2008 Ford Expedition Review
True expeditions require
additional transportation conveyances: horses, boats, cars, for
example. With a towing capacity around
9,000 pounds,
the Ford Expedition can tow any of these.
After redesigning the
Expedition for 2007 while also lowering the price, Ford adds a new
top end King Ranch model for 2008, as well as an available rear
backup camera and power-retractable running boards.
The Expedition is meant for
utility, not posing. It carries people, hauls gear, tows boats, and
pulls campers. When it's equipped with four-wheel drive, the
Expedition will also get you there whether the road is dry, wet,
snowy, or even when there's hardly any road at all.
Inside, the Expedition
features rich materials and generous space in all three seating
rows. The second- and third-row seats fold flat to create a useful
rear cargo area. Extended-wheelbase EL versions add even more
cargo-carrying capacity, which is especially noticeable when trying
to load groceries or gear behind the third-row seats.
All Expeditions are powered
by Ford's 5.4-liter V8 that makes 300 horsepower and offers towing
capacities in the 9000-pound range. Thanks in part to independent
rear suspension, the Expedition offers a smooth ride that is more
car-like than most big, truck-based SUVs. Due to that size, however,
the Expedition is prone to lean in turns and is not easy to maneuver
in close quarters.
With its combination of
utility, a smooth, stable ride and a pleasant interior, the 2008
Ford Expedition is a fine choice for families that tow boats and
take driving vacations.
The 2008 Ford Expedition
comes in two lengths, the standard model with a 119-inch wheelbase,
and the Expedition EL with its 131-inch wheelbase. Every Expedition
is powered by a single-overhead-cam 5.4-liter V-8 that is rated at
300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic
transmission is standard equipment. Every Expedition model is
available with either rear-wheel drive (2WD) or electronically
engaged four-wheel drive (4WD) that can be driven on dry pavement
and includes low-range gearing. A Class III trailer hitch is
standard.
Four trim levels are
available: the entry-level XLT, the outdoor-styled Eddie Bauer,
luxurious Limited, and the new top-of-the-line King Ranch.
The XLT ($30,620) and 4WD XLT
($33,529) come with cloth upholstery with front captain's chairs
(driver's seat is six-way power adjustable), a 40/20/40 split-bench
seat in the second row, and a rear cargo bin. A tilt steering wheel
(leather-wrapped for 2008), front and rear air conditioning with
rear controls, remote keyless entry, automatic headlights, alarm and
an AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 player connectivity and rear controls
are also part of the package. Exterior standard equipment features
265/70R17 tires on alloy wheels, running boards, roof rails, fog
lights, power-adjustable outside mirrors (now heated), and a rear
liftgate with flip-up glass and a rear defroster/wiper/washer
system. Also added as standard for 2008 are keyless entry keypad,
auto-dimming rear-view mirror, overhead console, and illuminated
visors. The 2WD models have highway tires and the 4WD drive models
have on/off-road tires and front tow hooks.
The XLT EL ($34,145) and XLT
EL 4WD ($37,045) are equipped the same as standard wheelbase
versions, except they come with a split-folding third-row seat and a
conversation mirror.
Options for XLT models
include second-row captain's chairs ($530), a manual- ($875) or
power-folding ($1370) third-row bench seat, leather upholstery
($1295), rear load-leveling air suspension ($485), a heavy-duty
towing package ($395), a premium AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD
changer ($300) and Sirius satellite radio ($195). A Convenience
package ($675) offers rear obstacle detection, power-adjustable
pedals, power rear quarter windows, and a universal garage door
opener. An Off-Road package ($200) for 4WD XLTs has tubular side
steps and skid plates.
The Eddie Bauer ($35,865) and
Eddie Bauer 4WD ($38,675) are trimmed as outdoor adventure vehicles
and are distinguished by a longer list of convenience features as
standard equipment, notably the Expedition's unique power-folding
split third-row seat. Other standard features include leather
upholstery, 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, six-way power
adjustable front passenger seat, memory for the mirrors and driver's
seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, an AM/FM stereo tuner
with 6CD changer, trip computer, conversation mirror, mirror-mounted
turn signals, and protective cladding for the lower body panels. The
Eddie Bauer EL ($38,515) and Eddie Bauer EL 4WD ($41,415) are
equipped like the standard wheelbase versions but have front tow
hooks and 255/70R18 tires instead of 17s.
Options for Eddie Bauer
models over and above those of the XLT include heated and cooled
front seats ($625), new-for-2008 power running boards ($995), power
rear liftgate ($495), a navigation system ($1295), rear-seat DVD
entertainment system ($1995), the new rear backup camera ($455), and
P275/55R20 tires.
The Limited ($38,025) and
Limited 4WD ($40,925) add heated and cooled front seats, 10-way
power-adjustable front passenger seat, universal garage door opener,
power rear quarter windows, power-adjustable pedals, and 255/70R18
tires on chrome alloy wheels. The Limited EL ($40,675) and Limited
EL 4WD ($43,575) are equipped the same but also have front tow
hooks.
The new King Ranch ($39,965)
and King Ranch 4WD ($42,865) have upgraded Chaparral leather
upholstery, King Ranch badging, and gold exterior accents. The
leather also trims the center console lid, steering wheel and door
panels, while wood trim can be found on the center console, shifter
handle and instrument panel. King Ranch EL ($42,615) and King Ranch
4WD EL ($45,515) have the same features, plus tow hooks.
Safety equipment includes
front airbags, torso-protecting front side airbags, three-row
head-protecting curtain side air bags with rollover deployment,
tire-pressure monitor, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with brake assist, and
electronic stability control with anti-rollover technology. A rear
obstacle detection system is standard on Limited and King Ranch,
optional on Eddie Bauer. A rear backup camera is optional.
The Ford Expedition is a
truck and it doesn't pretend to be anything else. This is a good
identity to have, because Ford trucks continue to have an
outstanding reputation for utility, reliability and durability.
Both the long and
regular-length versions of the Expedition use many of the components
from the Ford F-150 pickup. However, the Expedition features
independent rear suspension, chassis technology that improves
driving precision, ride comfort, and rear-seat roominess.
This third-generation
Expedition features a three-bar grille, large headlights, and a
domed hood that combine to deliver a look that's both distinctive
and respectable. There are several different wheel designs,
including 20-inchers with a chrome finish. The Expedition doesn't
have the style of GM's sport-utilities, but at least it avoids the
science-fiction look of the Nissan Armada.
Expedition EL models stretch
the wheelbase by a foot to 131 inches.
Overall, the EL measures 14.8 inches
longer than the standard Expedition, and that adds 24 cubic feet
of cargo volume, an increase from 108.3 to 130.8 cubic feet
behind the front seats.
Both the standard Expedition
and the Expedition EL are big vehicles, measuring more than 17 feet
from nose to tail. As a result, crowded parking lots can be
challenging. The Expedition has a turning circle of nearly
41 feet,
while the EL requires 44 feet.
They're also heavy, as even
the base 2WD Expedition weighs 5578 pounds,
while the base 2WD EL tips the scales at 5825 pounds.
The addition of 4WD adds another 235 pounds
to the bottom line.
The new King Ranch model can
be identified by its gold exterior accents and unique wheel design.
The Expedition comes with
running boards as standard equipment. For 2008, power retractable
running boards that deploy when the doors are opened are an option.
The 2008 Ford Expedition
features a rich blend of finishes, textures and color. Indeed, a
fully optioned Expedition King Ranch is the best representation of
modern American-style luxury within Ford's lineup. Wood, chrome and
leather make the Expedition an inviting place to spend a day on the
road. The layout of the gauges and controls is easy to understand
and no controls are too far out of easy reach.
Captain's chairs with movable
armrests are standard across the four model lines.
Leather-upholstered examples are available with a heating/cooling
feature that makes them a more comfortable companion in winter and
summer. Generous driver's seat travel helps accommodate taller
drivers, and it's a perfect match for the Expedition's movable
pedals, so a wide range of drivers can be sit comfortably.
The second seating row also
reflects Ford's thoughtful approach to passenger comfort, as the
standard 40/20/40 bench seat incorporates a center section that
slides forward up to eleven inches, bringing a child seat within
easier reach of front-seat passengers. Optional second-row captain's
chairs with a center-aisle pass-through can be substituted for
adult-rated comfort.
Packaging advantages afforded
by the Expedition's independent rear suspension enable the third-row
seat to deliver more comfort for adults compared to the
accommodations provided by the Chevy Tahoe. In fact, third-row room
is among the best of any SUV, though three adults won't want to sit
in the back for long. The high ride height also makes getting in and
out a task for children.
The Expedition's liftgate
with its flip-up glass hatch makes access to the cargo area very
easy. The Expedition's second- and third-row bench-type seats fold
flat into the cargo floor, affording a long cargo area that can be
easily loaded. This means you don't have to unbolt the passenger
seats and leave them on the floor of your garage every time you're
making a serious run to Home Depot. In this regard, the Expedition
is much better designed than GM's large SUVs. The Expedition is also
available with an optional power-folding third-row seat and
electronically powered liftgate to make it even easier to load
cargo. However, the seat cushions of the second- and third-row seats
are a little slim in order to allow the seats to fold properly.
The Expedition is about more
than convenience. A DVD-based navigation system with sizable
6.5-inch screen is available as an option. The rear-seat DVD
entertainment system has an eight-inch screen that flips down from
the ceiling and also includes two sets of wireless headphones. A
plug-in jack for an MP3 player is standard across the line. The
Expedition is even a nice place to be when all the entertainment is
switched off, as the combination of thick glass and a generous
amount of acoustic insulation behind the dash and on the floor makes
this a remarkably quiet interior; it's actually possible to have a
conversation with the people in the third-row seat while you're at
the wheel.
Ford's new rear backup camera
is less expensive, but less impressive, than most. The image is
shown in the rear-view mirror. It is quite small, no more than three
inches across. While the image is useful, obstacles are not as easy
to spot as they are in systems that show their images on six- or
seven-inch dash-mounted screens.
Full-size sport-utilities
aren't known for their driving manners, but the latest-generation of
vehicles from both Ford and General Motors have made real progress
in delivering a more car-like impression.
In this regard, the 2008 Ford
Expedition is notably better than the 2008 Chevy Tahoe and GMC
Yukon. It tracks down the highway with excellent straight-line
stability, negotiates forest roads with surprising agility, and
absorbs impacts from bumps or broken pavement without straying from
its path. While the Tahoe is more prone to bounding over bumps due
to its heavy rear axle, the Expedition maintains a surprising calm
ride considering its truck heritage. Most of the advantage comes
from car-like engineering, a synergy between a rigid frame,
high-pressure gas shocks that afford excellent wheel control, and a
second-generation, link-type independent rear suspension.
Steering effort is light and
easy. The two-speed 4WD system is engaged with a simple rotary knob
mounted on the dashboard, and it automatically reduces throttle
sensitivity in low range for better traction in slippery
circumstances.
The overhead-cam 5.4-liter V8
delivers 300 hp, but it's really tuned to deliver torque, 365
pound-feet of it, for towing. The six-speed automatic transmission
runs seamlessly through the gears, keeping the engine from laboring
through its rpm range. The result is an impression of reliable
power.
We noted some hesitation at
throttle tip-in in some situations: Come to a stop sign at the top
of a hill, stop, then accelerate, and there was a pause while the
transmission engaged and forward momentum began. This could be an
annoyance.
The Expedition makes an
excellent tow vehicle. With the optional towing package, the
standard 4WD Expedition will tow
9000 pounds.
A 2WD Expedition is rated at 9200 pounds,
a 2WD EL is rated at 9000 pounds,
and a 4WD EL is rated to tow 8750 pounds.
For all its comfort and
stability, the Expedition is still about utility rather than sport.
When it comes to driving, the Expedition feels big and heavy, and
while it goes where you direct it, it can take awhile to get there
and isn't as alert or sporty as the Chevy or Nissan. The brake discs
are large, but a lot of effort is required to get the Expedition
slowed down. Nevertheless, the Expedition's overall driving
performance is refined for its class.
Among full-size
sport-utilities, the 2008 Ford Expedition stands apart with its
superior driving comfort and utility package. Ford is right on
target with its family adventure concept, and the Ford Expedition is
the best vehicle for family vacation travel on the American road.