2026 Ford Expedition

Standard 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 makes 400 hp on the volume Active/Platinum/King Ranch trims; the Tremor gets the 440-hp High-Output tune.

480 lb-ft on the standard V6 is among the strongest in the full-size SUV segment, near the top of the normalization band.

Instrumented tests of the 400-hp Expedition consistently land in the 5.9–6.5 s range; the 440-hp High-Output Tremor is meaningfully quicker.

The twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 delivers strong, mostly seamless power with minimal perceptible turbo lag; reviewers consistently praise its everyday drivability.

The 10-speed SelectShift automatic shifts crisply and rarely hunts for gears, even under trailer load.

9,600 lbs with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package and 3.73 axle is at the top of the full-size SUV segment, exceeding the normalization band ceiling.

RWD is standard with 4WD optional across nearly every trim, including selectable terrain modes; the Tremor adds a locking rear differential and dedicated 4x4 low-range logic.

The Tremor trim brings genuine off-road hardware — 10.6 in ground clearance, Raptor-derived skid plates, 33 in all-terrain tires, e-locking rear diff, and a Rock Crawl mode — well above the segment norm, though short of dedicated off-road SUVs.

The lineup offers only one engine family — a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 in two states of tune (400 hp / 440 hp) — with no hybrid, PHEV, or EV option.

The 2026 Expedition carries over its 400-hp 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6/10-speed powertrain unchanged; EPA rates the volume 4x4 configuration at 19 MPG combined, near the bottom of the full-size SUV band due to the vehicle's size and body-on-frame construction.

EPA city rating is consistent at 17 MPG regardless of drivetrain for the standard 400-hp EcoBoost engine.

Highway MPG varies slightly by drivetrain — 2WD Active reaches 23 MPG hwy while 4x4 trims (the higher-volume configuration in this class) rate 22 MPG hwy.

Standard-wheelbase Expedition carries a 23.6-gal tank; at 19 MPG combined that yields roughly 448 mi of range. The longer-wheelbase MAX's 27.8-gal tank pushes range closer to 530 mi.

At 19 MPG combined and EPA's standard 15,000 mi/yr assumption, annual fuel cost lands around $2,600, consistent with third-party cost-to-own estimates for the closely related 4x4 configuration.

The Expedition runs on regular 87-octane fuel for standard driving; Ford recommends premium only for heavy towing or hot-weather conditions, not as a hard requirement.

NHTSA gave the 2026 Expedition a 5-star overall rating, with 5 stars in frontal and side crash tests and 3 stars in the rollover test — the rollover result is typical for a tall body-on-frame full-size SUV.

The 2026 Expedition (tested as a 2023 XLT 4WD, rating applies to 2023-26) is not an IIHS Top Safety Pick — it earned Good in the side test but Marginal in both the original small overlap front test and the newly-updated moderate overlap front test that adds a rear-seat dummy; IIHS noted a fairly high risk of rear-passenger chest injury from seatbelt forces, and side airbags failed to deploy for the rear dummy in that update test.

Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 is standard on every 2026 Expedition trim starting at the base, bundling AEB with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise with lane centering, BLIS with cross-traffic alert (including trailer coverage), a 360-degree camera, and Pro Trailer Backup/Hitch Assist — a comprehensive suite with no trim gating on core items.

IIHS rated the Expedition's standard front crash prevention system Good for pedestrian avoidance, with the vehicle avoiding the pedestrian dummy in most day and night scenarios (rating applies to 2024-26 models); vehicle-to-vehicle AEB performance was not called out as a weak point.

BLIS with rear cross-traffic alert is standard fleet-wide and includes trailer-tow coverage (extending detection along an attached trailer's length), plus a blind-spot camera feed in the instrument cluster — strong coverage for a vehicle this size and one often used for towing.

Lane-centering steering assist is standard (not just lane-keep warning) across all trims as part of Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, providing continuous small corrections rather than just corrective nudges, though it still requires hands on the wheel and is not class-leading in smoothness.

Adaptive cruise control with lane centering is standard across the entire lineup (not optioned only on upper trims as with many rivals), giving every buyer a capable highway-assist baseline; the hands-free step-up (BlueCruise) is a further available upgrade.

BlueCruise 1.4 hands-free highway driving is available on the Active trim as a one-time $2,495 purchase and comes factory-included on Tremor and King Ranch; it adds Lane Change Assist and In-Lane Repositioning and covers Ford's mapped Blue Zone divided highways — a mature, broadly available system, though not standard on the base trim.

