2021 Ford Expedition

The exit of Ford’s massive Excursion SUV over a decade ago left the Expedition as the reigning super-sized SUV in the lineup. Today, it shares much of its underpinnings and engineering with the more plush Lincoln Navigator, but maintains an identity of its own.

For 2021, the Expedition gets meaningful updates that come in the form of a new two-row-only STX trim, which starts at a lower price and offers a slightly smaller interior space than its counterparts. Elsewhere, the former base XLT trim gains access to Ford’s Co-Pilot360 safety suite and all models get new wheel designs for the 2021 model year.

Ford offers the 2021 Expedition in five trim levels: XL STX, XLT, Limited, King Ranch and Platinum. All but the XL STX can be ordered in Max configuration, which adds about nine inches to the Expedition’s wheelbase and almost 12 inches to its overall length. The result is more space inside for both passengers and gear.

The five-passenger Expedition XL STX starts at $49,995 and is nicely equipped. It gets a gloss black grille, 18-inch wheels, cloth upholstery, a folding second-row seat, power driver’s seat adjustments, push-button start, blind spot monitoring, remote start, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking and SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Moving up to the eight-passenger XLT trim ($52,810) brings a reverse sensing system and a power-folding third-row seat. The Limited trim ($62,575) adds 20-inch wheels, power-deployable running boards, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and leather upholstery. King Ranch models start at $72,735 and come with 22-inch wheels, high-end Del Rio leather upholstery and Stone Gray-painted bodywork. At the top of the lineup, the Expedition Platinum costs $73,775, and gets 22-inch six-spoke wheels, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control with stop and go and a more powerful V6.

Every Expedition gets a 3.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged V6 engine that delivers 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Platinum trim V6 is returned for a higher output of 400 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard, but four-wheel drive can be equipped across the lineup and includes a limited slip differential.

Though it may seem silly to give such a large vehicle a V6 engine, the 3.5-liter unit in the Expedition is more than up to the task. Even without the 25-horsepower bump on Platinum models, it pulls with authority and provides ample acceleration—both in town and on the highway. The whoosh and whine of the turbo that can be heard over the vehicle’s sound insulation makes the drive experience a little more engaging. The ten-speed automatic transmission is both smooth and responsive, and finds its gears without trouble or hassle, keeping the V6 in its best range to deliver power. The powertrain helps the Expedition tow up to 9,300 pounds in its standard configuration and up to nine-grand in the extended Max versions.

On the road, the big Expedition maintains its composure, but the larger 22-inch wheels found in upper trim levels do let in a noticeable amount of both noise and vibration over rough roads. Even so, the ride is mostly soft, which has the unfortunate side effect of allowing more body movement around curves resulting in a squishier feel. Around town, however, the Expedition shines with superior management of potholes and other road blemishes. Its size does make maneuvering through traffic and tight spaces more complex, but it’s mostly livable and for those who want power and space, the compromise feels small.

Aside from the cheaper plastics used to outfit parts of the interior, spending time inside the Expeditions is a generally pleasant experience. The front seats, especially in higher trims with expensive leathers, are plush and comfortable, and the available massaging features are relaxing on long trips (or maybe while waiting in a lengthy school pickup time). The second-row seats in all models offer excellent head and legroom, and though captain’s chairs drop passenger carrying capacity to seven, they are ideal for older (thus bigger) kids and also help keep more boisterous youngsters separated from each other in the second row. Storage is plentiful and works to keep both small and medium-sized items in place. 

Even without upgrading to the Max configuration for more space, the Expedition offers a usable third-row seat. A middle-row bench can easily be folded for access and the way-back space offers enough room for adults to ride comfortably. Unlike some vehicles such as the smaller Honda Pilot, the Ford’s third-row seat is positioned high enough off the floor to accommodate a comfy knee position. Cargo space is equally generous, at up to 19.3 cubic-feet behind the third-row, 57.5 cubic-feet behind the second row and up to 104.6 cubic-feet with both the second- and third-row seats folded down.

The Expedition runs Sync 3, the previous version of Ford’s infotainment system, however, it’s still one of the best on the market (some newer vehicles have already been upgraded with Sync 4). It runs smoothly on the responsive 8-inch touchscreen, but the display itself could benefit from more real estate in such a large vehicle. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is a Wi-Fi hotspot. Ford offers a rear-seat entertainment package in the top three trims for parents who favor a hands-free tablet experience for their kids.

The 2021 Expedition hasn’t been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but earned five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The vehicle gets standard features such as blind spot monitoring and a lane-keeping system, but the XLT trim and above get Ford’s Co-Pilot360 system, which brings reverse brake assist, intelligent adaptive cruise control and more. 

The Expedition has everything a premium SUV buyer wants in a vehicle, minus the posh decor. Ford’s use of subpar materials inside is a hard pill to swallow at the Expedition’s price point, but the big vehicle’s other virtues help it win back points. A fully usable third row and cargo van-like space to haul gear will make the giant Ford SUV a contender for many families shopping in this segment, however, those with the budget to consider a fully-loaded model will likely be more turned on by (and should look closely at) the luxurious Lincoln Navigator, which is well-appointed and starts at the Expedition’s top-end price.