2018 Ford Expedition

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$48,190

starting MSRP

2018 Ford Expedition
2018 Ford Expedition

Key specs

Base trim shown

Overview

The good:

  • Real room for seven people
  • Powerful engine
  • Excellent ride and handling
  • Tows beautifully
  • Outstanding onboard multimedia tech
  • Easy-to-use Pro Trailer Backup Assist

The bad:

  • Very expensive
  • Subpar fuel economy versus crossover SUVs
  • Disproportionate fuel economy decrease when towing
  • Poor overall range
  • Some interior materials feel cheap
  • Tricky rotary shifter

4 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2018 Ford Expedition trim comparison will help you decide.

Notable features

  • Redesigned seven-seat, full-size SUV
  • Standard twin-turbocharged V-6
  • Two available lengths: Expedition and Expedition Max
  • Optional second-row captain's chairs
  • RWD or 4WD
  • Class-exclusive Pro Trailer Backup Assist

2018 Ford Expedition review: Our expert's take

By Aaron Bragman

The verdict: Big, bold and fully updated, the Expedition has the goods to take the sales crown away from the Chevrolet Tahoe.  

Versus the competition: It may not have a V-8, but you won’t miss the two extra cylinders; it has plenty of power and more usable space and useful technology than any other SUV in the class.  

Just as minivans replaced the family station wagon in the 1980s, so too did big SUVs vanquish those vans in the 1990s. Since then, however, the Great Recession and occasional gas price shocks have returned the largest SUVs to their original role in the market: expensive vehicles bought by people who need big, multi-passenger vehicles that can tow a lot of weight. The segment leaders are the Chevrolet Tahoe and its longer sibling, the Suburban, and it isn’t hard to figure out why: Their main competitor, the Ford Expedition, hadn’t seen a major update in almost a decade.

Now all that has changed. Behold the behemoth: an all-new 2018 Ford Expedition that aims to knock the Chevy off its top-truck throne — as it did in our Full-Size SUV Challenge.

Old-School Truck, New-School Materials

Like the old Expedition, the new one maintains traditional, trucklike body-on-frame construction. Under the skin, the Expedition is an F-150 enhanced with an independent rear suspension instead of a solid live axle. This arrangement also allows for a lower load floor in the cargo area, enabling the third row to fold away completely — an advantage over the Chevy Tahoe’s seats, which fold flat but not into the floor. The Tahoe’s raised floor eats into cargo space and makes it more difficult to load objects.

Like the F-150, the Expedition’s body is now aluminum, but the weight difference for 2018 isn’t that significant — just a 119-pound decrease for the base trim versus a comparable 2017 Expedition. Ford added all kinds of equipment and sound insulation that serve to offset some of the benefit of lightweight aluminum. The body looks slick, with a new and thoroughly modern appearance that’s much more in keeping with the modern style of truck: high beltline, smaller windows and chunkier style. It’s fresh, attractive and has a distinctly more aerodynamic look than the outgoing model.

The Expedition comes in two lengths: Expedition and Expedition Max (formerly Expedition EL). The extra room doesn’t do anything for passenger space, but it does increase the cargo area behind the third row, so you’re not forced to choose between extra rear passengers and extra luggage capacity. My primary test vehicle was a regular-length Expedition, though Cars.com editors have also driven the Max.

Old-Style Power, New-Style Engine

Powering the new Expedition is Ford’s ubiquitous twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, a carryover engine. It puts out a healthy 375 horsepower in most trim levels and 400 hp in the top Platinum. New to the setup is a standard 10-speed automatic transmission — available with either rear- or all-wheel drive — and an electronic limited-slip differential.

Fire up the V-6 and it sounds like a well-tuned turbo-diesel. Some of the engine’s noise is artificially generated through the stereo (all that soundproofing would prevent you from hearing the engine otherwise), but the sound that does come through is a fun mix of whooshing turbos and raspy exhaust. It sounds sufficiently butch for the truck it powers.

I found driving it to be quite a pleasant surprise, as well — the V-6 more than adequately powers the Expedition in both regular and Max versions, and it gets even punchier when you twist the rotary drive mode selector into Sport. Climbing the canyons above Malibu, Calif., handling the tight, twisting sweepers, descending into quick switchbacks — the Expedition exudes confidence and stability. Sport mode tightens up steering feedback and changes both accelerator sensitivity and transmission shift points, making those twisties even easier to take. Nobody will confuse the Expedition for a Mustang, but it by no means embarrasses itself on high-speed, challenging roads.

