Posing like a hero: The Ford Expedition Stealth.
The Ford Expedition is one of those vehicles that just wants to coddle you and your passengers on the way to someplace else. A recent trip to Florida’s left coast gave Napleton News the perfect chance to try out the biggest of Ford’s SUVs. As big as it is, it still wasn’t the Mack Daddy of the fleet. Read on to find out more about the Blue Oval’s big bruiser.
When it comes to Sport Utility Vehicles, the Ford Expedition is large and in charge. There’s no other way to say it! It is a seven or eight passenger SUV available in standard and Max models. Its wheelbase is 12 inches longer than the standard model. It is available in six trim levels. These include:
Power for all Expedition models come from a single engine: Ford’s 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. It’s available in three levels of tune ranging from a not-too-shabby 380 horsepower in base trim and 400 horsepower in Limited, King Ranch and Platinum trims. Finally, our vehicle of the week, the Expedition Stealth Performance Edition, was equipped with a high-output twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 making 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque.
All models default to the rear-wheel drive (RWD) version with four-wheel drive as an available option. Our Limited Stealth Performance Edition features 4-wheel drive (4WD) as standard. Across the board, the EcoBoost Twin Turbo engine is still good for towing up to 9,300 pounds.
Imagine a Ford F150 built up as a station wagon. That’s possibly a bit simplistic but you get the idea. But this thing doesn’t ride like a typical F150 either. It’s two-and-a-half tons big and ready to take charge of nearly any situation.
The Expedition is available in two sizes. Think large and extra-large. Actually, it’s standard and Max, but you get the drift. Both bodies feature the same interior passenger space. But, there is what Ford claims is 77% more cargo room behind the rear of the third-row seats. The Max body style is available on all but the Base XL and high-end Timberline models.
Our Stealth Performance Edition Ford Expedition laid on the cool factor. It includes a blacked-out persona thanks to a black grille, black-painted alloy wheels, “black oval” badging and red brake calipers.
Larger than large, the Ford Expedition slightly resembles a school bus. Not really but when equipped with the second row captain’s chairs, you just stroll down the aisle to the third row. And it’s not such a bad thing when you get there. With enough room for three adults, and legroom that rivals many sedans, it’s easy to feel comfortable in the cheap seats.
In front, there’s a configurable dashboard and gauge display. But the big attraction is a 15.5-inch diagonal screen that is only bested by the one found in a Tesla. That big screen anchors the SYNC 4 infotainment system, which features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also includes a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system.
Inside, there’s enough black leather to stock a cattle ranch. Add to that some red accent stitching for a real visual treat. Oh, and the seats have heating, and better yet, air conditioning!
While the Expedition is a heavyweight, it still manages to get up and go. Thanks goes to the 3.5-liter twin turbocharged EcoBoost V6 and its 440 ponies. Sure shifts come courtesy of the 10-speed automatic transmission, which bangs the cogs and quickly gets us up to speed. It doesn’t matter whether we were jumping off a stoplight or heading onto the interstate-the Expedition just wanted to get up and go.
The Stealth Performance Edition we tested featured a sport suspension that helped keep wallow to a minimum when cruising through a turn or cloverleaf-style freeway exit. With this piece of kit, composure was the order of the day.
If off-roading is in your wheelhouse, Ford offers the Timberline trim, which is better equipped for traveling off the pavement on your way to somewhere else. We like our roads flat and well paved. That’s why we enjoyed the Stealth Expedition.
| 2023 Ford Expedition 4×4 Specifications | |
| Engine Type | 3.5-liter Twin-Turbocharged V6 engine |
| Horsepower | 440 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 510 lb-ft @ 2,250 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic transmission |
| Fuel Economy (Combined/City/Hwy) | 17/15/19 |
| Suspension F/R | Double Wishbone / Multilink |
| Turning Circle | 41.0 ft. |
| Also Available | 2WD, MAX extended version, various trim levels. |
| Specs | |
| Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Safety Rating | 5 star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 or 8 depending on configuration |
| Wheelbase | 122.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 210.0 inches |
| Width | 79.9 inches |
| Height | 77.2 inches |
| Cargo Room (Behind 1st, 2nd, 3rd row) | 104.6/63.6/20.9 Cubic Feet |
| Headroom, Front | 42.0 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd | 37.3 inches |
| Legroom, 1st | 43.9 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd | 41.5 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd | 36.1 inches |
| Shoulder room, 1st row | 64.9 inches |
| Shoulder room, 2nd row | 64.8 inches |
| Shoulder room, 3rd row | 64.2 inches |
This post was published on March 10, 2024
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