The local Enterprise flipped me the keys for this 2023 Expedition Limited Max for a recent weekend rental. Found in Michigan, this Florida-plated behemoth has already traveled almost 45,000 miles so I was surprised to see it still in fleet service. Other vehicles in this class would include the Jeep Wagoneer L, the Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL, and the Nissan Armada. This particular unit was rear-wheel drive but 4WD is an option. There is no exterior badging telling you if an Expedition has 4WD, so you'll have to check inside for a control switch. Like its classmate the Wagoneer L, this is classified as a “PFAR” or Premium SUV. The “Max” adds another ~12 inches to the overall length of the vehicle, almost all of that as bonus cargo space.
National seems to order its Expeditions in both Limited and XLT trim levels. This unit was finished in Black Agate over a handsome Mahogany leather interior. Ordering the Limited equips the big Ford with soft leather, more chrome trim on the outside, larger 20” wheels, ambient LED interior lighting, 20 more horsepower from the same 3.6 Twin Turbo V-6, a Bang & Olufsen stereo, a panoramic sunroof, and other goodies. As may be expected at this price point, standard equipment is quite generous and even the base models get LED headlights/tail lights/fog lights, side steps, keyless entry (on all 4 doors and the hatch! Thanks Ford!), tri-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, a 12" touch screen display, native GPS Nav, tons of USB/USB-C charging ports, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, full safety suite including Blind Spot monitoring, and remote start. This particular model was also optioned with the 40/20/40 power folding / tip and slide middle bench (+$595). This one also had some weird "delete" options - probably a hangover from Covid supply chain shortages (no hands-free liftgate, 1-touch rear windows, or stop-start). Adding a hefty $1,895 destination charge, this vehicle as equipped stickers for $73,450.
While all Expeditions share the same 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo setup, different variants have more or less power (400 hp in this configuration, with base models getting 380, and a hot-rod high-output 440hp option available as well). I had no complaints about the engine and it offered strong acceleration, even when fully loaded with luggage and passengers. This particular one was riding its wear bars on the original tires, so the ride quality suffered tremendously, with significant shakes, noise and vibrations coming through at highway speed. I would imagine a lower mile unit would not have had this issue, but this was disappointing all the same.
The front seats offer tremendous amounts of comfort and adjustability, and the second row (heated) seats were also well-received by passengers. Third row space was tighter but manageable. I'm told that the third row in the Wagoneer was far more comfortable and well-padded for adults, but kids may not care.
Trunk space was appropriately generous but did not feel as cavernous as the Wagoneer L. This truck was also missing a privacy luggage screen.
In contrast to the Wagoneer, I found the infotainment (Ford Sync) to be outstanding. The screen was sharp and bright in all lighting conditions. The B&O stereo was also wonderful. Wireless carplay was seamless and easy.
According to the EPA, the rear-wheel-drive Expedition should see 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. On a 90/10 highway-city split I averaged closer to 20 mpg.
