Ford->ke31 has pulled the covers off its newest, full-size, and only body-on-frame SUV->ke145 today, the 2015 Ford Expedition. Still in its third generation, the Expedition->ke363 gets a much-needed makeover that includes many of the designs and features its cousin, the Lincoln Navigator received just months prior.

Much has changed to better the Expedition and help with fuel economy and drivability, but much remains the same or carryover from the previous year. The biggest news under its resculpted hood is the addition of Ford’s bread-n-butter 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6. Gone is the old 5.4-liter Triton V-8, leaving the EcoBoost as the Expedition’s only powerplant. Both the standard and EL, or extended length versions return with seating for five and eight passengers in high-riding comfort.

Speaking of comfort, Ford is bringing its popular, top-of-the-line Platinum series to the Expedition. The trim level ranks above the western-style King Ranch that previously held the top spot. Like the F-150s, the Platinum series will focus more on modern luxury with a clean, non-themed design aimed at more the ‘city folk’ type. MyFord Touch, SYNC, push-button start, blind sport warning, and even the F-150’s “Truck Apps” will be available.

Also new is Ford’s first-ever attempt at a continuously controlled damping suspension system. It features three driver-selectable drive modes that tailor the ride style to changing conditions. It’s designed to manage body motion, steering feedback, and unevenness in the road. Helping the system out is Ford’s new electric power-assisted steering. That system is said to improve maneuverability at low speeds and provide more feel at higher speeds. It will ever automatically compensate for heavy cross winds and road crowns.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Ford Expedition.

2015 Ford Expedition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Ford Expedition
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 350
  • Torque: 430
  • Transmission: Six-speed SelectShift automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

While much of the previous Expedition can still be seen here, there’s been plenty updated. The new front grille, headlights, and lower fascia areas have all been reworked in a more masculine, chiseled way. A new three bar design takes the old, busy four bar’s place and looks something like a Gillette razor. LED fog lights sit at either ends of a chrome bezel running across the front bumper which rests on another chrome piece at the bumpers bottom curve with chrome-plated tow hooks protruding just below that. The added glitz, along with the sharpened upper fascia make the Expedition much more appealing than before.

Out back, a new large chrome bezel run the width of the liftgate and connects both reverse lights. A newly shaped exhaust pipe with a chrome tip, along with a two-inch receiver hitch sit below the body colored bumper. Chrome accents at the bottom of the side windows, along the roof rack, and on the side running boards add even more pop to the exterior.

One thing that isn’t new however, are aluminum body panels. It appears Ford will only be taking those steps with the 2015 F-150. For now, the Expedition will have to stick with steel.

2015 Ford Expedition - Exterior Specifications

Standard wheelbase

119 inches

Standard cargo space

108.3 cubic feet

Extended wheelbase

131-inch wheelbase

Extended cargo space

130.8 cubic feet


Interior

There’s a lot to like with the interior changes. A reworked dashboard and instrument cluster put the Expedition closer to the F-150 in terms of styling and integrated technology. An available 8-inch MyFord Touch infotainment screen sits atop the center stack with volume and tuning knobs sitting right below. HVAC controls placed below that with a decently-sized storage area further down.

To the left of the center stack are three sets of controls: the tri-button set-up for the continuously controlled damping suspension, trailer brake controls, and four-wheel-drive selector. To the right is an open slot for random items and a 12-volt power outlet.

For the driver, two separate 4.2-inch screens sit on either side of the single analog speedometer, much like in the Fusion Hybrid. They include many of the “Truck Apps” found on the F-150 that help the driver off road, when towing and keep track of vital stats like transmission and oil temps, and fuel economy readouts.

Passengers are treated to nice accommodations as well. Second row passengers enjoy either a 40/20/40 bench or twin captain’s chairs. With either arrangement, the accommodations are spacious. Foot room, shoulder and hip, and head room would all fit a 6'5" adult. The third row is large, but bigger adults would be happier sitting up front. Cargo room behind the third row is tight on the standard length Expeditions, but grows quite a bit with the EL versions.

Drivetrain

Herein lies one of the 2015’s biggest changes. Gone is the ancient 5.4-liter Triton V-8; in its place is Ford’s hyped 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6. Twin independent variable camshaft timing and direct injection help with power and fuel economy -- the latter being Ford’s primary reason for dropping in the EcoBoost.

While the Expedition’s output numbers haven’t yet been released, the EcoBoost makes 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque in the F-150. Ford says power and torque should be similar to those numbers, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see a modest bump to say 370 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque.

The engine is backed by a six-speed automatic transmission that features a tow/haul mode and a manual shift mode. In conjunction with that, an integrated trailer brake controller is fitted on the dash for easy adjusting.

The Expedition will be offered in both rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive applications.

2015 Ford Expedition - Drivetrain Specifications

Type

3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine

Output (HP @ RPM)

370 (est) @ TBA

Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

430 (est) @ TBA

Transmission

Six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission


Prices

At this point, pricing is still under Ford’s hat. Once we get those numbers, we’ll report them, but until such time, speculation shall run wild. The current Expedition in base XLT trim runs $41,635 and the EL version bumps the cost to $44,345. Stepping up to the top-dog King Ranch pushed the price to $54,820 in EL trim. A slight increase in the MSRP would is quite expected, especially since the EcoBoost is present.

2015 Ford Expedition - Pricing

Ford Expedition

$TBA

Ford Expedition Platinum $TBA

Ford Expedition EL

$TBA

Ford Expedition EL Platinum

$TBA


Competition

2015 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban

The all-new Tahoe and its bigger brother Suburban have undergone a significant transformation for 2015 that renews their competitiveness in the segment. GM’s group of EcoTec3 engines are available under the newly shaped hood and new interior appointments are much classier than the outgoing model’s. The two also – after years of trailing the pack – get fold-flat second and third row seats that make hauling cargo much easier.

Pricing for a base Tahoe starts at $44,600 while a loaded out Suburban can reach $70,000 if every option box is checked.

It is important to note the Tahoe and Suburban are marketed as two separate vehicles despite having few differences besides their overall length and interior cargo capacity.

2014 Toyota Sequoia

The Sequoia is another body-on-frame SUV that has survived the unibody crossover onslaught, though it is the oldest here. It has three rows with optional second row captain’s chairs like the other two, but the Sequoia only comes in one length. It does, however, provide adequate room behind the third row for cargo, though not as much as either the Suburban or Expedition EL.

Power comes from Toyota’s 5.7-liter V-8 making 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Interior accoutrements are well-suited for family duty or hitting the mountains for the weekend. Four-wheel-drive is an option, of course.

Prices for the Sequoia start at $44,095 and rise upwards of $65,000 when selecting the limited trim. We imagine the Sequoia is due for a refresh soon, with the Tundra having just undergone one itself. If you’re in the market and want the latest thing from Japan, you’d better wait a year for any news coming from Toyota.

Conclusion

Overall, the new Expedition is much more rugged and handsome than the model it replaces. it's sharpened front end and reworked interior are very welcome points of improvements. While this is only a mid-generation refresh, not much was changed. We are glad to see the EcoBoost enter into play here as it's proved itself in the F-150. We don't suspect Expedition buyers will mind the V-8 is no longer an option - especially as they're filling the fuel tank.

The market for body-on-frame full-size SUVs still seems to be alive and well with the competition between rivals finally starting to heat up again after a 10 year break.