After it has been around for nearly a decade, the Expedition is finally going to be replaced with an all new version. Even though the 2017 Ford Expedition is still around, it won’t stick around for much longer. Its successor has been fully revealed by Ford, and it is a far more impressive car than first thought. For starters, the new model is based on the same high strength steel chassis as the F-150. On top of that, it also boasts an all aluminum body which means the car is considerably lighter than its predecessor. Thanks to the weight loss and the new independent suspension setup, the Expedition should not only be easier to drive but also more comfortable and safe.
2017 Ford Expedition Review
So far Ford revealed pretty much everything about the car with the only exception being the engine’s output. Even so, we do have a pretty good idea about its engine’s output but more on that later. It seems the price of the new model might increase slightly over its predecessor. This is because the SUV will boast more safety features as standard as well as more gear in the base trim level.
Design
Likely the most striking change about the 2017 Ford Expedition’s successor has to be the way it looks. While its predecessor was mostly identical to the F-150 of its time, this is no longer the case with the new model. In fact, the new generation has a lot more in common with Ford’s current line of crossovers. It gets a similar grille, new headlights with wraparound LED daytime running lights as well as sharp C-shaped inserts. The rear has a more vertical look than its predecessor, but together with the more muscular body, it makes for a more impressive car to look at. Inside the cabin, on the other hand, the Expedition is nearly identical to the F-150. The only real difference is the rotary gear knob which makes a bit more room on the center stack.
Under the Hood
The new Expedition is being powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6. While at first, it may seem identical to its predecessor, it really isn’t. The same engine has been installed in the new Navigator where it makes a rather impressive 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Chances are the one in the Expedition won’t differ much so it might make just as much as in the Lincoln. If this is the case, then it will easily outrun all of its rivals. A 10 speed automatic will be offered as standard together with a rear wheel drive system. In this form, the Expedition should be capable of towing north of 8,000 pounds with ease.
2017 Ford Expedition Price and Trim Level
Trims/Price/Fuel/Engine | |||
XLT 4×2 | $47,125 | 15 / 21 mpg | Twin Turbo Regular UnleadedV-6 3.5 L/213 |
XLT 4×4 | $50,050 | 15 / 20 mpg | Twin Turbo Regular Unleaded V-6, 3.5 L/213 |
Limited 4×2 | $56,045 | 15 / 21 mpg | Twin Turbo Regular Unleaded V-6, 3.5 L/213 |
Limited 4×4 | $59,085 | 15 /20 mpg | Twin Turbo Regular Unleaded V-6, 3.5 L/213 |
King Ranch 4×2 | $60,615 | 15 /21 mpg | Twin Turbo Regular Unleaded V-6, 3.5 L/213 |
King Ranch 4×4 | $63,535 | 15 /20 mpg | Twin Turbo Regular Unleaded V-6, 3.5 L/213 |
Platinum 4×2 | $64,205 | 15 /21 mpg | Twin Turbo Regular Unleaded V-6, 3.5 L/213 |
Platinum 4×4 | $67,250 | 15 /20 mpg | Twin Turbo Regular Unleaded V-6, 3.5 L/213 |
Jan 18, 2017 Review: After many rumors, the brand new 2017 Ford Expedition has been revealed a couple of months back. The SUV is using an all new design, and it is a major step up over the outgoing model. The new version of the car is now based on Ford’s newer T3 chassis. This is the same frame that also underpins the F-150. A high strength steel chassis with considerably better rigidity than before and lower weight. Over the truck, the Expedition features a fully independent suspension setup.
This isn’t as capable of carrying weight as the truck. However, it still means it can tow more than before without any worries. The better rigidity also increases the crash protection, and it allowed Ford to offer much better NVH levels than any Expedition before it.
Surprise
Up until a few months ago all camouflaged prototypes and test mules used the same front end design as the F-150. However, once the Expedition was revealed it became quite clear that this wasn’t the case. Instead, the SUV features a unique design which sets it apart from the truck. However, like the truck, the Expedition features an all aluminum body. Despite boasting a beefed up running gear, it still weighs 300 pounds less than before. This should help with fuel consumption and overall performance. Also, despite being lighter, it is considerably larger than its predecessor. Both the short and long wheelbase model and longer than their predecessors. On top of that, the short wheelbase model sports an 8 inch longer wheelbase than before which is quite impressive. Ford hasn’t announced the price, but it seems it won’t change all that much. Thanks to that the 2017 Ford Expedition should have no problem at getting the top spot in its class.
2017 Ford Expedition Specs
The SUV is still using a 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6. Even though it may seem identical at first, the engine has very little in common with the older generation powertrain. This is, in fact, the same new unit that can also be found in the facelift F-150. The output hasn’t been revealed so far, but it seems it will make more than 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Some suggested Ford will try to aim for over 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque which is a real possibility considering how capable this twin-turbocharged powertrain really is. With the new engine, they also installed the new ten-speed automatic gearbox. This is faster, stronger and lighter than the one before it. Even though the towing rating hasn’t been revealed, we can expect north of 8,000 pounds for it which would be really impressive.
The performance is still unknown. However, considering the performance of the F-150, the Expedition should be more than capable of reaching similar numbers. A 0 to 60 MPH time of around 5 seconds and a limited top speed of around 110 MPH should be possible. With the new transmission, Ford also installed a transfer box on the four-wheel drive models. These get a two-speed transfer case which will allow the Expedition to offer a true 4WD-low mode. Some suggested that Ford may also add a second engine in the near future. However, considering most of its rivals, this is unlikely.
Interior and Exterior
Probably the largest change for the 2017 Ford Expedition is the way it looks. Instead of going for the same design as that on the F-150 Ford decided to make it special. The entire front end is new and it doesn’t share anything in common with the truck. Instead, the new Expedition is closer in design to the Explorer. It boasts a large grille flanked by large headlights with C-shaped DRLs. The front end is slightly angled while the air dam is really low, so the overall design is quite aggressive. In contrast, the rear of the Expedition is boxier than before. Together with the design lines on the sides, the new Expedition does make for a meaner more aggressive-looking SUV.
The interior, on the other hand, isn’t as special as we would have hoped. While the materials have improved and it features Ford’s latest technologies, the basic design is nearly identical to that in the F-150. The dashboard is quite bleak, and the upright design makes for a less than ideal layout which is especially apparent in an SUV designed for personal use.