So had the opportunity to test drive a loaded limited max and a XLT FX4 max-
I'm coming from a 2010 Escalade ESV so the that the only full size SUV I can compare these to. The Escalade has the magnetic ride shocks and I replaced the factory 22" wheels with 18" wheels with larger sidewall tires.
In no particular order here are some impressions- keep in mind these were limited dealer test drives so these are initial impressions.
RIDE/HANDLING
No comparison - I really don't think the Escalade ever rode well- but the Expedition is light years better.
The loaded Limited had the 22" wheels and CDC- this vehicle was very impressive- very smooth ride over patched asphalt and potholed roads and railroad tracks, very little impact sensation and no bounce or shudder through structure. On a smooth highway it was like butter- I honestly was shocked- I expected to not really like the 22" wheel ride but boy was I wrong. I would compare the ride to mid/high end sedans- rode as well to me as an Audi A6, Honda Accord, or Lexus ES300.
Also as a note- this unit does have a fairly high ride height- noticeably taller than the Escalade when parked next to each other- and also noticeable from the drivers seat. I do think this is why some reviewers may feel the vehicle drives bigger than the GM units ( although I have the previous generation GMT900 platform) - its not that its ponderous or lacks steering response, but you just feel like your in a larger vehicle- I think ride height and the view out of the windshield of a fairly flat wide hood induces this impression, its more of a visual impression versus a handling response impression.
FX4- this unit rides on 18" wheels with 65 sidewall tires. I have more seat time in this rig, so more road variation traveled.
Overall ride is very good. On smooth roads I don't think there is much difference between the two Expedition vehicles - still light years better than the Escalade. On rougher roads/pavement would say the Fx4 is not as smooth as the limited/CDC unit. A little more impact sharpness comes through to the body and over a longer stretch of rough road I did notice more roughness coming through. Again way better than the Escalade but not a impressive as the limited/CDC.
I was also able to drive this unit on a more high twisty two lane road- the steering is nicely weighted although I do think there is more steering feedback from the GM GMT900 platform. Overall limits are very good- the vehicle was able to carry more velocity thru the turns than the Escalade, and honestly more velocity than I would want to carry with any passengers in the vehicle. My overall impression is the FX4 is more stiffly shocked than the Limited/CDC.
INTERIOR QUALITY
The XLT unit was equipped with the 202A package
Limited equipped with the 302A
2010 Escalade is Platinum model
Expedition- In both units I was impressed. The soft touch points on dashboard, armrests, and door panels is good to very good overall. I don't know but my impression is the touch points on doors is leather in the Limited versus a pleather material in the XLT- although I'm not sure of this. Either way the interior quality as equipped on the two Expeditions is very similar. The major difference is the wood like trim used on the center counsel and door panels of the limited versus the graphite plastic used in the XLT. I like the impression of quality better on the Limited, although my wife had the opposite response. She felt the wood trim in the Limited looked artificial and appreciated the simple/honest plastic of the XLT. To the touch the materials both feel of quality solid materials.
I own a 2014 Ford fusion energy and a lot of the switch gear and plastics look and feel familiar. Of note the rotary knobs for radio/climate/ and transmission are the same in both Expedition vehicles- and I found the tactile response and weighty feel of the units to be of premium quality- nice as these are going to be the most used switchgear in the vehicles.
I will agree with one review that I read that the plastic surrounding the center stack leaves a little to be desired. Its a common ford plastic that I remember from my 2005 F150- there is nothing inherently wrong with it but at these price points it would be nice to see little more effort. Also based on the Ford website I thought the XLT had aluminum trim- but is the graphite color plastic.
The seats in both in terms of construction, padding and support. and quality of leather were of good quality. I believe the seats in both the Limited and XLT were the same- Front seat quality was great extremely comfortable- same with the second and third row quality. It might just be because I saw the limited first- but I do feel the leather quality was higher in the limited- not sure of this, just how I remember it.
I would say the the plastics, and switchgear are superior to the Escalade.
