2025 Ford Expedition shifts into Superhost mode with trick tailgate, wide-screen display
It's business in front and party in the back as the Expedition's engine and drivetrain are largely untouched while the tailgate and cargo area are primed for tailgates and picnics. A 24-inch wide-screen driver's display and available 22-speaker B&O sound system complete the big SUV's transformation from trailer-towing workhorse into king of the tailgate party.
The Expedition is Ford's biggest SUV. Available with rear- or four-wheel drive and a 122.5- or 131.5-inch wheelbase, it competes with apex SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, Jeep Wagoneer, Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia.
I tested a top of the line short-wheelbase King Ranch model that stickered at $83,995, excluding $2,195 destination charge.
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XL Fleet: $57,345
Max XL Fleet: $61,470
Active: $62,320
Max Active: $65,320
Platinum: $74,750
Max Platinum: $77,750
Tremor: $81,350
King Ranch: $83.975
Max King Ranch: $86,975
Prices exclude $2,195 destination charge.
Source: Edmunds
Google navigation, apps, streaming and more are standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The '25 Expedition introduces a crystal-clear 24-inch display for speed, crucial driving information, weather, navigation and more. There's also a 13.2-inch touch screen for infotainment, climate and other functions.The center stack is nearly devoid of physical controls with just a rotary shifter and volume dial. Temperature, fan speed and heated and cooled seats are controlled by a row of permanent touchpoints across the bottom of the landscape-oriented touch screen.
A pair of unlabeled four-axis touch pads on the steering wheel manage volume, tuning, Blue Cruise hands-free adaptive cruise control, steering wheel and pedal position, voice prompts and more.
I expected the touch pads to be a usability nightmare, distracting me from the road, but they quickly became intuitive, largely thanks to icons in the display ― convenient to the driver's line of sight ― that showed what each pad was doing. It was an unexpected benefit to the wide-screen instrument display.
More: I took Toyota's 2025 Land Cruiser out for a second look ― and loved it more
The power tailgate opens in two pieces, a useful throwback feature Ford rediscovered this year. The lower quarter folds down like a pickup's tailgate while the top three-quarters opens upward, like other SUVs.
Benefits:
With the top portion open, you can easily load and remove cargo, but stray items can't roll out onto the ground.
Open both portions and the bottom forms a handy seat or serving table.
Ford calls the feature a Split Gate. The lower portion can support 500 pounds — plenty for a sumptuous buffet or two to three people. An adjustable trim piece provides a seat back or a shelf for food and equipment. The shelf can also be used for bilevel cargo with the tailgate closed.
Two-piece power tailgate
24-inch panoramic driver's display
Power adjustable center console
13.2-inch touch screen
Multipurpose rear cargo space
Acoustic glass
The Expedition is roomy and comfortable, seating up to eight. The King Ranch I drove provides a uniquely American take on luxury and capability. Driving it is like commuting through an episode of 'Landman,' the popular program set in the high risk/high reward oil fields of west Texas.
Power comes from a standard 3.5L twin-turbo V6 linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission. It's available with rear- or four-wheel drive.
Acceleration is adequate, despite the 4x4 Expedition's base curb weight of 5,668 pounds. The steering capably maneuvers through suburban parking lots.
The cabin is quiet at highway speed, thanks to acoustic glass
The 24-inch diver's display ― a smaller version of the Lincoln Navigator's full-width display ― quickly feels natural. Ford lowered the dash and designed a squared-off ― 'squirkle' ― steering wheel to assure a clear view.
The power center console slides 8 inches to the rear, creating an enclosed space for valuables when forward and putting cupholders in reach of second-row kids.
The rear seat is split 40/20/20, offering either room for three or two seats with a center pass-through for long cargo extending all the way to the front seat.
Chevrolet Tahoe: $58,500
Chevrolet Suburban: $61,500
Jeep Wagoneer: $59,945
Nissan Armada: $57,520
Toyota Sequoia: $62,425
Prices exclude destination charge.
Source: Edmunds
Ford's Blue Cruise hands-free highway driving system is improving, but trails the refinement of systems available on Chevrolet and GMC SUVs and Ram pickups. It's lane centering inspires more confidence than when the system debuted, but still lacks competitors' steadiness.
Automatic lane changes for hands-free passing of slower vehicles is not available at the time of writing, but may be available soon.
Only a handful of vehicles can compete with the Expedition's room and capability. The 2025 Expedition's expansive display and inventive features add to its appeal for work and play.
The SUV retains its core work/play appeal with an ability to tow up to 9,600 pounds and host parties on the tailgate.
Rear- or four-wheel drive large SUV
Seats seven to eight
Base price: $57,345 (All prices exclude $2,195 destination charge.)
On sale now
Model tested: Expedition King Ranch 4x4
Price as tested: $83,995
Engine: Twin-turbo 3.5L V6
Output: 400 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm; 480 pound-feet of torque @3,300 rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
EPA estimated fuel economy:
Wheelbase: 122.5 inches
Length: 209.9 inches
Width: 84.6 inches (mirrors folded)
Height: 78.1 inches
Ground clearance: 8.7 inches
Passenger volume: 171.8 cubic feet
Cargo volume: 21.5 cubic feet behind rear seat, 69.9 cubic feet behind second row, 108.5 behind front seats.
Towing capacity: 9,600 pounds
Base curb weight: 5,668 pounds
Assembled in Louisville, Kentucky
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
(This story was updated to add a photo gallery.)
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2025 Ford Expedition shifts into Superhost mode with trick tailgate
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