For such a big brute, it sports surprising manners
By BOB GRITZINGER "AutoWeek"
Expedition’s newfound road manners belie its cavernous interior, with three rows of seating and an expanse of cockpit space accented by Audi-like vent control rings.
When the original Ford Expedition hit the market back in 1997, the F-150-based sport/utility vehicle pushed the limits of everyday driveability. While the mammoth F-250-based Excursion subsequently put the Expedition into perspective, Expedition remained a top-heavy, unwieldy beast to pilot in even the best of conditions, let alone on slick roads where many a fair- weather ute driver discovered the unpleasant side of Ford’s “no boundaries” experience. Much of that changes with the 2003 Expedition (and its sibling Lincoln Navigator), the second generation of Ford’s full-sized utility. A 70 percent stiffer frame, a 40 percent more rigid body structure, independent rear suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, bigger brakes, stability control and enhanced safety equipment go a long way toward making us forget the Expedition is still a full-size truck.
Make no mistake, at 5689 pounds for a 4x4 equipped with a 5.4-liter V8, the Expedi-tion remains a monster of a machine. Not only is it more than 300 pounds heavier than a comparable ’02 model (due primarily to added suspension weight), it’s an inch longer and taller and has nearly a half an inch higher minimum ground clearance (now 8.9 inches). Inside, space is nearly identical for three rows of reconfigurable seating, but the area is much more usable thanks to the independent rear suspension that allows the third row to fold flat into the floor. A power folding third row is available on Eddie Bauer models.
For anyone who remembers driving the original Expedition, the 2003 version is a suburban delight by comparison—and a tribute to global product chief Richard Parry-Jones’ demand that Ford vehicles communicate their driving feel within the first 164 feet of driving. From the first tight parking-lot turn to the first tromp on the brake pedal (with brake assist that automatically boosts braking pressure in emergency stops), it’s clear this sport/ute is far more responsive than its predecessor. On the highway, the steering builds on that first impression by offering a solid on-center feel with little of the sluggishness found in the previous model. The new independent rear sus-pension and lightweight suspension control arms (six of eight are aluminum), combined with a variety of bushing and shock improvements, make the big rig 50 percent more stable than its predecessor, Ford says. Frankly, the Expedition drove as though it had Explorer dimensions, keeping firmly planted as we hurtled down twisty rain-slick mountain roads.
Where would any self- respecting off-roader be without a good 4wd system? Ford claims an industry first here, offering AdvanceTrac stability/traction control that works even with the ControlTrac 4wd transfer case locked. The net effect, Ford says, is that even if three wheels lose grip, the system can direct power to the fourth wheel to give the vehicle a chance to dig its way out of trouble. While Ford will offer a beefed-up FX4 package for serious off-roaders later this year, we’re told budget-conscious buyers would be well served by a two-wheel-drive Expedition fitted with AdvanceTrac.
Powertrains are unchanged for 2003. Expedition sticks with a base 4.6-liter sohc V8, good for 232 hp at 4750 rpm and 291 lb-ft of torque at 3450 rpm, and the optional 5.4-liter sohc V8 that produces 260 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque at 2500 rpm.
A four-speed automatic transmission is the only offering.
The ’03 Expedition hits the market by late spring at nearly the same price as the ’02 mod-el, ranging from $31,295 (no price increase) for the base 4x2 4.6-liter V8 XLT Value series to $41,935 (a $110 increase) for the top-of-the-line Eddie Bauer-trimmed 5.4-liter V8 4x4. Ford expects most buyers will pick the 5.4-liter V8 4x4 XLT Popular series listing at $37,235.
2003 Ford Expedition
Eight-passenger sport/utility vehicle
260 hp @ 4500 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
5.4-liter V8, four-speed automatic
Four-wheel drive
Estimated mpg: 13 city/ 17 highway (preliminary)
Base price $39,535, as tested $41,420
Or you could buy: Toyota Sequoia LTD ($43,055) GMC Yukon XL ($38,998) Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited ($35,695)
By BOB GRITZINGER "AutoWeek"
Expedition’s newfound road manners belie its cavernous interior, with three rows of seating and an expanse of cockpit space accented by Audi-like vent control rings.
