When a manufacturer launches a new vehicle, they often invite journalists for a sneak peek at the model before releasing photos and information to the general public. These are always fun events, particularly because we have the opportunity to chat one-on-one with the engineers and designers who worked on the car. After months and months of toil and late nights at the drafting table and behind the computer screen, the pride and enthusiasm these professionals have for their creation is infectious. This was the case again in Detroit earlier this month when Ford pulled the curtain back on its all-new 2025 Expedition.
Revealing the vehicle in the steel to outsiders for the first time (especially ones that are paid to have a critical eye) can be a nerve-wracking experience, for sure. But, Ford is confident that the new Expedition will redefine the segment of large, traditional SUVs. Importantly for the overland adventurer, for the first time, a Tremor trim will be available for this three-row truck complete with functional underbody armor, 10.6 inches of ground clearance for the uprated suspension, and 33-inch General Grabber all-terrain rubber. A suite of off-road driving assist modes also come standard on the Tremor (including Trail Turn Assist and an exclusive rock-crawl mode), as well as the high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 that cranks out 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. On the Tremor, breakover angle is 19.3 degrees, the approach angle is 21.1 degrees, and the departure angle is 23.5 degrees.
All 2025 Expeditions, including the long-wheelbase Max version, ride on a 100 percent new architecture unique to this SUV and will theoretically excise some of the truckishness the previous Expedition inherited from its old pickup origins. There are some clever exterior design features, including a power horizontal split hatch/tailgate, the lower half of which can hold up to 500 pounds and converts to a serving table for sheltered food prep. Adjustable LED lighting is embedded in the roof rails and under the chassis in four different zones for customizable illumination around the vehicle. This will be a boon at the campsite or during a night-time vehicle repair.
In my short time with the Expedition in Detroit, the most impressive aspect of the redesign turned out to be the interior. The dashboard and driver interface, like almost all modern new cars, are dominated by some large screens, including a 24-inch panoramic display that sits front and center on the dash. This screen doesn’t feel intrusive, however, as it’s set down in the impressively low cowl for good outward visibility, and the driver can see all the vital information at a glance over the top of the squared-off steering wheel rather than through it. Overall, the feeling in the cockpit is expansive, and the soft touch of plastics and fabrics makes it feel luxurious. In addition to the flexible seating arrangements for the three rows of seating that allow you to haul long gear like skis and fishing poles, the powered center console slides back nearly 8 inches, opening a secure place to store a bag or other valuables and giving second-row passengers access to a panel with climate controls and cupholders.
Ford is focusing on families with the new Expedition, touting the flexible three-row seating, significant storage space, and the new powered digital device holders integrated into the headrests that accommodate all kinds of tablets and phones for backseat entertainment on long hauls. Front seat occupants get both Apple Car Play and Android Auto, and onboard Wi-Fi is standard for watching movies or getting online when the truck is parked. Cargo volume with the third row deployed comes in at 21.6 cubic feet for the standard Expedition and 36.1 cubic feet for the Max model. For comparison, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia (a natural Expedition competitor) has 22.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind its final row.
The power sliding center console creates a spacious and secure storage area.
As with many three-row SUVs, the place you really want to be a passenger is the second row, and the Expedition’s backseat captain’s chairs feel exceptionally comfortable. Ford emphasizes that this new Expedition should be at the center of an active family’s lifestyle. “It was designed to not only get customers to where they need to go but to be the center of the experience once they arrive,” said Jill Dougherty, Ford Expedition exterior designer. “Our goal was to enable customers to linger longer whether they’re at the stadium or the campsite.”
Tremor models feature gold accents on the wheels, exterior trim, and interior stitching.
From the driver’s seat, the Expedition does feel very technology-forward, with many different settings for drive and trailer modes, as well as a slew of cameras, adaptive cruise control, various pre-collision assists, lane-keeping, and Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. BlueCruise will be available only as a subscription service, but it can be activated either on an annual or monthly basis, so there is some flexibility depending on the kinds of driving you might expect over the long run. Fuel economy projections for the 2025 Expedition are 16 mpg city driving and 22 mpg highway for the 4WD models. Max versions of the truck will come equipped with a 27.8-gallon fuel tank for some serious range (the standard model has 23.2 gallons of fuel capacity). Maximum tow ratings top out at 9,600 pounds, while the truck itself weighs in at 5,668 pounds (5,794 pounds for the Max).
Pricing will start at $61,900 for the Active trim and reach well into the $80,000s for heavily optioned Platinum and King Ranch versions. The Tremor model should fall in between at about $75,000. These prices align with the rest of the segment, and the Expedition’s futuristic new interior should set it apart from some of its competitors, like the Chevy Suburban or Nissan Armada. The Expedition Tremor, at first blush, appears to have some legit off-road chops, much like the Tremor treatments for Ford’s other trucks, such as the Maverick and F-150 pickups. We’re looking forward to turning some wheels on the dirt in Ford’s family hauler after it goes on sale in the Spring of 2025. Pre-orders are available as of October 24, 2024.
Read more: Ford Maverick Tremor :: Review
Images: Ford
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