2016 Ford Expedition

If you do plan on getting a full-size SUV from Ford, it's worth shelling out some extra bucks. The 2016 Ford Expedition Limited model feels worth the $59,380 with the 4WD drivetrain as it is far more upscale than the base XLT trim. It features Chrome accents on the outside, 20-inch wheels and a Sony audio system, and much more. It lacks the Brunello leather option of the Platinum but is more affordable and offers decent value to the buyers. Opting for the 301A package for another $2,150 will further sweeten the deal. 

The 2016 Ford Expedition is available for sale in four trims: the XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and top-of-the-line, Platinum. The Ford Expedition price range lies between $46,630 for the base XLT trim and $64,570 for the top-end Platinum. All Expedition trims are available in 4WD and can be upgraded for about $2,925. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard on all the trims along with the 3.5L turbocharged V6 gasoline engine. Ford offers plenty of features with the 2016 Expedition right from the base XLT trim and the Expedition Limited model features almost everything that one might ever need. 

The King Ranch model adds just the blind-spot monitor and only includes interior and exterior styling details to make it feel more premium. The Platinum model too follows the same ideology and just adds the panoramic sunroof apart from the Agate stitching with premium leather and Platinum badging. The base XLT trim also gets options packages namely the 201A and 202A packages. The 201A adds a power liftgate, heated mirrors, leather upholstery, power front seats, and a power-folding third-row.

The 202A further adds the heavy-duty trailer tow package, 110-volt household-style power outlet, and almost all features from the Limited trim apart from the 20-inch alloys, front parking sensors & heated second-row seats. The Limited trim gets a 301A options package that adds a panoramic sunroof, retractable running board, and a navigation system. Standalone options include an adaptive suspension system, load-leveling rear suspension, power-retractable running boards, 3.73 ratio limited-slip rear axle, 22-inch alloy wheels, second-row captain's chair seats, and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system. 

The 2016 Ford Expedition delivers fairly average fuel economy figures and matches the standard offered by most vehicles in this segment. The 2016 model year Expedition returns 16 MPG in the city, 22 MPG on the highway, and a combined fuel economy of 18 MPG. The Expedition also comes with a sizable 28-gallon fuel tank, which results in pretty impressive driving range figures. All in all, the Ford Expedition’s fuel efficiency is not exactly low but doesn’t exceed expectations either. 

However, the 2016 Ford Expedition does lose the MPG battle against the Chevrolet Tahoe and the GMC Yukon, even though they offer generally-thirstier V8 engines. The main reason Ford lost out on the gas mileage race is the excess weight on the Expedition. Comparing the competition, the 2016 Sequoia stands as the worst performer on this front, trading in fuel efficiency for increased power output and heavier curb weight. 

The 2016 Ford Expedition resembles the F-150 on the inside because both vehicles share the cabin and the platform. The plastics used do feel cheap which Ford is usually criticized for as well. However, getting the higher trims would fetch you a good deal of luxuries, such as a heated leather steering wheel, and impressive perforated leather seats. The Ford Expedition also comfortably seats up to 8 occupants, with the third-row passengers not having to compromise on space. The top-end Expedition also boasts a crisp digital-analog gauge cluster, along with illuminated cup holders and premium stitched upholstery. 

There’s a good deal of practicality associated with the cabin too, thanks to large armrest storage, door bins, and a cavernous glove box. The 2016 Expedition offers impressive infotainment features and the very best of what Ford has to offer in 2016. Lower moder Expeditions get the basic 4.2-inch display, while fancier trims get the impressive 8.0-inch infotainment screen. The larger screen now features Ford’s SYNC 3 system, which feels intuitive and well-organized. There’s also a SiriusXM Radio on offer, and you can choose to upgrade to an impressive Sony Sound System. The 18.6 cu-ft of trunk space is also amongst the best in the segment. 

Overall, the interior is very spacious with massive cargo capacity. The addition of power-folding rear seats is also welcomed. Comparing the competition, the Chevrolet Tahoe and the GMC Yukon twins seem to be the winners in terms of first-row space, while the Toyota Sequoia offers the most room in the second row. But the Ford Expedition interior leads the pack in terms of third-row practicality and impressive cargo space. The third row gets a one-touch fold function as standard while the higher trims feature a power-folding function. That said, the Sequoia offers a large cargo capacity with all seats folded. 