Ride quality is also outstanding. Wheel sizes vary from 18 to 22 inches depending on trim level and equipment. Higher-spec trims get an electronically adjustable suspension, but lesser models’ suspensions provide a smooth, well-controlled ride, as well; there are no crazy, tippy body motions. If you need an off-road rig, Ford’s got you covered there, too: An FX4 package is available that brings underbody protection, a low-range transfer case, special tuning for the electronic limited-slip differential, Michelin Primacy tires on smaller wheels, off-road shocks, a heavy-duty radiator and unique badging.

Hooked up to a 5,500-pound camper, my Expedition towed like a champ, chugging up 6 percent inclines with ease, accelerating despite the load it hauled. The 10-speed automatic is well-matched to the engine, holding gears on downhill grades to save the Expedition’s brakes and maintain easy control. The instrument panel also shows you tons of information, such as which gear the transmission’s in at any given time.

Trailer sway control comes with a heavy-duty towing package, as does Ford’s super-nifty Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature, which allows you to back up a trailer using a dedicated rotary knob on the dash and backup cameras. It takes the guesswork and trial and error out of backing up a trailer, making even the newest novice look like a veteran trucker.

Where the Expedition falls short is in fuel economy, especially when towing. It also features a smaller gas tank than its main competition, meaning its overall range is notably shorter. The regular Expedition is EPA-rated at 17/24/20 mpg city/highway/combined with two-wheel drive, 17/22/19 mpg with four-wheel drive. The longer Expedition Max clocks in at 17/23/19 mpg with 2WD, 16/21/18 mpg with 4WD. In a recent real-world test for the Full-Size SUV Challenge, my Expedition 4WD achieved 21.5 mpg in combined driving, better than its 19 mpg rating. But that number dropped dramatically to 10.2 mpg when towing a camper — a steeper loss than the V-8-powered competitors in our Challenge exhibited, though still not the lowest mpg. Turns out that the twin-turbocharged engines positively suck down the petrol when you put the engine under some serious load, as I did up and down the hills of eastern Arizona. Combine that with the smaller gas tank, and you’ll be making frequent pit stops if you’re towing a trailer cross-country.

Better Inside, But Details Are Important

The interior looks as if it could have been lifted directly from the F-150, with all the pros and cons that entails. It’s spacious, with excellent outward visibility, but the front seats feel unsupportive over longer voyages. One of our taller reviewers could not get comfortable, with his legs always at an angle and most of his thighs unsupported by the oddly short bottom cushions. The backseats are high, with plenty of room, and the ability to slide fore and aft means passengers in the two rear rows can negotiate legroom amongst themselves. The third row is usable for adults even when the second row is adjusted all the way rearward; slide it forward a bit and there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. The second row also tilts and slides forward at the touch of a button, making ingress to the third row easier.

Materials quality in the cabin is mixed. The F-150 isn’t known for having the best environment in its own class; it features plenty of hard plastic and seams between parts that simply don’t flow together well. Some of this, like plastic molding seams on the grab handles, can be chalked up to early build quality, but some of it is simply how it’s designed — it’s a pickup truck that’s been given a healthy makeover, but it’s still a pickup truck in the ways that count. For a vehicle that can easily approach $90,000 in fully loaded Platinum trim and even top $70,000 for a well-equipped Limited model, this kind of detail is important. All the fancy quilted leather in the world doesn’t excuse the fact that other parts look cheap.

The Latest Tech

Thankfully, Ford loads you up with tech goodies for that kind of coin, including gadgets that entertain (you can stream live TV to the entertainment system via Slingplayer and Sync 3, or even hook up a big-screen TV for tailgating), some that keep you safe (all kinds of lane-keeping aids, steering aids, anti-collision aids and autonomous braking systems), and some that help you drive (like the aforementioned trailer backup assist). The high-end audio system is by the new B&O Play brand, a division of Bang & Olufsen, and it sounds fantastic.

The entire experience in the Expedition is one of a significant upgrade, easily on par with the Chevy and GMC models on many levels and surpassing them in flexibility, spaciousness and amenities.

All This Utility Does Not Come Cheap

If you haven’t priced out a full-size SUV in awhile, you’d better sit down for this next part. The starting price for an Expedition XL 4×2 is $49,290 including destination charges, but you’ll never see that price on a dealer lot — they’re meant for fleet sales to utilities or city governments.

