The 2025 Ford Expedition Is Still All That, But Now, Even More
We have long loved this full-size, fully capable SUV. But for 2025, there's even more to love.
You may have seen them out on the road recently; I know I have. Distinctive for the black rear tailgate and the iconic tall, linear shape, the Ford Expedition is one of the largest SUVs on the road and a go-to for families who need space and capability for towing and trail riding to campsites and lakesides.
Or who just need room for four kids in car seats and the strollers, gear and groceries they require.
For 2025, Ford’s goal was to ensure that families can have all that, plus more in the Ford Expedition, priced from $62,000 to just over $86,000. With some new details and functions, as well as enhanced performance features, this SUV built on the same frame as the Ford F-150 pickup truck, accomplishes that goal beautifully.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I was Ford’s guest for this test drive.
Redesigned For How Families Live
This is probably the best thing about the 2025 Ford Expedition over prior models: with this redesign Ford took a deep dive into how families use their SUVs and came up with improvements to enhance time in the car, the SUV’s capabilities and added simple conveniences, like a sliding handbag cubby. This alone may make buyers swoon.
The sheer number of thoughtful details are what define this SUV’s charm, though not all are new, and some are found on Expedition’s competitors; that doesn’t take away from their value. They include:
- The sliding center console and handbag bin
- Tablet and phone holders on the rear of the front seat headrests
- Channels that hold tablets or phones on the rear of the front center console
- USB ports on the backs of front seats to plug in devices attached to the holders
- Household outlets on the rear center console and in the cargo area
- independently moving center row seats, allowing the middle seat to move forward and back separately from the outboard seats
- Slide and tilt center row seats that allow easy access to the 3rd row
- Folding middle seats in the center and 3rd row that create a gear tunnel
- The split tailgate
- A cargo management system that doubles as a table and stows under the cargo floor
- Work lights on the inside of the tail gate, on the walls of the cargo space and on the ends of the roof rails
- Automatic running boards that extend to assist passengers getting into the car
- Adjustable foot pedals and an adjustable steering wheel
- Pro-trailer hitch assist uses cameras an sensors to guide the hitch to the trailer for a flawless connection
- Up to 9,600 lbs. tow capacity
- “Hey Google” voice activated assistance
Read: These Are the Best Family SUVs—and Worst—When You Need 7 Seats (or More!)
The New Tailgate is a Welcome Addition
In redesigning the Ford Expedition, the company logged 11,000 hours talking to customers to understand what they wanted and needed in a full-size SUV. The new tailgate was one of the features that resulted from the things they heard.
Owners love the added space that a split gate offers: a work surface created without having to empty the cargo space, a place to sit even when the cargo area is full of stuff; being able to open the top and access things inside without opening the full gate; keeping things from falling out when opening the tailgate.
Honestly, all tailgates should be designed this way.
Tremor for the Off-Road Adventurer
Another thing Ford, as well as its competitors, has realized is that demand for off-road capability is real, so they added the Tremor model to the lineup.
Building on the popularity of the Tremor edition F-150, Ranger and Maverick pickup trucks, the Expedition Tremor adds all the things needed for off-roading: Under body skid plates, tow hooks, all terrain tires, enhanced suspension, added terrain modes for off-road driving and maximum tow capacity.
Read: 13 of the Best SUVs for Road Trips – And What They’ll Cost, Both New And Used
Driving the Ford Expedition Tremor Off Road
While the F-150 Tremor is known as a great off-roader, would the Expedition be as capable? We took it on an off-road course, several muddy miles of hills, forests and gullies and found it to be fun and capable.
Probably the best part was high-speed trail riding; clipping along at 30 or 40 MPH on a muddy trail is a delight. Not feeling like you have to take it slow because you might get stuck also saves you time; you can get to your destination much faster.
The Expedition Tremor proved agile enough to angle through narrow trees and tall and powerful enough to plow through muddy rutted trails and shallow puddles. And of course, the all terrain tires were perfect for climbing over rocks on the trail. In all, it proved quite a lot of fun.
Driving the Ford Expedition Is Easier Than it Seems
On the road the Ford Expedition was a bit of a surprise in how easy it is to handle. That is thanks in part to the new steering wheel and screen system, developed to work in conjunction with each other to keep the driver’s view open with hands, and the steering wheel, out of the way and information right in your field of view on the new linear display.
The large screen spans two thirds of the dashboard and replaces the need for a head up display. It includes the standard details like a speedometer and driver assist systems indicators, as well as screens that pop up when you touch either of the touchpads on the steering wheel. The right touchpad holds controls for radio and adjustments for the foot pedals, steering wheel and side view mirrors; the left touchpad holds BlueCruise and adaptive cruise controls.
Driving with Blue Cruise 1.4
I drove from central Indiana to the Louisville airport and barely touched the steering wheel or brake the entire 80 miles thanks to Blue Cruise. And it was lovely. I could tap the steering wheel to change lanes and the system would show me a video of the lane, then execute the change for me. It showed me when Blue Cruse was available, and when it was not; it is easy to understand and to use—and it’s gotten quite a bit better.
I also like the purchase options; Ford offers all Expeditions with a free 90 day trial after which you can either purchase the system for a one-time payment of $2495, or pay by the year for $495; after the first year buyers can subscribe when they want or need the system, a nice option too.
Four Trims Means There Are No Bad Choices
This may be the thing I like the best in the 2025 Ford Expedition: The Active Trim, which is the base model and starts at $62,000, can be upgraded with key features like heavy duty towing, 4WD, leatherette seating and Blue Cruise; those upgrades take the price to about $71,000.
For a fancier approach, the Platinum model starts at $74,430 and adds all the goodies, like 4WD, leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, heated second row seats and power rear seats, all standard. The Tremor model adds all the off-road capabilities starting at $81,030 and the King Ranch, priced from $83,655, adds all the features offered on Platinum, then adds bronze details, King Ranch leather interior and an upgraded B& Olufsen sound system.
Buyers can upgrade to the Max edition with a longer wheelbase that adds about 12” to the length and increases cargo space from 21 cubic feet behind the 3rd row to 34 cubic feet.
There’s a Lot to Love in the Ford Expedition
If you’re shopping the Ford Expedition, keep these two things in mind: there’s a lot to learn and it may take some time; and the new screen and steering wheel setup take time to get used to but once you do, you’ll never want to go back.
The flat top and bottom steering wheel paired with linear screens is a growing trend, and for good reason: the added visibility and customizable, easy to see screens, Add experience and the flexibility of space, passengers and cargo are precious when you need them. The Ford Expedition has long been the go-to for families who need all these features, and now, even more so.
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