SPACE
The front seat passengers have as much leg room and shoulder room as any person could want. I'm not a big guy, just under 6' and 190lbs- so I can position the drivers seat so far back I can touch the pedals- so I would say plenty of room.
Second row- both expeditions had bench seats. Leg room is plentiful. All three seating positions in the third row slide and recline independently, and the amount of legroom is awesome. I was comfortable in any of the three seats, and would be for an extended amount of time. Our current Escalade has captain chairs in the second row- so I can't make a direct comparison- but my impression is the Expedition has more legroom and space in the second row.
Third row- better seating position in the Expedition and honestly a decent amount of leg room. The fact that all the seating positions in the second row can slide allows you to allocate leg room between the second and third rows. I found the third row to be inhabitable and fairly comfortable but with the second row bench in place as an adult I wouldn't want to spend a longer trip in the third row.
cargo space- in the rear cargo I was actually surprised but the escalade ESV does seem to have larger cargo space- width they are about the same, it just seems like an extra 3-4" of depth for the Escalade.
Center counsel space is huge- I think it could swallow a 12 pack of soda- there is a small sliding shelf to help organize and there is a 12vDC receptacle in the storage area as well. i would say similar to the space in the Escalade- GM splits this space into two separate compartments- so more of preference than total size.
Glovebox- Usefully sized in the Expedition- two shelves and to me a fair amount of room- much more useful than the Escalade.
ENGINE
So this is my first time with the 3.5 ecoboost. All I can say is the Expedition moves really well. I honestly didn't floor the Expedition so I couldn't tell you who would win in a drag race- but the ecoboost just has tons of torque- thats the main personality of this motor - just dip into the throttle and the expedition just goes. Where the 6.2 v8 in the Escalade needs some revs to get a response the ecoboost is more like a diesel motor, no revs really needed just a massive reserve of torque that moves the vehicle forward.
I do have an aftermarket exhaust on the Escalade so I do get a nice burble and exhaust note from the V8, in comparison the ecoboost really doesn't have an exhaust note or much personality. The ecoboost is smooth- better throttle response and most likely performance compared to the GM V8- I think around town the expedition will be more responsive.
TRANSMISSION
The six speed in the GMT600 platform works- I find some the gearing ratios to be a bit wide but overall no complaints from me.
The 10 speed in the Expedition shifts smoothly and in everyday driving you wouldn't know its a 10 speed transmission- this is a compliment. I will say in more extended driving in the XLT FX4 model - there is a little searching when moving at slow speeds - as an example slow roll where you don't come to a complete stop and then add throttle - too light on the throttle and it searches for a second- more decisive on throttle and its all good to go.
ELECTRONICS
I like the info display between the gauges on the 202a package( std on Limited and above) there is a lot of information available and you can configure your own preference menu. Not as cool as the the virtual cockpit on Audi/VW but good vehicle information. The new sync 3 ( or at least new to me) works well - I like the interface and the apple carpal integration is awesome and honestly if your doing carplay or android auto you don;t need the navigation. The touchscreen is responsive and has a nice matte finish that seems to help reduce glare and fingerprints.
When equipped with the 202A package both Expeditions have multiple USB port in each row plus a built in WIFI hotspot-
I will say the largest difference in the trim levels to me was the B&O sound system. Double check but I don't think you can get this system in the XLT. Based on the my small sample size- I was really impressed with the B&O system - comparing the two systems- its not really close, I can live with the base system in the XLT- I love the B&O system. Much more depth. clarity , and bass response on the B&O.
Other items I can't really comment on- the Limited I test drove had the adaptive cruise control, auto parking, 360 degree camera ( pretty cool) lane keep assist, pre collision etc. I couldn't really sample all of that in a test drive. I did get the lane assist when exiting an offramp and crossing the shoulder line marker. I believe you can equip any model with these features if they are important to you.
Thats pretty much it, I like the new Expedition I think its a very competitive vehicle in the segment and if you need a full size rig you really need to give it look.
For me- I bought the XLT FX4 max- now its on to some bumper upgrades, some LED lighting, and going to replace the factory speakers with some upgraded units.
If you have more questions I will try to check back in and answer.