Far more likely to be found is an XLT trim, which starts at $52,985 with two-wheel drive. Specifying four-wheel drive adds between $3,000 and $3,200 to the price depending on trim level. Add in everything you can get and you’re looking at an Expedition Max Platinum 4×4 that will stop just short of 85 grand.

My regular-length Limited 4×4 model stickered at $72,655 including destination, and that included several popular equipment packages and leather for the first and second rows. For comparison’s sake, the new 2018 Lincoln Navigator starts around $73,000 and can top out around $100,000.

Still, the Expedition’s price is easily competitive with vehicles like the Tahoe, Suburban and GMC Yukon. It comes in at a bit more than the Nissan Armada, but it’s a significantly larger vehicle with a much bigger interior. It’s comparable in size to the Toyota Sequoia but has far surpassed that old, outdated model. It’s more refined, with a much nicer interior and a multimedia system that’s at least two or three generations more current.

With buyers snapping up big SUVs in increasing numbers, Ford’s update to its big truck comes at the perfect time. That the truck is as good as it is should put Chevy on notice.

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Consumer reviews

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.9
  • Interior design 4.8
  • Performance 4.8
  • Value for the money 4.4
  • Exterior styling 4.7
  • Reliability 4.6

Most recent consumer reviews

2.7

Buyer beware

We bought a 2018 Ford Limited Expedition with 38,000 miles used from a private seller. The accessibility with captains chairs in the 2nd row is awesome. The roomy cabin is awesome. The get up and go is great! Here’s what’s not great. After we bought it I took it to our local Ford dealer for the next major service for the tune of $3k. Not long after that I discover the dealer forgot to put the stupid felt skid plates and engine cover on after the service and they are missing. Two years later and the dealer fixed that. Right after the big service I paid a ton of money for I discover fluid on my garage floor. Turns out it’s hydraulic fluid from the shocks, all 4 shocks were toast. $1,300 later it has new Bilstein 5100 shocks. Not long after that I notice the power side mirrors clicking and getting stuck while moving with no driver input. After that it feels like it’s stuck in gear and won’t downshift at times. But wait it gets better!!! I notice a constant drivetrain whirring noise. Mechanic says it’s the outside wheel bearing assembly, which is $734 and proprietary to Ford. It needs brakes at this time and the rear calipers are proprietary to ford as well and cost $430 each!! Mechanic replaces the brakes and outside left wheel bearing hub assembly. Total bill is $2700. But wait there’s more!!! Mechanic says the whirring noise didn’t go away and he thinks it’s inner wheel bearings on the differential side or a bad differential!! He refers me to a speciality drivetrain shop. I like a lot of things about the Expedition but it’s been basically a hunk of junk and that pains me to say that because I am a Ford guy! I’ve noticed alot of them for sale in my town with 50k/65k miles on them and I’m suspecting that’s when owners are fed up with them and trying to dump them like I need to do with mine. If you buy one get the extended warranty from Ford. Oh and also the headlights are absolute garbage, not bright, poor light pattern. It’s amazing to me that the headlights in a $60k vehicle are junk and comparable to the halogen headlights on Grandpa’s 85 F-150.

2.3

Worst new car I have ever had

It seems Ford really rushed this model out. I have had it for three years 50k miles and have had it in for service at least ten times for repairs and I'm still not done. It seems the warranty doesn't cover much. And the additional warrenty (Platinum) covers less. We have had engine problems, seat problems (still exist) wheel well liners that have fallen apart (Still and issue) $600 to replace the rear pair. OMG. Two light assemblies that have leaked. Third brake light leaks. windshield washer system leaks, and we keep getting told there is no leak but every time we get it back we have a quart of blue fluid on our garage floor (still and issue). Bottom line don't buy this vehicle unless you enjoy sitting in a ford service department waiting room.

4.7

Ford got the large SUV right!!

This is the 5th Expedition that I have owned over the years. This current generation is a fantastic vehicle which checks all of the boxes. The interior is terrific with plenty of room and comfort, even in the third row for adults.

See all 65 consumer reviews

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Ford Blue Advantage EV
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
36 months/36,000 miles
Corrosion
60 months/unlimited distance
Powertrain
60 months/60,000 miles
Roadside assistance
60 months/60,000 miles
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
Ford models up to 6 years old with less than 80,000 miles
Basic warranty terms
12-month/12,000-mile (whichever comes first) Comprehensive Limited Warranty. 8-year/100,000-mile (whichever comes first) BaseCARE EV Warranty coverage.
Powertrain
7-year/100,00-Mile (whichever comes first)
Dealer certification required
Certified 127-point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

Compare the competitors

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