Some highlight interior features offered with the 2016 Ford Expedition include:

• Power heated/ventilated front seats w/driver seat memory
• Power adjustable leather steering wheel & perforated leather upholstery
• Hybrid gauge cluster & grained wood interior trims
• 8.0-inch SYNC 3 infotainment system w/voice commands & navigation 
• 12-speaker Sony premium audio system
• SiriusXM satellite radio, HD radio & Bluetooth
• Smart App Link & garage door transmitter

The 2016 Ford Expedition with its traditional SUV styling feels pretty decent on its skin. However, the Expedition does look old since it has only been slightly updated for the past eight years. The headlights especially look very outdated for 2016. The added chrome accents are a nice feature but the rival in terms of exterior looks ages ahead of the Expedition. Ford offers you the option of going for either 20-inch or 22-inch wheels, with the latter giving the Expedition a Lincoln Navigator-like air of dominance. 

All in all, the slightly retro styling does make the 2016 Expedition stand out, while not quite appealing too well in terms of contemporary aesthetics. The 8.7-inch ground clearance is good enough for most buyers but venturing into extreme off-roading would not be a good idea considering the dimensions and approach & departure angles. Ford offers a maximum of 9 paint color options depending on the trims and the Expedition King Ranch gets a special dual-tone paint color scheme that adds to the premium appeal of the SUV. 

Among the competition, the 2016 Toyota Sequoia stands as the heaviest SUV in the lot. The Expedition is the longest, while the GMC-Chevrolet twins measure the widest in this comparison. The Ford Expedition stands the tallest. However, the Toyota Sequoia has the greatest ground clearance on offer, as well as the longest wheelbase. In terms of styling though, we prefer the GMC Yukon as it will attract the most attention on the streets. 

Some highlight exterior features offered with the 2016 Ford Expedition include:

• Automatic headlights & integrated LED fog lights
• Panoramic sunroof & power liftgate
• Rain-sensing wipers & power-retractable running board
• Roof rack rails and power/heated mirrors
• Chrome door handles & bodyside cladding
• 20-inch alloy wheels & optional 22-inch alloy wheels

The 2016 Ford Expedition is offered with a good deal of safety features. As the flagship model, the Ford Expedition gets some of the best safety techs under Ford’s belt. The Expedition boasts several active and safety features offered as standard. While the IIHS has not yet rated the 2016 model year Ford Explorer, the NHTSA has acknowledged the SUV’s safety merit with an impressive 5-star safety rating. Some of the key safety features offered with the 2016 Ford Explorer include:

• Forward Collision Warning
• Blind-Spot Monitoring
• Post-Crash Alert System
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Trailer Sway Control
• Front & rear parking sensors
• Rear-view camera

2016 Ford Expedition vs 2016 GMC Yukon

The GMC Yukon offers you a premium experience in the segment and hence demands roughly a $3,300 premium over the Expedition 2016. The Yukon also looks far more stylish and has similar levels of features and technology on offer. Both SUVs are pretty reliable too but the Ford Expedition offers a better safety rating. Therefore, we believe it is worth investing a bit more for the Yukon to get a better overall package. 

2016 Ford Expedition vs 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe

The Chevrolet Tahoe although is slower off the mark than the Expedition but still offers a better standard towing prowess and offers similar fuel efficiency even with the larger capacity V8 under its hood. The Tahoe also looks more modern than the Ford but the 2016 Expedition interior is far more spacious. Therefore, if you are fine compromising a bit in terms of styling, the Ford Expedition offers more value to its buyers at a more affordable price tag. 

2016 Ford Expedition vs 2016 Toyota Sequoia

The Toyota Sequoia offers a complete package to its buyers with a strong powertrain, spacious interiors, and impeccable reliability at an affordable price tag. While the Expedition is far more frugal, the Sequoia has low running costs, has a high resale value, and has good safety ratings too. Unless you have to tow large cargo with you, the Sequoia just makes more sense overall, considering the premium styling as well. 

The 2016 Ford Expedition is an old-school full-size SUV that looks the part as well. Sure a full refresh is long due but it still offers great performance along with respectable mileage. The turbocharged V6 is reliable as well. The interior is spacious although a lot of things need an update like the cheaper materials used. At last, if you are looking for a full-size SUV that offers great performance and high cargo capacity, Ford Expedition is a decent choice if you don’t mind the long-due exterior refresh.