An Excellent Choice...and the 2005 is even better!
Written: Jun 20 '04 (Updated Oct 08 '07)
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Pros: Comfort, room, towing capacity. More refined than you might think.
Cons: Fuel economy, of course, and front-wheel brake dust buildup. 2005 model offers several key improvements.
The Bottom Line: An excellent people hauler with the ability to tow very heavy things! Looks great, too!
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| GR8AV8R's Full Review: 2004 Ford Expedition 4WD |
UPDATE! This review is for the 2004 model, but be advised - Ford has given the 2005 a couple of key improvements! The 5.4 liter V-8 option has an improved cylinder head design that develops 300 horsepower and better torque with no fuel mileage penalty. That's a very good thing. The instrument panel has been enlarged slightly, and it needed that. It's also available in a "Limited" option package...all the bells and whistles, with one exterior color (no two-tone cladding). Very nice updates to an already attractive package! And now, the Extended Length package!
UPDATE no. 2!!!
I knew this was a good truck; that's why I bought it. But I didn't know it was THIS good. After almost 50,000 miles, it's just as comfortable, quiet, rattle-free, and good-lookin' as new. It has no idea where the shop is, with zero recalls and absolutely no maintenance issues. The stock Continental tires have at least 20K miles left in them. Fuel mileage has averaged 16.7 mpg, in mixed driving. That's exceptional, as far as I'm concerned, in a big family/toy hauler. The only downside has been some cracking of the leather seats, despite regular cleaning and conditioning. Oh well, I can live with that. I love this truck! When my wife lets me drive it...
Now that you are armed with this information, please see my original review below!
Buying an Expedition with gas prices well over $2 a gallon may not seem like the brightest idea in the world, but I did...and I'm not sorry at all. I needed a big rig to tote my family around, and occasionally tow my 7000-pound boat, and this truck does it all. And the mileage isn't all that bad, no worse than a pickup truck. But let's look at the whole vehicle.
BODY: The Expedition was redesigned in 2003 with simpler lines and all-new suspension. The rear suspension is now independent (no old-style live rear axle) for a smoother, better-handling ride. True off-road capability is compromised for pleasant road manners, an acceptable give and take...because it's a dream on the road. The windows are large, so visibility is excellent, but somewhat limited to the rear with the 3rd row seat upright. The rear hatch is large and easy to use, with a window that opens independently for loading small parcels. The four doors are large, yet light and easy to open. Access to the rear seats is excellent, and assisted by the gray painted tubular step running boards. These are standard on the XLT Sport model; step-type units come with the Eddie Bauer, and black tubes on NBX models, and are optional across the line. We chose the XLT Sport for the gray metallic paint on the lower cladding and bumpers; on Eddie Bauer models the paint is tan, all others are matte gray plastic.
INTERIOR: In a word, roomy. Comfortable, too, with well padded seats and lots of storage. Cupholders are everywhere. With the optional leather interior, you get front captains chairs and a cavernous center console...same with the optional 2nd row captains chairs. The third row seat folds flat into the floor very easily (especially with the power-fold option), another benefit of the revised rear suspension. No more storing the seats in the garage! And surprise! There is actually enough room way back there for three adults. The 2nd row seats easily fold/flip for easy access to that 3rd row. The dash is uncluttered and controls are logically placed. The speedometer/tachometer instrument cluster is a bit small for my tastes, but plenty readable and well-lit. The optional in-dash 6-disc CD system is excellent, and easy to use. I did not order the navigation system, so no comment there. There are many thoughtful details inside, from the automatic headlights, curbside illumination when doors are opened, and clever overhead console. The optional message center and trip computer is excellent, although the control buttons are blocked from view by the gearshift lever when in 'Drive.' I also ordered the DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones to placate my kids on longer trips, and it works great. The 7" inch screen flips down, blocking some rear vision, but the massive side-view mirrors more than make up for it.
ENGINES: The standard engine is the Triton 4.6 liter V-8, with 239 horsepower...a decent choice if you don't tow anything. If you need a people-hauler and can live with 2 wheel drive, this is a fine engine. If you tow very heavy things, as I do, you'll want the 5.4 liter V-8, with 260 horses and a lot more torque (325 ft/lbs). My 5.4 is quiet and very smooth, and it pulls my boat/trailer up the slippery ramps easily. Fuel economy is about the same for either engine, 14/18 city highway for the 4.6, 13/17 for the 5.4 liter. My truck has returned about 16 mpg since new, and I'm pretty happy with that. Check the owners manual for towing capacities--mine maxxes out at 9500 lbs.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS: Much better than I expected. My previous SUV was a much-loved Lexus RX300 that I hated to sell, but I needed more room and towing capability. The Ford is not as smooth or quiet, but it's close. Acceleration is just as good, there is minimal body lean in turns, and the standard anti-lock brakes are excellent. The turn radius is better than my Lexus by three feet, a surprise I am thrilled with. Wind noise is minimal at highway speeds, and tire noise from the Continental all-terrain tires is nicely muted. Backing is assisted with the optional Reverse Sensing System, which I highly recommend. Believe it or not, it drives like a much smaller rig, a pleasant surprise.
SAFETY/OTHER: Front airbags are standard, as are 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. I ordered the optional Safety Canopy System, which is a fancy phrase for side-curtain airbags, with some additional features. The gas/brake pedals are adjustable, to move smaller drivers away from the front airbag...this should be on more cars, a great feature. Tire pressures are monitored electronically, and I again recommend the reverse sensors.
Overall, I have been very pleased with this truck. Dealers are discounting them heavily (up to $12,000 off MSRP), so if you need to tow very heavy things, or need all that room, I highly recommend it!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 36,500
Condition: New
Model Year: 2004
Model and Options: XLT Sport, 5.4 liter with 4WD,leather, DVD, power 3rd row seat
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Epinions.com ID:
GR8AV8R
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Location: Washington (The State)
Reviews written: 19
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Pilot, daddy, sportsman.
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