Fords second-largest full-size sport utility vehicle is getting a little elderly compared to the competition and is due for a face-lift, if not a full redesign, by early summer 2002. But it will see no changes for the 2002 model year. Built on the F-Series pickup truck chassis, the Expedition debuted for the 1997 model year. The Lincoln Navigator is a more costly and posh corporate twin, with a more powerful standard engine and some convenience features that are not available on the Expedition. Except for a different grille and front-end trim, the Expedition shares major styling cues with the F-Series pickup. The four-door Expedition has a 119-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 205.8 inches 6 inches longer than the Chevrolet Tahoe but nearly 21 inches shorter than Fords giant Excursion. The Expedition is 78.7 inches wide and stands more than 76 inches high in the two-wheel-drive model, which is 2 inches taller than models with 4WD. The rear liftgate contains a window that opens separately. Seating for six occupants is standard in the Expedition XLT, with three-place benches in both the front and rear positions. Front captains chairs are standard in the step-up Eddie Bauer model and optional in the XLT. A removable three-place rear bench allows for a nine-passenger capacity in the Eddie Bauer and comes optional in the XLT. Twin captains chairs are optional for the middle row, in place of the standard split bench. Standard power-adjustable accelerator and brake pedals have a 3-inch range to suit shorter drivers. A rear-seat audio/video entertainment system is optional on the Eddie Bauer edition. Deep-tinted privacy glass is standard on all models. A 215-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 engine is standard, except on the 4WD Eddie Bauer version, which gets a 260-hp, 5.4-liter V-8 that is optional on other models. All engines team with a four-speed-automatic transmission. The Expedition comes with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, which engages automatically and can be used on smooth, dry pavement. Towing capacity is as high as 8,000 pounds. Antilock brakes are standard, and side-impact airbags are optional. An optional sonar-based Reverse Sensing System detects objects behind the vehicle while backing up.
|