IIHS rated this generation's headlights Marginal: good on the straightaway but fair-to-inadequate on curves with some glare, partially compensated by standard high-beam assist; no trim earns a Good rating.

Standard 360-degree camera, front/rear parking sensors, and an in-cluster blind-spot camera feed meaningfully offset the Expedition's large footprint and thick D-pillars, giving drivers strong situational awareness despite average natural sightlines.

LATCH anchors are provided at all second- and third-row outboard positions, easing multi-seat installs, but a Cars.com car-seat review found the third-row driver-side buckle floppy and hard for kids to grip, and the second-row center buckle drops from the headliner in a way that can block the driver's rear view when in use.

Volume Active/XLT trims offer an 8-passenger config with the standard 2nd-row bench; upper trims swap to 7-seat captain's chairs.

Front headroom near the top of the full-size SUV band.

Generous front legroom near the top of the segment band.

Second-row headroom exceeds the top of the full-size SUV normalization band, reflecting the Expedition's tall, boxy cabin.

Second-row legroom near the top of the segment band; reviewers note ample room even for tall passengers.

Reviewers call the third row genuinely adult-friendly for roominess and comfort, though 6-footers can brush the roofline sitting fully upright; reclining the backrest resolves it.

Mid-pack cargo volume behind the second row for the standard-wheelbase Expedition; the longer MAX trades into the segment's larger end.

Max cargo volume with all rear seats folded is among the largest in the full-size SUV class.

Available Flex Powered Console slides back roughly 8 inches to reveal a concealed compartment, plus strategically placed door pockets and cupholders across all three rows — a standout, segment-leading solution.

Front seats praised for width, bolstering, and long-haul comfort; second-row captain's chairs on upper trims and third row also singled out as genuinely comfortable for adults.

Independent-suspension full-size SUV praised for a plush, well-controlled ride that settles quickly after big impacts, leading much of the segment.

General reviewer commentary describes a composed, quiet-riding cabin, but no instrumented interior-noise (dBA) figures were found for the 2026 model to corroborate best-in-class claims.

Heated front seats standard from Active Touring up, ventilated front seats on Tremor/Platinum/King Ranch, heated 2nd-row captain's chairs available, and tri-zone automatic climate control — a rich, broadly available comfort suite.

Entry XL trim (fleet-oriented base) starts at $57,400 including Ford's destination charge for 2026; the retail-focused entry is the Active trim at $62,400.

Active is the volume retail trim at $62,400 base; typically-equipped pricing with 4x4 and popular option packages lands near $66,500.

Full-size body-on-frame SUV maintenance and repair costs run toward the higher end of the segment; blended estimates put 5-year combined cost near $8,650.

Depreciation estimates vary by source (43%–51% retention); a blended midpoint of ~48.5% sits below body-on-frame rivals like the Suburban/Tahoe/Sequoia but above the segment's luxury/EV outliers.

Standard mainstream-brand bumper-to-bumper coverage, at the low end of the segment band.

Standard Ford powertrain coverage on the twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 and 10-speed transmission, at the low end of the segment band versus Hyundai/Kia's longer terms.

FordPass Rewards grants a welcome bonus of roughly 42,000 points (about $210 in service credit), covering a portion of scheduled maintenance visits, plus roadside assistance bundled through the powertrain warranty term and a FordPass Connect trial — solid but shorter than rivals with true multi-year prepaid maintenance plans.

$66,500 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (48.5% retained, or about $32,253) leaves about $34,248 in depreciation. Add the projected $8,650 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $42,898 in total.

Consumer Reports forecasts the 2026 Expedition will be less reliable than the average new vehicle, carrying forward risk from the prior-generation platform's EcoBoost/10-speed history; this places it below most full-size SUV rivals.

Ford finished near the bottom of J.D. Power's 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study (228 PP100 vs. 204 industry average), ranking ahead of only a handful of brands (GMC, Acura, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Jeep, Land Rover, Volvo, VW) despite a strong initial-quality showing.

Two safety recalls affect the 2022-2026 Expedition range for 2026: an Integrated Trailer Module software issue that can drop trailer brake/turn-signal function, and a windshield wiper arm breakage recall. Neither is fire- or powertrain-related, and the ITRM fix is an OTA/dealer software update — typical activity for the segment, nothing systemic.

The 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 and 10R80 10-speed automatic carry a mixed reputation: the engine itself has a solid high-mileage track record with routine maintenance, but the 10-speed's early (2018-2019) CDF clutch-drum failures drew class-action litigation, and turbo/direct-injection carbon buildup is a known long-term wear point. No new red flags reported for the current generation.

