10 Things You Need To Know About The 2015 Ford Expedition

2015 ford expedition ・ Photo by Ford

They might not be the sales juggernauts that they once were, but full-size SUVs like the 2015 Ford Expedition are still out there filling the towing and hauling needs of those who just can't get by with a smaller vehicle.  For 2015, the Ford Expedition has been given a refresh to help it pull even with its chief rivals the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, and it's also stepped up in terms of premium features to begin rivaling more luxury-oriented options.  The Expedition might not have the prestige of a traditional high end SUV, but its extensive list of equipment is enough to sway more than a few families into its camp.

Let’s take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2015 Ford Expedition.

01. The 2015 Ford Expedition Features Revised Styling

At first glance the 2015 Ford Expedition presents a familiar profile, with the same box-like proportions and slab sides that call out its heritage as a truck-based SUV.  Closer inspection, however, reveals that the new Ford Expedition has been given a few extra details not found in the previous model.  Most notable is the front end, where revised styling takes the form of projector headlights and LED fog lights along with subtle changes to the grille and available 22-inch chrome wheels.  The vehicle's cargo hatch has also been given a different look to bookend the Expedition's redesign.

02. The 2015 Ford Expedition Comes In Two Wheelbase Lengths

The 2015 Ford Expedition comes in two different wheelbase lengths in order to give buyers the ability to custom-configure the vehicle for the task at hand.  The standard Ford Expedition features a wheelbase of 119-inches while the Expedition EL stretches things out all the way to 131-inches.  When it comes to towing a hefty trailer, longer is typically better as it offers more control at higher speeds.  That being said, the Expeditions towing capacity is identical regardless of which wheelbase is ordered: 9,200 lbs, which is the same rating it carried the year before.

Photo by Ford

03. The 2015 Ford Expedition Delivers Impressive Interior Room

Another side effect of offering an extended wheelbase model is that the 2015 Ford Expedition dwarfs the competition from Nissan (the Armada), Chevrolet (the Tahoe and Suburban) and GMC (The Yukon and Yukon XL) when it comes to cargo capacity.  The Ford Expedition starts out with 108.3 cubic feet of total cargo space with the rear rows of seating folded forward, while the Expedition EL boasts an enormous 130.8 cubic feet of storage space.  Each model offers up to eight passenger accommodations, with the option to swap in second-row captain's chairs and reduce that number to seven.

04. The 2015 Ford Expedition Features A Brand New Engine

The biggest change made to the 2015 Ford Expedition has been the deletion of 2014's 5.4-liter V-8 engine in favor of a new EcoBoost V-6.  The 3.5-liter, twin-turbo EcoBoost mill found under the hood of the new Ford Expedition churns out 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, which is a sizable improvement over the 310 horses and 365 lb-ft of twist that were lazily delivered by the older model's larger motor.  A six-speed automatic transmission remains standard with the Expedition, and fuel mileage is expected to improve by as much as 15 percent.

05. The 2015 Ford Expedition Introduces An Adaptive Suspension System

In an unusual move for a non-premium brand, the 2015 Ford Expedition introduces an available adaptive suspension system on certain trim levels.  Ford refers to the setup as 'continuously-controlled damping,' a name and technology that it borrows from its Lincoln Navigator platform-mate.  The system allows the Ford Expedition's suspension to automatically adapt itself to road conditions, and it also features three driver-accessible settings: Sport, which stiffens suspension response for more spirited driving, Comfort which dials out as many bumps as it can, and Normal which offers a balance between the two.

06. The 2015 Ford Expedition Maintains Its IRS

Also helping the 2015 Ford Expedition deliver a better-than-expected ride is the decision to keep its independent rear suspension system in place.  Unlike the Chevrolet/GMC full-size SUV twins, the Ford Expedition avoids using the solid rear axle found underneath the F-150 pickup platform that is used as its starting point and instead opts for a more car-like design that is far better at holding the road and responding to rough pavement.  The independent rear suspension also makes it possible for the Expedition to offer a completely flat load floor at the rear, as the design frees up space that can be used to fold down the back seats and have them easily disappear when not needed.

07. The 2015 Ford Expedition Provides Four-Wheel Drive

The 2015 Ford Expedition isn't typically thought of as an off-roader, mostly because of its enormous size, but the SUV does feature a low-range four-wheel drive system on its options list.  This means that the Ford Expedition, with its taller-than-average ground clearance, is capable of tackling terrain that would give lesser car-based crossovers fits.  More practically, it also gives the Expedition that much more grip to be used when hauling a boat trailer up out of the lake, or when trying to un-stick a camper from the mud after a weekend of rain.

08. The 2015 Ford Expedition Goes Platinum

The 2015 Ford Expedition is now available in Platinum trim, which steps in above last year's King Ranch as the nicest version of the SUV that money can buy.  The Ford Expedition Platinum (a name familiar to anyone who has ever shopped the F-150 pickup) offers 20-inch rims along with a leather-trimmed interior found in two specific color palettes, a moonroof, power retractable running boards, the vehicle's top-tier infotainment system, ambient lighting, heated and cooled first row seats with heated second row seats, and wood-grain trim throughout the passenger compartment.

09. The 2015 Ford Expedition Upgrades Its Technology

New for the 2015 Ford Expedition is the latest version of the MyFord Touch vehicle interface.  Incorporating the SYNC voice command system, MyFord Touch offers a center stack touchscreen that groups all major vehicle features under a single menu.  It also includes a pair of smaller LCD screens in the gauge cluster that can be configured by the driver to show a number of different data readouts or menus to help keep their eyes pointed forward while underway.  In addition, the Ford Expedition now comes with a blind spot monitoring system, an updated keycode entry system, and an available push button starter.

10. The 2015 Ford Expedition Threatens The Lincoln Navigator's Very Existence

Reading over the list of equipment available with the 2015 Ford Expedition - especially the Platinum trim, although the King Ranch is also fairly swanky - seems to suggest that the luxury-oriented Lincoln Navigator might be in a bit of trouble from its corporate sibling.  In fact, when comparing the pricing of the Ford Expedition to the Navigator for similarly-equipped models, and keeping in mind the fact that these vehicles share the same platform and drivetrain, it becomes difficult to understand why someone would pay a few thousand more for different badging, exterior styling, and cabin trim.  The Platinum version of the Expedition could mean that the Navigator's days are numbered - a claim further backed up by the latter's dwindling sales numbers.