2006 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4WD

Four-cylinder and V-6 sport utilities have their place. But when you've got a big ski boat to tow cross country in July, clients to host in August, and a gaggle of teenagers to take to the ski slopes in December, what you need is the 2006 Ford Expedition 4WD. It offers this astounding range of skills and a lot more—including true off-road capability, a wide range of trim levels from the XLS, XLT, XLT Sport, Eddie Bauer, Limited and King Ranch, and best-in-class cargo space. Thanks in part to this huge bandwidth, customer loyalty is high—the Expedition has won the Polk Automotive Loyalty Award in its segment three years in a row (2003-2005 model years). Adding to its appeal for 2006 are two new exterior colors, Pewter Clearcoat Metallic and Dark Copper Clearcoat Metallic.

Styling

The Eddie Bauer 4WD model, subject of this report, offers the enormous strength of an SUV, together with luxurious accommodations for eight and driving capabilities that are just as strong on the snow-covered back roads as heading downtown for dinner. Best of all, when you select optional AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control), the Expedition has the advantage of the electronic enhancement stability control system. RSC® measures vehicle roll motion approximately 150 times per second. If it detects the possibility of a rollover, the system engages AdvanceTrac® to help keep all four wheels safely on the ground. This represents an important step beyond typical dynamic stability control systems. The option is very nominally priced considering the security and control it affords.


You may not want to sling the Expedition sideways on a test drive, but a few minutes in the Expedition Eddie Bauer will convince you of the logic baked into this big SUV. And at over 17 feet long it is plenty big. But climbing into it immediately reveals its attraction: tremendous outside visibility, interior versatility and capacity, and a feeling of complete power and command. One neat standard feature is the power-adjustable foot pedals, which are memory-linked to the exterior mirrors and driver's seat adjustments. With the pedals adjusted the way you want (you can leave them as-is once you've set them), start up the Expedition's big three-valve 5.4-liter SOHC V8 and head out. With 300 hp and an equally impressive 365 lb.-ft. of torque available, plus a precise electronically controlled four-speed automatic and electronic throttle control, acceleration is effortless. So is high-speed cruising, regardless of whether you're driving at sea level, heading to the high country or pulling a trailer (the properly equipped Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 can tow up to 8600 pounds.

Interior

Inside, the Expedition's three rows of seating generously accommodate a large family—and then some. The Eddie Bauer's fully carpeted interior is richly outfitted with two-tone leather-trimmed upholstery for the front- and second-row seats, and includes dual reclining front captain's chairs with six-way power adjustment for the driver. The Eddie Bauer model also provides a host of standard luxury appointments including a 260-watt audiophile AM/FM audio system with an in-dash 6-CD changer and MP3 capability, Dual-zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control with separate rear controls, privacy glass and four 12-volt power points. Befitting a luxury vehicle, the options list is where things really get interesting. For instance, while you're heading north toward Banff, you can pick your route—and wayside points—on the available in-dash navigation system as the rear passengers are enjoying a movie on the optional DVD entertainment system's seven-inch screen (with matching wireless headphones). You can even put the second-row passengers in their own optional captain's chairs and, if you like, add in a PowerFoldTM third-row seat.


But the options are just getting going. When the air turns cold (or heats up as you're returning to Tucson) switch on the optional heated and cooled front seats, a class exclusive for Expedition for maximum comfort. Zip open the optional power moonroof to catch the scent of the pine trees. And revel in the available four-corner load-leveling suspension, which automatically adjusts the Expedition's ride height according to the weight of the passengers, luggage and cargo you're carrying. Most test-drives won't begin to show off this marvelous feature, but one trip with the family and all their belongings surely will. The vehicle also squats one inch when the engine is shut off, making it easier for the whole family to get in and out.