Ford Expedition: All-American SUV

The fourth-generation Ford Expedition rolled out in 2018 and received an update for 2022. The full-size SUV shares its underpinnings with the Ford F-150 and is available in standard and stretched wheelbase configurations. The Expedition is prized by large families and sporting enthusiasts alike, particularly for its roomy interior and robust trailering capabilities.

Highlights of the Refreshed 2022 Ford Expedition

Ford rolled out the Expedition in 1997, delivering a strong response to the entrenched Chevrolet/GMC Suburban models of that day. Twenty-five years later this SUV with space for up to eight remains popular. The changes this year include a refreshed front fascia, new touchscreen displays, a more powerful engine, and available BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving.

Rear-wheel drive is standard; four-wheel drive is offered. All six grades come with the standard wheelbase, while four offer “Max” or stretched wheelbase versions that add 9.1 inches between the wheels.

Grades and Prices

The 2022 Ford Expedition is available in XL STX ($53,045); XLT ($57,110/$59,110); Limited ($66,260/$68,260); Timberline ($70,120); King Ranch ($76,780/$78,780); and Platinum ($79,230/$81,230) grades. Add $1,795 for the destination charges.

Four-wheel drive is not available with the base trim. Elsewhere, it adds $3,050 to the cost, except for the Timberline where it is included. The Timberline grade is the most off-road robust model for the Expedition with its 33-inch all-terrain tires, raised height, and seven-mode drive management system.

Fully equipped, a 2022 Navigator might cost more than $90,000. Ford, though, says its XLT grade is the top choice for consumers.

Exterior Features

Take an SUV that rides on a truck-based platform and the designers have their work cut out for them. There is only so much that can be done with a traditional body-on-frame model, but at least there are distinctions possible.

For Ford, refreshing the Expedition supplied an opportunity to rework the front fascia, by fixing a new grille to the façade. The look is sporty with new LED lighting elements present and a large air intake combined to supply sportiness and sophistication.

A creased hood, towering pillars, a high waistline, and chrome embellishments add flair with handsome wheel choices present.

Choose the available Stealth Edition Package and this one adds black embellishments to the rear bumper, taillamp bezels, and running boards, along with 22-inch black-painted aluminum wheels. Other grades, such as the Timberline and King Ranch, have their badges and touches.

All trims but the base model have alloy wheels, with 17-inch steel wheels the standard. Depending on the grade, full LED lighting, fog lamps, power-controlled and heated side mirrors, and running boards are available. Some grades come with heavy-duty skid plates, a power liftgate, and exterior styling enhancements.

Interior Features

How much passenger room do you need in a large SUV? For the Expedition, the base model offers two rows and seating for five. Other trims seat as many as eight, with bench seats in the second and third rows. Shoppers can also swap out the middle-row divan for a pair of Captain’s chairs. That was the arrangement found in our XLT Max evaluation model with four-wheel drive.

Most shoppers though will want the three rows. The main challenge may be deciding whether to choose the standard or extended (Max) wheelbase model. Notably, the latter choice adds nearly all those inches to the cargo area along with a slight boost in the interior room for the third row. In particular, cargo capacity reaches 121.5 cubic feet to 104.6 cubic feet for the standard range.

The base grades have more plastic than anyone likes, with the upper trims delivering more soft-touch materials. Cloth seats give way to fine leathers further up the grade walk. Moreover, wood trim accompanies the Platinum model, giving this vehicle a decidedly Lincoln Navigator appearance.

Storage Space

There is no shortage of storage compartments in the Expedition. From the two-tier glove box to in-panel door pockets, much can be squirreled away. Other compartments include those at the base of the center stack as well as the oversized covered container between the front seats. More storage is found in the rear, particularly in the cargo compartment.

We found the front seats very comfortable with ample support for tall people one of the features. If we did not need seating for more than seven, the second-row captain’s chairs would be our choice. They are nearly as comfortable as the front thrones.

The list of standard features includes full power accessories, an 8-way power driver’s seat, tri-zone climate control, and cloth upholstery. Move up through the trim range and such features as heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard second-row seats are included. Further, a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, and massaging front seats are available.

Tech Equipment

The list of standard features includes a 12-inch touchscreen display and a six-speaker audio system. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility are included. A Wi-Fi hotspot and at least four USB ports are present.

Moving up through the grade range brings forth several upgrades, including a vertically sitting 15.5-inch touchscreen display. That display matches the one found in the Ford Mustang Mach-E and is the largest screen observed in any blue oval product.

