2008 Ford Expedition EL Consumer Reviews

Perfect for babies

Written by: SteveK on 08/15/2009

Vehicle

2008 Ford Expedition EL Limited 4dr SUV (5.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

With a 20 month old son and twins on the way, my wife and I began searching for a vehicle that could easily accommodate our growing family and special needs. We needed a vehicle that had three sets of LATCH points in the same row as well as accommodate a Triple Stroller without using up all the cargo space. The Expedition EL was the only vehicle to do so. We now have our three sons in the middle row bench, all secured by LATCH. With the smaller portion of the third row folded to accommodate our stroller, we still have the ability to carry two more people back there in comfort along with all our stuff! Brilliant packaging job by Ford.

Favorite Features

Kid friendly seating, comfortable third row, power fold third row, power hatch, camera in rear view mirror, smooth shifting and ride.

Suggested Improvements

Weight of the truck hampers acceleration, so more power would be appreciated, especially for merging and passing. The 5.4L engine has been offered on other products with a supercharger; maybe this can be a viable option for the EL.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Best family vehicle we've owned

Written by: Gary on 08/15/2009

Vehicle

2008 Ford Expedition EL XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

This is the best family vehicle we have ever owned and we love it. We already have 40K miles on it (never in the shop except for oil changes and tire rotations) because we love taking vacations in it. We traded in our '03 Town and Country and the difference is night and day. So much more interior room and versatility without much difference in parking or gas mileage. We average 16 in every day use and 18 on highway at 75-80 mph. Our van only averaged 19 and got 17 with the cargo topper on the roof! Now we have so much room we don't need it (family of 6 plus a large dog). Very quiet and comfortable ride. Cheaper but much better value than imports or Sub/Tahoe. Can't say enough, great truck!

Favorite Features

Cargo room, passenger room, towing ability, comfort, quiet ride, safety, 6spd auto, 4WD in winter and on mountain roads, independent suspension, rear AC, fold flat rear and middle seats, overall versatility, decent fuel economy for the size, bright red color, extended length body style, reliability.

Suggested Improvements

Diesel engine for better fuel economy. Different interior materials/colors that don't get dirty so easy. Exterior styling is great but the Suburban/Tahoe looks just a little better in my opinion. Better fit and finish on rear tailgate (being really picky saying that). Nothing else!!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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No more van mom

Written by: Barbara on 05/14/2009

Vehicle

2008 Ford Expedition EL King Ranch 4dr SUV (5.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I have 3 kids and was sick of having a van that never had the horse power or the actual room that I wanted. We got the King ranch package and dark cooper exterior. I absolutely love it. There is more storage in the back than a van and more seating room. Very comfortable and we can move around without stepping on seats. I can pull the trailer now where I could not with my town and country. I was disappointed with the ford van, but would go back for another expedition anytime. The only things the kids miss is the satellite tv. I had to pay extra to add the moblie ease for the phone, but the truck is well worth everything else. The gas mileage is not so different from my van.

Favorite Features

back up camera, heat and cooled front seats, rear access dvd (hated changing out every time kids wanted a new movie), bigger gas tank (only 1 stop a week now) and love the interior. It holds up to the kids great. The storage area in the rear makes my shopping a lot easier. Love the running boards!

Suggested Improvements

Better gas mileage (like everything else), optional rear satellite TV, navi that automatically comes up without hitting ok and is satellite updated, side storage in rear for kids stuff would be nice, bluetooth from factory.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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So far, So good.

Written by: Woody on 07/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Expedition EL XLT 4dr SUV (5.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Bought this vehicle for road trips for a family of six. It is the only vehicle we could find that had a full size third row and plenty of luggage room. All of my other vehicles are Toyota. Would have bought a Toyota if they built a model big enough. This vehicle is not Toyota quality, but I did not pay the Toyota price either. You can feel the transmission shift. Doors have to be slamed to completely shut. A lot of cheap feeling plactice surfaces. However they clean easily. MPG is 17 with six people and a full luggage rack on the roof. The vehicle has adequate power and is easy to drive. Everyone has a comfortable place to ride. Bottom line, we got what we thought we were getting.

Favorite Features

Full size third row seating. Lots of luggage room. Back up alarm system. Fold flat second and third row seats. Keypad entry on driver door.

Suggested Improvements

Better gas mileage. Keyhole entry on passenger side door. Better fit and finish. Better floor mats.

28 out 28 people found this review helpful

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Forget the Suburban!

Written by: RICH on 05/31/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Expedition EL Limited 4dr SUV (5.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Spent 1 week test driving several Suburbans (LTZ/ZR1) but I constantly went back to the Expedition. This is my first Ford so I did my research. The Expedition has significant more leg room for the 3rd row which is great for adults but is also huge when you have 2 car seats back there. The 3rd row fold flat feature carries significant weight against the Chevy Suburban. The actual trunk space is 1" shorter than Suburban but is almost 3" wider. Compare to a comparable LTZ the Ford is $8000 less and still has more features. The 6 speed transmission is smooth and responsive. The ride is much better than the Suburban. The independent rear suspension on Ford is much more forgiving as well.

Favorite Features

Rear view camera in the rear view mirror. The Chevy requires you to purchase the $4000 navigation system to get the rear camera. Air condition seats (great for North Carolina). THX surround sound system is awesome! Interior is nicer in Ford. 6 speed transmission makes a huge difference.

