2023 Ford Expedition

While the Platinum trim definitely is expensive, it’s not a real necessity to have a premium leather package for everyone. Hence, we find the mid-tier Limited trim to pack the most value and carry the right balance between luxury and practicality. However, for those who intend to take the Expedition on tough trails and have an interest in off-roading, the Timberline trim is specially made to target such a crowd. 

The trim levels for the 2023 Ford Expedition will stay similar to the previous year which begins with the XL trim as the base price of $55,170 including the heavy $1,795 destination fee. Ford has decided to keep the base XL trim equipped with the necessary features that can be included in its price which consists of a smartphone-friendly infotainment system, LED headlights, and the Ford co-pilot 360 suite of safety aids. However, the XL trim is the only Expedition that comes with seating for 5 passengers, maximizing its cargo space. 

Move up the trim ladder to the XLT trim and you’ll find yourself seating space for up to 8 occupants with some additional creature comforts. The addition of tri-zone automatic climate control with additional USB ports makes this the perfect road-trip people hauler. The Timberline was newly introduced in the previous year and is basically the Expedition made for rough trails. Ford has taken the XLT trim and added a rugged performance upgrade that includes off-road tuned suspension and an electronic limited-slip differential.

The Timberline also vamps up the comfort by adding power-adjustable front seats and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. The remaining 3 trims are targeted toward the luxury audience and picking the Limited will add in features ranging from leather upholstery to a panoramic sunroof. The King Ranch takes things up a notch with Del Rio leather upholstery and stone grey exterior trims. Buyers looking to go the extremes can pick the Platinum trim that houses a wood and leather combination for its interior while also including massage functions for its front seats.

Release Date

The estimated start date of the early fleet of production is in November 2022. This may further delay to early 2023 depending on how the brand tackles the chip shortage scenario.

Ford has confirmed that the same powertrain will be carried forward but that really isn’t a bad thing as the 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6 engine packs in 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, which is ample enough to get the mammoth off the line quicker than most other SUVs if a similar size. Moving up to the highest trim increases to 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque and the off-road focused Timberline or any Expedition with the stealth package will receive a power bump of 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque due to the more performance-oriented tuning that Ford has opted for the engine. 

The 2023 Ford Expedition feels like a much more modern vehicle than its rivals, especially in terms of the drive, all that’s to its super refined twin-turbocharged V6. Ford has been smart when it comes to tackling the big V8s that are common in this segment and while the naturally aspirated rivals struggle in terms of refinement, Ford manages to keep the drive very polished and smooth. The only downside to the Expedition would be the steering response as the SUV is known to have a weighted feel that makes turning the Expedition a task that needs some getting used to. 

The heart is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission that transfers all the power effortlessly to the RWD system but the users can add in an additional $2,200 for a 4WD system. The expedition even in the past has been a favorite among families with boats to tow and campers to haul as it carries a max tow rating of up to 9,300 pounds. The brake rotors are decently sized at 13.0 inches for the front and 13.5 inches for the rear and can stop this SUV in just 137 feet in the 60-0 MPH braking test. 

The Ford Expedition happens to be the only SUV to carry a V6 engine but that doesn’t make t any weak. In fact, the twin-turbocharged setup puts it right behind the 2023 Nissan Armada in terms of power but the Ford manages to be the quickest and fastest vehicle with a quarter-mile timing of 14.8 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph. The Expedition also would be the ideal vehicle in slopes and low-paced sections as the torque it makes are unmatched by its rivals.

There wouldn’t be any changes in terms of the fuel economy that the 2023 Ford Expedition offers and the full-size SUV is configured in the RWD setup, the vehicle pushes out 17 MPG in city driving conditions while the highway performance would produce 23 MPG, resulting in combined gas mileage of 19 MPG. Buyers opting for the 4WD system can expect a drop of 2 miles in the overall gas mileage. Surprisingly, the Platinum trim that makes 400 hp offers the same fuel efficiency as other trims.

The Ford Expedition clearly has a commendable leap ahead of its rivals regarding fuel efficiency as its smaller engine and large gas tank allow the SUV to cover distances while the rivals seek fuel breaks. Both the GMC and Chevrolet are based on the same platform and hence produce the exact figures, putting them far behind. Even though the Nissan holds the biggest gas tank, its massive engine makes it a gas guzzler.

