How much better is the 18 vs 17.

[shell waster]

We bought a 17 Platinum EL in September and got a very good deal (big rebate plus employee dicsount). We knew about the changes but what sealed the deal was the ridiculous high trade we got. We love it, what a great ride, nice standard tow package too. We get 17 mpg. So comparing the 3rd gen to 4th what are the big pluses...thinking of adding a new one in 3 years. How does the 10 speed trans shift, towing etc. Thanks

 

[Garrett]

To me it's no comparison. However, I've only been in a 2017 twice....

 

[edizzle]

It is going from a platform that is 10 years old to a brand new 2018!!!!! I’d say there are some significant upgrades!

 

[JExpedition07]

It is going from a platform that is 10 years old to a brand new 2018!!!!! I’d say there are some significant upgrades!

Actually our trucks are based on the 2003 platform..... 14 year run. That speaks a lot to their quality. As with anything we must forge onward

 

[dlcorbett]

The biggest upgrade is the interior packaging, the room and ease of use in the 18 blows away the room and usability in the 17. It feels less ponderous asit leans less and feels muuch tighter around turns. Its also has a more connected feel than the 17. I do feel like the std sys in the 17 had a more cushy feel, the std sus on the 18s are very firm, but the ccd in the 18 works better from wat most ppl review. By time your intetested, these trucks will most likely have gone through a mid cycle refresh and will be better still.

 

[rcompart]

We had a 2014 and a 2017 before our new 2018. The EcoBoost and Sync3 in the 2017 were the only really substantial improvements over the 2014 and they did the EcoBoost no favors by keeping the 6R80 transmission. Overall, it was an incremental upgrade, like going from a Motel 6 to a Holiday Inn. The 2017 to 2018 on the other hand has a list of improvements and upgrades that go on for days and has been like going from a Holiday Inn to a Hilton.

 

[shane_th_ee]

Adding a new one? As in you would own two Expeditions? Can I ask why? I'm trying to imagine a use case in which two Expeditions is a better choice than one expedition and one minivan or one expedition and one F-150/F-250. Maybe if one lived in some remote desert compound with 2 or three wives and 8-10 kids...

 

[rcompart]

We only have our 2018 Expy, one wife and currently two children with more to come. LOL

We purposely purchased our 2017 back in May of last year, for the same reasons we purchased our 2014 in August of 2014. Both were an established platform with a couple years in their current revisions and a new model or refresh was coming out so the dealers were happy to get the old ones off the lot to make room for the new ones. The assumption with our 2017 was that like our 2014, all the kinks would be worked out and we could do the same with a 2020 Expy in a couple years but we had a couple very significant issues with it that we were unable to get resolved after a multitude of trips to the dealer and in the end, we decided to trade the 2017 in. It wasn’t an issue with the 3rd gen being a bad vehicle as our 2014 provided us with a perfect ownership experience. It was just that the particular vehicle we purchased was a doozy. God laughs at the best laid plans.

 

[J Ski]

We bought a 17 Platinum EL in September and got a very good deal (big rebate plus employee dicsount). We knew about the changes but what sealed the deal was the ridiculous high trade we got. We love it, what a great ride, nice standard tow package too. We get 17 mpg. So comparing the 3rd gen to 4th what are the big pluses...thinking of adding a new one in 3 years. How does the 10 speed trans shift, towing etc. Thanks

Stick with the 17. Get the 18 if you want to be joked about driving a Ford minivan bc that’s all it really is.

 

[shane_th_ee]

Stick with the 17. Get the 18 if you want to be joked about driving a Ford minivan bc that’s all it really is.

Can you please point me to the minivan with an 8000lb towing capacity, skid plates and a two-speed locking transfer case? I'd really like to save the $20k-30k your post implies (my deposit is refundable). And living in the city with little kids, the power sliding doors are much preferred.

 

[rcompart]

Stick with the 17. Get the 18 if you want to be joked about driving a Ford minivan bc that’s all it really is.

Yup, I laugh at myself every time I get in my new “minivan”.

Can you remind me what the Taurus X was classified as. That’s what you’re driving, right?

 

[J Ski]

Yup, I laugh at myself every time I get in my new “minivan”.