Suggested Improvements

Integrated blue tooth for phone. An OnStar like feature

15 out 16 people found this review helpful

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So Far, So Good

Written by: edjd on 04/11/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Expedition EL Limited 4dr SUV (5.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Purchased 08 Silver color Limited w/ DVD, Rear Camera, Cpt. Chairs, High Tow, etc. We've had this vehicle for just over a month and my wife is very satisfied. We have 4 children, we used to have an 05' Odyssey, 2 kids middle capt.chair and 2 in 3rd row. In the Expeditoin now, we have the triplets in the 3rd row and our eldest in the middle row. Tons of room for family! 6 speed auto! Rear cargo capacity is very satisfactory and we really like the autofold seats! The rear camera integrated into the mirror! very quiet ride vs. Odyssey. DVD system has been working great! smooth ride and so many options, For our needs, it's a keeper! Gas is what it is, 6k lbs weight!

Favorite Features

Rear camera, 6 speed auto, aggressive styling, fold in mirrors, power seats, safety, safety, safety. fold seats, tons of leg room! even in 3rd row, you can do all 3 rows comfortably!

Suggested Improvements

Dashboard and doors could be 'better' plastic, provide better 'information screen' in drivers dash. Create More 'storage' areas within car, 3rd row should have overhead lights, 3rd row speakers would be nice! Bigger glove compartment! More room to store in the rear, like jumper cables, tow line etc

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Lovely

Written by: Kahausler on 03/11/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Expedition EL Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV 4WD (5.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

This Ford Expedition EL Eddie Bauer 4WD is the most awesome car ever. This is my first car to drive.

Favorite Features

Everything is my favorite

Suggested Improvements

Install the turbo diesel engine that is in the F250 F350 and F450 in the vehicle as an option

1 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Toting Three under Three

Written by: Froogle Father on 02/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Expedition EL Limited 4dr SUV (5.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Well this was a hard decision for us because we needed a vehicle that could handle three kids under three yrs old. We loved our VW Touraeg, but we couldn't put 3 car seats in a row comfortably plus have room for a double stroller. We looked at the Chevy Suburban LT3 and Our new Expedition Limited RWD. I will tell you I love the Expedition ELs power fold down seats and roominess on the inside. The MPG and no OnStar were drawbacks, but not enough to offset the amount of money I saved by purchasing the Expedition EL. Also the DVD could be easier to use since you have to be in the back to load the movies.

Favorite Features

Interior design, cooled & heated front seats, power fold third row, storage bin in rear compartment, room for adults to maneuver easily in rear, camera for backing up integrated in rear view mirror.

Suggested Improvements

DVDs loaded in the front of vehicle or 6 Disc DVD Changer in back, improved gas mileage Suburban is getting (14city/22hwy), better functionality & view of information center

18 out 18 people found this review helpful

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Fine machine

Written by: bigbear on 02/04/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Expedition EL Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (5.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Beautiful color (vapor grey)with amenities abound (especially automatic fold down running boards). great quality interior materials. did well in snow and rainy weather. This is my second expedition (I had an original 1997 first generation expedition.) world of difference between the two. very good power going up some grades, good acceleration. However, I found the 6cd changer to be rather user-not so friendly and the DVD player to be not easily accessible from the front seat. It is so new that I haven't had to experience problems yet and I am not expecting any.

Favorite Features

Overall, I like everything about this kid-mover-without-the-soccer-mom-or- dad-syndrome vehicle. great leather appointments, plenty of room for my kids to sit and move. I love Satellite radio, fold down running boards and first oil change at 7500 miles. The rear-view camera is very useful too.

Suggested Improvements

Awful gas mileage in town (thus far 12- 13 mpg) and dismal on highway 18- 19mpg) A Continuously variable transmission should attract many customers and holographic Head-up Display would be push it over the top

10 out 12 people found this review helpful

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Cheap Hub Dubs

Written by: Frookie Tims on 10/09/2007

Vehicle

2008 Ford Expedition EL Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (5.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

We bought the EL because GM does not feel that adults or children sit in the third row in the Denali or Suburban. Well they lost a sale because of it. Ford knows how to make a third row work for adults over six feet. Everyone is comfy in all rows.The engine is under powered and the EL is heavy aka its slow. The six speed tranny does give you the feeling of speed but realiity can set in quickly...ie merging. The gadgets are great like the power folding 3rd row and the back door. The seats are great all around. We noticed the leather seats were longer than the cloth seats..yes odd. The gas mileage is not good. Fake chrome Dubs is very bad..chrome covers? Why, Ford why?

Favorite Features

The back up camera is great. The stereo sounds good. Sirius for only 6 months after paying 54k seems cheap. Folding 3rd row is great so is the power rear door. 3rd row leg room is great. A/C in seats. Storage bins in cargo area floor and the package tray. Seatbelts don't grab or ratchet down on you.

Suggested Improvements

Hub dubs.The 20" rims have a chrome cover on them. They're fake chrome rims. Better Sirius antenna. No more cheap woodtone plastic trim. Bluetooth with the Nav. More info in the Nav. More powerful engine. More intuitive information center. Better button placement/sizing. Needs HIDS on upper models

89 out 91 people found this review helpful

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