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3.24.2020

Love Rekindled: The 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

Front 3/4 view of 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum
The 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum. 
Regular TireKicker readers may remember our 2018 roadtrip---two weeks and 3,800 miles through Nevada, Arizona, Utah and back.  Our ride was a 2018 Ford Expedition Max Limited..  The Max is the stretched version of the Expedition, with additional cargo room behind the rear seats.  Now, a year and a half later, we spend a week with the 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum.


Rear 3/4 view of 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

Even knowing what to expect from having spent way more time and way more miles behind the wheel than we get in a normal weeklong test on that big trip (the Expedition is largely unchanged from the 2018), the 2020 Expedition Platinum dazzled us with its excellence.  It's great-looking, solid, confident and comfortable.

Hood up on 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

Engine in 2020 Ford Expedition

Under the hood, it's the same 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6, but the Expedition weighs a bit less than the Expedition Max, so it's even quicker.  And the Max was no slouch.  It's mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission, and the EPA fuel economy estimates are 17 miles per gallon city/23 highway.   It's worth remembering though, that in the Max, which was loaded down with two weeks worth of camping gear and supplies, I averaged 24.8 on the road.

Tailgate open on 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

Interior view of 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

2020 Ford Expedition Platinum third row seat

Second-row seats in 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

Front seats in 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

In non-Max form, there's limited cargo room behind the third row of seats, but it's not tiny by any means.  A typical grocery run or suitcases for a vacation will be no trouble.  But stuff for all seven of the people the seats will accomodate---well, that's why the Max exists.

Beyond that, the interior accomodations are spacious, comfortable and attractive.  As noted in our 2018 review, I spent a few 11-hour days at the wheel and never felt fatigued.

Expeditions start at $52,810 for the base XLT model.  There's also the Limited at $63,345, the King Ranch at $72,895 and our tester, the Limited, which starts at $73,935.  Here's what comes standard:


  • LED fog lamps
  • Silver lining mesh grille
  • Automatic LED headlamps with signature LED lighting
  • Wiper-activated headlamps
  • Hands-free liftgate
  • Power, heated, auto-folding, auto-dimming exterior mirrors with approach lamps and memory
  • Panoramic vista roof
  • Power-deploying running boards
  • LED taillamps
  • Trailer sway control
  • Windshield wiper de-icer
  • Rain-sensing windshield wipers
  • 110v/150w AC power outlet
  • One-touch up/down front and rear windows
  • Heated second-row seats
  • Power-folding tip and slide second-row seats
  • Ambient lighting and illuminated entry
  • Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls
  • Heated and ventilated front seats
  • Multicontour seats with Active Motion
  • Power adjustable pedals with memory
  • Powerfold third-row seat
  • Power tilt/telescoping steering column with memory
  • Tri-zone automatic climate control
  • 360-degree camera
  • 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system
  • Cargo package
  • Class IV trailer towing prep package
  • Enhanced active parking assist
  • Enhanced active noise control
  • Ford Co-Pilot 360 assist
  • 4GB Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Wireless charging
  • Remote start
  • Reverse sensing system
  • SiriusXM Satellite Radio
  • Voice-activated navigation
Instrument panel in 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

Gauge cluster in 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

HVAC screen in 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

Seat massaging control screen in 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

Infotainment screen in 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

That is a seriously comprehensive standard equipment list.  In fact, our tester had only one extra-cost option, Equipment Group 600A, which adds 22-inch machined aluminum wheels, upgraded tires and second-row bucket seats for a reasonable $595.

Front view of 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

Rear view of 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum

So, with $1,395 destination and delivery (which might be the highest figure we've seen so far for that), the bottom line on the window sticker reads $75,925.

Yes, that's a chunk of change.  It's also what well-equipped full-size SUVs are going for these days and the 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum is so good it has me looking for convincing excuses to own one.