Reviewers describe genuinely premium materials for the price: dominant soft-touch surfaces, well-stitched leather, real wood- and metal-look trim, and a more modern, intentional cabin design than prior generations — a step up though not at German-luxury level.

Ford topped J.D. Power's 2026 Initial Quality Study among mainstream brands (3rd overall), a strong signal for assembly consistency, though a few reviewers flag scattered rough edges (e.g., trim behind the steering wheel).

Ford runs one of the largest dealer networks in the US and led the pickup/truck segment in a 2026 customer service-satisfaction study, indicating dense coverage and strong service experience nationwide.

Parts are widely available through Ford's large dealer and aftermarket network, but full-size, turbocharged-V6 SUV repairs (turbo, 10-speed, air suspension on higher trims) run more expensive than mainstream-segment norms.

The redesigned 2026 Expedition's Ford Digital Experience pairs a 13.2-inch center touchscreen with a 24-inch panoramic instrument display, standard from base Active through King Ranch.

All-new Ford Digital Experience runs Google built-in natively (Assistant, Maps, Play Store) with pinch-to-zoom and parked video/web browsing, marketed as the largest, most capable screen setup in its class — a major step up from the prior SYNC 4 12-inch unit.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every 2026 Expedition trim through the 13.2-inch touchscreen, no cable required.

Google Assistant and Google Maps are built natively into the Ford Digital Experience rather than bolted on, giving genuinely useful voice control and native nav that owners are less likely to bypass for phone projection.

A 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen system is standard on Tremor and Platinum, topped by a 22-speaker B&O Unleashed system on King Ranch — a strong premium-audio spread even if base Active/XLT trims get a more modest setup.

The 24-inch curved panoramic display functions as a fully configurable digital cluster (speed, nav, driver-assist status) standard on every trim including base Active — best-in-class and no analog fallback.

Ford delivers automatic over-the-air updates that improve BlueCruise and other vehicle software over time without a dealer visit, consistent with Ford's broader whole-vehicle OTA push on its newest platforms.

FordPass Connect 5G hotspot (up to 10 devices) is standard on every trim for remote/app connectivity, but phone-as-a-key is limited to premium trims rather than standard across the lineup.

Ford dropped the wireless charging pad for 2026 in favor of 60W USB-C ports spread through the cabin (including front-seatback holders and rear-seat-entertainment screens), which is generous for wired charging but a step back on the wireless-charging front many rivals still offer.

Proximity keyless entry and remote start are expected across the lineup, with phone-as-key added on premium trims — full keyless convenience but not uniformly standard bottom-to-top.

The standard Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0 suite now includes a 360-degree camera across the entire lineup (previously trim-gated), plus blind-spot monitoring and pre-collision assist as standard.

A head-up display is offered on the 2026 Expedition but is concentrated on the upper Platinum and King Ranch trims rather than being available broadly across the lineup.

Wide door openings, running boards, and PowerFold third row make loading kids and gear easy; 8-passenger capacity with LATCH across outboard second/third-row positions covers large families.

Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 and rear occupant alert are standard from the base XL/Active trim up, a strong showing at the entry price point, but IIHS rated the 2026 Expedition only Marginal in small-overlap and moderate-overlap front tests despite a Good side score, which caps the overall safety proposition.

104.6 cu ft of total cargo volume and 20.9 cu ft behind the third row means road-trip luggage fits with all three rows occupied, and the van-like interior width keeps multiple rows comfortable on long drives.

The twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 and 10-speed automatic are smooth around town, but a 210-inch body-on-frame full-size SUV is inherently more effortful in daily traffic and tight spaces than crossover rivals.

EPA-rated around 17/23/19 mpg city/highway/combined (2WD) is typical for a full-size, twin-turbo V6 SUV but well behind commuter-oriented crossovers and hybrids, keeping fuel costs meaningfully above average.

At roughly 210 inches long with a wide footprint, the Expedition is a handful in tight urban parking despite standard front/rear parking sensors and available 360-degree camera assistance.

Up to 9,600 lb max tow rating and 1,863 lb max payload put the Expedition near the top of the full-size SUV class for real work and trailering duty.

Shares its body-on-frame architecture and EcoBoost V6/10-speed driveline with the F-150, giving it a solid durability pedigree, though the twin-turbo powertrain is less proven under sustained hard duty than a traditional naturally-aspirated V8.

