Exploring the 2025 Ford Expedition: A Family-Oriented SUV Redefined
When you have a lot of kids, stuff, and toys to tow, your SUV needs to enter a whole new category. You need the big guns, and if Ford is your brand of choice, then you are looking at the full-size, three-row Ford Expedition SUV. For 2025, the fifth-generation big hauler, which has been on the road since 1996 challenging the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, has been completely redesigned and offers new versatility with the addition of the first Expedition Tremor off-road SUV trim.
The difference? Ford execs think today’s Expedition buyers are young road-tripping Millennials with families. Therefore, to meet this perceived need, Ford engineered the 2025 Expedition from the start to accommodate an off-road Tremor trim with big wheels and better ground clearance.
First Ford Expedition Tremor
Ford added a four-wheel-drive Tremor because the off-road trim has been popular on the F-150 and Super Duty pickup trucks and the automaker wanted the Expedition to have the same capability. The first Expedition Tremor is equipped with the 440-hp high-output 3.5-liter turbocharged V-6, 33-inch General Grabber all-terrain tires from the F-150, and 10.6 inches of ground clearance.
“When we decided we needed a Tremor, it set engineering in motion,” says chief engineer Adrian Aguirre. The big wheels and drive height drove changes that include a different frame and bolstering the suspension. The Tremor snags front skid plates and running boards from the F-150 Raptor, has an electronic locking differential, off-road auxiliary lights integrated into the grille, underbody shielding, and a Rock Crawl drive mode. On the trail, drivers can take advantage of Trail Turn Assist and Trail 1-Pedal drive, as well as a dual-speed transfer case.
It has a black interior with orange stitching and speckled trim, as well as Tremor badging on the seats. Aguirre won’t reveal the expected take rate for the Tremor, but he thinks it will be a hit.
Old and New on the 2025 Expedition
The Expedition will be offered in similar trim levels as the Explorer: base Active (replaces STX and XLT), Platinum (replaces Limited), Tremor, and King Ranch.
The dimensions of the 2025 Ford Expedition and long-wheelbase Expedition Max are largely the same as the outgoing model, so it still fits in a garage, but there is 13 percent more cargo space in the third row.
The new illuminated grille looks like a giant Cheshire cat grinning at you. Moreover, the SUV’s presence is enhanced by the 24-inch wheels on the Platinum trim. To get in and out more easily, there are retractable running boards. Inside, you’ll find rich leathers and good use of wood and industrial metal trim, as well as a squircle-shaped steering wheel.
Split Gate and Other Innovations
The Expedition ups the tailgating ante with the segment’s first split gate (the 2025 Lincoln Navigator also offers it in the full-size luxury SUV segment). The upper portion lifts like a traditional liftgate while the lower portion folds down like the tailgate on a pickup. This design increases rear cargo room and doubles as a convenient seating option for tailgating.
To make the space more functional, the third row has a 40/20/40 folding bench seat that allows for long items to fit in the middle as if it were a six-passenger vehicle. The middle sections can be folded down with the push of a button in the cargo area, ensuring maximum convenience for family outings.
Movable Center Console
Another innovative feature is the powered center console, a flexible and movable storage bin. Press a button, and it travels back about eight inches so the second-row occupants can easily access items. Moreover, this design provides additional barriers between the kids in the back seat and enhances convenience for all passengers.
Infotainment Upgrade
Sync has been replaced by a new system, and the screens have been upgraded. The 24.0-inch driver display is strategically set back against the windshield to help keep eyes on the road. The 13.2-inch center touchscreen operates as a landscape-oriented tablet, enhancing user experience while driving.
The Ford Connectivity Package bundles WiFi for up to 10 devices, with a range of up to 50 feet outside the vehicle. The system supports Google Maps, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, ensuring integrated navigation and connectivity on the road.
Powertrain Unchanged
The 3.5-liter Ecoboost twin-turbo V-6 engine carries over, as does the 10-speed automatic transmission. Power remains at 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque, or upgrade to the high-output variant for 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. New turbochargers and exhaust should lower emissions, though fuel economy remains unchanged.
Towing and Cruising
Max towing capacity is 9,600 pounds, with an increased limit for trailers without a weight-distributing hitch rising from 5,000 to 7,000 pounds. The SUV also inherits Tow Trailer Assist, Trailer Backup Assist, and Trailer Sway Control systems from the F-150, making it a versatile choice for families and adventurers alike.
The 2025 Expedition features BlueCruise 1.4, Ford’s latest version of its hands-free driving assist technology, which empowers drivers with automatic lane change and in-lane repositioning capabilities. BlueCruise will be standard on some trims and available for purchase on others, with a 90-day complimentary trial available.
Ford will announce pricing on October 3 and begin taking orders for the 2025 Expedition, which is assembled in Kentucky alongside Super Duty trucks. Deliveries of both the Expedition and Expedition Max begin in spring 2025.
