25-26, yay or nay

[Calman2k]

Hey all, I have a 2016 EL and I'm looking at a Max. I'm thinking a 25 or 26 because the 4x4 Active has just about exactly what I want. I know 25 was the new model year, so can anyone weigh in on the 25 or if I should go for the 26?
It doesn't seem like the 25 is that different from the 24, so wondering if the new model year is that much of a risk.
Thanks all.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Ford has issued at least 104 separate safety recalls involving approximately 9.5 million vehicles so far in 2025.

I’d be very leery of buying any new Ford.

 

[DieselMonk]

If you can get over the split tailgate and the steering wheel… for me a no go.

 

[dlcorbett]

Its a highly improved product. Im sure the 25s will go on sale during the holiday. The expy is doing very well with customers and journalists, moreso than any other generation of the big girl.

 

[iaazan]

we had a 2016 platinum and went for the 25 since the same 3.5 ecoboost was in it, and we haven't had any regrets.

 

[SunnySunshine]

Go with the 25 model. It seems they cutting costs on the 26. No wireless charger, plus a few other things.

 

[dlcorbett]

Go with the 25 model. It seems they cutting costs on the 26. No wireless charger, plus a few other things.

Hey, welcome back. Thought you left us for the gm forums lol.

 

[Calman2k]

Go with the 25 model. It seems they cutting costs on the 26. No wireless charger, plus a few other things.

Thanks. The 25 seems like a really good truck. I especially like the active coming with HD tow with the 4WD. I have kids and live where it gets hot in the summer so the cloth seats would be good (and they hold up better to car seats) and the bench is better to get the extra seat. Seems like the 4WD (for winter crappy weather) Active is everything I want and I don't need to add anything. Even the base model will have a ton more stuff than my 16 xlt

 

[brazilusa]

Here is the 2025 vs. 2026 Ford Expedition Active trims side by side so you can see what actually changed year over year.

Feature	2025 Ford Expedition Active	2026 Ford Expedition Active
Starting MSRP	~$62,320 (RWD) / ~$65,320 (4WD)	~$62,400 (RWD) / ~$65,400 (4WD)
Engine	3.5L EcoBoost V6, 400 hp	3.5L EcoBoost V6, 400 hp (440 hp High-Output available)
Transmission	10‑speed automatic	10‑speed automatic
Drivetrain	RWD standard, 4WD optional	RWD standard, 4WD optional
Fuel Economy (EPA est.)	16 city / 24 hwy / 19 combined	Similar estimates (not significantly changed)
Seating	8 passengers	8 passengers
Infotainment	24" display, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, 6 speakers	24" display, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, 6 speakers
Connectivity	Ford Digital Experience w/ 5G hotspot, karaoke, streaming (1‑yr free, or $745 one‑time for 7 yrs)	Same Ford Digital Experience package standard
Optional Package	Active Touring Edition ($4,215): Panoramic Vista Roof, ActiveX seating, heated wheel/seats, wireless charging, Co‑Pilot Active 2.0	Similar Touring/comfort upgrades available
Safety	Blind‑spot monitoring, lane keep assist, rear cross‑traffic alert, adaptive cruise, pre‑collision assist	Same suite of driver‑assist features standard
Interior Colors	Cloth or ActiveX seating surfaces	Cloth or leatherette (Ultra Dark Space Gray, Space Gray)
Exterior Colors	Standard Ford palette	Expanded palette (Marsh Gray, Stone Blue Metallic, Glacier Gray Tri‑Coat, etc.)
Warranty	3 yr / 36,000 mi basic	3 yr / 36,000 mi basic

Key Takeaways​

• Pricing barely changed: only a few hundred dollars difference between 2025 and 2026.
• Engines are the same, but 2026 highlights the availability of the 440‑hp High‑Output EcoBoost (borrowed from higher trims).
• Tech & safety remain consistent, with the 24" screen and Ford Digital Experience standard.
• 2026 adds more interior/exterior color options, giving buyers more personalization.
• Optional Touring package continues to bundle luxury touches like panoramic roof and heated features.

So, if you’re cross‑shopping, the 2026 Active trim is essentially a carryover with minor refinements—mainly color choices and the option to step up to the higher‑output engine if you want more punch. - Validate this information on your own

 

[ShawnP]

I will be ordering a 26....

 

[billb1000]

Hey all, I have a 2016 EL and I'm looking at a Max. I'm thinking a 25 or 26 because the 4x4 Active has just about exactly what I want. I know 25 was the new model year, so can anyone weigh in on the 25 or if I should go for the 26?
It doesn't seem like the 25 is that different from the 24, so wondering if the new model year is that much of a risk.
Thanks all.

I would go for the 25. The Active Touring package has lots of great features including Blue Cruise, Lane Centering, Sunroof (only '25, not '26), Heated Steering Wheel, etc.
They deleted the wireless charging for 26.
My 25 Active with 7k miles has been perfect so far and its ride and handling are very impressive. Great gas mileage too- 23 highway and 19 mixed.

 

[GlennSullivan]

Ford has issued at least 104 separate safety recalls involving approximately 9.5 million vehicles so far in 2025.

I’d be very leery of buying any new Ford.

