2003 Ford Excursion Review
2003 Ford Excursion Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+8
Used Excursion for sale
Appraise This CarFord Excursion types
- SUV
- Diesel
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Substantial passenger and cargo capacity, impressive towing ability, diesel engine option, available on-board entertainment system.
Cons
- Huge size, truck-like driving characteristics, poor fuel economy, high sticker price.
What’s new
A new Eddie Bauer trim level debuts. It's equipped similarly to last year's Limited trim and also includes Arizona Beige exterior trim, two-tone leather seating and available second-row captain's chairs. Limited models get as standard equipment a six-disc in-dash CD changer, new aluminum wheels, cherrywood interior trim and a reversible cargo mat. In terms of mechanical changes, a new 6.0-liter turbodiesel engine arrives mid-year with more power and efficiency, connected to an all new five-speed TorqShift automatic transmission. Why anyone would use this mammoth rig to go trail busting we have no idea, but Ford will be offering an off-road package shortly after the first of the year. Finally, all Excursions get revised front suspensions for improved ride and handling.
Edmunds says
A big vehicle for people with big needs. For everyone else, a Chevrolet Suburban or 2003 Expedition is a better choice.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Ford Excursion XLT Value Rwd 4dr SUV (5.4L 8cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
Not EPA tested for Excursion XLT Value
Excursion XLT Value
vs
$254/mo
Avg. Large SUV
Vehicle overview
Introduction: Ford unleashed the Excursion on North American consumers in 2000. Based on the F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickup trucks, the Excursion is Ford's largest SUV. It's also bigger than the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL. The Excursion is intended to serve those with large broods and towing needs.
Body Styles/Trims/Options: The four-door Excursion is offers eight- or nine-passenger seating with either two- or four-wheel-drive. XLT, XLT Premium, Eddie Bauer and Limited trims are available.
XLT models come well equipped, with Premium versions adding power rear quarter windows, illuminated running boards, aluminum wheels, rear audio controls, automatic headlights, a trip computer and front captain's chairs. Eddie Bauer models include Arizona Beige trim, fog lights, turn signal sideview mirrors, automatic climate control and power adjustable pedals. Limited ups the ante with body-color trim, a premium audio system, a reversible cargo mat, heated front seats, a memory feature for seats and pedals and a HomeLink universal transmitter.
A notable option for XLT Premium, Eddie Bauer and Limited is a DVD-based rear seat entertainment system. Other options include an in-dash six-disc CD changer for all trim levels except for Limited trim and second row captain's chairs (available on Eddie Bauer and Limited). We'd recommend that you opt for the reverse sensing system to help maneuver this behemoth.
Powertrains and Performance: Three engines are available on two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive Excursions. Standard on all models is a 5.4-liter V8 that makes 255 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 350 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm. Optional engines include a 6.8-liter V10 or a 7.3-liter turbodiesel V8. The V10 produces 310 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. The Power Stroke turbodiesel generates 250 horsepower and super-beefy 525 pound-feet of torque. All are matched to a four-speed automatic transmission. A 3.73 rear axle ratio is standard. When properly equipped, the Excursion can tow 11,000 pounds.
A more powerful and efficient 6.0-liter turbodiesel will be released later this year, making 325 horsepower at 3,300 rpm and 550 foot-pounds of torque at 2,000 rpm, offering up to 10 percent better fuel economy and 20 percent lower emissions. It's mated to a new five-speed automatic transmission that features higher first- and second-gear ratios to launch a truck loaded with cargo more quickly and smoothly.
Safety: The Excursion comes standard with dual front airbags and four-wheel disc antilock brakes. Optional equipment includes power adjustable foot pedals and a reverse sensing system. Designed to be as crash-compatible with regular passenger cars as possible, the Excursion includes a Blockbeam at the front of the frame to help dissipate crash energy during a collision with a smaller vehicle. The Excursion hasn't been crash tested by NHTSA or IIHS.
Interior Design/Special Features: Donated by the Super Duty pickup truck, the rather industrial dashboard of the Excursion prioritizes function over form. Eddie Bauer models dress things up a bit with a two-tone color scheme, while Limiteds get cherrywood trim to jazz up the interior. Excursion can carry nine passengers in XLT trim, but all other models are restricted to eight because of the front captain's chairs. Maximum cargo space is 146.4 cubic feet.
Driving Impressions/Opinions: Remember that time you moved from your apartment or condo to your first home and rented one of those local U-Haul rental trucks? Driving an Excursion is a lot like driving that U-Haul, albeit one with far more refinement and creature comforts. While the 2003 suspension changes have improved the ride quality somewhat, this is still a large vehicle, one that doesn't take kindly to most urban parking garages and lots. It takes longer to stop than most of the cars on the road, so tailgating isn't such a wise idea. Fuel economy is also quite poor.
