The HORRIBLE steering wheel prevents me...

[TheDoug]

... from buying the new Expedition or Navigator. I have a 2018 Plat right now and I was thinking about a new one.

Last weekend I went on a trip to Kentucky to hit the Bourbon distilleries and rented a 2025 Expedition. I could not get used to that horrible shaped steering wheel. It is actually a deal breaker for me, there is no way I could drive with that.

With that said, if there were an aftermarket wheel available to swap I would buy one. Has anyone come across or heard about any company designing one?

 

[lv2drive]

... from buying the new Expedition or Navigator. I have a 2018 Plat right now and I was thinking about a new one.

Last weekend I went on a trip to Kentucky to hit the Bourbon distilleries and rented a 2025 Expedition. I could not get used to that horrible shaped steering wheel. It is actually a deal breaker for me, there is no way I could drive with that.

With that said, if there were an aftermarket wheel available to swap I would buy one. Has anyone come across or heard about any company designing one?

i'm 100% with you (Rant incoming)... after numerous test drives i just can't get past it. i am so used to letting the wheel slide through my hands as it comes out of slow turns, and at this point in my driving career there s no way i'm gonna "re-invent the wheel" of the way i drive (couldn't help it) because some jackwagon at Ford design rode in his "friend's" tesla and had an epifany... its probably the same soft palmed moron (who hasn't ever have to lift anything into his vehicle) who after riding in his other "friend's" X7 decided it would be a good idea to add the split tailgate, and heck why not remove the physical headlight controls... wait, actually, lets remove nearly ALL the controls but put the drive mode knob where the headlight switch normally goes on EVERY SINGLE VEHICLE IN HISTORY. i'm sure soon there won't be a turn signal / wiper stick soon the rate we are going... maybe next the windows will roll down when we look at them and nod. I'm shopping for a '24, with a real steering wheel, a TRUCK dashboard that has buttons and knobs, ELSD, + a normal tailgate so my dogs can actually jump up in without rupturing their internal organs. (end rant)

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

... from buying the new Expedition or Navigator. I have a 2018 Plat right now and I was thinking about a new one.

Last weekend I went on a trip to Kentucky to hit the Bourbon distilleries and rented a 2025 Expedition. I could not get used to that horrible shaped steering wheel. It is actually a deal breaker for me, there is no way I could drive with that.

With that said, if there were an aftermarket wheel available to swap I would buy one. Has anyone come across or heard about any company designing one?

Ford is being misleading by calling the item a steering wheel, as a wheel is round - and not irregularly shaped.

 

[bryan8252]

Could not agree more with everyone so far. I would love to buy a current gen Expedition as I love the look of the exterior and most of the interior, but that interior dash and steering thing is a deal breaker. Probably won't get fixed in a minor refresh within the next couple of years either.

 

[TheDoug]

@lv2drive

IS there really no ELSD available? My 2018 has it. That would be strike 2 if that's the case.

Strike 3 is the split rear hatch.(But I could maybe get over this one)

 

[GlennSullivan]

BTW there is a formal name for the steering wheel in its current form - Squircle. Even Tesla saw the error of their ways and offered an optional round steering wheel on the Model S.

One of the reasons I've always preferred Full Size SUVs over pickups is the ease of loading and unloading. Partially because of the lack of a tailgate and complimented by a lower loading floor and side doors to access the forward portion of the load floor when the 2nd row seats are in the down position.

Even the Excursion designers came up with a better solution when a one piece rear hatch would have been too large (long) to be opened in most garages - the horizontal opening split gates.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

The new cars (nearly all makes) are designed by morons, for morons. I am keeping my old cars till the end.

 

[AWAR]

I will restore gen 2 until I die. 04 Expedition EB, 04 Navigator and an 06 Navigator for my daughter.

 

[lv2drive]

@lv2drive

IS there really no ELSD available? My 2018 has it. That would be strike 2 if that's the case.

Strike 3 is the split rear hatch.(But I could maybe get over this one)

@TheDoug according to research & confirmed by our forum guru @LokiWolf , the gen 5 Tremor has an off-road “ELD” , but no longer an ELSD on any of them sadly.

 

[TheDoug]

@TheDoug according to research & confirmed by our forum guru @LokiWolf , the gen 5 Tremor has an off-road “ELD” , but no longer an ELSD on any of them sadly.

Thanks, I just read that post. Man this makes me sad, too many features removed from my 18 for me to buy a new one.

