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2024 Volkswagen Taos Review2020 Ford Expedition MAX Review: A Great Family Hauler
The 2020 Ford Expedition Max is a capable 3rd-row SUV. We review trim levels, features, and specs to find out of the Expedition Max is the right SUV for you.
What’s New for the 2020 Expedition Max?
The Ford Expedition Max carries on largely unchanged for the 2020 model year, however the King Ranch trim level offers up a truly sumptuous interior experience. There is seating for eight people, thanks to three rows of seats. The Max version of the Expedition has an extended wheelbase to provide some extra cargo space for hauling all of your family’s stuff. Under the hood you’ll find Ford’s impressive EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 engine to provide generous towing capacity. The suspension has been tuned to provide a smooth ride and the all-wheel drive system helps you tackle off road driving with ease.
2020 Ford Expedition Max – media.ford.com | Shop 2020 Ford Expedition Max on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Powerful twin-turbocharged V6
Generous towing capacity
Plenty of interior space
Can feel big on the road
The engine is thirsty
AWD is not standard
A smooth and luxurious family hauler
2020 Expedition Max Specs
- 375 horsepower from base engine
- 470 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 4 available trims
- 34.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 121.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 9,000-pound max towing capacity
- Available 360-degree camera
- SYNC 3 with enhanced voice recognition
- 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty
2020 Ford Expedition Max Powertrain
The 2020 Ford Expedition Max is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that uses advanced twin-turbocharging technology to produce 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. While this is the only engine offered, if you step up to the Platinum trim level, the engine is tuned to deliver 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed to the rear wheels as standard, but the optional Control Trac Four Wheel Drive system gives you extra traction in slippery conditions. When you wander off-road, the 9.8-inches of ground clearance means you’ll have no problem clearing most obstacles.
The Expedition Max’s extra length does reduce its departure and breakover angles, so it’s not the absolute best choice for extreme off-roading. There is one transmission offered on the Expedition, a ten-speed SelectShift automatic that ensures brisk acceleration and optimized fuel economy. The Expedition Max rides on standard multilink independent rear suspension which provides an impressively smooth ride and confident handling. The suspension does an admirable job keeping the weight in check and not letting the Expedition lean too much in the corners. For a thorough review of the Expedition Max, read our review here.
Towing & Payload
The base 2020 Ford Expedition Max can tow 9,000 pounds. This does not change between the two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive versions. If you plan to do a lot of towing, you’ll want to consider the Heavy-Duty Trailer tow package which includes a heavy-duty radiator to help keep your engine cool, an integrated trailer brake controller to help slow things down, and the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system that makes reversing with a trailer a whole lot easier.
2020 Ford Expedition Max Fuel Economy & MPG
With higher gas prices comes more focus on fuel economy and the 2020 Expedition Max performs acceptably here. Its advanced powertrain provides impressive power and is a bit more efficient than the Chevy Suburban, which is its primary rival. The Expedition Max with two-wheel drive is rated at 17 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 19 mpg combined. The four-wheel drive models achieve 16 mpg in the city, 21 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. The Chevy Suburban’s base V8 engine gets 18 mpg combined on 2WD models and 16 mpg combined on 4WD models.
Read about the evolution of the Ford Expedition here.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
If you want an SUV that offers a great mix of space and comfort, the 2020 Ford Expedition Max is a great choice. The base model comes equipped with seating for eight people thanks to three rows of seats. Headroom is generous throughout with 42 inches for the first row, 40 inches for the second row, and 37.4 for the third row. The Expedition Max comes standard with Ford’s PowerFold and Power Recline third-row seats which offer some adjustability for those passengers and the seats can be easily folded out of the way when more space is needed for stuff.
The base XLT trim comes with cloth seats, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and split folding second and third-row seats. The top Platinum trim comes with leather seats that are heated in the first- and second-rows, Active Motion technology that helps you arrive feeling more refreshed, and power-folding second-row seats. When you have all three rows of seats up, the Expedition Max holds 34.3 cubic feet of cargo. Drop the third row and it expands to accommodate 73.3 cubic feet. If you drop all of the rear seats, you can fit up to 121.5 cubic feet of stuff inside. Ample space is one of the reasons we list the Ford Expedition as one of the best SUVs for passengers.
