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| The 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