A 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster is available. A pair of Bang & Olufsen audio systems with either 12 or 22 speakers can be had. Navigation, satellite radio, HD Radio, and wireless device charging are offered. Additional USB ports, including the third row, are available.

A rear entertainment system ($1,995) is available on some grades or included with the Platinum model.

Safety Equipment

Under the Ford Co-Pilot360 umbrella, this automaker offers a long list of driver-assist safety equipment. There are some differences among grades that we will not break down here.

In any case, the 2022 Expedition comes with forward collision warning and forward automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic assist is standard. Lane-keep assist, driver attention monitor, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams are included. All this makes for a robust package of included equipment.

Other available features include adaptive cruise control with full stop and go. Front parking sensors, a surround-view parking camera system, and parallel and perpendicular park assist are offered.

The Platinum grade now comes with the optional BlueCruise semi-autonomous drive system. This driver-activated system operates only when the driver is seated behind the wheel and paying attention. It allows for hands-free driving on select roads across the United States, offering a hint of what fully autonomous vehicles may someday supply.

Engine, Transmission, and Drivetrain

Since its 2015 debut, Ford’s 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine is the only motor available with the Expedition. It works with a 10-speed automatic transmission to route power to the wheels. Ford, though, has not stood still with its EcoBoost-branded engine. This year, more power is at the ready, with varying power levels ascribed per grade.

The standard output is 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque for the first two grades. Choose the Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum models, and the performance quotient boosts to 400 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. Choose the all-new Timberline grade or add the Stealth Performance Edition to select grades and this version makes 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, the same output as the Ford F-150 Raptor.

The Expedition pulls 6,600 pounds or up to 9,300 pounds with the available Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package ($795). This SUV’s fuel economy averages somewhere between 17 and 19 mpg per the EPA.

On the Road

You would expect that an SUV in this class would offer a comfortable ride. In most grades that is likely true, although that refinement is likely to take a hit with the Expedition’s more capable off-road versions. Still, we found that the Expedition is a cozy model with a quiet interior, two attributes common throughout this class.

The Expedition’s engine is a powerful resource for moving this three-ton beast. It is better than the previous V8 and somewhat more efficient too. Excellent off-the-mark acceleration imbues confidence. Moreover, this SUV delivers its full power under hard acceleration, although when the engine is not yet warm, some turbo lag is apparent. Yet, the boosted V6 delivers the needed performance, with ample power to zip down the interstate, pull a trailer, or carry a full load of passengers.

The Expedition shines on the straightaway with some body roll detected on curvy roads. Tackle a corner and you’ll slow this beastly SUV to a respectable speed to avoid the inevitable control issues of a high-profile vehicle. We found this SUV has direct steering, weighted handling, and firm brakes.

Optional Four-Wheel Drive

Choose the four-wheel drive and you may be tempted to go off-roading. Go for it! Although we restricted our driving to mostly well-paved surfaces, we can see where the Expedition would handle tough terrain with ease. The Timberline grade, though, is best suited for off-roading with its beefy all-terrain tires, high ground clearance, underbody cladding, and two-speed transfer case.

The main challenge with the Expedition is its size – going places requires ample room to maneuver. Where a midsize model such as the Explorer, Wrangler, or Bronco may succeed in that endeavor, the big Ford is not ideal for that. In any case, Ford confidently publishes this model’s approach, breakover, and departure angles, just in case rocky terrain is in your future.

Competitive Set

Only a handful of manufacturers are present in this segment. Ford has two models with the upscale Lincoln Navigator the other choice. The Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia are the two models from foreign makes. The 2022 Sequoia is ancient, but an all-new Sequoia rolls out for 2023. It will be built in San Antonio, Texas.

The remaining players include the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, the GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, and the Cadillac Escalade. All three come in standard and stretched wheelbase configurations. Like the Navigator, the Escalade should be compared to the range-topping Expedition Platinum. Finally, Jeep is the latest model to jump into the segment with its Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer models.

Ford Expedition Considerations

With tens of thousands of dollars separating the standard and Platinum grades, there is much to consider when evaluating the 2022 Expedition. Ford, though, says that its most popular trim is the XLT, which should give shoppers some comfort that a well-equipped model with four-wheel drive and package upgrades is possible for under $70,000. The ongoing chip shortage means demand exceeds supply, therefore you may need to work with your dealer to order one.

2022 Ford Expedition Specifications

Specifications supplied by the manufacturer.

See Also — Farewell to the Ford EcoSport

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