2005 Ford Expedition: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

More power marks 2005 changes for the smaller of Ford's two large SUVs. Expedition is larger than the Explorer, smaller than the Excursion. It comes with three rows of seats and is available with a front bench seat for 9-passenger capacity. It uses a 5.4-liter V8, up 40 hp to 300 for 2005, teamed with an automatic transmission. Last year's 4.6-liter V8 has been dropped. Expedition is available with rear-wheel drive or Ford's ControlTrac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. ABS is standard. Options include load-leveling rear suspension and Ford's AdvanceTrac antiskid/traction-control system with Roll Stability Control. Roll Stability Control is designed to detect an impending tip and activate the antiskid system to reduce the chances of a rollover. Head-protecting curtain side airbags for the first two seating rows are optional; they're designed to deploy in side collisions and in rollover accidents. Also available are power-adjustable pedals, a tire-pressure monitor, rear obstacle detection, and rear DVD entertainment. Lincoln's Navigator is a luxury-oriented version of the Expedition.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large SUVs are traditionally workhorse 7-plus passenger wagons with brawny chassis, ample towing ability, lots of cargo space, and generally abysmal fuel economy. These vehicles offer towing and payload ratings similar to large pickup trucks.

Our Best Buys include the Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, and Ford Expedition. Our Recommended picks are the GMC Yukon/Denali, and the Toyota Sequoia.