Recovering from the second largest sugar coma of the year at my house (second only to Halloween), I extol the virtues of the chocolate covered marshmallow bunny. The ratio of chocolate to marshmallow is key. For me, a thin, slightly crunchy layer of chocolate over a smallish marshmallow bunny shape is perfect; not too much of either ingredient. C’mon, I know I can’t be the only one who ponders this and other Easter candy mysteries such as, who really eats the green colored marshmallow peeps, can I?
Considering the design of a car’s interior is similar to considering the proportions of chocolate to marshmallow in a marshmallow bunny. For instance, the ratio of wood-like elements to plastic is important; as well the number of colors that grace the interior. The 2007 Eddie Bauer Expedition gets the relationship just about right. I am a fan of the simple, modern, clean-line design that runs throughout the Ford product line. The Eddie Bauer trim kicks that up a notch (thanks, Emeril) with two-toned leather seats. Actually, the dark and light leather combination on the seats reminds me a bit of my beloved little marshmallow bunny. Yum.
My mouth is salivating and I have put the bunnies up on the highest shelf. I need to concentrate on the other family-friendly features of the 2007 Ford Expedition. One of my favorites is the enormous center console between the front seats. I can easily store my laptop and my cute spring pocketbook inside. Amazingly, I still have room to store a few other provisions. Once closed, the console sports four cup-holders, two for the front seat passengers and two more intended for rear occupants. Herein lies the trouble; unless my rear seat passengers are at least 5 feet tall and not strapped into booster or car seats, they will be hard-pressed to reach their own cups while the car is moving. Luckily, I ride with a front seat butler passenger (aren’t teenagers grand?) most of the time, so he can hand the drinks back to his siblings when they complain that they are dying of thirst (especially prevalent after indulging in Easter candy).
I have to give props to Ford for designing some of the most kid-friendly seat belts around. The receptor is not droopy; it stands at attention, so a single little hand can buckle the belt without having to reach down with another hand (sometimes Mom’s) to hold the receiver still. I am sure I don’t need to tell you what a big difference that little “feature” makes in my life. Some other helpful features include the automatic tailgate and the push-button folding rear seats. Ford Expedition: Saving mothers from back pain every day.
I love the roominess of the third-row seat. It sits up a little higher than the middle row but still has plenty of headroom. This seat is so big that I can actually fit three booster seats across. Can you say car-pool city?
Now here is a caveat to that: After popping the head rests up into place, I have a very hard time seeing out of both the back window and the rear side windows. Actually, lack of visibility is a bit of a theme in this SUV. This vehicle is so big that I really worry when backing out of my driveway. My test car is equipped with back up sensors, but frankly, I would feel more comfortable with a backup camera as well. I am also a bit uncomfortable parking this car in a lot filled with other cars because I simply cannot clearly sense how far the vehicle extends in the front or the back. In a small lot, I have to do a 10-point turn in order to back out of my space and avoid hitting cars behind me. I hope someone is not waiting.
The Ford Expedition delivers what it promises, just like my chocolate-covered bunnies. It has the right ratio of luxury to toughness. The exterior styling is bold, the creature comforts are numerous and the utility is grand. As long as I know to be cautious about the lack of visibility and sheer size of the vehicle, I appreciate the Expedition’s place in the mom-mobile world.
*For more information on the Ford Expedition and its safety features visit Cars.com.
LET’S TALK NUMBERS
LATCH Connectors: 2
Seating Capacity (includes driver): 5
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Galore
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair – Galore
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove On): Good Times
