Ford Expedition: 2019 Motor Trend SUV of the Year Finalist
A tough three-row SUV designed for 21st century sensibilities
WE LIKERoomy, capable, and powerful
WE DON'T LIKERough 10-speed automatic
Full-size SUVs like the 2018 Ford Expedition typically don't get any respect. Automakers treat them like aJurassic Parkstegosaurus—big, inefficient beasts that hearken a bygone era.
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Then Ford introduced this third-generation Expedition. Gone are the hallmarks of yesteryear—V-8s, five- and six-speed automatics, and steel construction. With what's left—a platform donated by the F-150—Ford built a tough three-row SUV designed for 21st century sensibilities.
Under its sleek aluminum skin sits a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 making 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque or, as is the case in our foot-longer and loaded Expedition Max Platinum, 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. It's paired with a 10-speed automatic and offers rear-, all-, or four-wheel drive. Despite lacking a pair of cylinders compared to its Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban rival, those cylinders aren't missed. "The turbo V-6 delivers a broad swath of power and torque, with better response than the entry-level eight-cylinder engines in GM's Tahoe and Yukon," Angus MacKenzie said.
The inside is better still. Although some thought the dash looked as if it had been ripped clean from Ford's Super Duty trucks, the interior packaging is phenomenal. It's the only vehicle this side of a Transit van that can comfortably hold seven fully grown adults plus their luggage. The easily accessible third row isn't the cheap seats, either. Not only is there plenty of space, but occupants can also recline, and they get their own USB and HVAC controls—just like their comrades in the second row.
There are a couple drawbacks, however. Small issues with rough downshifts and heavy-handed steering mar an otherwise excellent package.
READ ABOUTCONTENDERS:
READ ABOUT 2019 SUV OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:
- Acura RDX
- Hyundai Kona
- JaguarI-Pace
- Jeep Wrangler
- Lincoln Navigator
- Range Rover Velar
- Subaru Forester
- Volvo XC40
READ ABOUTCONTENDERS:
- Buick Regal
- Ford Mustang
- Ford TransitConnect
- Hyundai Accent
- Hyundai Elantra
- Honda Clarity
- Kia Forte
- Lexus ES
- Lexus LS
- Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
- Nissan Altima
- Toyota Avalon
- Toyota CorollaHatchback
- Volkswagen Jetta
READ ABOUT 2019 CAR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:
READ ABOUTFINALISTS:
I generally like writing—especially when it’s about cars—but I hate writing about myself. So instead of blathering on about where I was born (New York City, in case you were wondering) or what type of cars I like (all of ’em, as long as it has a certain sense of soul or purpose), I’ll answer the one question I probably get most, right after what’s your favorite car (see above): How’d you get that job? Luck. Well, mostly. Hard work, too. Lots of it. I sort of fell into my major of journalism/mass communication at St. Bonaventure University and generally liked it a lot. In order to complete my degree senior year, we had to spend our last two semesters on some sort of project. Seeing as I loved cars and already spent a good portion of my time reading about cars on sites such as Motor Trend, I opted to create a car blog. I started a Tumblr, came up with a car-related name (The Stig’s American Cousin), signed up for media access on a bunch of manufacturer’s websites, and started writing. I did everything from cover new trim levels to reviewing my friends’ cars. I even wrote a really bad April Fool’s Day post about the next Subaru Impreza WRX being Toyota-Corolla-based. It was fun, and because it was fun, it never felt like work. Sometime after my blog had gotten off the ground, I noticed that Motor Trend was hiring for what’s now our Daily News Team. I sent in my résumé and a link to my blog. I got the job, and two weeks after graduation I made the move from New York to California. I’ve been happily plugging away at a keyboard—and driving some seriously awesome hardware—ever since.
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