2021 Ford Expedition Review

　　

2021 Ford Expedition Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The Ford Expedition is a large three-row SUV in the classic sense of the term. It has rugged body-on-frame construction, plenty of ground clearance, and a four-wheel-drive system to get you where you're going even if the path ahead is a little rocky. It's the largest SUV in Ford's lineup, slotting above the recently redesigned Ford Explorer. When this Expedition generation launched in 2018, it represented a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It's comfortable and spacious, especially if you opt for the longer Expedition Max. Changes for 2021 include a new base trim and more optional features.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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

　　$193/mo  for Expedition XL Fleet

　　Expedition XL Fleet

　　XL Fleet 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $49,625 MSRPXL Fleet 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $52,675 MSRPXL STX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $50,595 MSRPXL STX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $53,645 MSRPMAX XL Fleet 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $52,625 MSRPMAX XL Fleet 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $55,675 MSRPXLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $53,410 MSRPXLT 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $56,460 MSRPMAX XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $55,410 MSRPMAX XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $58,460 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $62,175 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $65,225 MSRPMAX Limited 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $64,175 MSRPMAX Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $67,225 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $73,335 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $76,385 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $74,375 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $77,425 MSRPMAX King Ranch 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $75,335 MSRPMAX King Ranch 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $78,385 MSRPMAX Platinum 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $76,375 MSRPMAX Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $79,425 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　While the Ford Expedition has been our runaway favorite in its class, two redesigned competitors threaten its dominance. The Chevrolet Tahoe, along with its longer sibling, the Suburban, are all-new for 2021. The new Tahoe and Suburban fix many of the outgoing model's flaws, though we think many aspects — especially inside — don't quite measure up to the Ford. Other alternatives include the Nissan Armada and the ancient Toyota Sequoia. Even with all that competition, we still think the Expedition is the one of the best large SUVs. Want to know more? Check out our Expert Rating for our in-depth analysis on the 2021 Expedition's comfort, utility and more.

　　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

　　7.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Expedition drive? We're impressed with the V6 engine's muscle. Any SUV this large can't really be this quick, can it? We tested an Expedition Platinum with 4WD, and it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. That's almost a second quicker than a comparable Chevy Tahoe. The Expedition is responsive and easy to drive when you aren't burying the accelerator into the ground too.

　　The brake pedal is slightly squishy when you first press on it, but ultimately it's pretty easy to come to smooth stops, which is the important part. The steering has a light effort and helps to make this Expedition feel a little less humongous.

　　While you won't likely be driving your Expedition with Secret Service-like urgency, there are some pretty admirable qualities here for such a large SUV. It's no Mercedes GLS, but this does not feel clumsy.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Expedition? The Expedition's front seats are comfy and cushy. They have multiple zones of lumbar support and even have a massage function in the higher trims. The second-row seats are also decently plush. The third-row seating is firm but still adequate for adult use. The Expedition's ride quality is pretty smooth too.

　　We were less impressed by the Expedition's climate control. The air flow from the vents is noisy and not particularly strong. The seat heaters also might disappoint if you really like them to get hot. On the upside, the Expedition is impressively quiet on the highway and around town.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Expedition makes full use of its interior space. It's roomier than the Chevy Tahoe and gives every passenger ample room and comfort. 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.

　　The center console is a bit button-heavy. It's not immediately user-friendly, but it doesn't require too much time to master. It's a simpler layout than the Tahoe's too. Visibility out of the front is hampered by the massive windshield pillars. But even though the rear window looks to be a mile away, a clear backup camera and available 360-degree camera system take the edge off backing up.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Ford's Sync infotainment system has come a long way over the years, and the newest iteration is pretty user-friendly. 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. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration systems come standard but lack the wireless connectivity that's becoming increasingly common in other vehicles. The Expedition's advanced driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, work fine but aren't quite as full-featured as those in some rival SUVs.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The Expedition has a listed cargo capacity of 20.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 104.6 cubes max. That's less space than its direct rival, the Chevy Tahoe. But the Expedition's extra spaces for all your knickknacks, plus its flexible seating arrangement, more than compensate.

