What is it?
2003 Ford Expedition
What's special about it?
Ford has significantly updated its Expedition SUV for 2003, giving it new sheetmetal, a new suspension and an impressive load of safety equipment designed to provide best-in-class occupant protection.
Looking like an extra-extra-large Explorer, the new Expedition comes in your choice of three trim levels (base XLT, off-road FX4 or luxury Eddie Bauer) propelled by two- or four-wheel drive with either an updated 232-horsepower 4.6-liter or a newly refined 260-horsepower 5.4-liter V8 engine under the hood. Both motors meet ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standards, and the Expedition is able to tow up to 8,900 pounds or carry as much as 1,615 pounds of payload. Preliminary figures show that the Expedition will provide anywhere between 14 and 19 mpg depending on driving conditions, engine and drive system.
Variable-assist rack and pinion steering, a coil-over-shock four-wheel independent double wishbone suspension, standard 17-inch wheels and a 70 percent stiffer chassis should contribute to a segment-leading ride and handling package. When four-wheel drive is ordered, an improved Control Trac system offers the driver four modes of operation. Ground clearance measures 8.9 inches, and the new Expedition can flip a U-turn with just 38.7 feet of street with which to work.
Standard equipment includes four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with Brake Assist, which helps reduce stopping distances by 20 percent. Optional on all models is a safety canopy side airbag system with rollover protection and, when equipped with the 5.4-liter V8, an Advance Trac traction and stability control system. Tire pressure sensors can be ordered on XLT and Eddie Bauer models.
Inside, space is available for up to 9 passengers. The third-row seat folds flat into the cargo load floor, never requiring removal. If you like, you can order an option that allows you to power it down automatically, creating 60.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats (fold those and enjoy 110.4 cubic feet of cargo space). The center seat in the second row slides forward 11 inches so parents can more easily attend to babies riding in car seats. Buyers have the option of installing captain's chairs for the second row, more comfortable perches from which to watch the available on-board DVD-entertainment system.
Selected standard features include power heated sideview mirrors, dark tinted glass, power adjustable pedals, a 160-watt CD and cassette sound system, and remote keyless entry. The off-road FX4 adds foglights, rear climate control, an overhead console, an electrochromic rearview mirror, a HomeLink transmitter, front captain's chairs, skid plates, heavy-duty shocks and chromed wheels. An Eddie Bauer tops off with running boards; automatic climate control; a memory feature for the seats, mirrors and pedals; a message center; a premium audio system with in-dash six-CD changer; a reverse sensing system; heated and cooled front seats with leather upholstery; a power-folding third-row bench; and aluminum wheels. Additional options include a moonroof on XLT and Eddie Bauer models, as well as a navigation system (reserved only for the Eddie Bauer).
Why should you care?
If Ford can prove its assertion that the new Expedition will provide segment-leading safety and crash protection through top scores in federal and private crash-testing, and if Ford can launch this impressive truck without recalls or quality glitches, it's clear to us that this is the new benchmark for full-size SUVs. It's that good. — Christian Wardlaw
2003 Ford Expedition
What's special about it?
Ford has significantly updated its Expedition SUV for 2003, giving it new sheetmetal, a new suspension and an impressive load of safety equipment designed to provide best-in-class occupant protection.
Looking like an extra-extra-large Explorer, the new Expedition comes in your choice of three trim levels (base XLT, off-road FX4 or luxury Eddie Bauer) propelled by two- or four-wheel drive with either an updated 232-horsepower 4.6-liter or a newly refined 260-horsepower 5.4-liter V8 engine under the hood. Both motors meet ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standards, and the Expedition is able to tow up to 8,900 pounds or carry as much as 1,615 pounds of payload. Preliminary figures show that the Expedition will provide anywhere between 14 and 19 mpg depending on driving conditions, engine and drive system.
Variable-assist rack and pinion steering, a coil-over-shock four-wheel independent double wishbone suspension, standard 17-inch wheels and a 70 percent stiffer chassis should contribute to a segment-leading ride and handling package. When four-wheel drive is ordered, an improved Control Trac system offers the driver four modes of operation. Ground clearance measures 8.9 inches, and the new Expedition can flip a U-turn with just 38.7 feet of street with which to work.
Standard equipment includes four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with Brake Assist, which helps reduce stopping distances by 20 percent. Optional on all models is a safety canopy side airbag system with rollover protection and, when equipped with the 5.4-liter V8, an Advance Trac traction and stability control system. Tire pressure sensors can be ordered on XLT and Eddie Bauer models.
Inside, space is available for up to 9 passengers. The third-row seat folds flat into the cargo load floor, never requiring removal. If you like, you can order an option that allows you to power it down automatically, creating 60.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats (fold those and enjoy 110.4 cubic feet of cargo space). The center seat in the second row slides forward 11 inches so parents can more easily attend to babies riding in car seats. Buyers have the option of installing captain's chairs for the second row, more comfortable perches from which to watch the available on-board DVD-entertainment system.
Selected standard features include power heated sideview mirrors, dark tinted glass, power adjustable pedals, a 160-watt CD and cassette sound system, and remote keyless entry. The off-road FX4 adds foglights, rear climate control, an overhead console, an electrochromic rearview mirror, a HomeLink transmitter, front captain's chairs, skid plates, heavy-duty shocks and chromed wheels. An Eddie Bauer tops off with running boards; automatic climate control; a memory feature for the seats, mirrors and pedals; a message center; a premium audio system with in-dash six-CD changer; a reverse sensing system; heated and cooled front seats with leather upholstery; a power-folding third-row bench; and aluminum wheels. Additional options include a moonroof on XLT and Eddie Bauer models, as well as a navigation system (reserved only for the Eddie Bauer).
Why should you care?
If Ford can prove its assertion that the new Expedition will provide segment-leading safety and crash protection through top scores in federal and private crash-testing, and if Ford can launch this impressive truck without recalls or quality glitches, it's clear to us that this is the new benchmark for full-size SUVs. It's that good. — Christian Wardlaw
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