On the positive side, you get tons of cargo- and passenger-carrying capacity, plus the security of knowing that no one else on the road will try to mess with you. If you're in the market for such a vehicle, and neither the Chevy Suburban nor the GMC Yukon XL does it for you size-wise, this is your SUV. Otherwise, we recommend that you try something a little smaller on for size, like the all-new 2003 Ford Expedition.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Ford Excursion.
5 star(82%)
4 star(18%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
78 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
what a beast
george dougherty, 10/20/2015
2003 Ford Excursion Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (6.0L 8cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
Great truck - purchased in 2003 new. 180k miles. no major issues and still runs great. Last week a Dodge Ram rear ended me at thirty five miles an hour while I was stopped at a light. His truck is trashed, broken rad., power steering fluid all over the place, need to be towed. My fender is dented and tail light broken. has been on the beach, in 20 inches of snow, towed horses and other … cars out of snow drifts, and has suffered my wife hitting posts etc. It keeps on going strong.
4 out of 5 stars
When you have to take everything with you!
chuckt6, 10/15/2012
2003 Ford Excursion Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (6.8L 10cyl 4A)
2
big dogs(50 lbs and 90 lbs), 3 kids, The wife and I, and all our travel stuff fit fine in this monster.
We purchased ours in 2010 with 122,000 miles on it.
We've put 20K miles on it with minimal problems.
We did replaced the ball joints($900) and put in new spark plugs($600).
Great value for the vehicle, all leather, and comfortable.
We purchased ours from a private party for … $7400.
The V10 engine is a gas hog, but will go for 300K miles.
Same engine used in buses and limo's.
Average about 12 mpg, but it that is better than driving two cars and getting 20 mpg in each car.
5 out of 5 stars
The Biggest and Best SUV Ever Created
Kurt Young, 10/25/2015
2003 Ford Excursion Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV (6.0L 8cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
My current Excursion is my best Excursion by far. My first was the Limited 6.8L V10. My current Excursion exceeds and surpasses in all categories. I'll keep this one as long as parts are made for it. I see other SUVs on the road and wonder why bother. I've added after market airbag shocks which has increased the towing capabilities and smoothness of ride while towing. I tow a 10K lbs … travel trailer year round, and my excursion has no problem whether pulling passes in Montana or on the long flats of Florida.
4 out of 5 stars
2003 Excursion
McDuck, 08/22/2003
2003 Ford Excursion Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV (7.3L 8cyl Turbodiesel 4A)
We really like this rig. I've owned two
Suburbans and I like this Excursion
much better. I am amazed by the fuel
milage with the 7.3 diesel-- 18 to 20
mpg. We got the Eddie Bauer version and
the drop down DVD is a huge hit. Might
buy a second one if I can get a good
enough deal. Only complaint so far is
poor visibility out of right side
mirror. It would benefit from a … larger
parabolic mirror.
2003 Excursion Highlights
SUV
XLT Value
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $36,435 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Seating | 9 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 48 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Excursion include:
- Alarm
Related Used 2003 Ford Excursion info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Nissan Versa 2013 For Sale
- Used Porsche Boxster 2011
- Used Nissan Versa 2017
- Used Porsche 911 2017
- Used Nissan Versa 2018
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Chevrolet Bolt Electric Car
- SUV Chevy Trailblazer
- 2026 Cadillac Vistiq News
- Escalade Iq
- 2025 Cadillac Optiq News
- Celestiq
- 2025 Chevrolet Suburban News
- Silverado Chevy Silverado
- Chevy Suburban V8
- Chevy Trax Car
Research other models of Ford
- 2023 Ford Mustang
- 2023 Mustang
- Ford Lightning
- 2024 Ford Escape
- 2023 Ford F-150
- Ford Edge
- Ranger
- 2023 F-150
- Ford Bronco 2023
- 2024 F-150
Research similar vehicles
- 2023 Telluride
- G Wagon G Class
- Subaru Outback Car
- VW SUV Tiguan
- Rivian R1S
- Ford Explorer Car
- Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
- Tesla Model X Tesla
- Honda SUV HR V
- Toyota BZ4X
Other models
- Used Nissan Versa-Note in Malden, MA
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer-Sportback in Columbus, IN
- Used Toyota MR2 in Laurel, MS
- Used Lexus SC-430 in Milford, OH
- New Audi Q3 for Sale in Deer Park, NY
- New Jeep Grand-Wagoneer for Sale in Norwalk, CA
- New Volkswagen Jetta for Sale in Mcminnville, OR
- Used Nissan Maxima in Aberdeen, SD
- Used Cadillac XLR-V in Elizabeth, NJ
- New Volvo Xc40-Recharge for Sale in Vineland, NJ