2010 Ford Expedition Bottom Line

By  Bengt Halvorson, EditorBengt Halvorson

The design of the latest 2010 Ford Expedition dates back to 2007, but the big SUV shows no sign of aging thanks to its aggressive looks, generous cabin, and excellent towing ability. The Expedition is a fully truck-based SUV and actually rides on a similar platform to Ford’s F-150 pickup.

Customers don’t have much choice when it comes to engine options, as the 2010 Ford Expedition is available with only a 310-horsepower 5.4-liter flex-fuel V-8. This is matched to a class-exclusive six-speed automatic transmission that drives either the rear wheels or all four wheels depending on the model.

Two body styles are available: a regular-length model and a long-wheelbase Expedition EL offering 14.8 inches of additional overall length and 130.8 cubic feet of cargo space—including 24 cubic feet more behind the third-row seat than the standard model. The wheelbase of the Expedition EL stretches 131 inches, making it one of the biggest SUVs on the market.

Despite its size, driving the Expedition is relatively easy thanks to its responsive handling and acceleration. However, the 5.4-liter V-8 can feel a little labored once the vehicle is fully loaded, and the ride is certainly no match for the newer generation of car-based crossovers.

For 2010, the Expedition gets a boost in its safety credentials thanks to the addition of Ford’s Trailer Sway Control as standard. Trailer Sway Control works in conjunction with the Expedition’s stability control to detect trailer sway through the motions of the vehicle and to take measures—such as applying precise braking and reducing engine torque—to bring both vehicle and trailer under control.

Other standard safety features include side-impact airbags and a three-row Safety Canopy rollover detection system with stability control. There's also an optional backup camera, which we strongly recommend due to the Expedition’s poor rear visibility. Also available is Ford’s programmable MyKey system, which allows parents to limit how fast their kids can drive the SUV.

The 2010 Expedition is available in XLT, Eddie Bauer, Limited, and King Ranch trim levels, and each of these is offered as a stretched EL version. Ford’s SYNC voice-activated hands-free communications and entertainment system is a standard feature on Eddie Bauer, Limited, and King Ranch trim levels. The pick of the bunch is the King Ranch edition, which offers a special trim and a unique leather interior. The only letdown across most of the model line is the cheap plastic panel that covers the top of the dash.

The Expedition might share a lot with the F-150 pickup, but it’s no utilitarian workhorse. Making life easier is a generous equipment list that includes an optional DVD-based navigation with a 6.5-inch color touchscreen and voice activation, as well as a 340-watt AM/FM stereo with MP3 playback, an in-dash six-CD changer, six speakers, a subwoofer, and a standard iPod jack. A keyless entry keypad, heated power mirrors, air conditioning, an electrochromic rearview mirror, illuminated visors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are all standard across the Expedition range. Also available is a voice-activated navigation system with Sirius Travel Link that provides access to up-to-the-minute information and entertainment content such as traffic and weather updates.