PERFORMANCE | 6 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
cruises over hill and dale, around curves, into and out of driveways and parking spaces with the ease of a much smaller vehicle
AutoWeek
performance when loaded up can be sluggish when swift acceleration is needed, especially at higher speeds such as when merging or passing on the freeway
Edmunds
alert 6-speed automatic transmission is always in the right gear
Consumer Guide
the V-8 can’t move the Expedition with the same gusto that most of the Expedition’s competition enjoys
Car and Driver
A significant contributor to the Expedition's confidence-inspiring ways is its steering system, which allows the SUV to maneuver through parking garages and mall parking lots with relative ease.
Cars.com
There's almost no choice with respect to powertrains. All Expedition models come with a 5.4-liter flex-fuel V-8 that makes 310 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. This is matched to a six-speed automatic transmission that is responsive and smooth, driving either the rear wheels or all four wheels depending on the model.
Despite its size, driving the Expedition is relatively easy—thanks to light but precise steering, and a suspension that does a great job reeling all that weight in. The net product is a mammoth SUV that doesn't always feel mammoth from behind the wheel. The only major criticism, other than the lack of engine power, is the Expedition's rather spongy brake feel and plentiful nosedive in hard stops.
Conclusion
Against other vehicles of this size and weight, the 2011 Ford Expedition handles pretty well; but it's short on power with a full load.
