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Christopher Jackson | 9/7/2007 | Ford
There's something different about this '07 Ford Expedition; it takes a moment to notice, but this full-size SUV seems to have a lot more junk in the trunk. That's right, the Ford Expedition EL has got back--fourteen extra inches of back, in fact.
With a foot of additional wheelbase and a stretched cargo area, the Expedition's hauling abilities are expanded--no pun intended--in a very belated response to Chevrolet's carry-all Suburban.
With the demise of the Super Duty-based Excursion, Ford needs a mega-hauler in the lineup, and the Expedition EL is it. A more subdued introduction should prevent it from becoming as much of an automotive pariah as the Excursion was. Until the introduction of the Hummer H2, the Excursion occupied the Public Enemy No. 1 spot on the SUV-haters' lists. We suspect that Ford's hoping the Expedition EL will avoid that stigma.
The enlarged cargo area isn't the only news with the Expedition, either--Ford's big SUV is all-new for 2007. The revised and simplified front end offers a much larger, bolder style that's a combination of Ford's bricklike truck design and the chrome-grilled sedan lineup. On Limited models, the bold chrome grille wears thick horizontal bars instead of the eggcrate pattern, and the headlamps are smoked. Base and King Ranch Expeditions like our tester get the more familiar chrome grid up front. A "power-dome" hood makes it look properly burly and the Expedition EL gains over fourteen inches of length. Although the wheelbase has been stretched for twelve of those inches and it's unique from the B-pillar back, most of the additional space goes into the cargo area. Like the Suburban, the Expedition EL offers copious cargo space (130.8 cubic feet to be exact, 24 cubic feet more than in the standard Expedition) even with all three rows of seats in place.
Inside, a new dash takes some cues from the F-150 pickup, but the Expedition gets its own design with a strong horizontal upper element. Of course, this monster excels at carrying human beings around; all three rows of seats are easily accessible and comfortable enough for six-footers. A large console up front is big enough to hold a large purse or small computer; for rear-seat passengers, the available DVD player offers a distraction from whatever suburban wasteland you happen to drive through. The rear seat and tailgate are both available power-operated, and second and third-row seats fold flat to create a flat load floor. Our tester wore stylish King Ranch livery, with rich Castano leather on all of the seats and console tops. Optional equipment included a rear backup sensing system, navigation system, satellite radio, heated seats and a moonroof. The heated seats weren't the hottest, but they looked good, and the Expedition EL is large enough to comfortably hold six-footers in the third row seats. Side and side-curtain airbags are standard.
The 5.4 V8 is enough to move the Expedition EL's bulk around. Actually, that's putting it nicely. This big boy is not fast by a long shot; step on the gas and you're instantly aware of every one of the Expedition EL's 6053 pounds. This is a people and cargo hauler, not a drag racer. The standard 5.4 liter V8 is shared with the F-Series, and the three-valve, 300 horsepower engine goes a long way toward establishing the Expedition's truck bona fides. A six-speed automatic transmission handles the shifty side of things with transparent authority, and the two extra cogs over last year's model improve freeway fuel economy slightly. Don't ever expect big numbers, though; 14 in the city and 20 on the highway is about as good as it gets with a three-ton, gas-powered SUV these days. Put a trailer out back and the Expedition will tow over 9000 pounds without complaint. We hung a 3500-pound trailer on the back and the Expedition EL's rate of acceleration didn't change.
Underneath, the Expedition and Expedition EL sport an all new frame and chassis design, borrowed from Ford's tough pickup trucks. The independent rear suspension is ported through the frame rails for a lowered center of gravity, while the short-long arm front has been redesigned for improved rigidity. Handling is smooth and predictable, with a slight tendency to lumber. Roll Stability Control is standard, but the Expedition EL nevertheless encourages you to drive it like the beast of burden that it is. Turning and braking shouldn't be rushed. The long wheelbase slows the handling down somewhat, but it also improves stability when towing.
Despite what the Sierra Club would have you think, there are folks who have a need for a vehicle the size of the Ford Expedition EL. If you're one of those people, the comfortable ride and vastly improved interior packaging mean that your Suburban-alternative ship has finally come in. That said, the Expedition EL is large enough to be a serious handful for a driver who doesn't need the extra capacity. There are less cumbersome ways to get your luxury on.
And luxury is indeed available. Expedition EL pricing starts at a large-family friendly $42,575. That's a big price tag, but then this is a big truck. Our tester's King Ranch package took the price to $51,080.
Specifications:
Length: 221.3 in.
Width: 79.7 in.
Height: 77.7 in.
Wheelbase: 131.0 in.
Curb weight: 6053 lb.
Towing capacity: 9000 lb.
Base price: $42, 575
Engine: 5.4 liter SOHC V8
Drivetrain: six-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive
Horsepower: 300 @ 5000
Torque: 365 @ 3750
Est. mileage: 14/20
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