2021 Ford Expedition STX Debuts With Sporty Styling and Fewer Seats
The 2021 Ford Expedition STX is the first Expedition ever offered with two-row, five-passenger seating.
Buyers these days are often faced with some huge price tags as new vehicles get more and more expensive, albeit also more powerful and technology-packed. There are many of us that want to pay less and get more, regardless, and for those, the new 2021 Ford Expedition STX package seems like a solid deal. But the STX, which was just quietly revealed on Ford’s official site, is also noteworthy for a number of other reasons.
News of the STX’s existence originally came from Ford Authority, which also happened to notice that it had popped up at Ford’s site. And what’s particularly interesting about this new offering is that it features two rows of seats for five passengers – the first time the Expedition has come with anything other than three-row, seven-passenger seating (or originally, an eight-passenger arrangement). But not everyone needs the third row, so it’s just an unnecessary expense for some.
The 2021 Ford Expedition STX is also the cheapest member of the Expedition family, with a sticker price of $49,995. But it certainly doesn’t look like an entry-level product. Ford has fitted the STX with a variety of cosmetic upgrades including a gloss black, five-bar front grille, 18-inch Magnetic Metallic-painted cast-aluminum wheels, body-color lower bodyside cladding and wheel-lip moldings, and a body-colored fascia.
The STX seems like a great bridge into the world of full-size, body-on-frame SUVs for those that are seeking more space and capability over a crossover. The Expedition rides on a modified version of Ford’s T3 platform, which it shares with the Ford F-150. But unlike its pickup brethren, the Expedition utilizes a four-wheel independent suspension for a more cushy ride.
Like the rest of the Expedition lineup, the STX is powered by Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, which in this guise produces 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. It also comes standard with one transmission option – the familiar 10-speed automatic gearbox. For those that like to dabble off-road once in a while, four-wheel-drive is optional, as is Ford’s ControlTrac with eLSD (electronic limited-slip differential).
For those seeking a more affordable yet spacious and capable SUV, the Expedition STX certainly seems to fit the bill. Plus, unlike many entry-level models, you won’t have to live with a low rent interior or drab-looking exterior, which is something no one should have to do when they’re dropping $50k on a new vehicle.
Photos: Ford
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