Thinking of a newer Expedition

[Ed Fogle]

I have a 2017 Expedition Limited. Would like to get a newer model in hopes of getting more and better features, particularly in the area of electronics and interior? Is there one model year starting from2018 and on that has a real step up in features? Or should I assume 2018 and newer, being 5th generation versus my 4th generation, would be a significant improvement. Have I answered my own question? Hope I’m not being too vague in what I’m looking for. Just a noticeable step up from my 2017 while keeping cost in mind.

 

[Fastcar]

I have a 2017 Expedition Limited. Would like to get a newer model in hopes of getting more and better features, particularly in the area of electronics and interior? Is there one model year starting from2018 and on that has a real step up in features? Or should I assume 2018 and newer, being 5th generation versus my 4th generation, would be a significant improvement. Have I answered my own question? Hope I’m not being too vague in what I’m looking for. Just a noticeable step up from my 2017 while keeping cost in mind.

A number of folks thought about a 2025 Expy and then decided it wasn't for them and went to a 2024. Seems most of the major problems have been taken care of with the 2024. ymmv

 

[aggiegrad05]

I have a 2017 Expedition Limited. Would like to get a newer model in hopes of getting more and better features, particularly in the area of electronics and interior? Is there one model year starting from2018 and on that has a real step up in features? Or should I assume 2018 and newer, being 5th generation versus my 4th generation, would be a significant improvement. Have I answered my own question? Hope I’m not being too vague in what I’m looking for. Just a noticeable step up from my 2017 while keeping cost in mind.

Your 2017 is a 3rd Gen.

2018-2024 is the 4th gen and is a competely different vehicle than what you have now and will offer significantly different features than what you are used to. The 2018 was the first major redesign of the expi since 2007 and was completely different inside and out. So yours is more similar to the 2007 model than the 2018.

2025+ is the 5th gen. I would say (although others may disagree) that there was a much larger difference between the 3rd and 4th gens than between the 4th and 5th.

Going from yours to any 2018-2024 will feel like a significant upgrade (as long as you dont require a V8). If you are price sensitive and would like to find a good deal on a used one while still feeling like you made a significant change, I'd certianly suggest a 2023/2024. If you want to skip the 4th gen completely, jump to the 2025 or (even better) buy a new 2026 so you can avoid all the typical "first model year problems" that may manifest in the 2025 over the years.

 

[Armin]

A number of folks thought about a 2025 Expy and then decided it wasn't for them and went to a 2024. Seems most of the major problems have been taken care of with the 2024. ymmv

This is what I did last week.

The tailgate was a big no-no for me as a biker (as well IMHO that it looks bad with most colors). I really hope Ford did the math (people who really like a large pickup style tailgate, vs people like me for whom the tailgate is a big issue) here. Ford not introducing the PowerBoost was not helping either.

I also drove a 2025 Suburban for a week and loved the look, but was not impressed about the ride. Granted it was a poverty-spec rental, but the 5.3 engine is even more a step back. Plus I was surprised about the fairly hard ride, as many reviews complain about the non-CCD '24 Expedition being worse. I suspect type of wheels (20 vs 22+) and surface (smooth city vs backcountry/rural) determine the difference in experience.

So, when my dealer gave me a 15K discount and good trade-in on a 2024 the deal was quickly made. That should get me going until the 6th gen.

 

[dlcorbett]

After driving a 25, my wife and I both thought the 5th gen was vastly superior to the 4th gen. The ride is way better (ccd) and handles easier, we liked the split tailgate (sry about the bike rack, they should make a rack that connects to the tow hitch) and better cargo room (swb). The 4th gen touch controls arent as Intuitive as the 5th gens, though theres more controls. I like that the steering wheel and pedal controls are in the steering wheel, though i agree the touch pads are but wonky. The only thing the 4th gen does better rele is 2nd and 3rd row leg room.

 

[Armin]

After driving a 25, my wife and I both thought the 5th gen was vastly superior to the 4th gen. The ride is way better (ccd) and handles easier, we liked the split tailgate (sry about the bike rack, they should make a rack that connects to the tow hitch) and better cargo room (swb). The 4th gen touch controls arent as Intuitive as the 5th gens, though theres more controls. I like that the steering wheel and pedal controls are in the steering wheel, though i agree the touch pads are but wonky. The only thing the 4th gen does better rele is 2nd and 3rd row leg room.

To clarify, my bike rack is connected to the tow hitch. Problem is that you cannot open the tailgate anymore with the rack installed. On 4th gen and all competition, you can open the glass tailgate and access stuff, throw in the helmets etc. Also for longer roadtrips that is very convenient.

Granted I have an expensive one that can tilt, but with 4 bikes loaded that is not good for my back. If you don't bike, obviously not an issue, but for me it was.

 

[bb37]

On 4th gen and all competition, you can open the glass tailgate and access stuff, throw in the helmets etc.

I SAG for bike rides. The opening tailgate is convenient for reaching in to grab the air pump or a bottle of water when helping a rider along the road.

 

[ZigZagFred]

We have a 2019 Limited. It's a completely re-designed vehicle (4th Gen). New engine, new transmission, new frame, new suspension, new electronics, new dash, etc. The fifth gen are really nice too, but they're a little pricey. We love our 4th Gen Expy.