When the original Ford Expedition hit the market back in 1997, the F-150-based sport/utility vehicle pushed the limits of everyday driveability. While the mammoth F-250-based Excursion subsequently put the Expedition into perspective, Expedition remained a top-heavy, unwieldy beast to pilot in even the best of conditions, let alone on slick roads where many a fair- weather ute driver discovered the unpleasant side of Ford’s “no boundaries” experience. Much of that changes with the 2003 Expedition (and its sibling Lincoln Navigator), the second generation of Ford’s full-sized utility. A 70 percent stiffer frame, a 40 percent more rigid body structure, independent rear suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, bigger brakes, stability control and enhanced safety equipment go a long way toward making us forget the Expedition is still a full-size truck.
Make no mistake, at 5689 pounds for a 4x4 equipped with a 5.4-liter V8, the Expedi-tion remains a monster of a machine. Not only is it more than 300 pounds heavier than a comparable ’02 model (due primarily to added suspension weight), it’s an inch longer and taller and has nearly a half an inch higher minimum ground clearance (now 8.9 inches). Inside, space is nearly identical for three rows of reconfigurable seating, but the area is much more usable thanks to the independent rear suspension that allows the third row to fold flat into the floor. A power folding third row is available on Eddie Bauer models.
For anyone who remembers driving the original Expedition, the 2003 version is a suburban delight by comparison—and a tribute to global product chief Richard Parry-Jones’ demand that Ford vehicles communicate their driving feel within the first 164 feet of driving. From the first tight parking-lot turn to the first tromp on the brake pedal (with brake assist that automatically boosts braking pressure in emergency stops), it’s clear this sport/ute is far more responsive than its predecessor. On the highway, the steering builds on that first impression by offering a solid on-center feel with little of the sluggishness found in the previous model. The new independent rear sus-pension and lightweight suspension control arms (six of eight are aluminum), combined with a variety of bushing and shock improvements, make the big rig 50 percent more stable than its predecessor, Ford says. Frankly, the Expedition drove as though it had Explorer dimensions, keeping firmly planted as we hurtled down twisty rain-slick mountain roads.
Where would any self- respecting off-roader be without a good 4wd system? Ford claims an industry first here, offering AdvanceTrac stability/traction control that works even with the ControlTrac 4wd transfer case locked. The net effect, Ford says, is that even if three wheels lose grip, the system can direct power to the fourth wheel to give the vehicle a chance to dig its way out of trouble. While Ford will offer a beefed-up FX4 package for serious off-roaders later this year, we’re told budget-conscious buyers would be well served by a two-wheel-drive Expedition fitted with AdvanceTrac.
Powertrains are unchanged for 2003. Expedition sticks with a base 4.6-liter sohc V8, good for 232 hp at 4750 rpm and 291 lb-ft of torque at 3450 rpm, and the optional 5.4-liter sohc V8 that produces 260 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque at 2500 rpm.
A four-speed automatic transmission is the only offering.
The ’03 Expedition hits the market by late spring at nearly the same price as the ’02 mod-el, ranging from $31,295 (no price increase) for the base 4x2 4.6-liter V8 XLT Value series to $41,935 (a $110 increase) for the top-of-the-line Eddie Bauer-trimmed 5.4-liter V8 4x4. Ford expects most buyers will pick the 5.4-liter V8 4x4 XLT Popular series listing at $37,235.
2003 Ford Expedition
Eight-passenger sport/utility vehicle
260 hp @ 4500 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
5.4-liter V8, four-speed automatic
Four-wheel drive
Estimated mpg: 13 city/ 17 highway (preliminary)
Base price $39,535, as tested $41,420
Or you could buy: Toyota Sequoia LTD ($43,055) GMC Yukon XL ($38,998) Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited ($35,695)