Great For Road Trips?

A Victory & Reseda review of the 2022 Ford Expedition

“The Ford Expedition is great for long road trips.”

That’s one description for the 2022 Ford Expedition, according to a commercial shown regularly on YouTube and other viral platforms. It prompted some thoughts whether this claim is indeed true. 

Certainly, Ford’s angle was to showcase the passenger and cargo space of the Expedition. After all, this large SUV – available in regular and MAX versions – can seat up to eight in some models. In MAX models, you can load its over 121 cubic feet cargo hold with all seats down. When properly configured, it can tow up to 9,300 pounds. 

All of this is why families love the Ford Expedition and its competitors. They simply cannot get enough of these big family haulers. 

Still, I was curious about Ford’s claim about it being a “great road trip vehicle.” To fulfill my curiosity, I took a road trip in one. 

Before I take this road trip, this is not the first time V&R had a chance to run this 2022 Expedition Limited with the Stealth Performance Package. George Torline had a chance to drive one at the Midwest Automotive Media Association Rally back in May. Here is what George had to say about the Expedition.

Now, it is my turn in this 2022 Expedition. Let’s see how things turn out this time around. 

A little clarification is needed here. When George went on his “expedition in an Expedition” in that video, he gave you the standard specifications on the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 using 87-octane fuel. This tester was equipped with the High Output version of this engine, bumping it up to 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque – just short of the engine specifications of the F-150 Raptor. It also means that I would have to do this road trip while fueling with 93-octane Premium, as required by Ford. I know, “first world problems”…

The High Output EcoBoost engine is not just powerful, it is also a great cruising engine. While you are encouraged to rock the throttle in the F-150 Raptor and let the exhaust roar, the Expedition is a tad calmer. It fulfills the Stealth portion of the package – not as loud, but you wouldn’t want to mess with it out on the highway. 

One result of this engine upgrade is a solid driveline. The High Output EcoBoost is connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission, a four-wheel drive system with a two-speed transfer case. I usually left the electric 4WD system in 4A – the automatic setting.  That way, I can manage weather situations on the highway without taxing the driveline when the surface is dry. 

As far as fuel economy was concerned, would an average of 19.4 MPG convince you that the High Output EcoBoost V6 would be suitable for your next Expedition? It is better than in an F-150 Raptor, even though there is a 10 horsepower difference. 

According to Ford, there is no distinction between the maximum towing capacity in a standard tune EcoBoost V6 and the High Output version. This tester is said to have a maximum towing rating of 9,200 pounds. That sounds about right. 

Still, the viral advertisement was correct on one thing: The Ford Expedition is great for long road trips – and shorter ones. The ride quality was absolutely superb. I can attribute this the Continuously Controlled Damping suspension that has been tuned for the Stealth Performance Package. 

Even with the 22-inch alloy wheels and General Grabber tires, the Expedition handled extremely well. There was some lean and roll on occasion, but enough to cause concern for everyone on board.

As much as I wished it had a tighter turning radius, the steering system will get you out of some tight spots. Steering feel to the wheels was fine, and on-center feel was good enough. Although, the Adaptive Cruise Control kept the Expedition in line, even though I had to fight the steering wheel on occasion. 

The brakes were great. Good stopping power in normal and panic situations. Pedal feel was spot-on.  

While all of this was working at its best, the Expedition’s cabin was a comfortable place to travel solo. I just wished there were more people to share the drive up to Fergus Falls, Minnesota and back. That is comfortable and roomy the Expedition truly was. 

The front seats are large and comfortable. Maybe a bit more bolstering would help to lock me into the seats. Second row Captain’s Chairs can adjust for rake and recline. It is still a nice space to be. Even the third row looked accommodating for three children or two adults. These seats were wrapped in black perforated leather with red stitching. 

The cargo space is flexible, starting with a 20.9 cubic feet area behind the third row of seats. Eventually, you can load up to 104.6 cubic feet of space with a practically flat elevated load floor. You can power fold up and down the third row of seats, while the buttons in the back can only fold down the second row Captain’s Chairs. However, you would have to manually pull them up back into place when you’re done. 

Ford updated the interior of the Expedition to include a new 12.4-inch instrument cluster screen from the latest F-150. The fully digital screen may look minimalist, but you can toggle through the center area of the display for various readouts and functions. Controls are easy to use and within reach of the driver. The transmission is controlled by a rotary shift on the center console. 

You can opt for the new SYNC 4 system housed in a 15.5-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. Sound comes from the upgraded B&O (again, that’s Bang & Olufsen) Unleashed Sound System offering 22 speakers of very good sound throughout the cabin. 

For 2022, Ford made some visual updates to the Expedition to give it a more assertive look up front. The new grille is black-finished for the Stealth Performance Package, giving the new headlamp, LED, and turn signals units a much cooler look to go along with its function. A new fascia also integrates a set of LED fog lamps and a large lower grille for improved cooling. 

While the profile remains the same, you will notice a few new details all around. That includes new rear taillamp units and trim all around the body. The Stealth packages – not just the Performance Package, but there is an appearance package you can add without the engine upgrade – turn all of the chrome trim and badges into black. To be honest, I would prefer adding the Stealth package(s) to the Expedition to add that cool factor to this large SUV. 

So, how much is it for this great long road trip vehicle with the High Output EcoBoost V6? The sticker for this vehicle read that you get all of this for just $83,000. The base price for a 2022 Ford Expedition Limited with the regular wheelbase is $67,345. The Ford Expedition is offered in six trim levels in the regular and MAX length editions. Pricing starts from $53,375 for all Expedition models. 

There is truth to advertising. It is worth repeating that the Ford Expedition is great for ALL road trips. Consider the space you get, the comfort across all three rows, and the overall performance you get with either version of the EcoBoost V6. 

If there is another reason for families to fall in love with the Expedition, consider the Limited model for a moment and its second-row Captain’s Chairs. On some road trips, I would take my Latin Percussion Classic conga drum named Boomer along with the ride. If I keep him in his bag, the flexibility of the third-row seats would let me roll on the bag length-wise with the passenger side seatback down. It provides excellent security for the bag to not roll around in the rear of the vehicle. 

If I take the drum out of its bag, then Boomer fits perfectly between the second-row seats on the floor. There is more than enough width for the belly and for the lug tips not to ruin the upholstery. If you think the driver was happy behind the wheel, the drum was equally happy on his belly on the floor looking pretty. I guess you can say the Ford Expedition passed the “Boomer Test” with flying colors.

Silly practical tests aside, the 2022 Ford Expedition proves who much fun one could have on the road. With more room to spare!

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by the Ford Motor Company

All photos by Randy Stern