Ford borrows from the best for 2025 Expedition
Is this flagship SUV a secret Range Rover?
DETROIT — The 2025 Ford Expedition will roll into dealerships soon with new tech and clever features borrowed from some of the best SUVs in the world.
Ford’s flagship SUV, the new Expedition makes a bold move for supremacy in the competitive full-size SUV market, going up against stalwarts like the GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe.
I recently got a sneak peek at the redesigned Expedition a few weeks ago in Detroit, and it’s clear that Ford knows how families use these large vehicles in their everyday lives.
The most striking change is the new dash, with a 24-inch-wide screen running along the base of the entire left side of the windshield. It replaces the instrument cluster and allows drivers to keep their eyes up and on the road while still accessing crucial information like speed and navigation.
In the middle is a large touchscreen running Google’s automotive platform. It offers built-in Google Maps, Google Assistant and access to the Google Play Store for additional apps.
It’s called the Ford Digital Experience, and it debuted earlier this year in the Lincoln Nautilus and new Ford Explorer, delivering a connected experience that is becoming mandatory in modern cars. It even supports video streaming services like YouTube, perfect for keeping kids (and parents) entertained during long waits at soccer practice. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also on board, as is Alexa integration for those who prefer Amazon’s virtual assistant.
But the real winner is the split tailgate at the rear. This clever design combines a traditional SUV liftgate with a fold-down tailgate similar to what you’d find on a pickup truck. The lower portion can support up to 600 pounds and includes a fold-down seatback that can transform into a table. It’s a versatile setup that’s perfect for tailgating or impromptu picnics.
The split tailgate setup has been used in the Range Rover for years, and the fold-down seatback is reminiscent of a $10,000 seating option available on the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Getting the same features as luxury SUVs that cost twice or six times as much is a clever move for Ford, and it’ll sell a lot of SUVs. It’s reminiscent of the fancy tailgate that GMC introduced on the Sierra a few years back, which left competitors scrambling to respond.
In the cabin, Expedition’s new Flex Powered Console (an awful name) can slide back nearly 8 inches, revealing a secure storage area up front while giving second-row passengers access to their HVAC controls and cup holders. Moms looking for a place to put purses will be thrilled with this development.
There’s also a new mount for securely holding tablets or smartphones on the back of the front headrests, a terrific alternative to wildly expensive (and generally terrible) permanently mounted rear-seat screens. It’s another feature borrowed from more luxurious SUVs, as I remember Volvo offering something similar in the XC90 nearly a decade ago.
To improve road trip life, Ford is expanding the availability of its BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system across the Expedition lineup. It’s now available on nearly 90% of all models, including the new Tremor off-road variant. Speaking of which, the Tremor is an exciting addition to the Expedition family, offering serious off-road capability for adventure-seeking families — and, if we’re honest, a terrific look that will attract even more attention than its functionality.
The Expedition Tremor boasts 10.6 inches of ground clearance, the highest in its class, and rides on 33-inch all-terrain tires. It’s powered by a high-output version of Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, producing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. With additional features like skid plates, off-road auxiliary lights and special drive modes, the Tremor will be popular for those heading off the beaten path.
Like with its pickup trucks, Ford seems to know that it can keep packing lux features into its full-size SUVs, and people will keep buying them. With that in mind, the new Expedition gets premium touches like available massaging seats, a panoramic sunroof and a 28-speaker B&O sound system. The interior design is a significant step up, with higher-quality materials and a more modern aesthetic across all trim levels. Finally, Fords no longer look dated the moment they come off the assembly line.
A pair of 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost (aka turbocharged) engines are available, one with higher output, but the base model offers 400 horsepower and 480 torque, so there’s plenty of power. However, in a segment where some competitors are moving toward hybrid powertrains, it will be interesting to see how the Expedition’s fuel efficiency stacks up — I was disappointed that Ford’s terrific PowerBoost hybrid wasn’t coming over from the F-150. Company spokespeople didn’t have a great answer as to why there wasn’t a hybrid option, and I spoke to a current Expedition owner who was passing on the new one because of the lack of one.
Still, it’s clear that Ford has put a lot of effort into making it more than just a people mover. The Expedition is a versatile family tool that’s equally at home on the daily school run, a cross-country road trip, or even an off-road adventure. It pairs well with the Ford F-150 for buyers who need to decide whether they want the flexibility of a pickup’s open cargo compartment or a third-row and family-friendly SUV.