The Expedition XL might be easy to forget to consider… probably just because it’s been around for a while without any shocking/significant aesthetic overhaul. But it has been updated along the years in a less ostentatious way, and when you take a step back and look at it, it is quite a striking truck that has evolved well with the styles & times.
The headlights, front grill, and tail lights fit slickly with the truck’s massive, smooth body panels. The Expedition XL Platinum comes with a factory 22-inch wheel package – which gives the truck a strong presence. Window-seams meet cleanly to the body panels, and the Expedition XL has just the right amount of chrome – almost Chip Foose-esque in design.
It’s an executive SUV – something you would see as a limo outside of a Trump hotel. But also something that can handle some heavy workload. It’s one of the last real ‘truck’ SUVs left.
The dash is a bit plasticy for the price tag in my opinion… but it’s not a deal breaker. People like to tap on plastic and raise an eyebrow like it’s a sign of low quality. But you know what – plastic lasts – and the Expedition feels solid for the long haul.
The Platinum seats are very nicely trimmed in leather. And the Ford Sync infotainment system is one of the better & easier to use. 3rd row seats fold flush into the floor with the push of a button, and the 2nd row seats fold flat to create a shelf even with the rear – great for loading/packing purposes. The rear hatch has automatic open/close. And our vehicle had motorized running boards.
We loved the EcoBoost power plant in the Expedition XL. Matter of fact – the EcoBoost has been a winner in every vehicle we’ve tested it in. It may seem easy to believe that a 6-cylinder would be a little small for a truck of this size, but don’t drink that Kool-aid, because the turbos more than rise up to the demand for extra ooomph. You know what they say – “there’s no replacement for displacement”… except a turbo. Plus – we got 18mpg average in the Expedition XL with 1,500lbs of cargo in the back… and had more than enough torque whenever we needed/wanted it. The XL’s longer wheelbase provided a very smooth, stable, and wobble-free ride, even with the mentioned 1,500lb cargo – making the Expedition XL Platinum a tough but polished, take-on-whatever type of road-tripper.