The off-road-oriented Tremor trim adds dual 120V outlets and tie-down-friendly cargo areas, but the lineup lacks the deep rack/upfit ecosystem and bed-based work features of a pickup, limiting broader jobsite utility.

Quiet highway manners, standard Co-Pilot360 driver-assist suite, and roughly 23 mpg highway give the Expedition solid mile-eating credentials for road trips, just shy of segment-best hybrid rivals.

The available Tremor trim brings 4x4, 10.6 in of ground clearance (versus 8.7 in on standard trims) and off-road-tuned suspension, giving the lineup genuine light off-pavement and towing-for-toys capability beyond typical pavement-bound full-size SUVs.

PowerFold third-row seats and up to 104.6 cu ft of total cargo volume with a standard hitch make the Expedition exceptionally flexible for bulky gear and towing trailers/toys simultaneously.

Adaptive suspension smooths rough pavement and keeps body roll in check on well-equipped test units, but other 2026 test drives describe noticeable body roll and truck-like responses on standard-suspension trims — secure but unremarkable for the class, not a full-size standout like the Sequoia or Navigator.

Multiple 2026 reviews call the steering dull with lackluster chassis response on standard-suspension trims; the redesigned oblong wheel doesn't add feel despite being lighter to twirl. Not vague or unsafe, just numb — mid-pack for a full-size SUV.

Consumer Reports' 2026 Expedition road test found panic-stop distances 'disappointingly long' versus rivals, worse in the wet, and a pedal that feels grabby on initial application — a clear demerit versus full-size SUV competitors.

The 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 (400 hp standard, 440 hp on Tremor) paired with the 10-speed automatic delivers abundant, smooth power with clean, refined shifts — reviewers describe the whole powertrain experience as refined rather than aggressive.

The twin-turbo V6 produces a 'satisfying V8-like growl' under load rather than a coarse or droning note; some road-induced shudder through the body/steering wheel over expansion joints is a chassis/steering issue rather than a drivetrain noise complaint.

Standard-wheelbase Expedition (122.5 in wheelbase) has a 41.0 ft curb-to-curb turning circle; the longer-wheelbase MAX (131.5 in) grows to 43.3 ft — near the wide end of the full-size SUV band.

Consumer Reports testers found the driver's seat uncomfortable — a reversal from earlier Expedition generations praised for seating comfort — and 'universally hated' the redesigned oblong steering wheel and its unlabeled capacitive-touch controls, calling it a potential deal-breaker.

Strong V6 acceleration and a relaxed, mile-eating highway character make it pleasant on long drives, but this is a big, truck-based SUV with numb steering and body roll rather than an engaging drive — solidly mid-pack, not memorable.

Base Active trim (~$62,700) comes standard with a 24-inch digital instrument cluster, 13.2-inch center touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Google built-in — tech usually reserved for pricier trims on rivals, though the entry price itself is mid-pack for the segment.

U.S. News named the 2026 Expedition its Best Large SUV for the Money, and Edmunds' tester called it a better overall value than the freshly updated Jeep Grand Wagoneer, citing strong content, capability (9,600-lb tow max) and price positioning relative to rivals.

The 2026 lineup consolidates to four core trims — Active, Platinum, Tremor, King Ranch — spanning $62.7K to $87.4K with distinct family, luxury, off-road and Western-luxury personalities, but it's a narrower spread than rivals like Tahoe/Yukon that offer more intermediate trims.

Expedition sold 85,921 units in 2025 (near its best year since 2005) and Q1 2026 sales rose 30% YoY to 17,554 units, gaining segment share, though it still trails the Tahoe/Suburban and Yukon in combined volume.

Ford's full-size SUV franchise carries solid mainstream loyalty and heritage but lacks the aspirational halo of luxury full-size rivals (Escalade, Range Rover, Navigator); image is a steady asset rather than a differentiator.

As of mid-2026 there's no cash-back rebate on Expedition, only elevated APR offers (6.7-6.8%) plus narrow-eligibility model-year-closeout and UAW cash — modest deals reflecting healthy demand rather than heavy discounting.

The Expedition was fully redesigned for MY2025 (fifth generation) with new styling, cabin, and digital dash; 2026 is the second model year of that current platform with no major changes, keeping it near the front of the freshness curve.

The redesigned Expedition has swept recent comparison tests and awards: Car and Driver's 2025 six-way full-size SUV comparison named it the clear winner, U.S. News rates it the segment's top pick (9.2/10, Best Large SUV for the Money), and Edmunds calls it its highest-rated large SUV.