Greetings. First time poster. Ordered a EL King Ranch a few weeks ago. Here's why. I'm a truck guy. Never owned a car. I've owned, or still own, a '92 Blazer, '96 Tahoe, '01 Tahoe, ''06 Ridgeline, '12 Rubicon and real soon, a '16 Expedition. I driven everything out there. There was a time when I was a Chevy guy, but I've come to really appreciate everything out there.

The new 6.2 Ecotec with the 8-speed in the GMC Denali is phenomenal. But driving a GMC Denali is too far of a step into 'pretentious' for me. The interiors are great, but there's some kind of disconnect with the GM interiors that doesn't resonate. I test drove a '15 Expedition with low expectations and found my self giggling with surprise. It just rides better. I wasn't even driving one with the CCD, and it was better mannered than the GM magnetic ride. There's just some unavoidable benefits to the IRS. The seats were also just spot on how they wrapped the back. And the dash, I know the hard plastics are dated, but there's a certain utilitarian honesty about that, that I enjoy. Even in the King Ranch trim, I don't feel too obnoxious. Of course the Ecoboost is the answer to a question that was never asked, but underpowered, it is not. The 3.5TT and 6-speed are well paired. And as expected, it performs somewhere between GMs 5.3L and 6.2L. Fundamentally, I just enjoy driving it better. Could I have waited another year to go aluminum. Sure. But I suspect these '16 models will have very little problems to navigate through. Cheers.

 

I also appreciate old school looks with a newer motor and the upgradeable Sync 3.

 

I completely agree with your view on the old school looks. Of course, I am an EB fan. Effortless power. That thing gets in 6th gear and stays there on pretty much any hill. Nice torque curve for a SUV.

 

Still waiting on my '16. Dealership says the Sync 3 is holding up things.

 

The 16's have just started to be built for retail sale. Yours will be along shortly.

 

Buffy you nailed it for me. Everyone freaks out about the "hard plastics" and lack of electrical nannies, but actually it's a draw (in an odd way) for me. Yeah, I get the point that for some $60k you should expect more/better. That might be true. And while I go "ooooooohhhhh" when I see the inside of a Denali, I just don't have the urge to spend my money on it. It's kind of like having the opportunity to be with a drop-dead gorgeous, perfect woman but you prefer the girl next door instead. Anyway I haven't bought it yet, I'm outside the US for a couple more months but I will be buying as soon as I get back later this year.

 

Maybe I am getting picky, but it isn't the appearance of the hard plastic interior that bothers me. It is the snap, crackle, pop it does everytime I turn on the AC and it's 130 inside the car...or turn on the heat when it is 35 outside. I get that it is reacting to temperature change, but our '04 Expedition didn't do that...ever. This '13 has done it since new. But little things like that annoy me...especially on a brand new Limited. Nothing screams "Limited" like a popping plastic dash.

I am usually pretty easy to please, but for some reason little stuff like this annoys me on the Expedition. We bought this one because we were so pleased with our '04 after putting nearly 250k miles on it. Unfortunately this one has been less reliable.

I know we are talking about 2016's, but I believe the interior is mostly the same as far as materials. If I'm wrong...you can just ignore me.

 

First time poster here, but lurking over the years.

I too just placed my order for a 2016 Expedition EL 4x4 to replace my current 2007 Expedition EL 4x4. I wanted the new Ecoboost engine to improve towing my Lance 2015.5 TT 1985 through the mountains of California. Everyone with this engine has told me I won't be disappointed.

This will be my third Expedition, and they have been fabulous through the years.

My biggest displeasure is the lack of towing mirrors. On my 2007 I have been using JR Grand Aero Extensions and they have worked really good over everything else I have found, but I see 1A Auto has what appears to be OEM looking extendable mirrors that work with the 2015. I assume the 2016 mounting will be the same. I'll be giving it a shot after I receive my Expedition near Christmas.