2007 Ford Expedition Exterior Review [ 2008 ]
Ford Expedition Exterior Review
Exterior - 7.0 (Good)
The verdict is in: reviewers find the outside of the redesigned 2007 Ford Expedition attractive, not only for its size, but also for its shape. Edmunds describes the Expedition's appearance as a "tough-guy look," with "prominent truck -- perhaps even locomotive --styling cues."
Meanwhile, Automotive.com says the Expedition's combined elements "deliver a look that's both distinctive and respectable." The standard size, four-door Expedition has a 119-inch wheelbase, is 206.5-inches long, 77.2 inches tall, and 91.8 inches wide, whereas this year's new EL trims have a wheelbase that is 12 inches longer than the standard Expedition, and a full length stretched by nearly 15 inches.
For its 2007 redesign, the Ford Expedition now features a different front grille, headlights and a domed hood, all of which were the topic of much discussion in auto reviews. Carand Driver writes that "the biggest difference lies up front, where a bulging 'power dome' hood flows into a more prominent grille featuring at its center a blue oval big enough to play back-up cheese platter at your next cocktail party." Edmunds notes the front design makes the Expedition look more like the Ford F-150 pickup.
Size is also a noted issue for auto writers, and there are two camps on the Expedition's size. As the Chicago Tribune reviewer worries, parking lots and small spots are a problem with the 2007 Expedition, especially the EL, and "you have to look for a spot to park where you won't be hemmed in and unable to open your doors." On the other side, the San Antonio Express-News appreciates that the "extended length" EL Expedition is actually shorter than the Ford Excursion, "and therefore easier to fit into tight spaces -- including some residential garages."
Several reviews appreciate the Ford Expedition's attention to detail. For Auto Mall USA it's the door handles, which "are the full-grip variety, making them easier for occupants to grab, whether left- or right-handed, gloved or not gloved." Auto Mall USA also likes the Expedition's liftgate window, which opens independently of the door to allow quicker loading and unloading of smaller items. To the Cars.com team, it's standard running boards that "help make the climb into and out of the SUV easier."
Exterior Trims
Variance in the exterior of the 2007 Ford Expedition's trim is mostly in wheels and tires. XLT and EL XLTs have 17-inch aluminum wheels and tires standard, Eddie Bauer Expeditions have 17-inch machined aluminum wheels. For the Eddie Bauer EL, the wheels are 18-inch machined aluminum, where as the Limited and Limited EL have 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels. The XLT, EL XLT and Eddie Bauer Expedition have the option for 18-inch wheels and tires, while the Eddie Bauer, Eddie Bauer EL, Limited and Limited EL trims have the option for 20-inch chrome clad aluminum wheels and tires.
