2006 Ford Expedition King Ranch New Jersey

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Yes, it's big and inefficient and with rising gas prices, it's not the wisest purchase. After all, the 2006 Ford Expedition King Ranch is priced on the far side of fifty large, and filling the gas tank will run you almost $100. Even with all of that, we didn't have too much trouble seeing why folks are still snapping these big boys up.

There's a new Expedition on the way for 2007, but that doesn't mean that the '06 model is out to pasture yet. We took one last drive in Ford's big SUV, and found it to be a luxurious and up-to-date vehicle.

Roomy and quiet, the 2006 Ford Expedition King Ranch is able to please trailer-towers and soccer moms alike. The design is conservative, with a boxy face and molded body-sides, and there are so many Expeditions running around that one barely notices them at the curb any more. The square, upright design is favored by customizers because it's one of the few vehicles that doesn't look completely cartoonish rolling on 22" or 24" wheels. The Expedition is available in six trim levels. Opt for the King Ranch package and Ford adds special 17" wheels, step bars and metallic gold body cladding for a handsome two-tone look.

Ford's attention to quality and detail has paid off in recent years, and what was once an unabashedly trucklike interior with hose-out plastics has matured into a rather appealing living room. Best of all, the Castano leather-slathered King Ranch package makes this a very luxurious yet rugged people-hauler. The whole King Ranch kit of big logos, leather, running boards and special wheels is all there, and it makes the 2006 Ford Expedition King Ranch look very nice inside and out. The dash and control layouts are straightforward, though a few subtle quirks make the Expedition's ancillary controls occasionally confusing. Massive storage space in the center console and a soccer team's worth of cupholders are par for the course in a vehicle this size. The seats are tall and wide, perfect for a variety of passengers, and there's real legroom in the third-row seat as well. Options include separate bucket seats for the second row, which make it a great deal easier to get to the third-row bench and still allow comfortable seating for seven. Eight-passenger seating is also available. Standard equipment includes cruise control and keyless entry, and the 2006 Ford Expedition King Ranch can be equipped like a luxury car if so desired. Heated and cooled front seats, a power folding third-row seat, and power adjustable pedals are all available.

One can't say the 2006 Ford Expedition King Ranch has a carlike ride with a straight face, but ride quality is good. The Expedition is a big truck, and it drives like it. The handling is precise, but it's tall enough that it takes some attention to pilot around town. A fully independent suspension helps, with double wishbones front and rear contributing to a smooth ride whether loaded or not. The rack-and-pinion steering imparts a feeling of confidence, as if the view out over that big, square hood wasn't enough. Ford's AdvanceTrac traction control is available, and the newly-available Roll Stability Control (RSC) is borrowed from Volvo. RSC monitors vehicle pitch and uses the traction control to correct accordingly. With RSC, the 2006 Ford Expedition King Ranch can perform emergency maneuvers without flinching. Ford also offers full-length side airbags that can stay inflated in the event of a rollover. Anti-lock brakes are standard; the Expedition's braking capabilities are average.

The three-valve 5.4 V8 engine offers improved performance and fuel efficiency over the previous model. Electronic throttle control means it's smoother as well as more powerful. "Improved" fuel economy is a bit of a misnomer, as the Expedition will only manage 17 mpg on the freeway. A four-speed automatic transmission handles shifting duties, and the 2006 Ford Expedition King Ranch can tow up to 8900 pounds when properly equipped. A Class III hitch receiver is standard equipment. The high percentage of pickup truck DNA in the Expedition's lineage is evident in the joy that it takes in hard work. As well as it rides with a full complement of passengers, this big boy is even happier with a load on a trailer out back.

The Expedition has helped the full-size SUV supplant the full-size van as the big family hauler of choice, and it's easy to see why. It's versatile, powerful, and easy to drive, and unlike most conversion vans, it doesn't look that bad, either. The '07 Expedition promises to keep the stuff that's good about the current model, and adds a burlier design and a new long-wheelbase model. We'll bring you a drive in the '07 as soon as we can swing one.

Pricing for the 2006 Expedition starts at just over $31,000 for a base two-wheel drive Expedition. Go for the King Ranch package and it slips up to an eye-opening $45,240; our four-wheel drive tester featured the reverse sensing parking assist, skid plates, a moonroof, Advance Trac stability control, and a rear seat DVD player and represented the top of the Expedition range at $51,005.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2006 Ford Expedition.
Length: 205.8 in.
Width: 78.7 in.
Height: 76.7 in.
Wheelbase: 119.0 in.
Curb weight: 5607 lb. (4x4)
Cargo space: 110.5 cu.ft. (all seats folded)

Base price: $45,240
Engine: 5.4 liter SOHC three-valve V8
Drivetrain: four-speed automatic, rear- or four-wheel drive
Horsepower: 300 @ 5000
Torque: 365 @ 3750
Fuel capacity: 28.0 gal.