2003 Ford Excursion

GM's Suburban/Yukon XL stranglehold on the full-figured SUV class came to an end three years ago when Ford launched its Excursion. Dearborn's big "E" went right to the head of the size class. It's bigger in every dimension internally and externally than the Chevy Suburban/GMC Yukon XL. And it's just the thing for affluent people who have to have the giant size of everything. The good news for 2003: Excursion is still available in XLT, XLT Premium or Limited, and Limited Ultimate editions as well as a new Eddie Bauer level. With an all-new diesel engine now in the mix, you can spec your Excursion virtually exactly the way you'd like it. The bad news: The Excursion will reportedly be discontinued after the 2003 model year.

Behemoth in stature, the Excursion is the reigning ruler of passenger vehicles due to its sheer size.

For example, if you want space for nine passengers with a bench front seat, or front captain's chairs with seating for eight, available towing capacity of 5.5 tons (you did say those horses in your float were Percherons, didn't you—), plus shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive for slippery roads (not slopes, sorry-it's only part-time), then this is your truck.


Although the rival Suburban/Yukon XL has a top-level power combination that'll tow up to one-half ton more than Excursion, in addition to a full-time 4WD variation, it lacks six gallons of the Excursion's sheik-pleasing 44-gallon fuel capacity-all of which you'll need if you lead-foot it. Although the EPA doesn't require miles-per-gallon ratings for vehicles in this class, you might achieve 11-12 mpg at cruising speeds using a light right foot.


A further Ford plus is the Excursion's wonderful rear-loading feature-a unique-to-this vehicle "tri-panel" rear door that consists of a separate lift-glass window and two swing-out, vision-enhancing, pillarless rear doors. The reverse-sensing system, standard on Limited models, helps ensure that you don't back this behemoth into an unsuspecting Focus.


We like the way the driver and front-seat passenger windows dip down a few inches in front for better lower visibility. The rear-view mirrors, by the way, are immense, making backing with a trailer a cinch. Another plus, third-row rear-seat passengers have all the legroom they need and unique power rear windows if they want their own fresh-air supply.