dwbf11
Dec 24, 11, 11:15 pm
A few weeks ago, I had a 2011 Ford Expedition (TX Plates, 13K miles) rented from DTW. Classification FRAR.
The options/packages have remained the same since 2011. The National-spec Expedition XL (not to be confused with its Expedition EL - extra long - sibling) as equipped will cost just under $39K. I have seen EL's in the National fleet, however. This is an 8 passenger SUV, with a third row that manually folds down.
(Sorry for the horrible iPhone photos)
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af198/dwbf1/19640d10.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af198/dwbf1/544e46e2.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af198/dwbf1/d4ec5543.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af198/dwbf1/299ada65.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af198/dwbf1/637584fc.jpg
Driving Impressions
Ride quality was pretty good for a large truck. Small-ish wheels (only 18's as equipped) and high profile tires made for a pleasant ride. The 5.4L V8 was long on power and is Flex Fuel capable. Ford quotes 14/20 for mileage, however I averaged about 21 MPG with mixed (70-30) highway-city cruising. No, that's not a typo. If you're not planting the gas pedal at every light, this big truck will really surprise you at the pump. Highway MPG was as high as 23 (at 60MPH), City MPG's a surprising 17.
Equipment:
As best I've been able to determine, National specs all of their models with RWD, "Stone" light tan interiors, Rapid Spec 101A package (60/40 third row seat and Sirius), and SYNC. If you're familiar with the SYNC system this won't be too difficult to use. My main complaint is that on these base models, you are using SYNC on an old-school radio head unit that Ford has been using, relatively unchanged, for almost a decade. It is not as seamless or smooth as the SYNC I've used in the Focus, Fusion, or Edge. My truck did have active Sirius.
There really are no other frills on the National Expedition fleet. No seat warmers, no rear DVD's, no Bose stereos, no rear parking sensors or cameras, no dual-zone climate controls. Just a lot of plastic in the cabin and a few necessary buttons and knobs. At least it had an autodimming mirror. Overall the interior was not a bad place to spend time, but the plastic and overall lack of features did remind you that this was indeed a rental (compare to the King Ranch edition which has all kinds of goodies like real wood, baseball glove leather, etc). The seats were very comfortable as well.
Pros:
V8 Power, yet reasonable gas mileage
Significant load capacity
Ride quality
8 passengers
Easier to maneuver and drive around than the other large SUV's National has in the fleet (think Nissan Armada, GMC Yukon)
Cons:
Standard equipment is rather lacking. I'd expect an almost $40K vehicle to have, at a minimum, dual-zone climate control! Very basic, especially as compared with the well-equipped Tahoes and Yukons in the fleet
Low-rent interior
Tan seats/carpets show dirt and wear
Difficult parking, especially without backup sensors or a camera
Verdict
My new favorite large SUV in the National fleet. This was a hauling rental and it served its purpose well.
The options/packages have remained the same since 2011. The National-spec Expedition XL (not to be confused with its Expedition EL - extra long - sibling) as equipped will cost just under $39K. I have seen EL's in the National fleet, however. This is an 8 passenger SUV, with a third row that manually folds down.
(Sorry for the horrible iPhone photos)
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af198/dwbf1/19640d10.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af198/dwbf1/544e46e2.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af198/dwbf1/d4ec5543.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af198/dwbf1/299ada65.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af198/dwbf1/637584fc.jpg
Driving Impressions
Ride quality was pretty good for a large truck. Small-ish wheels (only 18's as equipped) and high profile tires made for a pleasant ride. The 5.4L V8 was long on power and is Flex Fuel capable. Ford quotes 14/20 for mileage, however I averaged about 21 MPG with mixed (70-30) highway-city cruising. No, that's not a typo. If you're not planting the gas pedal at every light, this big truck will really surprise you at the pump. Highway MPG was as high as 23 (at 60MPH), City MPG's a surprising 17.
Equipment:
As best I've been able to determine, National specs all of their models with RWD, "Stone" light tan interiors, Rapid Spec 101A package (60/40 third row seat and Sirius), and SYNC. If you're familiar with the SYNC system this won't be too difficult to use. My main complaint is that on these base models, you are using SYNC on an old-school radio head unit that Ford has been using, relatively unchanged, for almost a decade. It is not as seamless or smooth as the SYNC I've used in the Focus, Fusion, or Edge. My truck did have active Sirius.
There really are no other frills on the National Expedition fleet. No seat warmers, no rear DVD's, no Bose stereos, no rear parking sensors or cameras, no dual-zone climate controls. Just a lot of plastic in the cabin and a few necessary buttons and knobs. At least it had an autodimming mirror. Overall the interior was not a bad place to spend time, but the plastic and overall lack of features did remind you that this was indeed a rental (compare to the King Ranch edition which has all kinds of goodies like real wood, baseball glove leather, etc). The seats were very comfortable as well.
Pros:
V8 Power, yet reasonable gas mileage
Significant load capacity
Ride quality
8 passengers
Easier to maneuver and drive around than the other large SUV's National has in the fleet (think Nissan Armada, GMC Yukon)
Cons:
Standard equipment is rather lacking. I'd expect an almost $40K vehicle to have, at a minimum, dual-zone climate control! Very basic, especially as compared with the well-equipped Tahoes and Yukons in the fleet
Low-rent interior
Tan seats/carpets show dirt and wear
Difficult parking, especially without backup sensors or a camera
Verdict
My new favorite large SUV in the National fleet. This was a hauling rental and it served its purpose well.