3,050. There are also several packages and customization options available which we cover in a lower section of this review.

The Expedition is a hulking body-on-frame SUV that measures 210 inches, stem to stern, with a curb weight north of 5,500 pounds for the 4WD versions. To keep it right side up, Ford has given it a slow steering ratio so as not to upset the giant's equilibrium with sudden direction changes. This makes the Expedition a bit ponderous to drive and requires lots of wheel-twirling when making U-turns or parking, exacerbated by the sheer size of the thing. Threading the near-80-inch-wide SUV through narrow spaces is not for the faint of heart. Still, it covers ground more like a large crossover than a truck, thanks to that independent rear suspension, and bumps are swallowed up with ease. If you thought the steady ride is matched by sedate straight-line pace, you'd be wrong. The torquey 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 makes at least 380 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, with higher outputs as you move up the ranks - 400 hp/480 lb-ft or 440 hp/510 lb-ft, depending on trim. The latter gives the behemoth an indecent turn of speed, launching it to 60 mph in little over five seconds, the ten-speed auto quickly shuffling through the ratios. More important to SUV owners is the impressive maximum towing capacity of 9,300 pounds when fitted with the heavy-duty trailering package.

The Ford Expedition has a lot of things going for it and after its 2022 refresh, it's more competitive than ever. Performance is well ahead of the class and the naturally aspirated V8s in the GM SUVs cannot stay with the EcoBoost V6 Expedition in a straight line. The Expedition's infotainment screen is bigger, and its standard safety features are also more numerous, with blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control standard on most trims above XLT. It also boasts an impressive towing capacity. But it's not all moonshine and roses, and while it is easy enough to drive, the on-road handling of the Yukon and Tahoe are sharper, making them more fun to pilot - quite an important consideration in such a big car. They also offer an available diesel engine, which the Expedition does not, so there is no truly economical Expedition available - despite the on-paper promise, its turbocharged V6 downs gas like a V8 when the power output is called upon. The Expedition is still right up there, but is starting to feel its age next to newer rivals.

With the King Ranch and Platinum both retailing above $75,000, the mid-spec Limited was our choice last year. This year, for under $4,000 more, you can get behind the wheel of the capable Timberline. It has the more powerful version of the V6, standard 4x4, and other extras that make it surprisingly capable off-road, yet it remains comfortable on the road. It also looks more special inside and out. However, buyers wanting a more luxurious experience will prefer the Limited or King Ranch models which can also be had with 4x2, saving you some money at the pumps. There isn't a bad model in the Expedition range; it comes down to choosing the one that best fits your family's needs and your budget.