2020 Ford Expedition Review

　　

2020 Ford Expedition Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　When the Ford Expedition was redesigned for 2018, it represented a significant leap forward in capability, sophistication and flexibility for a large SUV. In short, it left the competition in the dust. Two years later, and with no major improvements from any of its rivals, the Expedition still has the run of the full-size class.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Ford Expedition XL Fleet 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$189/mo  for Expedition XL Fleet

　　Expedition XL Fleet

　　XL Fleet 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $48,990 MSRPXL Fleet 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $51,990 MSRPXLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $52,810 MSRPXLT 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $55,820 MSRPMAX XL Fleet 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $53,025 MSRPMAX XL Fleet 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $56,035 MSRPMAX XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $55,835 MSRPMAX XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $58,845 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $63,345 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $66,470 MSRPMAX Limited 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $66,375 MSRPMAX Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $69,495 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $72,895 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $76,025 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $73,935 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $77,085 MSRPMAX King Ranch 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $75,590 MSRPMAX King Ranch 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $78,715 MSRPMAX Platinum 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $76,965 MSRPMAX Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $80,110 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　The Expedition comes in the standard wheelbase and the Max version, which is over 9 inches longer, adding rear-seat legroom and cargo capacity. Power comes from a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine (375 horsepower, or 400 hp for the Platinum trim) and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but four-wheel drive is available on every trim level.

　　As appealing as the capabilities of the Expedition might be, you might be better served by a smaller three-row SUV such as the all-new Ford Explorer, Kia Telluride or the venerable Honda Pilot. Those offer plenty of room for adults but are easier to manage in city traffic and parking lots. But if the space and towing capabilities of a full-size SUV are needed, the Ford Expedition is the best of the bunch.

　　Notably, we picked the 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum as one of zzdcar' Fastest SUVs for 2019.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Expedition drive? Anything that can be this large and tow this much can't really be this quick, can it? The twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 is quite the powerhouse. But that speed isn't shaved off with much confidence from the brakes due to a soft pedal and low-grip tires. Handling was never going to be a strong suit, but the Max is fairly easy to drive in the city thanks to its ample and easily accessible power.

　　Even when equipped with a two-speed locking differential, selectable terrain management traction system and nearly 10 inches of ground clearance, the Expedition's long wheelbase and big wheels will likely limit the off-road exploits to gravel trails or mild overlanding.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Expedition? While there's no complaining about the comfort and space the Expedition Max affords its passengers, the 22-inch wheel and tire package tends to spoil the party with a choppy ride on rougher roads. Thankfully, plenty of packages and configurations that keep 22-inch wheels off the table are available.

　　There's plenty of glass as well, but most of it lets in a lot of noise at higher speeds. Nevertheless, at lower speeds, passengers in all three rows will be able to hold conversations with one another. All passengers will also appreciate the power and efficiency of the Expedition's climate control system. We only wish it didn't have so many small buttons on the center console.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? Just because it can tow a tractor doesn't mean it feels like one. The Expedition Max makes full use of its massive wheelbase, giving every passenger ample room and comfort to spare. The third row's accessibility is particularly impressive, allowing even adults to get in and out without much more effort than it takes to sit in the second row.

　　It's not all perfect, though. The center console is a bit button-heavy, and it can require a second glance to locate most controls. And visibility suffers in turns because of the massive windshield pillars. And even though the rear window looks to be a mile away, a clear backup camera and the addition of a 360-degree camera take the edge off backing up.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The Sync system has come a long way over the years, and the newest iteration is definitely the best. The navigation system does look a bit dated but offers pinch-to-zoom functionality, helping to make it quick and easy to use. Our test vehicle's 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system made good use of the Expedition's large cabin, providing both power and clarity.

　　The voice controls are basic and can help with simple functions. With Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, drivers have plenty of options. And thanks to trailer backup assist and a trick 360-degree camera, the Expedition is easier to live with. Multi-surface traction control brings peace of mind over loose surfaces.

