There’s little doubt in my mind that consumers’ appetites for SUVs and crossovers will change anytime soon. For most Canadians, compact or midsize crossovers meet most of their needs, but there are still a select few who need to comfortably fit their family of six and need to tow with relative ease on a regular basis. If you fall into that group, a a Ford Explorer won’t do the job. You need to go big or go home, and the 2024 Ford Expedition King Ranch is definitely big.
As a full-size, three-row SUV built on a body-on-frame platform, the Expedition stands as one of the few non-luxury options. The American brands have a stranglehold on this segment with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, the GMC Yukon, and of course, the Expedition. The Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia are pretty much the only other non-luxury, non-domestic nameplates, and options like the Lincoln Navigator, Cadillac Escalade, and Jeep Grand Wagoneer are arguably a class above.
All Expeditions come with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6, producing 380 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, and paired to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission. If more power is your thing, the Timberline trim gets a bump to 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, but our King Ranch tester makes do with the lower figures. However, where the Expedition makes due with only one engine option, its competitors offer more choice. The Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon triplets have two V8s, plus a turbodiesel inline-six for those wanting improved fuel efficiency.
Speaking of efficiency, I was not expecting impressive fuel efficiency out of the Expedition, and that’s exactly what I received. It’s rated at 14.7 L/100 km in the city and 10.6 highway; I averaged 15.1 L/100 km over my week of mixed commuting. Ford recommends premium to fill up the Expedition’s 87.8-litre fuel tank.
On the road, the Expedition is quiet and relatively comfortable. The suspension does a good job absorbing the worst bumps and potholes even on the King Ranch’s standard 22-inch wheels. Despite the King Ranch having the lower power numbers, I don’t think that’s a huge deal because it moves with gusto off the line, and there’s more than enough oomph on the highway. But its weakness is steering especially compared to GM’s full-size triplets, which offer more steering feel and accuracy.
Visually, there’s only so much a full-size SUV can do. They’re all pretty much boxes on wheels, and the Expedition takes very little chances. It looks like a stretched Explorer with a few nips and tucks here and there; if you like that look, you’ll be happy. I prefer the Wagoneer’s look, but I’ll admit this Wild Green paintwork exclusive to the King Ranch does look great, especially with the polished 22-inch wheels.
Inside, the King Ranch trim comes with what Ford calls “Premium Del Rio” leather seats. They look and feel fantastic, but most other materials throughout the Expedition’s cabin are hit-and-miss. There are more hard-touch plastics in here than its competitors, especially as you move towards the rear, but the Expedition makes up for that with plenty of storage pockets, space to stretch out, and room for cargo. The King Ranch comes with second-row captain’s chairs instead of a bench; this does limit seating to seven passengers, but the pass-through allows for easier access to the third row. Cargo space with all seats up is a generous 546 litres, and if you want more, stepping up to the Expedition Max adds an extra foot to the cargo hold.
The Expedition smacks you in the face with tech. Infotainment is handled by a portrait-oriented 15.5-inch touchscreen that controls everything including audio and climate controls, and a 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster keeps all relevant data front-and-centre. Don’t look for anything flashy, but it’s all straightforward, easy to read, and easy to use. A B&O Unleashed sound system is standard on the King Ranch, including a subwoofer and 22 speakers.
Pricing for the Expedition starts at $77,915 for the base XLT and tops out $109,640 for the range-topping Platinum Max. Our King Ranch tester comes in towards the top of the lineup at $102,785 as-tested; not cheap, but it’s slightly less than a comparable Tahoe or Wagoneer.
While not the top player in the segment, the 2024 Ford Expedition King Ranch will satisfy most buyers with its good balance of size, power, ease-of-use, and overall value. As a long distance family hauler with the ability to tow up to 9,000 pounds, any large family will be happy with the Expedition’s capabilities.