　　The Expedition is also a good vehicle for hauling little kids around. It has easy-to-access anchors for safety seats plus lots of room to fit rear-facing seats. Towing capacity is great with a maximum capacity of 9,300 pounds when properly equipped.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The Expedition gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's similar to what the EPA posts for other large SUVs. But we had difficulty matching the EPA's numbers in our real-world testing. Something else to consider is that premium fuel is 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.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Expedition a good value? The Expedition is priced comparable to other large SUVs such as the Chevy Tahoe. Warranty coverage is also typical for a non-luxury automaker. Interior build quality and materials choices slightly exceed those available from its crosstown rivals.

　　

Wildcard

7.0/10

　　The Expedition isn't fun to drive in the classic sense, but it is rewarding to summon its muscle car-like torque and use this big SUV for its intended purposes. Road trips, daily commuting and heading out to the great outdoors are all right up the Expedition's alley.

　　

Which Expedition does zzdcar recommend?

The top-level Platinum trim has tons of great features, but we suggest saving some money and going with the Limited trim. It has a nice mix of features including an upgraded audio system and heated rear seats.

　　

2021 Ford Expedition models

The 2021 Ford Expedition is available in five trim levels: XL, XLT, Limited, King Ranch and Platinum. The extended-length Expedition Max is available on all but the base XL, offering more cargo space than the standard model. All Expeditions are powered by a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 engine. For most trims it makes 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Platinum trim gets a slight bump to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive is optional across the board.

　　XL

　　The new XL trim is light on features compared to other trims, but it comes standard with:

　　Seating for five passengers 18-inch wheels Foglights Leather-wrapped steering wheel Tri-zone automatic climate control Power-adjustable driver's seat 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot Keyless entry with push-button start Six-speaker audio system 8-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality Ford Co-Pilot360 Automatic high beams Blind-spot monitor with cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time) XLT

　　The XLT used to be the Expedition's base trim, but we wouldn't call it spartan. The XLT includes all of the XL's features, adding:

　　Seating for eight passengers Auto-dimming rearview mirror Rear parking sensors Satellite radio Limited

　　The midtier Limited trim is the one we suggest going with. In addition to the XLT's features and options, the Expedition Limited comes with:

　　20-inch wheels Hands-free liftgate Power-deployable running boards Power-adjustable pedals Leather upholstery Heated second-row seats Available second-row captain's chairs (seating for seven passengers) Front parking sensors Rain-sensing windshield wipers Power-folding mirrors 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist Full-speed adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Navigation system King Ranch

　　The Expedition King Ranch is loaded with features, many specific to this trim. The King Ranch includes:

　　King Ranch badges and emblems Stone Gray exterior trim 22-inch wheels Special leather upholstery Power-folding captain's chairs Panoramic glass roof LED headlights and foglights Surround-view parking camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Expedition and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Park assist (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Platinum

　　The Platinum trim has the same feature upgrades as the King Ranch but without the special styling details. On top of that, you get:

　　A more powerful twin-turbo V6 Satin aluminum exterior trim Upgraded leather Wood and leather interior trim Massaging and ventilated front seats Roof rails with crossbars Power-folding second- and third-row seats Active noise cancellation (can help reduce road and wind noise in the cabin) Many features found on the upper trim levels can be added to the lower trims through optional packages. Other significant options for the Expedition include:

　　Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow package Upgraded radiator Trailer backup assist 3.73 rear-axle gearing Trailer brake controller (allows adjustment of a trailer's brakes from the cab) FX4 Off-Road package All-terrain tires Surround-view camera system Electronic limited-slip differential for improved traction Off-road-tuned suspension Upgraded radiator Skid plates and fuel tank protection

　　

2021 Expedition Highlights

Trim: XL FleetXL STXMAX XL FleetXLTMAX XLTLimitedMAX LimitedKing RanchPlatinumMAX King RanchMAX PlatinumXL Fleet

　　

Base MSRP	$49,625
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$193/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	57.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles