2021 Ford Expedition

Ford’s supersized SUV has received various cosmetic tweaks for 2021, with new wheels and paint colors. A new XL model is available on the regular Expedition, sold with an STX Package which improves its infotainment offering but drops the third row of seats.

Ford’s Co-Pilot360 Assist navigation is now optional on XLT trims and standard on Limited, while XLT also loses the foot-activated part of its power liftgate. The longer Expedition Max continues to be available for those looking for even more space for occupants.

The Expedition is a huge vehicle in its standard form, but you can make it a foot longer by choosing the Expedition Max. This is a $4,815 upgrade on four of the five trim levels, though entry-level XL is only available in what Ford calls Regular size, costing $51,585 including destination.

XLT is $54,505 in Regular and Limited starts at $63,270. The grandly-named King Ranch is $74,430 in Regular, while flagship Platinum costs $75,470 in Regular or $80,285 as Max. You can upgrade any Expedition to all-wheel drive for an additional $3,050.

Every Expedition except for the Platinum is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost gas engine, generating 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

Platinum models receive a tweaked version of the same EcoBoost engine found in other trims, generating 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque.

Both engines feed their power to the rear wheels through a ten-speed automatic transmission, returning an EPA-estimated 17 miles per gallon city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 combined.

Adding all-wheel drive reduces these figures to 17/22/19 respectively, while MAX models drop to 16/21/18 in AWD guise.

Cargo capacity for the eight-seater Expedition stands at 19.3 cu ft with the rear seats in place, and 63.6 cu ft once the third-row seats are dropped.

In MAX guise, these figures increase to 34.3 cu ft and 79.6 cu ft respectively.

The Expedition is a big, heavy vehicle, so it needs the standard-fit washer and grid lines on the rear view camera and a safety canopy system extending along all three rows. There’s roll stability control and trailer sway control, an electronic limited-slip diff on the rear axle and traction control with hill start assist to keep the car’s weight (nearly three tons on MAX 4x4 models) under control.

The side mirrors are heated and powered on every model, but only XLT models and above receive blind-spot and cross-traffic alerts, a lane-keeping system, and auto high-beam headlamps.

XL models feature a relatively basic AM/FM stereo with six speakers, USB ports throughout the cabin and Ford’s SYNC 3 voice-control system. This also includes an eight-inch capacitive touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the option to create a WiFi hotspot.

The Limited boosts the audio output to a 12-speaker B&O sound system with HD radio, and this is also the first model to receive voice-activated touchscreen navigation as standard.

The standard STX Package brings the XL down to a five-seater vehicle, but with privacy glass from the second row back, even entry-level Expeditions have presence in abundance. Behind that tinted glass, there’s eight-way power for the driver’s seat, a total of 15 beverage holders, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cruise control. It’s possible to start the engine remotely with the key fob or with an in-dash push-button, while tri-zone climate includes separate rear controls.

There are no options to upgrade XL models, though a heavy-duty trailer towing pack is a $795 option across the Expedition range.

With eight seats and the option to go extra-large with the MAX version, XLT will be many people’s starting point in the Expedition range. The third-row seats drop electrically and the bucket front seats also gain heating. However, the main upgrade is the inclusion of Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 system, with features like reverse sensing and lane-keeping.

You can spend $1,485 adding 10-way and 8-way power to the driver and front passenger seats, alongside a keyless entry keypad and ActiveX seating material across the front two rows. Alternatively, you could add a $3,685 pack combining a heated steering wheel and power liftgate with extra security and ventilated front-row seats.

Limited models are distinguished from outside by power running boards, exterior accents on the grille and roof rack side rails. The front seats are heated and ventilated with power memory for the driver’s seat and pedals, the second-row outboard seats are heated, the side mirrors gain power folding and there’s voice-controlled navigation. There’s also a B&O sound system with HD radio in a cabin with ambient lighting and a hide-wrapped steering wheel.

A panoramic roof is a $1,475 option on Limited, while you can spend $3,820 on a package which combines 22-inch wheels and LED headlamps/fog lamps with enhanced active park assistance, plus a 360-degree camera with front and rear washers.

Named after a Texan farm, King Ranch has leather trim across the seats, armrests, steering wheel and door inserts. The King Ranch logo appears everywhere from the seats and scuff plates to the exterior badging, while this model’s wheels are huge 22-inch aluminum affairs. The second-row seats are upgraded to power-folding captain’s chairs, there’s wood trim on the center console, and a split-view display for the 360-degree camera with front and rear washers.

Prestige reprises many of the King Ranch features, including its 360-degree camera and wooden dash accents. It differs in having enhanced noise control, a Wollsdorf leather-wrapped steering wheel and inflatable second-row safety belts for outboard passengers.

Compare Expedition Trims Side-By-Side