2000 Ford Expedition: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Second-row bucket seats, front side airbags, and a Reverse Sensing System are among new options for America's best-selling full-size SUV. Expedition, the basis for the luxury Lincoln Navigator, is slightly smaller than the Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL.
Expedition offers XLT and Eddie Bauer models. Front bucket seats are standard on Eddie Bauer and optional on XLT in place of a front bench. Three-passenger second- and third row bench seats are standard on both. Newly optional on Eddie Bauers is a pair of second-row buckets (without a center console).
XLTs and 2-wheel-drive Eddie Bauers come with a 4.6-liter V8. Optional on those models and standard on 4WD Eddie Bauers is a 5.4-liter V8. Both are overhead-cam designs and team with automatic transmission. Expedition's 4WD system can be left engaged on dry pavement and has low-range gearing. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Maximum towing capacity is 8000 pounds.
Among other 2000 changes: power adjustable gas and brake pedals are standard instead of optional, the front center console is wider, and the radio antenna moves from the front fender to within the right rear glass. A power sunroof is now optional on XLT as well as on Eddie Bauer, and the available outside mirrors with integrated turn-signal indicators are modified to include heated glass.

COMPETITION

Though this segment has cooled somewhat with the rise in fuel prices, it's still one of the hottest. Our Best Buy is the Ford Expedition. We love the size, comfort, and power of this big SUV. Hot on its heels are the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. We were very impressed with these vehicles initially, and when we have more time to fully evaluate them we expect them to be Best Buys as well.
For a few more bucks you can get the highly recommended Toyota Land Cruiser. Its high price is the only thing holding back this refined and drivable SUV.