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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie Car2021 Ford Expedition MAX Review: An All-Beef SUV
What do our experts think of the 2021 Ford Expedition MAX? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2021 Ford Expedition MAX?
The 2021 Ford Expedition MAX is the automakers’ most massive side of SUV-beef at 12-inches longer than the standard Expedition, and seating for up to eight. Model updates this year include access to Co-Pilot360 Assist, a more robust group of driver-aids, on XLT models, new wheel designs and the addition of Antimatter Blue and Kodiak Brown to the paint palette. As always, if your vehicular needs are the center of a Large Family-Regular Towing Venn diagram, there are few options as suitable as an Expedition MAX.
2021 Ford Expedition MAX – netcarshow.com | Shop 2021 Ford Expedition MAX on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Powerful engine options
15 cup holders!
Can park (and unpark) itself
Heated seats not standard
Smallish infotainment screen
80 large when fully loaded
Spacious, capable and unabashedly massive
2021 Expedition MAX Specs
- 375 horsepower from base engine
- 470 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 4 available trims
- 36 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 121.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Pro Trailer Backup Assist simplifies things
- Active Park Assist does it for you
- 5-star rating from NHTSA
- 60,000-mile powertrain coverage
Ford Expedition Max Powertrain
Aside from the Platinum, every 2021 Ford Expedition MAX is fitted with a 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 making 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, spinning the rear wheels via 10-speed automatic transmission. That top-spec Platinum gets a higher-output version making a round 400 horsepower and 480 torques with the same transmission. It’s a lot of power in either case, which is fortunate since the Expedition weighs in just shy of three tons.
Controlling all the beef is a four-corner independent suspension, which translates to a cushy ride, but not exactly sharp handling. Platinum models come with an adaptive suspension system to further ride comfort, however watch out for those big 22-inchers as they can lead to a jarring ride. 4WD is a roughly $3,000 option across the board, which when combined with the 10” ground clearance makes easy work of getting off the beaten path. The 4WD system also brings front tow hooks, skid plates and a selectable terrain management system to further simplify your off-roading adventures.
Towing & Payload
The base 2021 Ford Expedition MAX can tow 6,600 pounds with its standard Class IV trailer hitch receiver and trailer sway control. Tack on the Trailer Tow package that includes a heavy-duty radiator, Pro Trailer Backup Assist tech, revised rear axle and integrated trailer brake controller to bump that capability to a maximum 9,000 pounds. This solid hauling ability is one of the reasons the Expedition makes this list of best SUVs.
2021 Ford Expedition MAX Fuel Economy & MPG
Even with stop-start technology, the 2021 Expedition MAX is only rated for 17 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway, figures that drop to 16 and 21, respectively, when equipped with 4WD. Admittedly smaller, the three-row Honda Pilot is an exercise in contrast with ratings of 19 mpg around town and 26 on the open road as you can read about here. Fortunately, the Expedition runs on regular and when topped off, boasts a 650-mile highway range.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
True to its MAX name, this SUV is Size Gigantic inside with room for eight – or seven with second row captain thrones – and a maximum 121 cubic feet of stowage. The Expedition MAX is in rarefied air from an interior size perspective, with competitors limited to the likes a Jeep Grand Wagoneer or GMC Yukon XL, a comparison of which you can read here. A sliding second row opens up leg room to 43-inches with the way back offering 36-inches to stretch out.
Limited trim and above sports climatized front seats wrapped in leather, though base models use cloth fabric. Across the lineup, triple-zone automatic climate control offers everyone a say in the temperature with fancy features like multicontour massaging thrones saved for Platinum Expeditions only. Other niceties include a panoramic vista roof and power-folding third row, the latter of which is standard fare.
Entertainment & Technology
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a Wi-Fi hotspot are all standard items for the 2021 Ford Expedition MAX, however they are accessed via an 8-inch touchscreen display. That is notably smaller than competitors like Chevy’s Suburban with a 10-inch screen. Fortunately, the 2022 Expedition, which we review here, rectifies this issue with a big jump in screen sizes. Backseat passengers will appreciate the available dual rear-facing screens with wireless headphones and audiophiles are sure to recognize the Bang & Olufsen logo that comes with the optional 12-speaker stereo system. Up to six USB ports, two per row, are also available as is wireless phone charging.
Safety Features
Every 2021 Expedition MAX comes with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver aids that includes blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, pre-collision assist with automated emergency braking and automatic high beam control. King Ranch and Platinum trims add on to the list with active park assist and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. You can learn more about these systems with our Safety Tech Explained article. Thanks to these features and a deep roster of standard airbags, the MAX earns a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
2021 Ford Expedition MAX Trims & Pricing
XLT MAX – $57,205
Base Expeditions look a bit out-of-proportion with their 18-inch wheels, but you can upgrade that with the Black Accent package that brings size 20s painted black. Halogen lighting is on hand all around along with body-color trim and heated side mirrors. The cloth upholstered cabin features a power-adjustable driver’s seat and power-folding third row. Triple-zone automatic climate control is included as is an 8-inch infotainment screen running SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Limited MAX – $65,970
Limited trim moves upmarket with a hands-free liftgate, power-deployable running boards and dark-finished 20-inch wheels. Leather graces the interior with climatized front buckets and heated outboard positions for the second row. Other niceties include an 8-inch gauge cluster display, baked-in navigation with pinch-and-zoom functionality and the 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. For 4×4 models, the FX4 package brings all-terrain tires, an electronic limited-slip differential, off-road tuned dampers and underbody skid plates.
King Ranch MAX – $77,130
With King Ranch logos galore and Del Rio leather in a swanky Mesa and Ebony color scheme, there is no mistaking the Expedition King Ranch MAX. It features full LED lighting outside as well as the panoramic, power-sliding vista roof and stone-gray accents. A 360-degree camera with split view and lens washers makes it easier to navigate this brute in tight spaces. And the second-row captain’s chairs are power-folding.
Platinum MAX – $77,945
Though not a whole lot more expensive than the King Ranch, Platinum trim adds the continuously controlled damping suspension setup and Multicontour front seats, Ford-speak for massaging. Like the King Ranch, this model sports 22-inch wheels but it goes further with genuine wood trim in the cabin, deeper pile carpeting, “Pecan Euro” stitching and leather inserts on the dashboard.
Warranties
Ford bucks the industry trend of offering complimentary maintenance as part of their warranty, instead going the standard route. That means a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on the vehicle and matching roadside assistance term. Powertrain components are covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles and corrosion is under warranty for 5 years with unlimited mileage.
What we think
2021 Ford Expedition MAX – netcarshow.com | Shop 2021 Ford Expedition MAX on Carsforsale.com
When it comes to huge SUVs, there are very few like the 2021 Ford Expedition MAX with tons of interior space, beefy motors and ample towing capacity. It would be nice to see a larger infotainment screen option, but overall it’s a nicely equipped vehicle. Much as I would like to don a cowboy hat and drive the King Ranch around town, its pricey. The Limited model, with a long list of standard equipment including climatized front seats and the upgraded stereo system is where I’d plunk down my money.
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