The Ford Expedition has made full use of its interior space and this SUV is much more spacious than the Chevy Tahoe as every passenger in the Expedition gets enough space. The third-row accessibility on this SUV is one of the best as it’s easy and even lets adults enter and exit without any trouble. The center console on the expedition is a bit button-heavy and could confuse any new user. The layout definitely isn’t user-friendly but it wouldn’t take a long time to get used to. Users also get to choose between traditional bench-style seats for the second row or much more comfortable captain seats. 

The cabin finish in the Expedition is done with great attention and boasts a leatherette upholstery in the base trim with a leather-wrapped steering wheel while moving up the trim level can bring in multiple grades of leather that wraps the seats and also a combination of wood and leather inlays in the cabin panels. Users are welcomed by a massive 12.0-inch display up front that is very functional and responsive to the touch inputs but if that isn’t big enough, there is an option to choose a 15.5-inch touchscreen that stands tall in a portrait format borrowed from the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

If passenger space and comfort are the priority, then the Ford Expedition is the best choice as the space in each row is evenly distributed, unlike other SUVs that have cramped third-row. However, if cargo space is what you are looking for, the best space is offered by the GMC Yukon and the Chevrolet Tahoe which offers a massive 122.9 cu-ft of cargo space with both the rear rows of seats folded down.

Some standout interior features on the 2023 Ford Expedition include:

• Power massaging and ventilated front seats
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Heated second-row seats & Heated leather steering wheel
• 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster
• 15.5-inch infotainment screen
• 22-speaker audio system by Bang & Olufsen
• Sirius XM satellite radio

The layout is going to stay the same and the 2023 Ford Expedition will not have any distinctive visual attributes that would distinguish itself from the 2022 model. While the stealth package adds on dark exterior trim instead of the chrome with brake calipers painted in red, the Timberline is the only variant that looks different from the regular Expedition. 

Ford has added a dual exhaust layout along with a higher ground clearance to make the Timberline more off-road ready. The 9.8-inch ground clearance offers plenty of confidence to take this SUV off the tarmac. Ford also offers up to 7 different paint color options depending on the trims. 

All the SUVs except the Nissan Armada measure almost the same in terms of length but the Expedition stands the tallest and also has the biggest ground clearance, making it handle hard terrains with ease.

Some of the standout exterior features include:

• 22-inch alloy wheels.
• Power running boards.
• Panoramic sunroof.
• Foot activated tailgate.
• Automatic high beam headlights.
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The 2023 Ford Expedition hasn’t been listed on either NHTSA or IIHS but since there weren’t any major changes made post the introduction of the 2021 Ford Expedition, the results can be expected to be the same with NHTSA ratings of 5 stars. Ford doesn’t fail to pack in enough safety features and the Ford Co-pilot 360 is one of the best driver-assistance techs that come along with the Ford Blue Cruise hands-free driving system.

Some of the standout safety features available with the 2023 Ford Expedition are:

• ABS on all 4 wheels.
• Rear cross-traffic alert.
• Hill start assist with hill descent control.
• Roll stability control
• Full-speed adaptive cruise control.
• Surround-view camera with park assist.

2023 Ford Expedition vs 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe

In all aspects except for the overall cargo space offered, the Ford Expedition proves to be better than the Chevrolet Tahoe. The major lead for Ford has to be the build quality and the drive feels as the 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6 packs some punch to deliver a quick acceleration while keeping the drive much more refined than what is offered by the naturally aspirated V8 found in the Chevrolet. 

2023 Ford Expedition vs 2023 Jeep Wagoneer

While the Wagoneer is pricier than the Expedition, it lacks power and performance. That said, Jeep offers a better towing capacity and better driving range than the Ford. The larger dimensions of the 2023 Wagoneer also open up more interior and cargo space but Ford has better reliability ratings and resale value. Both offer similar creature comforts and technology, but the brand value of Ford tilts the scales in its favor. 

2023 Ford Expedition vs 2023 Nissan Armada

The Nissan Armada happens to be the most expensive SUV here and that majorly has to do with its massive 5.6L V8 engine. However, that seems to have backfired in terms of fuel efficiency as the Armada consumes way too much gas, and the Armada also packs in very cramped cargo space for a full-size SUV standard, which ultimately leaves the Ford Expedition above the Nissan Armada. 

Even though the 2023 Ford Expedition is a carry-over from the previous year, it still is a strong contender and packs enough power to outrun its rivals. The brilliance isn’t only found in its performance as Ford has put great attention to detail when it comes to the cabin construction as even the base trim manages to carry a well-laid-out premium feel that intensifies in the higher trims. However, the 2023 Ford Expedition is a value-packed SUV and is the best option there is in the market making it the ideal pick if you are looking for a powerful people hauler with a premium interior and strong performance.