This is very unfortunate, but very true. Are the 26's better than the 18-21's yeah, are they sorted out yet, no.

Personally, I'm waiting for 3 things. So it may be another year.
1) Sort out electrical problems being reported.
2) Restore some of the physical controls & buttons.
3) Allow ordering with body colored tailgate.

 

[Rower4VT]

This is very unfortunate, but very true. Are the 26's better than the 18-21's yeah, are they sorted out yet, no.

Personally, I'm waiting for 3 things. So it may be another year.
1) Sort out electrical problems being reported.
2) Restore some of the physical controls & buttons.
3) Allow ordering with body colored tailgate.

#3 is critical! Unless it’s a black Expedition, the black piece of the tailgate looks horrible. I love my ‘21, but if I was going to get a new one the first thing I’d do is have the tailgate color-matched to the rest of the vehicle.

I’m not a huge fan of the headlights either…they have a Chevy feel to them, which, if you’re on this forum, is not a good thing.

Other than that, Ford has seems to have worked out many of the weak areas of the 3.5L and the trans over the past decade.

 

[dlcorbett]

Maybe theres not alot of owners in the forum, but it seems the expedition is doing great in terms of initial quality. Not too many pppl have complained about electrical issues if at all. Now the navigator on the other hand...

 

[lobsenza]

This is very unfortunate, but very true. Are the 26's better than the 18-21's yeah, are they sorted out yet, no.

Personally, I'm waiting for 3 things. So it may be another year.
1) Sort out electrical problems being reported.
2) Restore some of the physical controls & buttons.
3) Allow ordering with body colored tailgate.

Number 2 is critical for me. I want physical buttons for basic things (mirrors, HVAC, power tilt/telescope steering column, ideally heated/cooled sets, etc

 

[aggiegrad05]

Maybe theres not alot of owners in the forum, but it seems the expedition is doing great in terms of initial quality. Not too many pppl have complained about electrical issues if at all. Now the navigator on the other hand...

I've been noticing the same thing...

I was an early adopter of the 4th gen (I got my '18 in early Feb of '18) and this forum was FULL of people, including myself, complaining about and looking for solutions to myriad problems. Some were significant, some were not, but there certianly were a LOT of issues we were dealing with.

This 5th gen thread is...pretty boring; it's mostly folks trading pictures, talking about upgrades, checking order status, etc. There is nowhere NEAR the volume of problems being raised relative to the first couple years of the 4th gen.

 

[3rd Expyowner123]

Aggiegrad05- Excellent observation! Also own a 2018 and have to agree, the issues brought up on the 25’s are few and far between versus the 2018’s.
As the owner of a 2018, I feel hesitant to buy first year new models. With that said, my truck was fine until about the two year mark. Now at 100k, my vehicle looks brand new and working fine. (On third water pump, third set of Cam Phasers, rear limited slip differential overhauled, (1) catalytic converter replaced, transmission overhauled, new heater hoses and a water pump elbow hose replaced, along with maintenance items like brakes and fluids.

 

[aggiegrad05]

Aggiegrad05- Excellent observation! Also own a 2018 and have to agree, the issues brought up on the 25’s are few and far between versus the 2018’s.
As the owner of a 2018, I feel hesitant to buy first year new models. With that said, my truck was fine until about the two year mark. Now at 100k, my vehicle looks brand new and working fine. (On third water pump, third set of Cam Phasers, rear limited slip differential overhauled, (1) catalytic converter replaced, transmission overhauled, new heater hoses and a water pump elbow hose replaced, along with maintenance items like brakes and fluids.

My maintenance list is similar to yours....and I currently have a CEL on due to at least one O2 sensor.

That said, while mine looks pretty mint (a couple scuffs here and there), after 100k miles I know I am on borrowed time....so that's why my new '26 Tremor is being built the week of 11/17!

 

[dlcorbett]

I've been noticing the same thing...

I was an early adopter of the 4th gen (I got my '18 in early Feb of '18) and this forum was FULL of people, including myself, complaining about and looking for solutions to myriad problems. Some were significant, some were not, but there certianly were a LOT of issues we were dealing with.

This 5th gen thread is...pretty boring; it's mostly folks trading pictures, talking about upgrades, checking order status, etc. There is nowhere NEAR the volume of problems being raised relative to the first couple years of the 4th gen.

Same here. My 18 was also a first build and it was delivered with a cut in the seat. There were also a good amount of small issues like the tapping mirror, bt connection loss, and a lot of rear rattles, but no major issues and got us everywhere we needed in comfort. Im glad the 25s are a much improved product.

 

[jkp71]

Aggiegrad05- Excellent observation! Also own a 2018 and have to agree, the issues brought up on the 25’s are few and far between versus the 2018’s.
As the owner of a 2018, I feel hesitant to buy first year new models. With that said, my truck was fine until about the two year mark. Now at 100k, my vehicle looks brand new and working fine. (On third water pump, third set of Cam Phasers, rear limited slip differential overhauled, (1) catalytic converter replaced, transmission overhauled, new heater hoses and a water pump elbow hose replaced, along with maintenance items like brakes and fluids.

I hope you are proven correct, but the reality is most of us '25 owners barely have an oil change under our belt so the issues and reliability remain TBD.