Ford Expedition reviews

2006 Ford Expedition Interior Features

An attractive cabin makes the Ford Expedition a pleasant place to be on long trips. Shapes are round, and controls are hefty for an easy grip. This is particularly true of the upper-level models such as the Eddie Bauer and Limited. The Eddie Bauer Expedition features handsome leather trim that's warm and friendly with metallic satin finish trim on the rings that surround vents and door handles. The lighter upholstery colors give the Expedition a lighter, more car-like air. Lower-level models are nice, too, with padded door trim in nicely contrasting materials that looks and feels good.

Storage space is generous, a great feature for a big family vehicle. The roomy pockets in all four doors have space for a 20-ounce water bottle. The center console (that comes in most models) can hold a small laptop computer. The console has a slot to hold pens and a Palm Pilot or other PDAs. Its lid is comfortably padded, and feels nice to the touch even on the XLT, where it's covered in faux leather.

The available power-operated (PowerFold) third-row seats fold flat with the press of a button. The third-row seat is split 60/40. Push one button on the wall of the cargo area, and one side powers down. Hold down the other button, and the other side powers down. The power-down buttons are convenient. The third row disappears into the floor, leaving a perfectly flat cargo area. It is an impressive piece of engineering to watch as the seat folds down and flaps gracefully flop into place to cover the gap between the cargo floor and hinged seats.

The power third-row seat is invaluable when changing roles from people hauler to a cargo hauler and back again with just a press of a button. Expedition's third row is comfortable enough for a couple of full-size adults. When no one is seated back there, the third-row headrests can be pushed down flush with the seatbacks, greatly improving the driver's rearward visibility.

With the seats folded down, the cargo floor is perfectly flat, in contrast to many SUVs, which have a slanting platform. The Expedition's flat floor, combined with the flaps that cover the gap where the seats hinge, makes it easy to slide objects in and out. Another nice feature is the window in the liftgate that opens so you can quickly load or unload stuff without opening the whole liftgate.

The second-row bench seat splits roughly into thirds. The middle section can be moved forward 11 inches, almost abutting it to the back of the front center console. Ford calls this feature CenterSlide, and it gives front-seat parents easier access to a small child in a safety seat. The small center seatback can also be folded down and used as a work surface for two people in back. The two outboard second-row seats fold easily forward for access to the third-row seat.

The Reverse Sensing System is available as a stand-alone option for 2006. It's a great feature, particularly on large SUVs, whose rearward blind spot can be three times as large as a sedan's. A tone alerts the driver to objects behind the vehicle whenever it's shifted in reverse. Don't depend on it, though, it's an aid and is not designed to absolve drivers of the responsibility of looking where they're going.

Some of Expedition's interior systems are programmable, and the programming is relatively easy. Tired of fighting those automatic locks? You can turn off the auto-locking feature. You can set whether the seat automatically moves back when you shut off the ignition. You can decide whether you want the right mirror to automatically tilt down when reverse is selected.

The optional navigation system has a nice bright screen. It works well, but like all navigation systems, takes some time to master.