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- Highs Spacious cabin, turbo V-6 makes plenty of power, stout towing capacity.
- Lows Plasticky interior trimmings, feels exactly as large as it is from behind the wheel, expensive upper trims.
- Verdict Few large SUVs are as spacious, comfortable, and capable as the Expedition, but its price of entry has us expecting more luxury than it delivers.
Overview
With room for up to eight passengers plus their cargo and a stout towing capacity, the 2021 Ford Expedition is a workhorse for active families. It's available in both standard-length and long-wheelbase Expedition Max body styles and is powered by a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but buyers who need four-wheel action can have it on any trim level for a price. No Expedition offers an exciting driving experience, but at least the ride is smooth. Given all its interior space, the Expedition is reasonably comfortable, but it fails to deliver a luxury experience that many buyers would expect from an SUV with such a high starting price; it's more posh cousin, the Lincoln Navigator, may be worth a look for those who appreciate the finer things.
What's New for 2021?
Ford's Co-Pilot360 Assist—a bundle of advanced driver-assistance features—is now available as an option on the XLT model for 2021. And the Expedition receives new wheel designs on all of its trims. The lineup also introduces a two-row-only XL STX base model that starts at $51,690. Based on spy photos, we expect the 2022 Expedition to undergo a mid-cycle refresh that brings a giant, vertical touchscreen infotainment system (likely a 15.5-inch display inherited from the Ford Mustang Mach-E EV) as well as a more rugged trim level, possibly called Timberline.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We'd exercise restraint when shopping for an Expedition, as the more you spend, the more the Expedition disappoints. The XLT model with the 202A package offers luxuries such as a motion-activated liftgate, remote start, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. We would make one suggestion in the name of vanity: Swap the standard 18-inch wheels for a set of the attractive (and proportionally appropriate) 20-inch rollers to keep the Expedition XLT from looking too bargain-basement.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Motivating the Expedition is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 and responsive 10-speed automatic transmission that pair with rear- or all-wheel drive. The XLT and Limited models have a 375-hp version of the V-6, but on the top-tier Platinum, it'll make 400 horsepower. While we haven't tested the base engine, it won't be any quicker than the 400-hp version we sampled on the short- and long-wheelbase models. All Expeditions employ an independent rear suspension that provides better ride and handling than the live-axle setups on Chevrolet and GMC alternatives. While passengers are comforted by its soft ride, the driver is penalized by ungainly handling and imprecise steering feel. Those who can afford the top-of-the-line Expedition owe it to themselves to check out luxury-branded rivals such as the BMW X7 or the Mercedes-Benz GLS-class. The Expedition can tow up to 9300 pounds, while the longer Expedition Max's rating is capped at 9000 pounds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
This class of hefty haulers certainly doesn't help preserve fossil fuels. Ford claims its EcoBoost engine (a twin-turbocharged V-6) is more efficient than a V-8, but the Expedition doesn't deliver on that promise. The rear-driver is rated by the EPA at 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway; the all-wheel-drive version drops to 22 mpg highway. Both the regular-length Expedition and the longer Expedition Max delivered 20 mpg on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy route. While the 420-hp Yukon Denali fell short of its EPA estimate, too, it matched the Ford's real-world results.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Expedition's interior has a square dashboard sporting large air vents and materials that improve with the trim level. Every Expedition boasts 15 cupholders and, apart from the base two-row-only XL STX model, a power-folding third-row seat. Our Platinum test vehicle featured niceties not available on lesser trims, including the multicontour front seats with a massage function, leather door-trim accents, real wood on the center console, and a steering wheel wrapped in premium leather. While it is otherwise splendid inside, the cabin's cheap-looking plastics are flagrant fouls and unacceptable for a vehicle that costs this much. Both models have spacious interiors and—unlike most rivals—its third row won't torture adults. A three-seat bench is standard for the second row, but you can spec a pair of captain's chairs if you want. The Max offers unbeatable interior cubby storage. Every model has a power-folding third row that can be controlled from the cargo area or back seats. Both second and third rows fold completely flat for a level floor, making it easier to load things.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Expedition is an infotainment sanctuary, with numerous connectivity options and lots of available features. An 8.0-inch Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and a 4G LTE mobile hotspot comes standard. Navigation plus real-time traffic and weather data costs extra. A rear-seat entertainment system is available but only on the Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum trims.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
The 2021 Expedition earned a five-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but it hasn't been evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It has all the latest driver-assistance tech, including standard automated emergency braking. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Available lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Ford provides a solid warranty on the Expedition, beating even Mercedes-Benz in the powertrain department. However, no complimentary scheduled maintenance is offered.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
