Ford Expedition EL and Lincoln Navigator go on camera at MT
Motor Trend recently posted a short video review of the new Ford Expedition EL and Lincoln Navigator that contained a few nuggets of new info about the Blue Oval's big utes. We're all well aware that with their 5.4-liter V8 that produces 300 horsepower and 365 ft-lbs. of torque, the Expedition and Navigator are underpowered compared to their GM competitors. MT reports that the powerdome hood on both models will likely be sheltering a diesel and perhaps a hybrid powertrain in the near future. That hood also leaves room for a much larger V8 to fit between the front wheels, so don't expect Ford to be down on grunt for long. Ford's decision to use an independent rear suspension may also pay off for the Expedition and Navigator, as third-row seating is said to be the most comfortable in class with generous head and leg room. Those back benches also have a convenient power fold-flat feature that their competition lacks.
We'll finally get to see an Expedition EL square off with a Chevy Suburban in the November issue of MT. We're betting the battle will be close, but we'll put our money on the Suburban over the Expedition for its greater power and, we can't believe we're saying this, better style. Any takers?
[Source: Motor Trend]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Tim C 4:40PM (7/25/2006)
Buy one of these oversized monstrosities and confirm to the world around you that you really are a twat.
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dave 4:50PM (7/25/2006)
Agreed--how many jackasses are going to buy these 3-row SUVs, then drive them to work--solo--5 days a week?
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NLPRacing 5:00PM (7/25/2006)
Pretty harsh there Tim
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dakota 5:06PM (7/25/2006)
Who cares? It's not coming out of YOUR pocket is it?
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courtstone 5:16PM (7/25/2006)
No Dakota just YOUR ozone layer!
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Pinkerton 5:19PM (7/25/2006)
"We're all well aware that with their 5.4-liter V8 that produces 300 horsepower and 365 ft-lbs. of torque, the Expedition and Navigator are underpowered compared to their GM competitors."
Please clarify. Are you saying is that this vehicle needs more than 300 HP / 365 torque?
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kwc 5:25PM (7/25/2006)
I for one would like to see the horsepower in big things like this limited anyhow. Being a small car/sporty car lover, it is scary that most of these things can go as fast as they do....
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jenny123 5:31PM (7/25/2006)
We live in a free country don't we? The Suburban is the best large SUV for the money on the market! I enjoy driving my kids in safety and looking down on those of you who choose to drive your little fast and furious cracker jack cars.....the main reason is most of you do not not how to drive and those of us who choose to drive an SUV have a family to care for. I can afford the gas and the luxury to drive my Suburban. Enjoy your Yaris........LOL
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JarryHames 5:33PM (7/25/2006)
"Who cares? It's not coming out of YOUR pocket is it?" It is sad to think that this is the mentality of someone who would buy this P.O.S tank! And Ford and GM wonder why they're in the red? Is there really a need for an Expedition EL?
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The other Bob 5:41PM (7/25/2006)
Maybe people who want to haul a trailer and a bunch of kids want a big SUV. If they haul enough people they can burn less gas per person than the equivent number of people in multiple economy cars. Yes, big famlies, need big vehicles.
You idiots prbably wouldn't bitch about that bigger gas hog- the Toyota Sequoia.
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SobeSVT 5:42PM (7/25/2006)
*No Dakota just YOUR ozone layer!*
I didn't know that the Expedition was an aerosol spray can with fluorcarbons . . . .
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aliasfox 5:43PM (7/25/2006)
#8
Yes, because you can't haul a husband, a couple of kids, and a trunkful of stuff in an ES350 (which costs about the same as a Suburban) or carry the soccer team in an Odyssey. No, go ahead and drive your gas hog. Just don't say I didn't warn you the next time you have to avoid a kid running after his ball into the street.
And yes, I will enjoy paying $35 to drive 350 miles, thank you very much. I'll also enjoy parallel parking on the side of the street and not having to step up three feet into the driver's seat.
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Michael Karesh 5:44PM (7/25/2006)
I actually do much of my driving with three kids in the back. Toss in frequently visiting parents, friends, etc., and I can justify something like this.
But I drive a Mazda Protege5, no problems other than sometimes needing to take a second car.
On the Ford, the current one already has the IRS-enabled adult-friendly third row. It's one thing I really like about it. GM's weakness in this area doesn't seem to have hurt it much, though.
