All-New Ford Expedition Unveiled

Published May 3, 2017 by Elizabeth Jeneault

It all went down in Dallas, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys as well as Dallas firefighters helped unveil the all-new Ford Expedition on Feb. 7, 2017. Together, they surprised a local first responder with the all-new full-size SUV!

The American automaker calls it, “the smartest, most capable and most adaptable Expedition ever.” It features more advanced technology to help keep passengers connected on long rides, more power as well as more towing capability.

“When Expedition was introduced 20 years ago, it set the standard for active families who simply needed a big and strong SUV to take them places,” said Joe Hinrichs, president of Americas for Ford Motor Company. “Today’s families want even more smart technology to help them cover more ground safely, more efficiently and more comfortably – all while staying connected to friends and family.”

The all-new Expedition comes available in XLT, Limited and Platinum trims. The Platinum model is new for 2018. Speaking of firefighters, Ford says an additional XL version is available for fleet customers, from law enforcement to emergency services. All series are also available on the extended-length Expedition MAX. Ford says it’s for people who want to go bigger and have more cargo to store. It’s nearly a foot longer than the Expedition. It can accommodate an additional 16.8 cubic feet of cargo room. It also results in more head and leg room in the last row. 

The company says the all-new Expedition is part of its plan to grow its SUV leadership with five new vehicles for North America in the next four years.

Unveil

Before we get into the details, we have to talk about the vehicle’s unveiling. In a video posted online, you can learn about the Dallas first responder that Ford chose to give its all-new Expedition to. Ford partnered with the Dallas Cowboys’ Sean Lee and the Dallas firefighters of Station 43 to surprise one of the station’s firemen with the vehicle. The first responder they gave the vehicle to had adopted four children. The video shows the first responder becoming emotional touched after he’s gifted the vehicle.

Now, this wasn’t the first time Ford connected with Station 43. Last fall, Ford and the Dallas Cowboys surprised the firefighters by refurbishing their station which was in desperate need of updating.

Exterior & Interior

The all-new Ford Expedition features an all-new high-strength, aluminum-alloy body and redesigned high-strength steel frame form. The company says by using the new materials, the vehicle saves up to 300 pounds. Ford says its design team reinvested that weight savings in other areas to give customers more technology and convenience features.

Ford calls its updated full-size SUV the most adaptable Expedition ever. It has seating for up to eight people and is said to have plenty of room for all of their cargo.

“The all-new Expedition is the first full-size utility to feature a sliding second-row seat with tip-and-slide functionality, providing easy access to the third row without the need to first remove a child safety seat,” writes the company on its website. “Once in the third row, even adults will appreciate more legroom and reclining seats.”

Ford made sure to offer plenty of available new connectivity technologies and convenience features in its all-new Expedition. One of the features is wireless charging. It’s Ford’s first vehicle to feature the system. Passengers are able to place their smartphone device on an integrated charging pad that’s located in the front center console. I’s definitely a step up from USB ports, although the vehicle also has six USB chargers, four 12-volt power points and a 110-volt power outlet. Other available features include a Wi-Fi hotspot that supports as many as 10 devices at once. Devices are able to connect to that hotspot up to 50 feet away from the vehicle. The vehicle’s Sync 3 system, meanwhile, has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. When it comes to jamming out to music on long rides, a 12-speaker B&O PLAY premium audio system is available. Ford says it was perfected by acoustic engineers. To help keep the kids entertained on long rides, a rear seat entertainment system is also available.

With the push of a button, the second and third-row seats can easily fold flat to make room for plenty of cargo. Ford says the cargo area is wide enough to fit 4x8-foot sheets of plywood and other items. There’s also a shelf behind the third row that’s adjustable, allowing you to create a custom storage space.

Performance & Safety

The all-new Ford Expedition is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine with start-stop technology. It’s paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford says it’s tuned to give you more refined power, calling it the most powerful Expedition ever.

“A newly available electronic limited-slip differential on models with Intelligent 4WD enables improved off-road capability by sending power where it’s needed,” writes the company.

The full-size SUV features an all-new Terrain Management System. It allows customers to select the right drive mode for different vehicle conditions. Drivers can choose between a mode designed for around-town driving, one for more spirited trips, a tow/haul mode, eco for enhanced fuel economy, grass/gravel/snow, sand and mud/rut.

Because Ford says more than 50 percent of Expedition customers value towing, the all-new full-size vehicle offers Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Ford claims the all-new Expedition offers more driver-assist technology than any other full-size SUV. The company’s press release, however, does not state what technologies are available.

Our Take

With more power, plenty of cargo space and a number of ways to stay connected on long rides, it seems the all-new Ford Expedition has everything a large family would want in a full-size SUV. It’s also nice that if families want even more interior room, they can opt for the extended-length Expedition MAX.

Ford says the all-new Expedition will arrive this fall. The vehicle is built at Ford’s plant in Louisville, Kentucky.


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