If we were to guess Ford’s mantra for building its full-size SUV, the Expedition, it would be “go big or go home.” As the largest SUV in the Philippine auto market, it’s got plenty of room for passengers and cargo alike. No wonder it’s highly favored by many A-list celebrities, who make it into their veritable home away from home when they travel to provincial shoots and tapings.
Ford launched the 4th-gen Expedition in 2018, and the model carries over to this year. Despite being two years old, the SUV remains up-to-date, especially where electronics and tech as concerned. Advanced features such as blind spot indicators, wireless charging pad, climate control for all rows, adjustable pedals, and the Ford Sync 3 infotainment system ensure the 2020 Ford Everest won’t be obsolete anytime soon. There’s also a terrain management system, 4x4 modes and an off-road gear setup just like the one found in the Everest, so rest assured it can take you, your extended family, and all your luggage, to any destination you can think of.
So how has things changed between the previous generation and the current one? Let us count the ways.
For the 4th-gen Expedition, Ford drops the 5.4-liter V8 option and makes the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine the sole engine choice. It’s got 375hp and 637Nm of torque to rely on, achieving greater fuel consumption and emission numbers thanks to a nifty Auto Start-Stop feature that switches the engine off while keeping the air-conditioning, Bang & Olufsen audio system, and exterior lighting functioning as the vehicle is halted by traffic.
The engine is mated to a 10-speed SelectShift Automatic gearbox that promotes seamless shifts. Meanwhile, a wide ratio span optimizes gear spacing for better responses. There’s also a manual mode on the Rotary Gear Shift Dial, and by pressing “M,” Expedition owners can enjoy driver-controlled shifting in a jiffy.
The 3rd-gen Expedition was known notoriously for throwing its weight around. The Blue Oval counters this negative by introducing a new aluminum body and redesigned high strength steel frame that trims down the vehicle’s gross weight by 319kgs—from 2754 to 2435kg.
As for the aesthetics, the fourth-gen Expedition actually looks more like the Explorer than the F-150 that its platform is based on. The three-barred chrome front grille that dresses the façade has been replaced with a layered reverse trapezoid chrome outline in the center of the new chrome grille that extends into the headlight section in seamless fashion. An elevated power dome hood further enhances the Expedition’s imposing look.
Out back, new LED combination lamps are finished with a thick chrome rear door garnish, matched with a silver lower rear bumper for visual effect. Other noteworthy exterior features include configurable daytime running lamps, intermittent front and rear wipers, chrome roof rack side rails, and 20-inch two-tone aluminum wheels, polished stainless accents, and power-deployable running boards.
The new Expedition offers spacious seating for eight full-sized adults with an abundant amount of legroom, headroom, and elbow room for all. Aside from space, there’s plenty of creature comforts to be excited about, including leather-trimmed seats, panoramic vista roof, and the new first-in-class sliding second-row seat with tip-and-slide functionality that provides easy access to the third row even with a child safety seat installed. An advanced Cargo Management System enables users to stow items inside their vehicles securely while the vehicle in motion. Want to haul more cargo? With the push of a button, the second and third-row seats can be folded flat.
Further adding confidence is a SYNC 3 infotainment with navigation, 12-speaker HD audio system, and all-new a hands-free, foot-activated lift gate with rear flip glass function that can be programmed to avoid contact with overhead obstacles such as low garage door openings.
Despite its heft, the Expedition achieves impressive maneuverability and handling thanks to the driver-Selectable Terrain Management System (TMS), a new intuitive off-road system. Featuring four pre-set modes for all models – Normal, Sport, Tow/Haul, and EcoSelect—TMS helps the SUV adapt to different road conditions and driving dynamics on the fly. The 4WD variants comes with three other driver-selectable TMS modes—Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand, and Mud/Rut.
The all-new Expedition also boasts various driver-assist technologies such as the aforementioned blind spot system, hill start assist, hill descent control, forward sensing system, cross-traffic alert, reverse sensing system, and traction control, to name a few.
The previous generation Expedition came in two engines (5.4L V8, 3.5L EcoBoost V6) and three transmissions (6-speed 6R75 automatic, 6-speed 6R80 automatic, 6-speed 6R80 SelectShift automatic). Ford PH brought the Expedition Platinum EL locally in 2015, priced at PHP3.48 million.
The currently available Expedition comes in two trims and nine paint options, priced as follows:
Carmudi has both new and used Ford Expeditions for your perusal. Check out our selection here.
Photos from Ford
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