2000-2005 Ford Excursion: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
Reviews & Ratings
Pricing
Explore
Specifications & Safety
Related to Ford Excursion
Related Reviews
View Another Vehicle
Pros
- Passenger and cargo room
- Trailer-towing capability
- Seat comfort
Cons
- Maneuverability
- Fuel economy
- Rear visibility
Vehicle Highlights
Somebody always has to be the biggest. In the case of full-size sport utility vehicles, Ford took that prize with the introduction of the Excursion. The world's largest and heaviest SUV, it was 7.4 inches longer than the Chevrolet Suburban, on a wheelbase 7 inches longer, and 6 inches taller. The Excursion also was some 1,900 pounds heavier, tipping the scales at more than 7,000 pounds. Critics from the environmental and safety camps were quick to take aim at the Excursion as an example of wretched automotive excess and waste. Ford responded by noting that all three available engines ranked as LEV (low emission vehicle), and that the Excursion made extensive use of recycled materials. In addition, a new BlockerBeam was installed. This was a steel crossmember below the front bumper, designed to prevent a passenger car from sliding under the Excursion in a crash. Based on Ford's 3/4-ton F-Series pickup trucks, the Excursion came in XLT and Limited trim, with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The body had four side doors as well as center-opening rear half-doors below a one-piece, top-hinged tailgate window. Seating as many as nine occupants, the Excursion competed against the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and GMC's Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali--all of which had seemed quite large until Ford set a new dimensional peak. Base engine was a 5.4-liter V8. A V10 was standard with four-wheel drive, and optional with two-wheel drive. Ford's turbodiesel V8 also was available. All engines drove a four-speed automatic transmission. The four-wheel-drive system shifted between 2WD and 4-High or 4-Low via a dashboard switch, but was not intended for use on dry pavement. Ford's smaller but full-size Expeditions, and GM rivals, had 4WD systems that could function on dry surfaces. Antilock braking was standard, but side-impact airbags were not available. An optional reverse-sensing system warned of objects in the Excursion's path while backing up. Front bucket seats were standard in the Limited, and available in the XLT to replace its three-place bench. Both versions had a fold-down second-row bench and a removable third-row bench. Leather upholstery was standard in the Limited, optional in the XLT.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Ford Excursion XLT w/V10, 4WD Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 1 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 2 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 9 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 9 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 9 | |
| Value within Class | 2 | |
| Total Score: | 47 |
Year to Year Changes
Our road test for the 2000-2005 Ford Excursion includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2000-2005 Ford Excursion and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2000-2005 Ford Excursion is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Massive size and weight are serious drawbacks for anything intended to be used as a "suburban utility vehicle." The Excursion is simply too cumbersome for ordinary driving, suffering abysmal fuel economy as well as impaired mobility. Towing capacity and four-wheel drive are the positive points.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Ford Excursion XLT w/V10, 4WD Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 1 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 2 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 9 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 9 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 9 | |
| Value within Class | 2 | |
| Total Score: | 47 |
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $1,140 |
| Alternator | $485 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,105 |
| Brakes | $290 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $0 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $845 |
| Exhaust System | $390 |
| Radiator | $475 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $975 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $615 |
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2005 | |||
| Excursion 2WD | $12,500-17,000 | $11,300-15,300 | $7,100-9,700 |
| Excursion 4WD | $14,500-19,000 | $13,200-17,300 | $9,000-11,800 |
| 2004 | |||
| Excursion 2WD | $10,000-14,000 | $9,000-12,600 | $5,200-7,300 |
| Excursion 4WD | $11,800-15,800 | $10,600-14,200 | $6,600-8,800 |
| 2003 | |||
| Excursion 2WD | $8,000-11,500 | $7,200-10,400 | $4,100-5,900 |
| Excursion 4WD | $9,600-13,300 | $8,600-12,000 | $5,000-6,900 |
| 2002 | |||
| Excursion 2WD | $6,500-9,200 | $5,700-8,100 | $2,900-4,100 |
| Excursion 4WD | $7,800-10,800 | $7,000-9,700 | $4,000-5,500 |
| 2001 | |||
| Excursion 2WD | $5,700-7,500 | $4,900-6,500 | $2,300-3,100 |
| Excursion 4WD | $6,700-8,700 | $5,900-7,700 | $3,100-4,000 |
| 2000 | |||
| Excursion 2WD | $5,000-6,700 | $4,300-5,700 | $2,000-2,700 |
| Excursion 4WD | $6,000-7,800 | $5,200-6,800 | $2,500-3,300 |
|
|
|||
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door wagon | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 137.1 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 226.7 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 79.9 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 80.2 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 1087 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 146.4 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 44.0 | |
| Seating Capacity | 9 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 41.0 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.3 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 41.1 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 40.5 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| Turbodiesel ohv V8 | 6.0 / 363 | 325 | 550 | 5-speed automatic: -- | 5-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc V10 | 6.8 / 415 | 310 | 425 | 4-speed automatic: -- | 4-speed automatic: 10.8 |
| Turbodiesel ohc V8 | 7.3 / 444 | 235-250 | 500-505 | 4-speed automatic: 15/18 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc V8 | 5.4 / 330 | 255 | 350 | 4-speed automatic: -- | 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
NHTSA Recall History
Car Buying Resources
Search
Local Listings
Vehicle
History Report
FREE CARFAX Record Check
Looking at a used car, check for costly hidden problems before
you buy.