Can you remind me what the Taurus X was classified as. That’s what you’re driving, right?

Yeah bro, totally.

 

[dlcorbett]

Did your lift effect how ur truck drives?

 

[J Ski]

Did your lift effect how ur truck drives?

No. Suspension geometry only adversely effected if lifting the front more than what this kit did. If anything effected how the truck drives it’s the 35” tires. These obviously aren’t meant to be speed demons but the lift and 35s sets it apart from every other stock Ex where I live, it handles just as good if not a little better than stock, and it’s badass. Here’s a shot I took this morning at Home Depot parked in front of a 17 on 22s.

 

[gtnator]

Actually our trucks are based on the 2003 platform..... 14 year run. That speaks a lot to their quality. As with anything we must forge onward

Exactly, 17 vs 18 sounds like just one year difference but really, in this case, its about 14 years worth of advancement.

As my Ford dealer put it during the test drive, "in 2018, Ford decided to finally compete with GM. The Suburban was hogging the market." LOL, it was funny when he said it with a straight face.

 

[JExpedition07]

Exactly, 17 vs 18 sounds like just one year difference but really, in this case, its about 14 years worth of advancement.

As my Ford dealer put it during the test drive, "in 2018, Ford decided to finally compete with GM. The Suburban was hogging the market." LOL, it was funny when he said it with a straight face.

I’m perfectly happy with Fords 14 year old design, it works. Solid boxed chassis and body that hold to the test of time. I think the 17’ Expedition is a better truck than the newer suburban. Most car buyers don’t keep their vehicles long and work on them so they don’t really know what makes a truck “good” or not and GM lured them in with cheap gimmicks, but it worked. Most just see creature comforts and some leather and think it’s quality. But the GM units that are updated all the time: let’s be honest they are far more problematic. Ford had all the kinks worked out by 2005. We don’t know how the 18’ will fair for 5 more years, time will tell. Don’t get me wrong the GM is a good truck, I would consider one, but I’m aware that the physical characteristics are more prone to problems. Let’s be honest “better” is very subjective and Varies from one to another.

 

[shell waster]

Exactly, 17 vs 18 sounds like just one year difference but really, in this case, its about 14 years worth of advancement.

As my Ford dealer put it during the test drive, "in 2018, Ford decided to finally compete with GM. The Suburban was hogging the market." LOL, it was funny when he said it with a straight face.

We test drived a Yukon xl and couldn't get over how gutless it was compared to the Ford

 

[NASCAR Mike]

For me I think the difference is the 10 speed transmission and more horsepower. I would be curious to know how the 10 speed trans will hold up over the years.

On the 2017 models, the six speed trans is very reliable is rock solid. The JMS Boostmax on 87 octane adds 45 HP and 45 ft/lbs torque so my power rating is higher than the 2018's.

I am not a big fan of the 2018 redesign. It looks too much like a Suburban.

 

[JExpedition07]

For me I think the difference is the 10 speed transmission and more horsepower. I would be curious to know how the 10 speed trans will hold up over the years.

On the 2017 models, the six speed trans is very reliable is rock solid. The JMS Boostmax on 87 octane adds 45 HP and 45 ft/lbs torque so my power rating is higher than the 2018's.

I am not a big fan of the 2018 redesign. It looks too much like a Suburban.

Do we know if the 10 speed is serviceable by the owner? Kind of important as the vehicle ages. The new expy kinda looks wagon-ish I don’t think it looks much like the burb except from maybe the side. They are pretty different but I like the burb and yukon better with the flat face and truck like stance and belt line. But some might prefer the expys sleek lines.

 

[Michael Shepherd]

Yup, I laugh at myself every time I get in my new “minivan”.

Can you remind me what the Taurus X was classified as. That’s what you’re driving, right?

The Taurus X (originally Ford Freestyle) was categorized as a crossover. Before the Exp, we had a 2007 Freestyle and aside from an issue with the A/C compressor and blend door controller, the car ran like a top, averaging 22 mpg city and 28 on the open roads. Enjoying our Expedition which has nearly twice the fuel capacity, but over 1700 miles of driving and it has yet to crack 17 mpg.