2020 Ford Expedition Review, Specs, Price

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The Ford Expedition entered the 2020 model year as our top-rated full-size SUV. Since the fourth-generation's inception in 2017, we've applauded the big family hauler's settled ride, roomy interior, and cabin design. Unlike its Chevy and GMC rivals, which are all-new for 2021, the Ford ditched its steel body panels to adopt the F-150's aluminum skin and the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6. The adoption of the new body architecture refined the Expedition in almost every way, delivering an enjoyable drive, more cabin space, and a good-looking design.

We liked the Expedition so much that we named it a 2019 SUV of the Year finalist, and shortly after that, it topped the charts when it won our Beast of Burden comparison test, beating the Chevy Tahoe, Toyota Sequoia, Nissan Armada and Dodge Durango. But with the new Chevy Suburban and shorter-wheelbase Tahoe arriving to dealers armed with a few of the Ford's previously exclusive class standouts (namely their Ford-matching independent rear suspensions).

Mechanically, everything about the 2020 Expedition remains the same as before. For this generation, the Expedition swapped its old V-8 engine in favor of the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6, which makes 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque in base form. A 10-speed transmission sends all that power to the rear wheels, but four-wheel drive is optional. Like we've noted before, the V-6 twin turbo is a sweetheart of an engine; it has enough power to move the big boy around town and on the freeway, and it never seems to struggle under hard acceleration or when going uphill while towing.

The same goes for its ride and handling—with its aluminum body reducing weight, you don't really feel like you're driving something that huge. Our Expedition XLT test vehicle felt planted even when driven on tight corners, with the steering feeling precisely balanced while delivering the right amount of feedback. Unlike the F-150, which—when unloaded—can feel like the tail is swinging a bit, the Expedition manages to keep its mammoth body controlled most of the time. You can thank its independent rear suspension for that; the F-150 still uses a truck-standard solid rear axle.

Like in the previous model years, the Expedition is available in two sizes: standard and Max. The regular, not-Max Expedition has a 122.5-inch wheelbase and a 210.0-inch overall length, and the Expedition Max is a foot longer with a 131.6-inch wheelbase and 222.0 inches of length. We had a chance to drive the standard Expedition, which directly competes against the Tahoe, whereas Expedition Max takes on the Chevy Suburban.

Ford made some small but important changes to the 2020 Expedition, and unfortunately some are not improvements. The XLT, which is the base version most of us can buy (the lower-spec XL is a fleet-only truck), is no longer available with the adaptive cruise control with stop and go, the rain-sensing wipers, or the nine-speaker system. However, Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of active-safety technologies that includes lane keeping assist, lane keep alert, driver alert, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot alert with rear cross-traffic, and auto high-beams is now standard across the board. In order to get adaptive cruise control, one must now jump up to the pricier King Ranch—new this year, it slides in between the Limited and Platinum trims—or Expedition Platinum.

2020 Ford Expedition Review, Specs, Price

Our XLT came equipped with the Black Accent package, which is also new for 2020 and costs $1,895. The package adds 20-inch black wheels and second-row bucket seats, and it gives the Expedition a bolder look while also adapting an upscale appearance.

Borrowing a page from the F-150, the Expedition's cabin mimics the interior of its truck sibling. But there's nothing wrong with that; the cabin has aged well and continues to have good materials throughout. Although it's not an impressive cabin, everything is easy to find and arranged logically. From the gear selector rotary knob to the drive mode knob, the driver won't have a hard time to know where everything is.

Although the Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment is getting old—and is about to be replaced—it's generally user-friendly. The processor's speed and the system's graphics could use some help, but there's no menu digging. Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration are standard, and so is the digital driver's display between the speedo and tach on the instrument panel.

But like with all big SUVs, what matters is behind the driver. Those seated in the second row will feel like they're sitting in first class. The second-row captain's chairs can slide fore and aft, leaving plenty of legroom for those in the third row. Although the second-row seat backs can move forward to leave space for easier entry and exit from the third row, we found it easier and quicker to simply walk between the two captain's chairs.

In terms of vehicle ownership psychographics, Expedition owners are, for the most part, in lock-step with other full-size SUV owners. However, minor variances in attitudes and opinions are evident in a handful of areas.

For example, 87% of Ford Expedition owners agree that they prefer to buy a vehicle from a domestic company (vs. 81% for the segment). Expedition owners are slightly more likely to agree that they like a vehicle with responsive handling and powerful acceleration (96% vs. 94%), and that they need a versatile vehicle to accommodate a busy lifestyle (94% vs. 91%).

Expedition owners are more likely to strongly agree that they will pay extra to ensure their vehicle has the latest safety features (43% vs. 37%). Fewer Expedition owners agree that a vehicle is just a way of getting from place to place (25% vs. 29%).

Owners say their favorite things about the Expedition are (in descending order) the interior design, storage and space, engine/transmission, exterior styling, and driving dynamics. Owners indicate their least favorite things about the Expedition are (in descending order) the seats, visibility and safety, climate control system, infotainment system, and fuel economy.

