2009 Ford Expedition Review - A Full Size SUV at its Best
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The 2009 Expedition is a full size SUV from Ford. It has a starting MSRP of $34,845 - $47,850 and a base fuel economy range of 20 mpg on the highway and 14 mpg in through the city. The Ford Expedition is simply huge on the outside and has loads of room in its cabin for passengers and cargo, it is towing capable too, with a Class III trailer hitch standard. The Expedition offers towing capacities in the 9000-pound range. The 2009 Expedition has an option of being four-wheel-drive, making it able to handle wet roads and slippery conditions. The 2009 Ford Expedition is a carryover from 2008. The bottom line is the Ford Expedition is a truck and drives like a truck, and it doesn't pretend to be anything else. The Expedition is truly designed for utility. The Expedition was redesigned for 2007, while also lowering the price. A new top level trim was added in 2008, called the King Ranch model. There is also an Extended-wheelbase EL version to add even more cargo-carrying capacity.
Driving the Expedition
Yes, driving an Expedition you may feel like you are driving a truck; however, compared to competition such as the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, the Ford Expedition does well. At highway speeds, this large SUV gets excellent straight-line stability, it could almost be called agile, and it absorbs most bumps with ease. The reason the Expedition does so well in the handling category is because of its car-like engineering. The 2009 Ford Expedition has a rigid frame, high-pressure gas shocks, and a second-generation, link-type independent rear suspension. Steering effort is light and easy.
Expedition Power
The Expedition is driven by an overhead-cam 5.4-liter V8, which delivers 300 hp. It gets a six-speed automatic transmission which changes gears without a notice. For the Ford Expedition, power is never in question, and its powertrain suits it well. Towing with the Expedition is a breeze; with the optional towing package, the standard 4WD Expedition will tow 9000 pounds. A 2WD Expedition is rated at 9200 pounds, a 2WD EL is rated at 9000 pounds, and a 4WD EL is rated to tow 8750 pounds.
2009 Expedition Style
The Expedition is available in a variety of trims including the entry-level XLT, the outdoor-styled Eddie Bauer, luxurious Limited, and the new top-of-the-line King Ranch. There is also an extended length version of the Expedition. The Ford Expedition borrows some of its exterior components from the F-150, but gets a better suspension and chassis package. In its third generation of production, the Expedition features a three-bar grille, large headlights, and a domed hood that combine to deliver a look that's both distinctive and respectable. The Expedition doesn't exactly a suave style like some of the full sized SUVs out there, but its not strange looking either. Expedition EL models stretch the wheelbase by a foot to 131 inches and they adds 24 cubic feet of cargo volume, The one problem with this oversized vehicle is maneuvering through, say, a parking lot. The new King Ranch model can be identified by its gold exterior accents and unique wheel design. The Expedition comes with running boards as standard equipment. For 2008, power retractable running boards that deploy when the doors are opened are an option.
’09 Cabin Features
The inside of the Expedition is roomy, with three rows of seats, and comfortable. The second- and third-row bench-type seats fold flat into the cargo floor, which is unlike many of the Expedition’s competition. The layout of the gauges and controls is easy to understand and no controls are too far out of easy reach. Optional second-row captain's chairs with a center-aisle pass-through can be substituted for even better comfort. The Expedition is also available with an optional power-folding third-row seat and electronically powered liftgate to make it even easier to load cargo. Overall, the Expedition is has a convenient cabin. There are many options available to make it even better such as a DVD-based navigation system with sizable 6.5-inch screen.
Safety Features
Safety equipment includes front airbags, torso-protecting front side airbags, three-row head-protecting curtain side air bags with rollover deployment, tire-pressure monitor, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with brake assist, and electronic stability control with anti-rollover technology.
Summary
The '09 Ford Expedition somehow finds a great balance between utility and convenience and comfort. It can do everything an SUV or truck made for this purpose should be able to do, but the list of features, both standard and optional, are long. The Expedition does feels big and heavy while driving, but is can be controlled with relative ease and the Expedition's overall driving performance is refined for its class. Ford is offering a family adventure concept, and the Ford Expedition can handle just about any family. Read more about the various trim levels of the 2009 Ford Expedition for more research.
