2015 Ford Expedition Platinum Road Test: Snow Ready for an Expedition

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. - Feb. 2, 2015 - PRLog -- Ford delivered a 2015 Ford Expedition Platinum 4x4 just before a significant snow storm, and for the first time in a long while, we were looking forward to the accumulation of white snowflakes… Bring it! Our Expedition did not disappoint. We crushed the snow mercilessly, not even bothering to shovel the driveway prior to driving off. The Remote Start enabled us to get the vehicle up warmed up before we even stepped into the elements. Good times.

The 2015 Expedition launched with a refreshed new look, a 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6 engine that also powers the Ford F-150, and a quieter cabin with more technology than previous-generation Expeditions. It is the latest Ford nameplate to offer a high-end Platinum series, which is the one we drove.

The Platinum Edition includes just about every option available, and carries an MSRP of $61,670 for the 4x4 version. Ours also included the optional 22” polished aluminum wheels, which add $2,180, but look great on the vehicle. They are literally the same diameter as large pizza pies.

Expedition, which debuted in 1996, is Ford’s largest utility vehicle, with seating for eight. The standard 2015 Expedition, one of two versions available, has three rows of seats and up to 108.3 cubic feet of cargo space. It sits on a 119-inch wheelbase, making it a little more than 6 inches longer than Ford Explorer. A longer-wheelbase version – 131 inches – has three rows of seats and best-in-class maximum cargo space of 130.8 cubic feet.

Expedition features an independent rear suspension to deliver a more confident ride and great handling characteristics. The suspension also allows a more convenient fold-flat third-row bench seat and low load-floor height.

The new Expedition also features the latest technologies, including available SYNC® with MyFord Touch®, passive entry with push-button start and Blind Spot Information System® with cross-traffic alert. The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, using direct injection and twin turbochargers, provides more power, efficiency and performance than the 5.4-liter V8 in the previous model year.

Improved on the road

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 is the only engine offered in Expedition in North America. The new powerplant generates 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, and it moves the behemoth expeditiously (pun intended). You do not miss, or even notice, that there is not a big V8 under the hood.

Add best-in-class maximum cargo space for the extended-length version and available best-in-class towing of up to 9,200 pounds when properly equipped, and you will find a truly useful utility vehicle.

Expedition is equipped with a six-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission featuring a manual mode that allows the driver to use a shift-mounted rocker switch to select the desired gear. Nice feature, but the transmission shifts smoothly on its own.

With the launch of the 2015 model, Expedition also became the first Ford nameplate to offer a continuously controlled damping suspension that allows drivers to select from three drive modes – comfort, normal and sport.

A suite of sensors detects 46 unique body, steering and braking inputs. By monitoring Expedition body motion, the system can automatically adjust damping in milliseconds. Continuously controlled damping technology analyzes the weight of the vehicle, steering feedback and road undulations and reacts accordingly to help control wheel and body motions so passengers experience an orderly, comfortable ride. A vehicle with poor damping feels as if it’s bouncing on the suspension springs.

The new Expedition also features Ford’s innovative electric power-assisted steering, which gives drivers improved maneuverability at low speeds and better feel at high speeds, and helps save fuel by operating more efficiently than traditional pump-driven systems. The technology, which has been tuned specifically for the new model, reduces steering effort and makes Expedition more engaging to drive.

Quiet driving experience

With the vehicle’s capability and cargo space comes a cabin which is quieter than the previous Expedition. A host of changes helps minimize noise, including improved seals on the body that reduce air leaks by 20 percent.

New sound dampening material in the cabin pillars improve quietness. The material is also packed into the center console to further reduce unwanted road and engine noise.

More sound deadening material has been added to the headliner and door trim panels, while the cabin features new carpeting that is able to better absorb sounds. New sound insulation used in the wheel wells also helps create a quieter experience.

Finally, acoustic glass – which debuted on Expedition in 2007 – is used for the windshield across all trim levels to reduce undesirable interior noise. Limited, King Ranch and Platinum trim levels include acoustic glass for driver and passenger side windows.

More technology

The new Expedition debuts with popular technology upgrades consumers are now demanding, including available SYNC with MyFord Touch and driver-assist features such as radar-based Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert.

The updated interior of Expedition incorporates a fresh center stack to accommodate new technologies, including an available 8-inch touch screen for SYNC with MyFord Touch that features driver information in the gauge cluster shown on two full-color 4.2-inch screens.

Other available new technologies on the 2015 Expedition include a Sony® Audio System; passive entry with push-button start; rear view camera; front and rear parking sensors; seven-color, ambient interior LED lighting; and Ford truck apps to help make trailer towing and off-road driving easier.

Fresh style and design

With tailored, lush leather that’s soft and smooth to the touch, the Platinum series offers customers a choice: Brunello leather-appointed seats in a new red wine color with tuxedo-stripe accents and French-seamed stitching, or Ebony leather-appointed seats with Agate Gray accents.

The Expedition exterior has been updated for 2015 with a front end design that features available halogen projector headlamps and LED fog lamps for a fresh, aggressive look.

Other exterior changes include an all-new wheel lineup topped by optional, factory-installed 22-inch polished aluminum wheels for Limited, King Ranch and Platinum; a revised rear hatch; and chrome-tipped exhaust.

Just about the only drawback to a vehicle of this size is the gas mileage (17 MPG / 15 City / 20 Highway). Still, not terribly bad considering the dimensions and weight of the vehicle (and how much you can carry and pull). Fuel tank capacity of 28 gallons helps to prolong the distance between gas station visits.

That said, if you want to be ready for anything, then the 2015 Ford Expedition is hard to beat!

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