Her + His Car Reviews
2020 Ford Expedition Limited 4x4 8 Passenger
Our car reviews are innovative and interesting as we provide insightful and expert reviews from both Her + His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate, women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| $71,865 | $71,865 |
| Performance | |
| All models of the new 2020 Ford Expedition come with a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 engine that produces 375 horsepower and 470-pound ft. of powerful torque. The EcoBoost sure has the strength to get up and go when the vehicle is weighed down with a family of 6+2. The extraordinary acceleration and braking were expected, and delivered, in this sizable 3-row roomy, 8 passenger SUV. The ride is smooth, and the shifts are nimble, no matter the road surface or the elements being driven through. This is a big vehicle and the handling of the 2020 Ford Expedition can almost feel like driving a truck. When in the city, driving it requires precision it's so substantial, and there is no room to spare. Steering was responsive, but it's still a two-hands on the wheel vehicle, at all times. Off-road driving is adequate, although it's not designed for this specifically. |
A really great car to drive with strong handling, acceleration, and it's quite maneuverable even on clogged, narrow streets. The brakes are smooth, and the cornering and handling are quite good for a vehicle that is quite large. The 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 is clearly the star of the show, providing 373 lusty horses in all but the Platinum version, when the power is boosted to 400 horsepower. The only transmission available is the 10-speed automatic, and rear wheel drive is standard. If you wish, you can get all-wheel drive on all trim levels. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| Very good fuel economy for a large SUV with 17 city, 19 combined and 22 highway. | 17 city, 22 highway, and 19 overall. The range of the Expedition is anywhere from 396 and 513 miles, depending on equipment and which model and engine you select. It takes five gallons of gas to drive 100 miles. and your annual fuel costs will be about $2,150 every year, based on $2.70 a gallon gasoline and driving 15,000 miles a year. |
| The Vehicle | |
| The 2020 Ford Expedition 4 x 4 is one of the most spacious on the market; a plus for any family looking for a hauler weighing in at about 5,500 pounds. The mileage attributes, safety and comfort creatures make it a top winner in the large SUV classification.
Backing up can be challenging with the 2020 Ford Expedition's size, but with its proportions, that should come as no surprise. It takes about a 5 to a 7 point turn to get into a parking space, and frankly, I found myself looking for a generous sized allotment that this bigger than most SUV's could actually get into. Not just a regular sized parking spot. Buyer Beware. The good news? You will get your 'steps in' with a few extra walks. The running boards are a plus. They are secure and easy to get on and off as they are wide standing and slip resistant. Secured by 18" Magnetic Aluminum Wheels, this 8 passenger 2020 Ford Expedition 4 x 4 is an outstanding winner due to the combination of spaciousness, family-friendly comfort and safety features. It is worth noting, that the vehicle, with or without all the bells and whistles, is one of the more expensive full-sized family SUV's on the market. |
The 2020 Ford Expedition is a revelation on how to design a large SUV in a way that makes it welcoming and pleasurable for someone who is not only is new to large SUVs--but apprehensive of them as well.
The Expedition seems to go out of its way to make the transition from mid-sized or compact car to large SUV in a host of ways. There are power running boards to help you step in. There are convenient handles are available to make it easy to get in and out of the vehicle. The Expedition does not feel nearly as imposing behind the wheel, with a driving position, line of sight and instrument panel design that gives small built people confidence and assurance when they drive. I never had any parking issues despite its size, and the ride was both stable and comfortable. For the second row, you can get either a 40/20/40-split folding bench or twin captain's chairs, which lets you get to the third-row seating area easier. But you will only be able to hold seven passengers with the captain's chairs. |
| Safety | |
|
Air Bags for Drivers, Passengers - both Head, Read and Side, Child Safety Locks, Traction Control, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitor, Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors, Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keeping Assist, Daytime Running Lights, Electronic Stability Control. Brake Assist, 4 Wheel ABS, and 4 Wheel Disc Brakes. Advanced Security Pack, Perimeter Alarm, Personal Safety System, SOS Post-Crash Alert System, Wiper Activated Windshield, Hands Free Liftgate, De-Icer for Windshield, Rain Sensing Wipers, Intelligent Access w Push Button Starter. 5 Year Roadside Assistance includes lock out, gasoline, towing, mount your spare, jump your car. Access your request through Android or Apple phone. Tire Pressure Monitoring System. This large SUV has a full set of LATCH in the second row. Note this is for either the second-row seat, or for the captain's chairs. The 3rd row has a full LATCH in this row. |
Pretty much the standard package of safety stuff. |
| Technology | |
| In our 2020 Ford Limited Expedition EcoBoost, technology rages. There are 10-way power adjustable seats in the front that are both ventilated and heated, the power steering wheel is heated as well as the pedals are adjustable. The second-row seats are heated; nice touch.