Entertainment & Technology
Ford has long been a leader in the infotainment system department with its innovative SYNC system. The 2020 Expedition Max comes equipped with the latest SYNC 3 system that includes enhanced voice recognition communications so you can adjust settings without taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road. A large touchscreen is mounted in the dash to display things like navigation with pinch-to-zoom capability. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you can easily access your devices while driving. The available B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen stuffs 12 speakers throughout the interior for a truly immersive experience for everyone in the cabin.
Read a full review of the new Ford Expedition here.
Safety Features
The 2020 Ford Expedition scores well in crash tests with the NHTSA awarding it a 5-Star Safety Rating. Should a collision occur, the Expedition Max protects occupants with six standard airbags including the Safety Canopy System that provides protection for the rear passengers. Ford also offers inflatable rear safety belts on the second-row seats to help distribute the force over a larger area for better safety. Safety technology offered with Ford Co-Pilot360 includes a forward collision mitigation system, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist.
If you are looking for a more affordable family car, read our top third-row SUVs for under 15,000.
2020 Ford Expedition Max Trims & Pricing
XLT Max: $55,835
The base trim for the Expedition Max is the XLT trim which starts at $55,835. At this level you get the standard across the range 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to Ford’s ten-speed automatic transmission. Inside, you’ll find seating for eight people, cloth seat trim, the PowerFold and Power Recline third-row seats, and Ford’s SYNC 3 entertainment system. Outside, you’ll find standard black power adjustable heated mirrors, quad-beam reflector headlamps, and running boards.
Limited Max: $66,375
When you choose the Limited trim, which starts at $66,375, you get the same powertrain as the XLT. The Limited upgrades to 20-inch premium dark-painted aluminum wheels and gets standard power-deployable running boards for easy entry and exit. The Limited comes with standard leather seats, heated front and second-row seats, and a ten-way power adjustable driver seat. The heated steering wheel makes cold mornings more endurable and the tri-zone automatic climate control system makes sure everyone is comfortable. The rear of the Limited Max also gets LED taillamps for a more premium look.
King Ranch Max: $75,590
The King Ranch Max trim, starting at $75,590, steps up the luxury. The King Ranch rides on gorgeous 22-inch 6-spoke aluminum wheels with machined faces and dark tarnish-painted pockets. The King Ranch comes equipped with the 360-degree camera to help you get a good look all around the vehicle, perfect for parking or tight spaces. Inside, the King Ranch dresses things up with a special Mesa and Ebony two-toned leather seats with heating and ventilation. The headlamps have full LED illumination for better visibility.
Platinum Max: $76,965
At the top of the lineup is the Platinum Max trim which starts at $76,965. The Platinum features more power thanks to special tuning for the engine. The result is a total of 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. The satin aluminum grille complements the LED headlights, LED taillights, and 22-inch aluminum wheels for an upscale look. Inside, the multi-contour seats feature Active Motion technology which helps reduce fatigue while you drive. The Platinum trim also gets the B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen as standard equipment.
Warranties
Ford offers competitive warranties on the 2020 Expedition Max with a 3-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty. The powertrain is covered from issues with a 5-year, 60,000-mile warranty. Corrosion is protected by a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty and Ford offers roadside assistance for the first 5 years or 60,000 miles of ownership.
What we think
2020 Ford Expedition Max – media.ford.com | Shop 2020 Ford Expedition Max on Carsforsale.com
The 2020 Ford Expedition Max is a great choice for a large family that needs extra space for stuff and the power to tow on occasion. With three generous rows offering seating for eight, the whole family will fit comfortably, the extended wheelbase of the Max provides that critical extra space for cargo in the back, and the standard EcoBoost V6 engine provides plenty of towing power. If you want luxury, the King Ranch and Platinum trims are sure to impress. However, we would recommend the Limited trim as a good fit for most families, as it still offers lots plenty of luxury without any sacrificing capability.
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