Expanded lineup. Ford has made a few noteworthy changes to the Expedition for 2022. The large SUV is now available in a rugged Timberline trim that’s aimed at consumers looking to tackle some trails.
The Timberline features unique exterior touches that include orange accents and a bespoke grille. Rugged all-terrain tires, 18-inch wheels, and a wider track also help the Timberline do well on rough terrain. The trim also includes a two-speed transfer case, an available front skid plate, a limited-slip differential, and upgraded suspension. Additionally, the Timberline features Ford’s Trail Turn Assist system that decreases the SUV’s turning circle on a trail.
There’s a new Stealth Performance Package that’s available on the Limited trim. It brings a more aggressive look with 22-inch wheels, blacked-out trim pieces, black badges, and red brake calipers. As its name implies, the package is a blacked-out appearance. The package also brings a tuned version of the V6 engine for a healthy dose of performance.
Styling and tech upgrade. Another large change for 2022 is revised exterior and interior styling. The Expedition is starting to get a little long in the tooth for the class and Ford timed an updated design perfectly. The changes help keep the Expedition modern, while the dashboard now looks similar to the one found on the F-150 pickup truck.
In addition to the new design and updated interior materials, Ford has fitted the Expedition with larger touchscreens. For 2022, the large SUV now comes with a 12-inch vertically oriented touchscreen. It features Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system, which is the brand’s latest and greatest system. An even larger 15.5-inch touchscreen is available, matching the one found in the F-150 and Mustang Mach-E. To make the Expedition feel even more modern, the SUV can be fitted with a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster.
Ford knows that a lot of Expedition owners will take the SUV on a long road trip, which is why it’s added its hands-free Blue Cruise advanced driver-assist system as standard on the Platinum trim. Moving up to the Platinum trim brings the Expedition close to Lincoln territory, but Blue Cruise is a major reason to make the upgrade.
Who needs a V8? While other large SUVs in the segment continue to use a V8 engine, the Expedition and Expedition Max are powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine. In its standard form, the engine makes 375 horsepower ad 470 pound-feet of torque. In the Platinum, it’s boosted to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. With the new Stealth Performance Package, the engine is tuned to make 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque.
The turbo engine produces plenty of grunt to get some serious towing done. When properly equipped, the SUV can tow up 9,300 pounds. The larger Expedition Max is rated to tow up to 9,000 pounds.
The EPA hasn’t released its official figures for the 2022 Expedition yet, so we don’t know how the new Stealth Performance Package will affect fuel economy. We expect it will be a hefty hit. While one would expect the V6 engine to be more efficient than a V8 that’s not necessarily the case. The best the Expedition can get is up to 19 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive. With the Expedition Max and four-wheel drive, the SUV is rated at 18 mpg combined.
Room for everyone. The Expedition and Expedition Max are incredibly spacious. Depending on your needs, the SUV can seat between five and eight people. That’s an impressive range that makes the Expedition appeal to a wide range of shoppers.
There’s no shortage of room on the inside and there’s no bad seat in the house. Even the third row is adult-friendly, with up to 40.9 inches of legroom. The second row offers up to 42.6 inches of rear legroom for a slightly more comfortable experience. The SUV’s boxy design also results in a large amount of headroom, with the Expedition offering up to 37.4 inches in the third row and 40 inches in the second row.
Cargo capacity is equally as impressive in the Expedition. For shoppers in need of an SUV that can seat up to eight and go to Costco, the Expedition Max is the better choice. It offers up to 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. The Expedition offers an impressive 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space. In total, the Expedition Max has 121.5 cubic feet of cargo space and 104.6 cubic feet in the regular Expedition. The Expedition Max’s figures are close to leading the class.
Final thoughts. Few SUVs are true minivan alternatives, but the 2022 Ford Expedition is one of them. The new Timberline trim and Stealth Performance Package that look good and add a serious boost to performance bring even more depth to the Expedition lineup. Being difficult to drive and having poor fuel economy is expected for the class, and worth the cost of entry for consumers that need this much interior space.
Alternatively, the Jeep Wagoneer offers serious off-roading capability, a luxurious interior, upscale features, a smooth ride, and a powerful V8 engine. The Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban are the Expedition and Expedition Max’s rivals. These SUVs can tow up to 8,400 pounds, are with powerful V8 engines, and have up to 145 cubic feet of cargo space.
