Ford Faqs

Ford has redesigned its largest SUV, the Expedition, for added refinement, style, comfort and safety. It remains unashamedly bold for buyers who require a voluminous and powerful truck that’s capable of serious towing, hauling and people moving. For the first time, an extended-length version, the Expedition EL, has been added and is set to compete with Chevrolet’s Suburban and GMC’s Yukon XL. As before, the Expedition shares platforms, powertrains and components with its upscale sibling, the Lincoln Navigator.

The new Expedition EL is 14.8 inches longer than the standard Expedition and rides on a wheelbase that’s a foot longer. It seats as many as eight passengers and has 24 cubic feet more cargo space behind the third-row seat than the conventional-length Expedition for a total of 130.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Exterior styling is freshened, though it remains familiar.

Evolutionary changes include a new dual-beam headlamp design, a bolder three-bar front grille that takes its cues from Ford’s F-Series pickup and a raised power-dome hood. The EL offers its own bodywork from the windshield rearward, and while it’s not that much different in appearance, it does have unique running boards, rear fascia, roof rack, rear-quarter glass and larger rear doors. Massive 20-inch six-spoke chrome rims are among the five available wheel designs.

The truck’s 5.4-liter V8 engine carries over from the previous generation and continues to channel 300 hp and 365 pound-feet of torque to the rear or all four wheels. Towing capacity is up slightly to a maximum of 9,100 pounds.

An updated six-speed automatic transmission is standard and a welcome improvement over the prior generation’s antiquated four-speed gearbox. We expect the transmission to improve both fuel economy and performance.

An all-new chassis, commandeered from the current F-Series pickup, is 10 percent stiffer than the prior version’s and promises a smoother and quieter ride. A revised suspension includes a new fully independent rear setup for the first time. Heavy-duty trucks traditionally have a solid rear axle, which can better handle serious towing, hauling and off-road duties but make for a rougher ride.

Ford’s AdvanceTrak stability control with a rollover detection system is now standard and a welcome feature on such a large and lumbering beast. Front-side and side-curtain airbags are now included across the line. The latter deploy when sensors detect an impending rollover, and they stay inflated for a few seconds in case the vehicle flips multiple times.

Both the standard and extended EL models are offered in XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited trims. A redesigned interior features revised seats, with heating and cooling functions available on the up front two. The driver’s seat can now move farther back to comfortably accommodate motorists up to 6 feet 4 inches tall.

The second-row seat moves fore and aft and the seatbacks are split 40/20/40 percent. They fold flat with the load floor for added cargo-carrying flexibility. A power-folding third-row seat and power rear liftgate are optional, the latter a new addition for 2007.

The Expedition comes decently equipped, even in base XLT form, and now includes an auxiliary jack to connect iPods and other portable audio devices to the stereo system. Noteworthy available features include power heated/cooled leather seats, power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals as well as a reverse-sensing radar system to help make parking this giant a bit easier.