 

[lv2drive]

Thanks, I just read that post. Man this makes me sad, too many features removed from my 18 for me to buy a new one.

unfortunately, I really think they are trying to cater to a client base that doesn’t really know, pay attention to those kinds of things, or frankly even care. I’d be willing to bet that 90% of the sales are for grocery getter moms, honestly. I’m all for innovation but it needs to be based in practicality and realism, and these key fumbles in the GEN 5 just completely missed the mark, and I think those of us who don’t like it are in the minority…. + it’s a real shame because the new ones drive / ride / feel great. SMH

 

[texsn95]

i'm 100% with you (Rant incoming)... after numerous test drives i just can't get past it. i am so used to letting the wheel slide through my hands as it comes out of slow turns, and at this point in my driving career there s no way i'm gonna "re-invent the wheel" of the way i drive (couldn't help it) because some jackwagon at Ford design rode in his "friend's" tesla and had an epifany... its probably the same soft palmed moron (who hasn't ever have to lift anything into his vehicle) who after riding in his other "friend's" X7 decided it would be a good idea to add the split tailgate, and heck why not remove the physical headlight controls... wait, actually, lets remove nearly ALL the controls but put the drive mode knob where the headlight switch normally goes on EVERY SINGLE VEHICLE IN HISTORY. i'm sure soon there won't be a turn signal / wiper stick soon the rate we are going... maybe next the windows will roll down when we look at them and nod. I'm shopping for a '24, with a real steering wheel, a TRUCK dashboard that has buttons and knobs, ELSD, + a normal tailgate so my dogs can actually jump up in without rupturing their internal organs. (end rant)

Lol, my thoughts exactly, will never consider a 25+ unless they revert back to normal on some things. Love our hard buttons and knobs in our Limited.

 

[LokiWolf]

My wife test drove the 25's and all of the above is why she is driving a 2025 Explorer ST now instead of an Expedition. Good combo of screens and physical buttons, a round steering wheel and click real physical buttons on the steering wheel.

We don't really need the space we used to need, and I have my 2021 F150 PowerBoost, that can do the heavy stuff that the Expedition used to do some of. The ST was cheaper, no ELSD, just a more classic AWD, Now you can get the large motor and a Torsen Rear LSD in the 2026 Explorer Tremor. Basically an Offroad ST with more clearance and a Torsen rear...might be her next SUV.

Ford isn't listening to us that want a more trucky SUV. The Expedition is going more and more up scale, and fluffy.

 

[Grrumpy]

Ford is being misleading by calling the item a steering wheel, as a wheel is round - and not irregularly shaped.

Just be thankful Ford never went with this possibility for their trucks........

 

[jkp71]

If you need a round steering wheel and knobs / switches that rival a 747 Chevy has a Tahoe they'll sell you...

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

If you need a round steering wheel and knobs / switches that rival a 747 Chevy has a Tahoe they'll sell you...

Ford lost me as a customer due to poor quality, lack of parts and poor dealer service.

I bought a new Tahoe Premier 4WD and have been very happy with it. The touch controls have easy to see and use redundant knobs and switches. (And a round, perfect thickness heated steering wheel).

 

[Rob6805]

Ford lost me as a customer due to poor quality, lack of parts and poor dealer service.

I bought a new Tahoe Premier 4WD and have been very happy with it. The touch controls have easy to see and use redundant knobs and switches. (And a round, perfect thickness heated steering wheel).

Hope you didn't get the 6.2L...
I've got a good friend who works at GM as a powertrain service parts release engineer. I am also looking at a new Tahoe to replace our 21 Expedition. His message was do NOT get the 6.2. Get the 5.3L or 3.0 diesel.

 

[LokiWolf]

Hope you didn't get the 6.2L...
I've got a good friend who works at GM as a powertrain service parts release engineer. I am also looking at a new Tahoe to replace our 21 Expedition. His message was do NOT get the 6.2. Get the 5.3L or 3.0 diesel.

The baby Duramax would be my choice... The 5.3 was anemic when I test drove it.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Hope you didn't get the 6.2L...
I've got a good friend who works at GM as a powertrain service parts release engineer. I am also looking at a new Tahoe to replace our 21 Expedition. His message was do NOT get the 6.2. Get the 5.3L or 3.0 diesel.

I purchased a new one with the 5.3L engine. The 6.2L requires premium fuel and I do not tow, strictly passenger use. The 6.2L has had MANY quality problems and numerous failures. The round, heated steering wheel was standard too!

 

[Rob6805]

The baby Duramax would be my choice... The 5.3 was anemic when I test drove it.

Same