2022 Ford Expedition Max

Competes with: Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, Jeep Wagoneer, Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia

Looks like: The Expedition gets a Maverick-style front end

Powertrains: 380-, 400-, or 440-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6; 10-speed automatic transmission; rear- or four-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: Early 2022

The big SUV battle continues in the U.S. with an updated version of the 2022 Ford Expedition full-size SUV. What were once mainstream models accessible to the masses, full-size SUVs continue their expensive upmarket climb with more content, more luxurious interiors, and greater levels of safety and self-driving technology. The Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon got their updates first, then Jeep joined the fray with the arrival of the all-new Wagoneer. Now it’s Ford’s turn to the party, and it’s come with an updated Expedition that features a redone interior, new self-driving and safety tech, and two new variants: Timberline for the off-road enthusiasts, and the Stealth Edition Performance Package for the on-road enthusiasts.

Related: Here’s What the New STX Edition on the 2021 Ford Expedition Costs

Exterior

Cosmetic changes to the 2022 Expedition are minor and consist of revised front and rear lights, grilles, bumpers and spoilers. The bigger news is the two new versions. First is the new Expedition Timberline, expanding the trim level first seen on the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline. Billed as the most capable off-road version of the Expedition ever created, it features visual distinctions with orange accents and badges, and black wheels rolling on 33-inch all-terrain tires. If rock crawling is not your thing but mall crawling is, the new Stealth Edition Performance Package might be more your speed, available on the Limited trim level for both the Expedition and long-wheelbase Expedition Max. Designed to have a more urban appeal, it has a “murdered out” look with gloss-black accents, grille, mirror caps, roof rails, window pillars and big 22-inch gloss-black wheels. Of course, there are still other trim levels for the Expedition, including the XL, STX, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and the super-luxe range-topping Platinum, which features satin and chrome accents.

Engine and Transmission

Powering the updated Expedition will be a choice of three offerings from a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6. Most versions (XL, STX and XLT) get the standard EcoBoost engine making 380 horsepower and 470 pounds-feet of torque, while the Limited, King Ranch and Platinum get the 400-hp 3.5-liter with 480-pounds-feet of torque. The Timberline and Stealth Edition Performance Package will get the optional uprated version now making 440 hp and an eye-popping 510 pounds-feet of torque. All versions are mated to a standard 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with four-wheel drive optional on all models.

Both the new Timberline and Stealth Edition Performance Package get some different equipment, however. The Timberline becomes the most capable off-road version of the Expedition thanks to standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, a mechanical limited-slip differential, seven different selectable electronic drive modes, the steel skid plate from a 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor pickup truck, and dedicated off-road steering with unique stabilizer bars and springs. It wears different front and rear bumpers and rides on taller all-terrain tires, allowing for improved approach and departure angles, and ground clearance of 10.6 inches, which is up from a previous maximum of 9.8 inches. It’s improved electronics and vehicle architecture allow for the addition of the Trail Turn Assist feature first seen on the new Bronco, which allows selective braking of a wheel that Ford says makes the vehicle nearly pivot around a fixed point on loose terrain.

For the on-road enthusiast, the Stealth Edition Performance Package brings a firmer sport suspension, combined with Ford’s continuously controlled electronic shock damping with “Road Preview” forward-facing scanners, which allows adjustment of the vehicle’s suspension in anticipation of changing road conditions or surfaces.

The Expedition can drag up to 9,300 pounds when properly equipped with the Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package; the Timberline trim is limited to slightly less at 9,200 pounds. Updates to the truck’s electronics have also let Ford fit the updated 2.0 version of the novel Pro Trailer Backup Assist to the Expedition, which helps to reverse with a trailer when the kit is all properly installed.

Interior

The biggest upgrades come inside, where the Expedition frankly needed the most help to stay current with the latest crop of luxury-oriented competitors. A new interior graces the big SUV, with a new dash that eschews the “horizontal” look that a lot of new models are going for in favor of the optional inclusion of the massive 15.5-inch portrait-oriented multimedia screen first seen in the Ford Mustang Mach-E EV and upcoming Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup; it runs the latest Sync 4A system, featuring a multimedia system organized by “dash cards” instead of menus. A 12-inch horizontal screen running the more traditional Sync 4 system is standard. A 12.4-inch digital instrument panel is available on some models, bringing an electronic display behind the steering wheel, like the one in the latest F-150.

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The interior upgrade isn’t just electronic however, with material choices and changes on the new Expedition’s top trim models. The new Timberline model gets a unique look, as well, with an exclusive Cypress Green interior with umber accents and stitching. Go for the Stealth Edition Performance Package, and that interior goes dark with an all-black environment with orange stitching, granite appliques and dark anodized-gray accents. Even the Platinum trim gets some material attention, with three unique color options, luxurious quilted leather seating, black wood and brushed aluminum trim.

An upgraded Bang & Olufsen Unleashed premium audio system will be available on King Ranch, Platinum, Timberline and Stealth Edition Performance Package models, featuring 22 speakers, a dedicated subwoofer and 360-degree surround sound. For backseat passengers, Amazon Fire TV has been added to the rear-seat entertainment system.

Safety and Technology

Ford also upped the Expedition safety content with the inclusion of Ford CoPilot-360 as standard on the SUV. It also brought the BlueCruise semi-autonomous hands-free driving system to the Expedition. Standard on the Platinum model, it enables a driver to set the system on two-lane divided highways that have been previously mapped by the service and take their hands off the wheel. Other Expeditions also bring enhanced safety technology, including lane keep assist, automatic front and rear emergency braking, and evasive steering assist.

Pricing for the 2022 Expedition will be coming closer to the vehicle’s on sale date, currently scheduled for the first few months of 2022.

Editor’s note: This story was updated Sept. 21, 2021, to reflect new powertrain ratings.

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