Item: 2019 Ford Expedition
Author: Matthew Keegan

After a full redesign last year, the Ford Expedition stormed onto the scene to battle the likes of Chevrolet’s Suburban and Tahoe. Thanks to a competent powertrain and an elegant cabin, it won widespread acclaim. The 2019 Ford Expedition is back with minimal changes, and it’s still a class leader among the biggest of the big.

What's New for 2019

Aside from a new appearance package and a few feature-set tweaks, the Expedition sees no major changes for 2019.

Ford Expedition

Choosing Your Ford Expedition

At the heart of the Expedition is Ford’s new 3.5-liter V6 engine paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. With 375 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, the combination will tow an impressive 9,300 pounds. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available on all models.

The EPA estimates fuel economy at 17 miles per gallon city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 combined for RWD models. Opting for AWD drops those numbers to 17/22/19 mpg (city/highway/combined). That’s not exceptional by most standards, but it’s fairly good among large SUVs.

The Expedition is also available in long-wheelbase form, which Ford calls the Expedition MAX. The MAX extends the Expedition by a foot or so and expands cargo space behind the third row from 20.9 cubic feet to 36.0. With all the seats down, the Expedition MAX can hold an airy 121.5 cubic feet of luggage. Fuel economy goes in the other direction: the MAX gets 17/23/19 mpg with RWD and just 16/21/18 mpg with AWD.

All models are outfitted with seating for eight, along with a strong set of technology features. An eight-inch infotainment touchscreen runs Ford’s Sync 3 interface and is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The first two rows get two USB ports each, and an in-car WiFi hotspot is available.

The rest of the Expedition’s features are distributed among three trims:

XLT
Starting at $53,525 (all prices include the $1,395 destination charge), the Expedition XLT is the cheapest way into the lineup. Upgrading to a MAX will add $2,685, and all-wheel drive is an extra $3,010. Standard features start with 18-inch alloy wheels, roof racks, a rear parking sensor, and heated and powered side mirrors. The interior sees a power-adjustable driver’s seat, three-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power-folding third row.
Ford offers several packages on the XLT trim. The 201A bundle ($1,485) adds faux-leather seats and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. The 202A ($5,605) adds a 4G LTE hotspot, third-row USB ports, wireless charging, a hands-free liftgate, blind-spot and trailer-tow monitors, power-folding side mirrors, keyless entry, remote start, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
A Driver Assistance Package ($715) requires that group 202A be selected but includes adaptive cruise control, collision assist with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic high beams. The Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package ($1,570) prepares the Expedition for hitch duty, and the FX4 Off-road Package ($1,650) beefs up the wheels, shocks, body, and differential for better adventure capability. With group 201A selected, a panoramic sunroof is available for $1,475. With 202A, in-screen navigation is an option for $740.

Limited
Occupying the Goldilocks position is the Expedition Limited, with a starting price of $64,410. The MAX adds $2,690 and all-wheel drive $3,125. All the features from the XLT’s 202A bundle are standard here, along with leather upholstery, a heated second row, heated and ventilated front seats, and a premium 12-speaker sound system. The exterior gets 20-inch wheels, front parking sensors, and retractable running boards.
The Limited trim unlocks quite a few new packages, which can get a little confusing. First up are the equipment groups, starting with 301A ($3,030), which includes the panoramic sunroof and adaptive cruise control. Group 301A also unlocks a Special Edition Package ($3,955), which adds 22-inch wheels, a surround-view camera, cargo organization, the trailer-tow pack, parking assist, and full LED headlights. The 302A group ($6,440) includes all the features of the Special Edition Package minus the cargo and trailer packages. Finally, group 303A ($7,540) includes all the features of 301A and the Special Edition Package, plus all the safety features in the Driver Assistance Package.
The Driver Assistance Package (along with the Trailer Tow Package) is still available on its own. Joining it are two new packages. The Texas Edition Package ($3,955) is essentially the Special Edition Package with extra Texas badging, and the Convenience Package ($2,070) requires group 303A but adds a cargo manager, the Trailer Tow Package, inflatable rear seat belts, and black roof crossbars.
LED headlights are available as a standalone option for $740 along with the panoramic sunroof ($1,475). Second-row bucket seats and navigation are both another $740, and Ford will bolt in a headrest-mounted rear entertainment system for $1,995.

Platinum
Approaching the luxury status of its sibling Lincoln Navigator, the Expedition Platinum starts at $74,760. A Platinum MAX is another $2,675, and all-wheel drive is $3,150. Many features are standard here, including the panoramic sunroof, the LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, and all features from the Special Edition and Driver Assistance Packages. The front seats are heated, ventilated, and massage-capable, and the outboard second-row seats are also heated. Wood interior accents join leather door trim and active noise cancellation. As a final bonus, the engine gets tuned up to produce an extra 25 horsepower. At this trim, everything is standard except the Trailer Tow Package and the second-row bucket seats, which remain $1,570 and $740, respectively.

CarsDirect Tip

For buyers tempted by the 2019 Ford Expedition Platinum trim, we recommend just bumping up to the Lincoln Navigator instead. Otherwise, stick to the Limited trim – it’s well equipped from the get-go and offers extensive customization.

