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Making Light of the Lotus Elite2023 Ford Expedition Review
What do our experts think of the 2023 Ford Expedition? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
2023 Ford Expedition – ford.com | Shop 2023 Ford Expedition on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2023 Ford Expedition?
The 2023 Ford Expedition is part of the 4th generation that arrived in 2018, but it traces roots to 1997, a history we cover here. The 2023 Expedition is mostly a carryover SUV this year as the 2022 model year was of the mid-cycle refresh variety.
Updates for 2023 include adding Iconic Silver to the Platinum model’s paint palette, a new Black Onyx cabin scheme on the Timberline, and the newly standard Trail 1-Pedal Drive feature on that off-road centric Expedition.
The Breakdown
Cavernous cabin
Plenty of power
Strong infotainment offerings
Good luck parking it
A pig at the pumps
Why no hybrid?
A well-rounded 3-ton beast
2023 Ford Specs
- 380 horsepower from base engine
- 470 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 21 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 105 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- NHTSA 5-Star rating
- Giant 15.5-inch touchscreen
- Dial-controlled trailer reverse system
- Five years of roadside assistance
2023 Ford Expedition Powertrain
Eschewing the V8 approach that Chevy and Jeep use on their land yachts, every 2023 Ford Expedition comes with a 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6. Rated for 380 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque in standard form, it pairs with a 10-speed automatic to spin the rear wheels. Traditional 4WD, with a 4-Auto mode, is a $3,000 option across the board and standard on the Timberline.
Also included on the off-road focused Timberline is a high-output version of this “EcoBoost” motor turned up to 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. That’s a lot of juice, enough to hurtle the Timberline to 60 in a scant 5.1 seconds while tottering 10.6 inches above the ground. But really, the Timberline is geared for rough road adventure. That extra inch of ground clearance is part of a configuration that includes 33-inch all-terrain rubber, trail turn assist for tight spots, and a rough road suspension.
All 2023 Expeditions ride on a four-corner independent suspension that will deliver planted, if ponderous, handling which is to be expected given the heft of an Expedition. To add a layer of ride smoothness, the Platinum model is fitted with continuously controlled damping that includes a front-facing camera to watch for road imperfections and feed data to the adaptive dampers accordingly.
Towing & Payload
The base 2023 Ford Expedition can tow 6,000 pounds, but add the Heavy-Duty Trailering package for $795 and that metric maxes out at 9,300 pounds or 9,200 with 4WD. Along with a revised rear axle ratio and integrated trailer brake controller, the towing package adds Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0, which allows drivers to steer the trailer in reverse via a dashboard rotary dial.
2023 Ford Expedition Fuel Economy & MPG
In base RWD form, the 2023 Ford Expedition is rated for 17 mpg in city driving and 23 on the highway. Adding 4WD drops both figures by a single mpg and Timberline models drop further on the highway figure with an estimate of 19 mpg.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Those shopping Expedition-sized SUVs are in the market for cabin space and on that front, the Ford delivers with 105 cubic feet of storage space. Folding only the third-row leaves 64 cubes of space and with that third-row bench upright it drops to 21. That is a lot of room however, a Chevy Suburban – which we compare to the Expedition here – manages to far outstrip those specs with a maximum cargo volume of 145 cubic feet.
Base XL models only seat five passengers but the rest of 2023 Expedition lineup can handle up to eight, or seven with second-row captain’s chairs. On XLT trim and above, the third row can be folded flat or reclined at the touch of a button. Models with a second-row bench can slide it fore and aft as well as flip outboard sections out of the way to access the third row. For those sitting out back, legroom tops out at 41 inches with the middle row pushed all the way forward.
Seating material ranges from cloth to quilted leather and tri-zone automatic climate control with rear passenger controls is lineup standard. Limited trim brings climatized front seats, a heated second row, and power-adjustable pedals. And those that step up to the $83,000 Platinum will enjoy massaging front seats with the option for an exclusive Carmelo-colored leather.
Entertainment & Technology
Ford fits base model Expeditions with a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen running SYNC 4 with wireless Apple and Android device mirroring. Two audio system upgrades from Bang & Olufsen are available, one with 12 speakers and the Unleashed setup with a whopping 22.
On King Ranch and Platinum trims, the touchscreen measures 15.5 inches, but be aware that the multiple tuning and HVAC dials found on lower models go away in favor of a single knob and mostly touch-and-swipe control. A subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot and FordPass connectivity are included across the board, but the fully-digital 12.4-inch gauge cluster requires a package or high-level trim.
Safety Features
Co-Pilot360, Ford’s suite of advanced safety tech, comes on all 2023 Expeditions and includes forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear-cross traffic alert. You can read up on how these systems work here. Airbags are limited to the front, front-side, and full-length side curtains but the Expedition does achieve a 5-Star overall rating from NHTSA. As you move through the trim tiers, adaptive cruise control with speed sign recognition is unlocked. Platinum models come with Active Park Assist 2.0, which will handle parallel parking for you, and BlueCruise, Ford’s cutting-edge hands-free driving system.
2023 Ford Expedition Trims & Pricing
XL – $57,665
Entry-level XL models ride on 18-inch alloys and are fitted with LED headlamps and running boards. The cabin features cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Wireless Apple and Android integration is handled via the 12-inch central touchscreen.
XLT – $61,730
The XLT adds a power-operated liftgate to go with heated side mirrors and triple-zone automatic climate control. An auto-dimming rearview mirror and power-folding third-row bench are also included here.
Limited – $70,600
Chrome accents and 20-inch rims set off the Limited, which also comes with leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic moonroof, and a wireless phone charging pad. For $9,880, the Stealth Performance package adds the high-output motor, 22-inch wheels, and a sport-tuned suspension.
Timberline – $73,940
New on the 2022 Expedition, which we review here, the Timberline trim is lifted and off-road ready with standard 4WD, a variety of skid plates, and special suspension tune. The cabin sports ActiveX upholstery with an exclusive color scheme and a number of Timberline logos.
King Ranch – $80,655
Ford applies their signature King Ranch theme to this model with Stone Gray trim and a Mesa-colored cabin finished in Del Rio leather on the seats, center console, door panels, and steering wheel. The 22-speaker B&O Unleashed stereo system is also included.
Platinum – $83,105
The top-spec Expedition Platinum features exterior zone lighting, 22-inch wheels, Active Motion massaging front buckets, and BlueCruise hands-free driving tech.
Warranties
Ford’s warranty covers the basics with 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years or 60,000 miles of powertrain coverage and roadside assistance. Unlike Chevy and Toyota, there is no complimentary maintenance included.
What we think
2023 Ford Expedition – ford.com | Shop 2023 Ford Expedition on Carsforsale.com
In the context of massive three-row SUVs, the 2023 Ford Expedition is an excellent option with plenty of power and space, leading infotainment offerings, and big-time towing ability. It would be nice if Ford offered their hybrid powertrain – that can be found in the Explorer and F-150 –to improve fuel economy, but otherwise there is a lot to like. I would aim for a Limited model with its deep roster of creature comforts and VistaRoof ambiance. And if I had an extra 10 grand laying around, I would for sure tick the Stealth Performance package box because it’s just plain cool. Before you go shopping, read up on the latest new vehicle incentives here.
