Ford Expedition Max King Ranch 4×4 Review: Being King Doesn’t Come Cheap
Ford’s King SUV is quick and large and the ultimate family hauler, but we’d suggest a few updates to make the price easier to swallow.
What We Love. Ford’s 2020 flagship Expedition does so many things well. It accelerates with ease. Offers two-wheel and four-wheel drive flexibility. Boasts bush-button ergonomics for customizing on the fly. It would be the perfect place for a family of four to travel the country. Or for a larger family and friends around the town.
What We’d Change. Honestly, we’d love to see Ford engineers take all the new bells and whistles just announced for the 2021 Ford F-150 and add them to future Expeditions. The infotainment system and center console seemed dated and less luxurious than the sticker price suggests. Also the hands-free rear liftgate feature is a bit wonky. And, personally, the King Ranch branding probably isn’t worth the upgrade for me, even though others may love it.
Flagship Features
Just before Ford unveiled the 2021 F-150, they loaned Ford Truck Enthusiasts a 2020 Ford Expedition Max King Ranch 4×4. This seven-passenger extended-length SUV features Ford’s 3.5L Ecoboost engine outputting 400 horsepower and 480 foot.-lbs. of torque through Ford’s 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission. Our loaner’s finished in a sparkly Agate Black Metallic with Ebony Del Rio Leather-Trimmed Seats featuring King Ranch branding. You’ll also find brands on the center console, front fenders, floor mats, and even on the wheel hubs for the 22″ machined aluminum wheels wrapped in P285/45R22 rubber.
Up front, the King Ranch package also includes heated and cooled captains chairs, an 8″ touchscreen with SYNC 3, cup holders everywhere, and the largest, deepest center console I’ve ever seen outside of the F-150. There’s also a 360-degree camera, Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist and parking assist, a 12-speaker B&O sound system with Apple Carplay. The second-row power-folding seats also feature heated (but NOT cooled) captain’s chairs as well as access to audio and HVAC controls, including their own fan. Third-row seating is more cramped, but also folds down with the push of a button. And, with the second row adjusted, there’s even enough room for a couple more 6-foot tall adults or three smaller people.
Up top, there’s a massive moonroof skylight, which is beautiful, but heats up the cabin on hot days.
Outside, you’ll find F-150 esque front and rear LED lighting, a Class IV trailer tow pack, a roof rack, and automatic running boards that deploy when you open the doors. The Expedition’s continuously controlled damping & four-wheel independent suspension also includes a variety of modes for different driving conditions. I left mine in mostly Sport mode, which brought our combined gas mileage down to around 14mpg, compared to the EPA estimated 16 city, 19 highway. With a lighter foot, you might do better.
You can also remote-start Expedition or remote-open the rear liftgate. There’s a handsfree liftgate-open feature too, but it wasn’t always reliable. Our loaner added the optional $,1570 Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow package, which includes 3.73 rear gears and pushes towing capacity to 9,300 pounds.
In terms of safety, the Expedition scored five stars in both side and front impact crash testing, and provides front, side, and canopy airbag systems along with an SOS post-crash alert system. All of this stickers for $81,680, and includes a 3-year 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty
Official FTE Ford Expedition King Ranch review CONTINUES HERE!
Review Index
Features & Video Review
Driving Impressions
Utility Factor
Amenities & Value
Final Thoughts & Photo Gallery
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