2007 Ford Expedition

Other advantages include a 6-speed automatic transmission, available heated and cooled front seats (vs. the Tahoe's heated-only) and a higher rated towing capacity of 9,200 lbs. vs. the Tahoe's 8,200 lbs. The new Expedition also boasts standard Safety Canopy System side air curtains, and its standard AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control) features a vehicle roll motion sensor to detect and help prevent an impending rollover, while Chevy's (otherwise excellent) StabiliTrak does not.

Interior

The Expedition's bold new looks pay homage to Ford's F-150 pickups inside and out, which is a good thing. It starts with a prominent grille, new dual-beam headlamps and integrated, wraparound side marker lights, all capped by a raised "powerdome" hood, and it extends down the sides past large, round wheel lips and flush lower-body cladding to an updated rear hatch, bumper and taillamp design.


Inside is a new F-150-inspired interior with noticeably better comfort and materials and quality fits and finishes. The seats are improved throughout for increased comfort on long trips, and the driver's seat adjustment travel is 20 mm longer to comfortably accommodate drivers ranging from 4 feet, 11 inches to 6 feet, 4 inches tall. The Eddie Bauer series comes in two different environments: camel with greystone accented seats, and black, with camel inserts in the seats. They also bring 2-tone exterior trim and added features including premium 340-watt MP3-capable audio with an in-dash 6-CD changer, dual power front seats (10-way for the driver, 6-way for the passenger) and an upgraded climate system that can warm the cabin and defrost the windows in two-thirds the time of the previous system. The long list of available options also includes a new power liftgate, DVD-based navigation, family entertainment DVD, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and heated-and-cooled front seats.


The 2007 Expedition is powered by a 300-hp SOHC, 24-valve 5.4-liter Triton V-8 that delivers a smooth and muscular 300 hp and 365 lb.-ft. of torque. That compares to the GM trucks' standard 295-hp 4.8-liter V-8 and optional 320-hp 5.3-liter V-8—the latter of which tops the Ford in peak power, but (at 340 lb.-ft.) not in all-important torque. And while the Ford is an overhead-cam engine with efficiency enhancing variable cam timing, the GM pushrod V-8 offers fuel-saving Active Fuel Management and (with 4WD) Flex-Fuel E85 capability.

Cargo

Meanwhile, the Ford's standard 6-speed automatic transmission is more efficient than the Chevy's wide-ratio 4-speed automatic. The 2WD Expedition's EPA economy ratings are 14 mpg city and 20 highway vs. the 2WD Tahoe's 16 and 22, partly because the feature-laden Ford is heavier.