 

[Moeman]

It all depends on what you like. I'm not a fan of all the buggy tech in cars these days. Give me some parking sensors, blind spot, a decent interface to my phone and I'm good. I'd rather the OEM spends money to give me quality materials and great ride and handling. The American public, however, seems to be sold on more gadgets equating to luxury. Personally I think the smaller screen in the previous gen is the perfect size. We said "nope" to the massive screen when it came to choosing our 22, opting instead for physical buttons. The 25 is also a "nope" for us. It seems that buttons may actually be starting to make a comeback as some OEM's conceded that cars are not cell phones. I've said before that I will probably be the last person on the planet holding out for physical buttons. When there are none of those left on the market, well.. I guess I just keep what I have running until I die.

 

[dr2024]

Go find a dealer with both 2024s and 2025s and see what you think of the tailgate and steering wheel/instrument panel differences.

I opted for a 2024 because I prefer the liftgate over the split tailgate. (Plus I prefer the 2024 cosmetics, and price incentives on the remaining 2024s are attractive).

If used, looking for a 2023-2024 is good - the 10 speed transmissions received several upgraded parts in late 2022 that addressed durability issues.

 

[Ed Fogle]

One thing I was wondering is did they improve the floor when the seats are folded down? My 2017 has a definite gap between the second and third rows when folded. I put blankets in the gap to protect my dog’s legs. Maybe an unfair comparison but the ultimate floor when seats folded would be like Chrysler and Dodge minivans where it’s more like one flat floor with no gaps. That’s the ideal.

 

[aggiegrad05]

Go find a dealer with both 2024s and 2025s and see what you think of the tailgate and steering wheel/instrument panel differences.

I opted for a 2024 because I prefer the liftgate over the split tailgate. (Plus I prefer the 2024 cosmetics, and price incentives on the remaining 2024s are attractive).

If used, looking for a 2023-2024 is good - the 10 speed transmissions received several upgraded parts in late 2022 that addressed durability issues.

Good take here.

I will say, though, don't look at the 5th gen dash and immediately say "eww, no, I'm out". Because I did that. I had completely written off the 5th gen because of the squircle steering wheel and weird dash and had ordered a different vehicle. But then I actually lived with a 5th gen for a week as a rental and realized it all works.

And yeah, the buttons on the steering wheel are different and not labeled, but you quickly memorize what they all do (just like "normal" lableled buttons)...and if you have to look down to confirm, you only drop your eyes to the level of the speedo, not all the way down to the wheel itself.

And yeah, the climate control is controlled by a screen, but my climate is always on "AUTO" so I am happy to have them delete buttons I never use. Same with the seat controls. And the headlights. And the mirror/steering wheel adjustment. When automakers do stupid stuff like move the volume control into a screen, that's dumb. But when they move the controls for an automated system whose buttons I never use anyway...it is o-ok with me.

I am not trying to convince anyone of anything here. I am just suggesting no one should look at the "different" set up and immediately say "nope, that looks different from my last car, I'm not interested in that". If you've loved Expeditions in the past, do yourself a favor, spend $200 and rent one from Enterprise or Turo for a few days and see if you have the same realization I did...the whole arrangement works pretty darn well.

Or just go get a lighly used 4th gen and be happy.

 

[Moeman]

Good take here.

I will say, though, don't look at the 5th gen dash and immediately say "eww, no, I'm out". Because I did that. I had completely written off the 5th gen because of the squircle steering wheel and weird dash and had ordered a different vehicle. But then I actually lived with a 5th gen for a week as a rental and realized it all works.

And yeah, the buttons on the steering wheel are different and not labeled, but you quickly memorize what they all do (just like "normal" lableled buttons)...and if you have to look down to confirm, you only drop your eyes to the level of the speedo, not all the way down to the wheel itself.

And yeah, the climate control is controlled by a screen, but my climate is always on "AUTO" so I am happy to have them delete buttons I never use. Same with the seat controls. And the headlights. And the mirror/steering wheel adjustment. When automakers do stupid stuff like move the volume control into a screen, that's dumb. But when they move the controls for an automated system whose buttons I never use anyway...it is o-ok with me.

I am not trying to convince anyone of anything here. I am just suggesting no one should look at the "different" set up and immediately say "nope, that looks different from my last car, I'm not interested in that". If you've loved Expeditions in the past, do yourself a favor, spend $200 and rent one from Enterprise or Turo for a few days and see if you have the same realization I did...the whole arrangement works pretty darn well.

Or just go get a lighly used 4th gen and be happy.

For us its wasn't just the steering wheel and the array of screens. It was the steering wheel, array of screens, and the ugly tailgate

Good feedback, though. And more seriously, there was quite a bit for us that just made it not fit, so it all comes down to how you use your vehicle and what you like and don't like. We have a lot of vehicles in our family which tend to get shared, so markings on buttons help instead of "touch - is that the right one? Nope, how about this one?" We commonly park for a few min with vehicle on, so tend to use parking lights instead of having lights shining in other people's eyes, drive mode frequently used for towing and mountain driving making new location inconvenient, manual shifting commonly used when towing (not sure, but new location seems like more of a stretch for a tall person with seat far back?).

 

[Lee Hartwig]

Had a 2016, XLT extended, bought 2023 XLT Max, similar but totally different. Very pleased, quieter, cameras and doodads all over the place. extras not anticipated, better gas mileage, More power, zero issues for two years.