Included is a Universal Garage Door Opener, a SYNC Infotainment System, 8" Touch Screen, Siririous Satellite Radio for optimum listening with HD Radio. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Voice Recognition, Auto Dimming Rearview Mirror, Blind Spot Monitoring, High Bear Headlights, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Land Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Pedestrian Detection. Front Parking Sensors, Stop and Go Adaptive Cruise Control, Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers, Front Parking Sensors, Automatic parking Assist, Surround-View Parking Camera System, 4 USB Ports, Wi-Fi Hot Spot, 6 Speaker Stereo, Rear View Camera, Rear Parking Sensors. Ford MyKey - a remote technology for parents to put controls in place for teenagers or at-risk drivers. Climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, and the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen, satellite radio, voice recognition, four USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 12 speaker Bang and Olufsen sound stereo, and a Wi-Fi hot spot, Wireless Phone Charging. Remote Start, Navigation, Panoramic Roof, 2 third-row USB ports, Power Outlet, a Rear-Seat Entertainment System. Hands-free Liftgate to access Trunk. |
The 2020 Ford Expedition is available in three XLT, Limited and Platinum versions - ours was the Limited.
Standard equipment includes seating for eight passengers, 18-inch alloy wheels, running boards, roof rack rails, rear parking sensors, push-button ignition, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, heated side mirrors, air-conditioning, a six-way power driver seat (with manual recline), power-adjustable pedals, a sliding and reclining 40/20/40-split second-row seat, and a "one-touch" 60/40-split fold-flat third-row seat. You also get a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Ford's Sync voice-control system, a 4.2-inch central display, second-row USB charging ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and a nine-speaker sound system with CD player, satellite radio, USB interface, auxiliary jack and rear audio controls. The Limited version of the Expedition gets the features from the 202A package and adds 20-inch wheels, front parking sensors, roof rack rails, retractable running boards, heated second-row seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a premium Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker audio system with HD radio. You also have the choice of springing for the two optional packages, 301A and 302A. The 301A package includes the panoramic sunroof, navigation and the driver assistance features listed above, while the 302A package adds on 22-inch wheels, adaptive suspension dampers, LED headlights and fog lights, a 360-degree view parking camera, and an automated parking system. If you are turned off by having to buy packages of options instead of just the ones you want, you will find that many of them can be ordered as what are called "stand alone" options. Other possibilities for options include the rear seat entertainment system with dual headrest mounted displays and second row leather captain's chairs, but if you get these chairs, your seating capacity drops to seven. The Platinum gets as standard equipment all of the Limited features and those of the 302A package, plus the interior wood accents, enhanced front seats with massage function, upgraded leather for the steering wheel, leather door trim and active noise cancellation. Options offered are similar to those of the Limited. An extended-wheelbase Expedition, which has a bigger cargo area, the Max, can be had on the . the XLT and Limited. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| There is a lot going on in the 2020 Ford Limited 4 x 4, and it does not disappoint This is a bad-ass, family hauler. The front exterior has a good sized, impressive grille. Details on the outside are small but appreciated. Chiseled headlights, LED in front and back. Roof rack and updated LED Taillights. Great space, great comfort and great technology all add up to one terrific vehicle and top seller. The only thing that falls short is style points. The vehicle is more than utilitarian, no doubt, but because it commands a higher MSRP, we thought it would bring with it a compelling interior design. The two did not equate, as it is monochromatic, boxy and falls short. There is a wealth of space with almost 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Right behind the second row, journalists have measured nearly 64 cubic feet of packing space. One of the greatest features of this vehicle is the configurations that can be reached. The second and third seats have a one-touch 60/40-split feature. The driving experience is a joy in this large SUV as you sit up high and there are zero blind spots. Our passengers in the 2nd row also had a comfortable ride, as did those in the third; space was a plenty. The third row has a power-folding row. The vehicle is made in the United States in Kentucky. |
The Expedition has kept more or less the same kind of classic, truck-like look that it has had all these years, which means that in a sense, it is truly ageless.
Inside, you have a roomy interior that has plenty of space for everything and everyone. The controls are easy to use, and even the audio/infotainment system. which used to be a pretty serious issue for Ford products, is a snap to connect, and everything is quite intuitive. This is one of the best products you can buy if you like to make long road trips, you have a large family, and you want to tow too. But Ford has a problem that sooner or later, will become obvious. The interior is outdated, and the styling is simply rather nondescript. That's an issue because many middle-sized SUV's that cost $30,000 or so less than the Expedition, and their exterior styling is light years ahead of the Expedition. And yes, buyers of SUVs are style conscious. Just ask Kia, with its Telluride, Chevy with its Blazer, Toyota with its RAV4, and just about any Lexus products. Case in point: the truly ugly, fake looking wood that appears on the doors of the Expedition Limited. I could not believe this considering the $75,000 price tag for the Expedition! |
| Warranty | |
| 3 Year/36,000 Bumper to Bumper, 5 Year/60,000 Powertrain, 5 Year/ Roadside Assistance | 3 years/36,000 miles |