Riding in the third row is not a bad experience. With two USB ports, a low floor, and decent knee room, to continue with the aviation metaphor, the third row would be like a basic economy seat. This author's 6-foot frame was comfortable at all times, and he could see himself riding in the way-back for three hours or so easily.

The full-size SUV segment just became more competitive with the new Chevys and the upcoming 2021 GMC Yukon. But despite the arrival of those SUVs, the Expedition continues to be a compelling model. It remains to be seen whether it is better than the new Chevys or GMC, but the ride quality, strong powertrain, and well-appointed interior continue to stand out. However, the Chevys beat the Ford on exterior styling; although it's only a couple of years old, the Expedition's design is not aging as well as its interior. The Tahoe, on the other hand, stands out in a crowded parking lot and has more presence on the road.

As far as the Expedition goes, clean design combines with elements of flair to give the SUV a sense of style. The King Ranch test vehicle, for example, had unique dark gray trim on the lower bumpers, side mirrors, and roof rails, combined with a handsome set of 22-inch split-spoke wheels. The textured grille insert adds an upscale look to the Expedition King Ranch. 

Ford uses the dashboard from the F-150 pickup truck in the Expedition, with logically laid out controls and plenty of hard plastic panels. In King Ranch trim, exclusive Mesa brown leather with caramel piping and stitching adds an upscale look and feel, and the cabin is decorated with King Ranch branding marks.

The end result is a cabin only partially suitable for a $75,000 vehicle. However, Expedition owners love this SUV’s interior, no doubt due to its simplicity, its generous and practical storage, and its impressive comfort. It is difficult to be uncomfortable when you’re inside of a Ford Expedition. Excellent for six people, good for seven, and acceptable for eight, comfort is standard in each of the SUV’s three rows of seats. It’s like a rolling living room, this SUV.

One of the major contributors to comfort levels is the Expedition’s independent rear suspension. Ford has employed this type of engineering for more than a decade, allowing the SUV to have a lower cabin floor. In turn, this means the second- and third-row seats provide lots of thigh support combined with good foot room under the seats in front of them.

2020 Ford Expedition Review, Specs, Price

General Motors adopts this kind of suspension design for its upcoming redesigned full-size SUVs, so the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and 2021 GMC Yukon will offer dramatic improvement on this front.

Ford knows that Expedition owners battle inclement weather on either side of the scale. From brutal blizzards to sweltering summer days, this SUV’s climate system is engineered to perform.

During summer testing near Los Angeles, a heat wave with temperatures near 95 degrees put the air conditioning to the test, and it passed with flying colors. The King Ranch’s ventilated front seats also helped to keep occupants cool. Had we faced a frigid winter day in the Sierra Nevadas north of the palm-lined metropolis, the King Ranch’s heated front- and second-row seats and heated steering wheel would no doubt have come in handy.

Ford uses its Sync 3 infotainment system in the Expedition, and the maximum touchscreen display size is 8 inches across. On this SUV’s huge dashboard, the recessed display looks old and small. And by automotive industry standards, it is not only increasingly undersized but also fairly slow to load. With that said, the simple user experience is agreeable and the available B&O Play premium sound system by Bang & Olufsen impresses. Physical controls for the stereo reside under the touchscreen, making it easier to operate.

FordPass Connect service offers a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and Sync 3 supplies standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation is available, too, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and Traffic and Travel Link services. The voice recognition system doesn’t support completely natural voice commands but does give you prompts to follow to make using voice control easier.

Six different USB ports stand ready within the Expedition, as well as wireless device charging. In some Expeditions, second-row occupants also get their own media controls, located above a rear climate control panel. A rear-seat entertainment system is also available, complete with dual displays, a DVD player, streaming capability from a mobile device, Slingbox compatibility to stream live TV, and gaming capability.

You need places to put things? You’ve got lots of cargo to haul for road trips and weekend projects? The 2020 Ford Expedition stands ready to serve. Within the cabin, you’ll find bins and trays and cubbies galore, including a second glove compartment deftly hidden behind the dashboard trim panel in front of the passenger. Just remember not to put things that will melt in the tray on the top of the instrument panel.

With the standard-length Expedition, cargo volume measures 19.3 cu.-ft. behind the third-row seat, 57.5 cu.-ft. behind the second-row seat, and 104.6 cu.-ft. behind the front seats. With this version of the SUV, you can use the third-row seat or you can carry lots of cargo, but you can’t do both at the same time.

That’s where the extended-length Expedition MAX comes in handy. In this version of the SUV, 34.3 cu.-ft. of cargo space exists behind the third-row seat. Fold it down to create 73.3 cu.-ft., or fold both rear rows to maximize volume at 121.5 cu.-ft.

Then there is the pricing. With a starting price of $57,515, the Expedition XLT brings a lot of value to the table. Our as-tested XLT came with a $64,520 price tag thanks to the aforementioned Black Accent package and the eye-watering $5,110 Group 202A package (power-folding third-row seats, hands-free power tailgate, wireless device charging, etc. ). Still, with three-zone AC, leather seats, and plenty of USB ports, we didn't feel there was something missing for the price.

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