Liken it to a bruiser of a heavyweight hitting harder with a smaller fist – it’s the refreshed third generation of the Ford Expedition EL. Gone is V-8 power, replaced with the awesome EcoBoost V-6.
By virtue of its size, the 2015 Expedition is the reddest of a string of red vehicles I’ve been driving recently. The Ford’s ruby red finish is actually a deeper red than the others – the flame red of a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, the tornado red of the Volkswagen Sportwagen, the Melbourne red metallic of the BMW X6M, the milano red of the Honda HR-V and the rally red of the Mitsubishi Outlander.
None of those compare with it in size.
Based on the Ford F-150 pickup, the full-size SUV was introduced in 1996, then the extended-length EL was added in 2007 to replace the big Excursion, which had been discontinued two years previously.
The Expedition is in demand this summer; its sales increased 46 percent in July and the larger EL represents 44 percent of overall Expedition sales, according to Mike Grammes, Ford sales operations manager for the Denver region.
The 2015 Excursion EL, on a wheelbase of 131 inches, is 220.8 inches in length, stands almost 78 inches in height and weighs a whopping 6,103 pounds. And it rides high on 22-inch wheels, with Pirelli Scorpion 285/45R22 tires.
So, it is big. Open the huge hood, though, and there sits a relatively small V-6 engine in the wide-open underhood space.
Armed with the direct-injected, 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine churning out 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, Ford discontinued Expedition’s use of the 5.4-liter V-8, which generated lesser ratings of 310-hp and 365 lb.-ft.
Only a moment’s hesitation precedes the thrust of EcoBoost power that so adequately carries the three-ton SUV to greater heights. The huge gain in torque reading registers higher-gear cruises. The V-6 is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
The Expedition EL averaged 17 miles per gallon and on a straight highway run will approach 19 or 20. A few months back, I averaged 17.3 with the like-sized Lincoln Navigator, equipped with a similar EcoBoost V-6.
The new Expedition uses fewer amounts of chrome in its restyled headlamps, grille and front bumper.
Inside, the modern, comfortable cabin boasts roominess, even in its third-row seating. Ford’s voice-activated Sync system lends opportunity for calls, music and driving directions, with Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, CD player, satellite radio, iPod/USB and rear audio controls.
The body-on-frame SUV offers up to 9,200 pounds of tow capacity.
A sticker price of $68,090 is an indication of how well-equipped is the Platinum edition of the Expedition EL. A few of the long list of plush accommodations are the 22-inch wheels, power running boards, power moonroof, navigation, heated front and second-row seats and cooled front seats, rearview camera, power liftgate, blind-spot information system and dual-zone electronic automatic climate control.
Ford dealers in the Denver region last month recorded their best August sales in nine years on strong demand for F-series trucks, SUVs and crossovers.
Here are the specifications for the ’15 Ford Expedition EL 4X4:
- Capacity 8-passenger crossover
- Wheelbase 131 inches
- Length 220.8 inches
- Width 78.8 inches
- Height 77.7 inches
- Curb Weight 6,103 pounds
- Track 67 inches front, 67.2 rear
- Ground Clearance 8.3 inches
- Turn Circle 44 feet
- Drivetrain Four-wheel-drive
- Engine 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6
- Horsepower/Torque 365/420
- Transmission 6-speed automatic
- Steering electric power-assist rack-and-pinion
- Suspension independent coil-over-shock front, multilink rear
- Fuel mileage estimate 14/20
- Fuel mileage average 17
- Fuel Tank 33.5 gallons, regular
- Wheels 22-inch
- Tires Pirelli Scorpion 285/45R22
- Cargo Volume 42.6 cubic feet
- Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/60,000 powertrain
Competitors Chevrolet Suburban, Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia
Assembly Plant Louisville, Ky.
Parts Content N.A.
Base Price of Lowest Model $56,830; Base Price of Review Model $64,320; Destination Charge $1,195; Sticker Price $68,090.