Get Your Price on a Ford Expedition »

Willis Kuelthau

Automotive Editor - December 28, 2018

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Expert Rating

Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Matthew Keegan

Contributing Editor - January 29, 2019

The 2019 Ford Expedition is the modern big-bodied SUV we love. It comes with a vast interior, offers swift acceleration, and supplies very good ride and handling for its size. Its size means it's difficult to park and its sticker price rivals that of some pricey European models.

Best Value

Ford offers a choice of standard and extended wheelbase models, the latter marketed as the Expedition MAX and with nearly a foot more space between the axles. This SUV comes with standard rear-wheel drive and available four-wheel drive. Ford offers both versions of the 2019 Expedition in XLT, Limited, and Platinum trims.

Our pick begins with the MAX, simply because the extra 15 cubic feet of cargo space comes in handy. We like the Limited edition as it builds on the standard trim with its fog lights, cloth seats, base infotainment package, and basic safety and security package. The Limited edition includes an enhanced security package, 20-inch dark-painted wheels, a hands-free foot-activated liftgate, leather seats, heated and ventilated front row seats, heated second-row outboard seats, dual-zone climate control, SYNC3 infotainment, and wireless charging.

Model: 2019 Ford Expedition Limited MAX
Engine: 3.5-liter turbocharged V6
Output: 375 hp / 470 lb-ft
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Four-wheel drive
Fuel Economy: 16 City / 21 Hwy
Options: Four-wheel drive ($3,120), 301A Equipment Group ($3,030, panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, 22-inch black-painted aluminum wheels, continuous controlled damping, surround-view camera system, cargo package, heavy-duty trailer package, LED headlights and fog lights, enhanced parking assist)
Base Price: $67,100 (including the $1,395 destination charge)
Best Value Price: $72,660

Performance

You get one powertrain choice with the 2019 Expedition and it's a superior one. Under the hood is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. Platinum models benefit from special tweaking to deliver 400 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. Regardless, this SUV delivers ample performance and works with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission.

Ford’s enhanced V6 offers more power than most V8s and is marketed under the company’s EcoBoost umbrella. Power delivery is immediate, thanks to the twin-turbo arrangement, which quickly moves this big SUV up to highway speeds. The ride is very comfortable and steering is light to the touch. The expected body roll is very much present, but we’ve seen more in some competing rides.

Style

The Ford Expedition was redesigned in 2018 and shares its platform with the widely popular F-150 pickup truck. There are some similarities between the two, including an aluminum-intensive body. Still, there are enough differences between the two, including a slab body on the Expedition that combines retro and cutting-edge elements all the same. The C-shaped headlights are unique to this model and are its softer grille.

Inside, the cabin mirrors that of the F-150 in some respects, but with a better fitting dashboard. The center console design is unique to the Expedition and is dominated by a rotary shifter as well as shift-on-the-fly controls for four-wheel-drive models. The most striking separation is on the Platinum models, which seem to steal a bit more from its Lincoln stablemate with its fine woods, beautiful leather, and brushed aluminum trim.

The Best and Worst Things

Ford Expedition There are a number of very positive elements of the Ford Expedition, but we’ll stress its maximum 9,300-pound towing capacity as one of its top features. It doesn’t match the level of most pickup trucks, but it delivers more than the amount of trailering assistance some competing models offer. If there's a downside to the Expedition it'd have everything to do with pricing. Just like that, you may find yourself paying more than $80,000 for one, if you’re not careful.

Right For? Wrong For?

Expedition fans and anyone interested in a full-bodied SUV will be attracted to this model. Its bigly design remains true to the product line and its available tech features will have you coming back for more. On the other hand, this SUV may be too big for some buyers who expect something more manageable. Fortunately, the Ford Explorer may be more to some shopper’s liking, as it's a three-row model with room for seven.

The Bottom Line

The 2019 Ford Expedition targets a narrow segment and does so with class and distinction. With its twin-turbocharged V6 engine, it sets a new benchmark for the segment, despite easily being outsold by the Chevrolet Suburban.

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Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque	3.5L V-6 / 375 HP / 470 ft.lbs.
Drive Type	Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined	17 / 24 / 20 Mpg
Brakes	4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension	Double Wishbone
Rear Suspension	Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel	Full-size Steel
Fuel Tank	23.3 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type	Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank	$89

Maximum Cargo Volume	104.6 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume	172 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length	210.0 "
Exterior Width	79.9 "
Exterior Height	76.6 "
Front Headroom	42.0 "
Rear Headroom	40.0 "
Front Legroom	43.9 "
Rear Legroom	41.5 "
Front Shoulder Room	64.9 "
Rear Shoulder Room	64.8 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight	5,443 Lbs.
Wheel Base	123 "
Turning Radius	20.5 '

Door Count	4 Doors
Wheels	18.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 20.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint	Clearcoat Monotone / Tri-coat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors	Dual Power Remote Heated Convex Spotter / Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers	Body-colored
Grille Moldings	Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust	Stainless Steel

Passenger Capacity	8
Seat Trim	Cloth / Activex Leatherette
Front Seat Type	Bucket
Heated Front Seats	Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls	8-way (6-way Power) / (8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls	4-way / (8-way Power)
Front Armrests	8-way (6-way Power) / (8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats	40-20-40 Split-bench

Radio	Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan / Clock
Speakers	6 / 9
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity

2019 Ford Expedition

Overview

What's New for 2019

Choosing Your Ford Expedition

XLT

Limited

Platinum

Expert Review