2021 Ford Expedition Review

Name: 2021 Ford Expedition Review
Brand: Ford

Price Range: $32,980 - $58,590

Ford Expedition King Ranch 4dr SUV Exterior

Ford Expedition MAX Limited 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

Ford Expedition MAX Platinum 4dr SUV Exterior

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The Expedition is a great pick for a large three-row SUV. It has a spacious interior, comfortable seating, a powerful turbocharged V6 engine and an easy-to-drive nature. Disappointing real-world fuel economy is our only major complaint.Read full review

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2021 Ford Expedition Review

byReese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

Pros

Cavernous interior with plenty of passenger and cargo space
Quick acceleration from strong V6 engine
Comfortable front seats
Tows more than similarly sized SUVs

Cons

Disappointing real-world fuel economy
Large size and slow steering make it cumbersome to drive

What's new

New XL base trim, available only with a five-seat configuration and in non-Max form
Co-Pilot360 Assist suite of safety features now optional on XLT trim
Part of the fourth Expedition generation introduced in 2018

Overview

The Ford Expedition is a large three-row SUV in the classic sense of the term. It has rugged body-on-frame construction, plenty of ground clearance, and a four-wheel-drive system to get you where you're going even if the path ahead is a little rocky. It's the largest SUV in Ford's lineup, slotting above the recently redesigned Ford Explorer. When this Expedition generation launched in 2018, it represented a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It's comfortable and spacious, especially if you opt for the longer Expedition Max. Changes for 2021 include a new base trim and more optional features.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Ford Expedition XL Fleet 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) 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 $3.20 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$203/mo

$233/mo

Avg. Large SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

While the Ford Expedition has been our runaway favorite in its class, two redesigned competitors threaten its dominance. The Chevrolet Tahoe, along with its longer sibling, the Suburban, are all-new for 2021. The new Tahoe and Suburban fix many of the outgoing model's flaws, though we think many aspects — especially inside — don't quite measure up to the Ford. Other alternatives include the Nissan Armada and the ancient Toyota Sequoia. Even with all that competition, we still think the Expedition is the one of the best large SUVs. Want to know more? Check out our Expert Rating for our in-depth analysis on the 2021 Expedition's comfort, utility and more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.5

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Expedition drive? We're impressed with the V6 engine's muscle. Any SUV this large can't really be this quick, can it? We tested an Expedition Platinum with 4WD, and it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. That's almost a second quicker than a comparable Chevy Tahoe. The Expedition is responsive and easy to drive when you aren't burying the accelerator into the ground too.

The brake pedal is slightly squishy when you first press on it, but ultimately it's pretty easy to come to smooth stops, which is the important part. The steering has a light effort and helps to make this Expedition feel a little less humongous.

While you won't likely be driving your Expedition with Secret Service-like urgency, there are some pretty admirable qualities here for such a large SUV. It's no Mercedes GLS, but this does not feel clumsy.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Expedition? The Expedition's front seats are comfy and cushy. They have multiple zones of lumbar support and even have a massage function in the higher trims. The second-row seats are also decently plush. The third-row seating is firm but still adequate for adult use. The Expedition's ride quality is pretty smooth too.

We were less impressed by the Expedition's climate control. The air flow from the vents is noisy and not particularly strong. The seat heaters also might disappoint if you really like them to get hot. On the upside, the Expedition is impressively quiet on the highway and around town.

Interior

8.0/10

How’s the interior? The Expedition makes full use of its interior space. It's roomier than the Chevy Tahoe and gives every passenger ample room and comfort. The third row's accessibility is particularly impressive, allowing even adults to get in and out without much more effort than it takes to sit in the second row.