　　

Storage

8.5/10

　　How’s the storage? Class-leading towing numbers are all well and good, but it's the highly adaptable cargo space that will win people over day to day. With the Max version, there's 34 cubic feet behind the third row and a cavernous 79.6 cubic feet behind the second row. In total, there's 121.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Available power-folding seats across all rows, a separately opening glass hatch in the tailgate, and the reconfigurable cargo package are very user-friendly.

　　The impressive towing number of 9,000 pounds is achieved with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow package, which includes additional cooling, trailer backup assist, an integrated trailer brake controller, and a 3.73 gear ratio.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? Fuel economy might not be terribly important for people shopping for an SUV this size, but the EPA rates the Expedition Max 4WD at 18 mpg in combined driving (16 city/21 highway). During our time with the big Ford, we struggled to hit 16 mpg over a tank of fuel and noted a marked difference in performance when we did not use premium fuel, which is not required. Towing will easily put those numbers into the low teens, similar to where competitors stand but still worth noting.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Expedition a good value? When optioned up, the Expedition is definitely expensive and can reach more than $85,000. Then again, packing a mammoth SUV with luxury, technology and capability comes at a price. Rivals from Chevrolet and GMC are similarly priced, and the Ford offers a level of build quality and materials choices that exceed those available from the GM twins.

　　While the Expedition's warranties are solid, EPA-estimated fuel economy numbers look rather unrealistic, and fuel costs could be an unexpected luxury tax. Something else to consider is the premium fuel required to get the quoted power numbers. During our time with the Expedition, we could notice a difference in performance between regular and premium fuel.

　　

Wildcard

7.0/10

　　That such a vehicle exists and is so well-mannered is a testament to Ford's truck engineers. It's imbued with power, capability and manners that would have begged belief just 10 years ago. It's not a jack of all trades, but its ability to carry six adults in comfort over hundreds of miles, or tow 9,000 pounds, is pretty impressive. The Ford Expedition is a strong and silent road-trip companion.

　　

Which Expedition does zzdcar recommend?

As nice as the appointments (and the extra horsepower) in the top-of-the-line Platinum trim might be, we like the balance of features and price the Limited offers. It not only gets you an upgraded audio system and heated second-row seats, but it also opens up a fair number of option packages to tailor the Expedition to your needs. As with every trim level, the Expedition is available in two- or four-wheel drive and the standard or long-wheelbase Max version.

　　

2020 Ford Expedition models

Like the F-150, the 2020 Ford Expedition has a multitude of trim levels and option packages to suit a wide variety of buyers. For 2020, four trim levels are available: the entry-level XLT, the Limited, the King Ranch and finally the Platinum. All Expeditions are available in the standard-length or the extended Max body style.

　　Powering the XLT, Limited and King Ranch Expeditions is a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine (375 hp, 470 lb-ft), while the top-tier Platinum gets a little more power (400 hp, 480 lb-ft) from the same engine. All Expeditions are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and come with rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive is an available option.

　　The XLT comes standard with 18-inch wheels, seating for eight passengers, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of driver safety aids. Option packages, such as the FX4 off-road package or the Black Accent appearance package, can dress the Expedition down or up to suit your needs. The Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow package is also available.

　　Moving up to the Limited bolts on 20-inch wheels and adds more premium touches such as ambient lighting, an upgraded 12-speaker audio system, leather-trimmed seats and power-adjustable pedals. New for 2020, the King Ranch brings special leather seats, stitching and badging. Larger 22-inch wheels and adaptive suspension are also included. But the Platinum still tops the trims with a more powerful version of the same engine. And it ups the luxury quotient with satin-aluminum exterior trim and power running boards, while the interior gets unique leather seating, special wood trim, power-folding second- and third-row seating, active noise control, and enhanced driver aids and safety features.

　　

2020 Expedition Highlights

Trim: XL FleetXLTMAX XL FleetMAX XLTLimitedMAX LimitedKing RanchPlatinumMAX King RanchMAX PlatinumXL Fleet

　　

Base MSRP	$48,990
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$189/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	57.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles