Ford Expedition Interior Review
The 2007 Expedition has a brand-new interior look. The acres of cheap plastic seen in the previous models, so reminiscent of a rental car, have been replaced by a richer blend of finishes, textures and color. In fact, the overall effect of the fully optioned 2007 Expedition Limited is the best representation of modern American-style luxury within Ford's overall vehicle lineup. Wood, chrome and leather make the Expedition an inviting place to spend a day on the road.
This new appreciation for passenger comfort is best reflected in the new front seats, as captain's chairs with movable armrests are now standard across the three model lines. Leather-upholstered examples are available with an optional heating/cooling feature that makes them a more comfortable companion in winter and summer. Seat travel for the driver's seat has been increased three-quarters of an inch to help accommodate taller drivers, and it's a perfect match for the Expedition's movable pedals, so a wider range of drivers can be accommodated.
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.
The Expedition's available third-row seat is also impressively unique. Packaging advantages afforded by the Expedition's independent rear suspension enable this rear seat to deliver a far more comfortable seating position to adults compared to the accommodations provided by the Chevy Tahoe. Moreover, the three-row canopy airbags ensure the third-row passengers have the same head protection in a collision as passengers in the forward seat rows. As with the previous model, the amount of room afforded to passengers by the standard Expedition is generous.
The Expedition's liftgate with its flip-up glass hatch also makes access to the cargo area very easy. The best thing about the Expedition's bench-type seats in the second and third rows is the way in which they can be folded flat onto 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. The Expedition is available with an optional power-folding third seat and electronically powered liftgate to make it even easier to load cargo. At the same time, the seat squabs of the second- and third-row seats are a little slim in order to allow the seats to fold properly.
Yet the new Expedition is about more than convenience. A new climate-control system dramatically reduces the time required to cool or heat the cabin. A new 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 thicker glass and a generous amount of acoustic insulation behind the dash and on the floor makes this a remarkably quiet interior, and it's actually possible to have a conversation with the people in the third-row seat while you're at the wheel.
Ford Expedition Road Test
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 2007 Ford Expedition is notably superior to the 2007 Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, and 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 bounds from bump to bump as its heavy rear axle rebounds from impacts, the Expedition maintains a surprising calm considering its truck heritage.
Most of the magic comes from car-like engineering, a synergy between a chassis frame that's 10 percent more rigid, high-pressure gas shocks that afford excellent wheel control, and a second-generation, link-type independent rear suspension. Moreover, steering effort has been reduced 15 percent, while the brakes have been upgraded to deliver more stopping capability. 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.
As before, the overhead-cam 5.4-liter V8 delivers 300 hp, but it's really tuned to deliver 365 pound-feet of torque for towing, a product of variable valve timing and cylinder heads with three valves per cylinder. In the past, this engine has seemed sluggish compared to its competition, despite its excellent power rating, but the addition of a new, six-speed automatic transmission for 2007 has transformed its personality. The seamless transition through the gears keeps the engine from laboring through its rpm range, and the result is an impression of reliable power.
This engine performance also has a notable impact on towing, making it seem like a pleasure instead of a chore. With its optional towing package in place, the standard Expedition will now tow 9000 pounds, the best rating in this class. (A 2WD Expedition is rated 9200 pounds, a 4WD 9000 pounds, a 2WD EL is rated 9000 pounds, a 4WD EL is 8750 pounds.)
Oddly enough, the Ford engineers tell us that the Expedition's complement of dynamic safety features makes it possible to deliver this improvement in overall driving performance. The Expedition can be tuned for far greater responsiveness to the driver because the electronics can be relied upon to compensate for any unusual circumstances.
The prime technology here is Ford's unique stability control, which incorporates sensors to detect both roll angle and yaw rate. If the Expedition gets out of shape, the system reduces the throttle or applies the brakes to help keep the vehicle upright. This is the third generation of a system originally engineered by Volvo. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety claims its data suggest stability systems in general reduce the chance of single-vehicle rollovers by SUVs by an astonishing 80 percent.
For all its comfort and stability, the Expedition is still about utility rather than sport. When it comes to driving, the Expedition feels very heavy, and while it offers driving precision, it's not as alert or sporty as its GM and Nissan competitors. Though the brakes have been upgraded for 2007, they still seem to require a lot of effort to get the Expedition whoa'd down. Nevertheless, The Expedition's overall driving performance is far more refined than any other vehicle in its class.
Ford Expedition Lineup
The 2007 Ford Expedition comes in two different sizes, the standard model with a 119-inch wheelbase, and the new 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 new, 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). A Class III trailer hitch is standard.
Safety equipment includes front-seat frontal and side-impact air bags, three-row head-protection curtain air bags, anti-lock braking (ABS), and electronic stability control with anti-rollover technology.
Three trim levels are available: the entry-level XLT, the outdoor-styled Eddie Bauer, and luxurious Limited.
The XLT ($29,995) and 4WD XLT ($32,895) offer full-size utility at an affordable price. The monochromatic interior features 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, air conditioning and an AM/FM stereo tuner with single-disk CD changer are also part of the package. Exterior standard equipment features 265/70R-17 tires, running boards, roof rails, fog lights, power-adjustable outside mirrors, and a rear liftgate with flip-up glass and a rear defroster/wiper/washer system.
The XLT EL ($34,445) and XLT EL 4WD ($37,345) are similarly equipped as the standard wheelbase versions.
The option list for the XLT models includes second-row captain's chairs, a manual- or power-folding, third-row bench seat, rear load-leveling air suspension, and a heavy-duty towing package. Options include a navigation system, a premium AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer, Sirius satellite radio, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.
The Eddie Bauer ($36,395) and Eddie Bauer 4WD ($39,295) are trimmed as outdoor adventure vehicles and are distinguished by a longer list of convenience features as standard equipment, notably the Expedition's unique third-row seat which folds flat into the cargo floor. Other standard features for the Eddie Bauer model include leather upholstery with front captain's chairs (driver's seat is 10-way power adjustable), the third-row seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, an AM/FM stereo tuner with 6CD changer, and protective cladding for the lower body panels.
The Eddie Bauer EL ($39,045) and Eddie Bauer EL 4WD ($41,945) are similarly equipped as the standard wheelbase versions.
Options for the Eddie Bauer models include a lengthy list of practical features including a power-folding, third-row bench seat, rear load-leveling air suspension, a heavy-duty towing package, and second-row captain's chairs. Convenience features include a navigation system, Sirius satellite radio, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.
The Limited ($37,845) and Limited 4WD ($40,745) are meant to deliver car-like, highway-friendly sophistication in a sport-utility package. The list of standard equipment resembles that of the Eddie Bauer model, but the style statement is far grander and the list of convenience features includes elaborate luxury items. Leather upholstery is standard, as are front captain's chairs (driver's seat is 10-way adjustable) with a heating/cooling feature. The power-folding rear bench seat is standard. Exterior upgrades include 255/70R18 tires with chrome-finish wheels, power-adjustable and folding mirrors.
The Limited EL ($40,495) and Limited EL 4WD ($43,395) are similarly equipped as the standard wheelbase versions.
The option list for the Eddie Bauer and Eddie Bauer EL includes a lengthy list of practical features including a power-folding, third-row bench seat, an electronically powered liftgate, rear load-leveling air suspension, a heavy-duty towing package, and second-row captain's chairs. Convenience features include a navigation system, Sirius satellite radio, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.