The center console is a bit button-heavy. It's not immediately user-friendly, but it doesn't require too much time to master. It's a simpler layout than the Tahoe's too. Visibility out of the front is hampered by the massive windshield pillars. But even though the rear window looks to be a mile away, a clear backup camera and available 360-degree camera system take the edge off backing up.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? Ford's Sync infotainment system has come a long way over the years, and the newest iteration is pretty user-friendly. The navigation system does look a bit dated but offers pinch-to-zoom functionality, helping to make it quick and easy to use. Our test vehicle's 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system made good use of the Expedition's large cabin, providing both power and clarity.

The voice controls are basic and can help with simple functions. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration systems come standard but lack the wireless connectivity that's becoming increasingly common in other vehicles. The Expedition's advanced driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, work fine but aren't quite as full-featured as those in some rival SUVs.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? The Expedition has a listed cargo capacity of 20.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 104.6 cubes max. That's less space than its direct rival, the Chevy Tahoe. But the Expedition's extra spaces for all your knickknacks, plus its flexible seating arrangement, more than compensate.

The Expedition is also a good vehicle for hauling little kids around. It has easy-to-access anchors for safety seats plus lots of room to fit rear-facing seats. Towing capacity is great with a maximum capacity of 9,300 pounds when properly equipped.

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Expedition gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's similar to what the EPA posts for other large SUVs. But we had difficulty matching the EPA's numbers in our real-world testing. Something else to consider is that premium fuel is required to get the quoted power numbers. During our time with the Expedition, we could notice a difference in performance between regular and premium fuel.

Value

7.0/10

Is the Expedition a good value? The Expedition is priced comparable to other large SUVs such as the Chevy Tahoe. Warranty coverage is also typical for a non-luxury automaker. Interior build quality and materials choices slightly exceed those available from its crosstown rivals.

Wildcard

7.0/10

The Expedition isn't fun to drive in the classic sense, but it is rewarding to summon its muscle car-like torque and use this big SUV for its intended purposes. Road trips, daily commuting and heading out to the great outdoors are all right up the Expedition's alley.

Which Expedition does Edmunds recommend?

The top-level Platinum trim has tons of great features, but we suggest saving some money and going with the Limited trim. It has a nice mix of features including an upgraded audio system and heated rear seats.

2021 Ford Expedition models

The 2021 Ford Expedition is available in five trim levels: XL, XLT, Limited, King Ranch and Platinum. The extended-length Expedition Max is available on all but the base XL, offering more cargo space than the standard model. All Expeditions are powered by a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 engine. For most trims it makes 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Platinum trim gets a slight bump to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive is optional across the board.

XL
The new XL trim is light on features compared to other trims, but it comes standard with:

Seating for five passengers
18-inch wheels
Foglights
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Tri-zone automatic climate control
Power-adjustable driver's seat
4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
Keyless entry with push-button start
Six-speaker audio system
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality
Ford Co-Pilot360

Automatic high beams
Blind-spot monitor with cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)

XLT
The XLT used to be the Expedition's base trim, but we wouldn't call it spartan. The XLT includes all of the XL's features, adding:

Seating for eight passengers
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Rear parking sensors
Satellite radio

Limited
The midtier Limited trim is the one we suggest going with. In addition to the XLT's features and options, the Expedition Limited comes with:

20-inch wheels
Hands-free liftgate
Power-deployable running boards
Power-adjustable pedals
Leather upholstery
Heated second-row seats
Available second-row captain's chairs (seating for seven passengers)
Front parking sensors
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Power-folding mirrors
12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system
Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist

Full-speed adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Navigation system

King Ranch
The Expedition King Ranch is loaded with features, many specific to this trim. The King Ranch includes:

King Ranch badges and emblems
Stone Gray exterior trim
22-inch wheels
Special leather upholstery
Power-folding captain's chairs
Panoramic glass roof
LED headlights and foglights
Surround-view parking camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Expedition and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Park assist (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

Platinum
The Platinum trim has the same feature upgrades as the King Ranch but without the special styling details. On top of that, you get:

A more powerful twin-turbo V6
Satin aluminum exterior trim
Upgraded leather
Wood and leather interior trim
Massaging and ventilated front seats
Roof rails with crossbars
Power-folding second- and third-row seats
Active noise cancellation (can help reduce road and wind noise in the cabin)

Many features found on the upper trim levels can be added to the lower trims through optional packages. Other significant options for the Expedition include:

Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow package

Upgraded radiator
Trailer backup assist
3.73 rear-axle gearing
Trailer brake controller (allows adjustment of a trailer's brakes from the cab)

FX4 Off-Road package

All-terrain tires
Surround-view camera system
Electronic limited-slip differential for improved traction
Off-road-tuned suspension
Upgraded radiator
Skid plates and fuel tank protection

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3/5Average

#13 out of 16 among Fullsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Ford Expedition from 2008-2022.}

$678/yr

vs. $614/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.64x/yr

vs. 1.59x/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

18.9%

vs. 16.7%
for Average Fullsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Ford Expedition.

5 (78%)

4 (6%)

3 (0%)

2 (8%)

1 (8%)

4.4

36 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Luxurious car!

The Winter family , 08/28/2020

2020 Ford Expedition MAX Limited 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A)

We love it! We have 4 children and we can all fit in it. The tall (6’) kids can sit in the 3rd row and have leg room. The third row seats are on the wheel well instead of behind it and so they have plenty of leg room.

Better than expected

Robert Marshall, 06/20/2020

2020 Ford Expedition XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A)

We bought the car because we needed the capacity to take the family plus two big dogs and two cats and all our stuff to our beach house. The car has a great smooth ride, as good as our 2013 RX350 that we traded in. We liked the Lexus but it was too small for our needs. Acceleration is very good for a very big vehicle and handling is good also. Cons? Lane centering is so feeble as to be …

Switched from GMC to Ford

Mike, 02/23/2021

2021 Ford Expedition Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A)

The Expedition Limited is equipped similarly to the Tahoe Premier, with a lower price point. Tons of interior room, and it handles very well for such a large SUV. The twin turbo V6 paired with the 10 speed transmission feels much quicker than the GM 5.3L V8.

Love it but needs front camera

Connie D., 04/20/2021

2021 Ford Expedition XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A)

I love my new Expedition XLT. The only complaint is there are no cameras or sensors in the front for parking.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Ford Expedition, so we've included reviews for other years of the Expedition since its last redesign.

See all 36 reviews of the Ford Expedition

Write a vehicle review

2021 Ford Expedition video

2021 Chevy Expedition vs. Ford Expedition | Full-Size 3-Row Family SUV Comparison Test

Carlos Lago from Edmunds compares two of the biggest and most capable family SUVs on sale today. In this video, Carlos evaluates the 2021 Chevy Expedition and the 2021 Ford Expedition, comparing pricing, interiors, cargo space, driving impressions and more. Join us for this full-size…

2021 Expedition Highlights

Trim:

XL Fleet

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$49,625
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$203/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	57.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Expedition models:

Adaptive Cruise with Stop-and-Go: Sets and maintains a safe following distance from the car ahead and can bring the SUV to a stop when necessary.
Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection: Warns the driver of a possible collision with a pedestrian and can automatically apply the brakes if the driver doesn't respond in time.
BLIS (Blind-Spot Information System): Alerts the driver to vehicles lurking in the SUV's blind spots to prevent a possible collision during a lane change.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover3 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover20.8%

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2021 Ford Expedition Review

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2021 Ford Expedition Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Ford Expedition XL Fleet 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) 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 $3.20 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Expedition does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Ford Expedition models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Luxurious car!

Better than expected

Switched from GMC to Ford

Love it but needs front camera

2021 Ford Expedition video

2021 Chevy Expedition vs. Ford Expedition | Full-Size 3-Row Family SUV Comparison Test

2021 Expedition Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Ford Expedition XL Fleet 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) 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 $3.20 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}