This might not be the best time for marketing a large sports utility vehicle that is big on power, performance and luxury, but not outstanding on fuel economy or price. But there is still a segment of the market that demands these huge, roomy, high-performing vehicles that also pamper their inhabitants. That’s where the Ford Expedition fits prominently. In fact, Expedition sales were UP 27 percent in April over last year’s figures and were up in three of the first four months of the year.
Ford estimates that while the large SUV market has shrunk, it is still strong. Peak sales for the genre reached about one million units annually between 2001 and 2004. Sales last year and this year are still expected to top 700,000 units. The lost sales come from those buyers or potential buyers who seek image cars or fun cars. Those consumers are staying away from large SUVs due largely to increased fuel costs. The remaining core buyers who are still buying are those who have large families, tow heavy loads or who need truck-based transportation but don’t want traditional pick-ups. While experts believe the segment will continue to decline until 2010, the eventual fundamental market should still be a solid 600,000 total units per year. And Expedition, a niche-founding father, should continue to be prominent.
The large-SUV segment was launched by the Ford Expedition in 1997, and the vehicle continues to be a leader in innovation, styling and sales today.
Bigger and badder than ever … my test Expedition was so tough, yet luxurious that it was given a rugged designer’s name – the Eddie Bauer Edition. The vehicle also carries the EL delineation, with the letters standing for “extended length.”
The 2007 Expedition has been tweaked over the 2006 version with a new frame, re-engineered sheet metal based on the Ford F-150 pick-up, a lavish new interior and seats, and top-of-the-line safety features.
A relatively low center gravity makes for a smooth ride with less of a roll-over possibility. Standard Advancetrac with roll stability control and rollover sensors, optional side curtain airbags with rollover sensors, three-row safety canopy, side airbags, personal safety system, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Securilock and passenger antitheft system make Expedition one of the safest SUVs on the market, and it was awarded 5 stars from the NHTSA in frontal crash tests.
The bold, 6053-lb. behemoth’s exterior is all about size, strength and style. The truck-based sports-ute is 78.3 inches high, 79.7 inches wide, has a wheelbase of 131 inches and ground clearance of 8.7 inches. The EL (extended-length) is readily apparent at a whopping 221.3 inches, a full 15 inches longer than the standard expedition. The outward appearance is enhanced by a chrome grille, Pueblo Gold body cladding, power/heated signals and memory mirror, keyless entry pad, lift gate with flip-up glass and front tow hooks. You also get hip 20-inch chromed wheels covered with 55-series rubber.
The interior is opulent, yet still truck-inspired and extremely roomy. With seating for eight, the Expedition affords you headroom of 39.5 inches in front 39.7 in row two and 38 in row three. Legroom is 41.1, 39.1 and 37.7 and shoulder room is 63.2 up front with 63.7 and 67.1 behind.
Interior amenities include Audiophile AM/FM/6 CD changer, auxiliary audio input jack, dual electric automatic temperature control, message center, steering wheel audio and climate controls, memory driver seat and exterior mirror,10-way power captain’s chair for the driver, touch-screen navigation that includes Alaska and Hawaii, and iPod plug-and-play capability, and a full-size spare tire.
This vehicle looks powerful and it is. Propelled by a 5.4-liter V-8 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the system thunders out 300hp, 365 lbs.-ft of torque and can jump from zero to 60mph in 8.6 seconds. Making this the perfect vehicle for those who tow boats, or loads and who want a truck that has car capabilities, the engine allows for a towing capacity of 9200 lbs. The price you pay is fuel economy. With an estimated EPA rating of 14 in the city and 20mpg on the highway, my weeklong test got me an average of 16.3mpg on 87-octane fuel. The massive 33.5-gallon gas tank gives you a 540-mile range, but can you imagine filling it up from empty at today’s gas prices?
Base price on the vehicle is $41,125. My test ride’s options included four all-season Pirelli Scorpion STR tires (P275/55R20 BSW) that will set you back $1095 while the 20-inch chrome-clad wheels are no charge; second-row captain’s chair ($795); skid plate package ($100); power moonroof ($950); reverse sensing package, power adjustable brakes, ACL control with memory, power quarter flip windows and sun visor ($675); heavy-duty trailer tow system ($350); touchscreen navigation radio ($1995); power lift gate ($495); Sirius radio with 6-month service ($195); road-leveling suspension ($485); climate controlled seats ($625); rear seat entertainment DVD ($1500); chrome exhaust pipe ($75); and destination and delivery charges of $820.
For a bottom line of $51,280, this is a lot of vehicle … a solid, stable, luxurious, safe truck-based giant that is positioned well for the segment’s future.
Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
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