First Drive: 2015 Ford Expedition

With the explosion of GM full size SUVs in the Middle East, not much attention has been paid to the good ol' Ford Expedition. Yes, the same brute which over time has received some nip/tuck but doesn't seriously pose a threat to its competitors. That all is about to change with the newest addition - having EcoBoost power.

With the rising fuel costs and over all carbon emissions, the newest offering from Ford in the thirsty brute section of SUV market could change the game if done right. But, we are not here to discuss world issues, we are here to test this heavy machine.

Style

Well, not much to say here as the car really does look aged. Sure, they have redesigned the nose and tail of the car but the overall look does remind you of an old hag. If you look at the competitors - the GMC Yukon and Chevy Tahoe, they have improved their offerings by a significant margin as looks sell in the automotive industry. Ford really needs to pay attention to this market as GM is taking away the ME market share slowly. It is fine to keep this boxy image as the locals are quite pleased with the whole intimidating look but it is time to have a major overhaul. Atleast, make the Expedition look part of the Ford family and not an outcast. We are not living in the early 2000s any more.

Interior

The interior, thankfully is a revelation. Even though the color option is dull and boring, the seats are relaxing and there is HUGE amount of space to play around. One can easily sleep in the car without any trouble or back pains. It is meant to be a full-size SUV and it IS. So Kudos! It can easily seat 7 passengers, though 8 will be a bit of a squeeze.

Visibility all around is clear and I did not have any trouble in maneuvering this cruise ship in tight spots. Also, the various sensors help in making the drive as smooth as possible. 

But the best part of the interior is the MyFord Touch. This new infotainment system is better than the old UI by leaps and bounds. Ford finally has caught up to the current gen tech and it is good news. There are however, some glitches observed while navigating but those can be improved over time.

All in all, it is a satisfactory interior.

Drive

The most surprising aspect of the Expedition is the drive. It is the best in the segment. That EcoBoost V6 performs better than most V8s in the market. It is quick, smooth and consumes less fuel. The 3.5L V6 turbocharged engine produces 385 BHP @ 5250 RPM and 570 Nm of torque. This helps the car to propel from 0-100 in 8.4s - which is not bad at all. 

The Expedition runs on independent suspension which is not the most American thing - infact, it is the European way. This is felt during corners as the body roll is considerably less and the whole 'riding a wave' feeling is lessened. 

But, one simply can't deny the weight of this thing which comes into play while braking the car. The Expedition comes to a halt from 100 in 3.7s which is not that great and have scope for improvement. 

Lastly, the fuel consumption, sure the EcoBoost engine is quick and powerful but is it really eco-friendly? Well, yes and no. Yes, it is way better than the thirsty 5.4 liter V8 powering the earlier car. However, the difference between this and a regular V6 in terms of consumption is hardly there. In the test run, I had achieved 17 l/100 km which is equal to what a Range Rover Sport gives with its 5.0 liter V8. And, that is the very difference between American and European engineering. Still, they are going in the right direction and hopes are high. 

Verdict

The Expedition with its EcoBoost engine is a must-considered SUV and should be tested. It is not the car itself, but the way it drives that is quite different from what you would expect from a typical full-size American SUV.