2019 Ford Expedition Pros vs Cons

Even in the third-row SUV segment, the 2019 Ford Expedition is truly a behemoth of power. In fact, it can tow almost as much as a truck. With a massive amount of interior and cargo space, a powertrain that is able to get the vehicle accelerating at a quick pace, and technology that is very user-friendly, the new Expedition's pros seem to outweigh the few (and typical of its class) cons that this SUV has.

What's New for 2019?

Since the fourth generation of the Expedition was just introduced in 2018, there are not too many changes that have been made on the 2019 Ford Expedition. A few minor alterations have been made to the feature line-up, and there is a new Stealth Edition package available. This package adds side mirror caps, power running boards, a glossy black grille, a rear bumper skid plate, and upgraded 22-inch wheels that have continuously controlled damping.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2019 Ford Expedition – The Pros

1. Plenty of Interior Space

A huge selling point for the new 2019 Ford Expedition is that it offers a massive amount of space throughout the cabin. While most third-row SUVs struggle to create enough room in the third row for adult passengers, the Expedition can comfortably fit two of them back there. There is no shortage of head, shoulder, hip, or leg space regardless of where you end up sitting in the vehicle. This puts the Expedition ahead of quite a few of its competitors for the model year.

2. Abundant Cargo Space

Not only is interior space plentiful, but so is the Expedition's cargo space. If you opt for the standard wheel-base model, you get 20.9 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place. Fold the third row down, and that will get you 57.5 cubic feet of cargo space. You can max this number out by folding down the second row of seats, which garners a massive 104.6 cubic feet. Of course, if you upgrade to the Expedition Max version, you will get even more cargo space than this.

3. A Large Towing Capacity

Are you thinking of buying a truck for its towing capacity but want more space for passengers? The 2019 Ford Expedition is a surprisingly strong tower. With the Heavy Duty Trailer Tow package equipped, the Expedition is able to tow up to 9,300 pounds. Equipping this package will get you trailer back-up assist, an upgraded radiator, an integrated brake controller for the trailer, and 3.73 gears, all of which work well together to make the Expedition a capable tower.

4. Comfortable Seating

Seating throughout the Ford Expedition's cabin is nothing short of comfortable. The first and second row have seats that are extremely well-padded and provide plenty of support, which is perfect for enduring those long rides. Even the third row of seats feels quite relaxing for adults of any size. The second row is able to slide, and all of the seats are designed to recline without impeding on the space of the passenger behind them.

5. Swift Acceleration

Bulky third-row SUVs are not known for their ability to quickly get up to speed. The 2019 Ford Expedition defies this issue and delivers an impressive acceleration rate. In fact, the Expedition has been clocked going from 0 to 60 mph in just under 7 seconds, which is one of the best times put forth by this segment. This even puts some smaller SUVs and crossovers to shame.

6. Excellent Climate Control

Climate control enters into the realm of perfection on the new Ford Expedition. The front seats are both heated and ventilated, and the second row is heated as well, which is a nice touch for those who live in cooler climates. The tri-zone climate control system evenly distributes air flow throughout the cabin, and it can easily be accessed and adjusted for comfort. There is an adjustable fan setting on the system that cools the temperature by several degrees without forcing the fan to go too fast.

7. Entering and Exiting is Easy

Larger vehicles are often a struggle to get in and out of, but this is not the case for the 2019 Ford Expedition. As long as you have enough space around the outside of the vehicle, you can swing the doors wide and have plenty of space to get in and out. Also, since the second row folds and tilts forward, accessing the rear of the SUV is pretty simple. The cabin itself has a tall design, so larger adults won't have to duck down as far while maneuvering through the vehicle.

8. High-quality Interior Design

Quality is certainly not lacking on the Ford Expedition. Glancing throughout the cabin, it is easy to spot a lot of durable materials, including the leather upholstery (which is optional on the lower trim levels and standard on the Platinum trim) and standard leather-clad steering wheel. While this does not classify as a luxury vehicle, it has quite a few luxurious elements.

9. Easily Accommodates Child Safety Seats

All of the six rear seats are equipped with LATCH anchors for child safety seats, and the LATCH points are easy to find and use. Unlike with many cramped SUV cabins, the Expedition offers more than enough space to insert and adjust child safety seats without a hassle, something that many parents of young children will be able to appreciate.

10. Technology That is Easy to Use

A lot of auto manufacturers still have a lot of work to do on refining their infotainment systems. However, Ford seems to be doing well at setting the bar high with the Sync system. This system comes with smartphone app integration (for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) and Bluetooth, and there are multiple USB ports to be found throughout the cabin. Overall, the system is easy to use, with everything reading clearly on the touchscreen display. Navigation used through smartphone apps seems especially concise and easy to read.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2019 Ford Expedition – The Cons

1. A Soft Brake Pedal

One of the biggest downfalls on the 2019 Ford Expedition is that the brake pedal has an overly-soft feel to it, even when you are applying a normal amount of pressure. If you have to make a panic stop, you will not feel terribly reassured about the brake pedal's performance, but you can at least rest assured that the Expedition has a normal stopping distance for its class. It would be nice to see some firmer brakes on the Expedition in the future.

2. Steering is Slow

Another issue that impinges on the Expedition's driving performance is that steering feels slow to respond to commands. There is a noticeable lack of feedback that comes through the over-sized steering wheel, and the vehicle still feels a bit lackadaisical when it tracks right on center.

3. Off-roading Prowess is Limited

Despite its 10 inches of ground clearance and quickly shifting four-wheel drive capabilities, the 2019 Ford Expedition is not the top choice for an off-roader. It is an extremely large vehicle with lackluster brakes and steering, which makes tracking where its wheels are going more laborious for the driver. Light off-roading is fine, but this SUV is not meant for much more than that.

4. Some Noise Seeps Into the Cabin

If you were expecting a completely quiet ride, you will probably feel a bit disappointed in the Expedition. Ride quality suffers when the vehicle is unladen, especially if you have the optional 22-inch wheels equipped. Sticking with the smaller standard tires provides a smoother ride. If you push down hard on the gas, the engine will get noisy, and wind noise will filter in while you are on the highway. However, at slower speeds, this should be much less of a problem.

How it stacks up to the competition:

2019 Ford Expedition vs. 2019 Honda Pilot

The 2019 Honda Pilot is a huge competitor for the 2019 Ford Expedition. Unlike the Expedition, this third-row SUV has a more sedan-like quality to how it drives. While it lacks the towing capacity of the Expedition, the new Honda Pilot trumps the competition in terms of fuel economy, an impressively smooth ride quality, and the price (which starts at an MSRP that is several thousand dollars below the Expedition).

2019 Ford Expedition vs. 2019 Chevrolet Suburban

Another one of the competitors facing the 2019 Ford Expedition is the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban. The Suburban prices slightly under the Expedition and has a lot of the same safety and infotainment features. However, the Suburban is extremely difficult to maneuver through crowded streets and parking lots, and its gas pedal is so slow to respond that it makes the base engine feel quite under-powered.

Conclusion

The 2019 Ford Expedition is a massive eight-seater SUV that, in many ways, outperforms a number of its competitors. Although its squishy brakes and less-responsive steering make the drive quality a little less enjoyable than it could be, there are plenty of attractive qualities to be found inside of the cabin and under the hood. Overall, the Ford Expedition is a good tower with a family-friendly vibe, mixing the best of both the SUV and truck worlds into one surprisingly upscale package.