My price comparison and reliability site's page for the Expedition (2007 prices soon after full pricing is released):
http://www.truedelta.com/models/Expedition.php
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mike 5:50PM (7/25/2006)
The new suburbans,tahoes rule. All you tree huggers feel free to drive your ridiculous prius. I will use it for a wheel chock when I park on a hill!!
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John 7:23PM (7/23/2007)
Posted by MIKE:
*The new suburbans,tahoes rule. All you tree huggers feel free to drive your ridiculous prius. I will use it for a wheel chock when I park on a hill!!*
My answer to YOU
The Suburbans and Tahoes are ridiculous also as the Prius. Since it happens to you to say that the horrible Tahoe/Suburban is better than the Expedition.
The Tahoe/Suburban has a horrible design.
This it is my opinion if you like this unsightliness that is your opinion.
Ryan 5:55PM (7/25/2006)
"8. We live in a free country don't we?"
If the *government* in situations, can control what we do with our WATER you know something as God-given as WATER. The same will be done with GAS, so gas regulations to civilians will happen at some point FOR SURE.
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Ryan 6:01PM (7/25/2006)
" I enjoy driving my kids in safety and looking down on those of you who choose to drive your little fast and furious cracker jack cars.....the main reason is most of you do not not how to drive and those of us who choose to drive an SUV have a family to care for."
-DRAMATIC, the fun thing to do in weave in and out of SUV drivers and try to see them emulate your moves. All you see is them bobble back and fourth like they're ready to flip.
SUV drivers basically drive hatchbacks don't they?
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PJ 6:17PM (7/25/2006)
Ah, but aliasfox, you're making the assumption that these drivers could give two shits about someone else's kid.
"I enjoy... looking down on those of you who choose to drive your little cracker jack cars..... "
Enjoying your delusions of grandeur?
I know there are people with a legitimate need for this type of vehicle, but the fact is, most of the people who buy Expeditions and Suburbans do it for reasons like jenny123's. The consumer is free to buy whatever they want, of course. It's just a sad commentary on the "me, me, me, it's all about me!" mindset of popular culture...
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jeff 6:18PM (7/25/2006)
I'm glad it seems that most people are smartening up about this issue. I would be worried if everybody still thought they'd be safer if their car was bigger than most everybody else's. That's the same type of thinking that lead to the US and Russia having enough firepower to wipe out the surface of the planet several times over... same mentality as the typical cartoon with one guy pulling out a gun, the other pulling out a bigger one, and so on and so on. If everybody thinks like you... then everybody will drive a suburban and you'll have to step it up a notch. If you and people like you stop thinking like that, we can all be safe, driving reasonably sized cars.
Now some people have to tow a lot and carry tons of kids and stuff, okay, yeah, this vehicles have their uses. But in my experience, i see far more vehicles like this carrying some well dressed jack ass by himself to his cushy job downtown. I don't care if he does have a boat to tow and a big family. If you spend 99% of your time with that car stuck in commuter traffic, you need to either get off your lazy ass and ride a bike or a bus, or get a normal person car and rent a truck the two times of the year that you actually need it. You'll save a lot of money and you won't look so stupid.
As far as commuting goes, a 30 pound, 500 dollar bike can get you to work just as fast, and instead of paying for gas and contributing to respiratory problems in major cities and much larger pollution issues, you're burning calories and getting into shape for free.
All ethics and morals and all that crap aside. I personally think these trucks are good looking, even the Navigator's grill. That vid didn't show the tails of either of these cars, i wanna see the horizontal tail light on the Lincoln. 10 years ago, these two would never be considered underpowered, if i were actually in the market for a vehicle like this, i'd be perfectly happy with that kind of power. If they can strap on some batteries and a beefy electric motor, or even a hydraulic hybrid, boost that power while getting even better gas mileage, that'd be incredible. To bad it doesn't seem like they'll be the first ones to the market with a truck like that.
It seems to me the only reasons ford has lost any of these magazine comparisons with their latest cars are a slight lack of power compared to the competition, and in some cases bland styling. Personally I don't think that means these are inferior cars. Some people don't want crazy power and stunning looks, some people just want a way to get around. Unfortunately, Ford's reputation for quality is not so great, regardless of any improvements they've made... takes a while for the public to notice they've come anywhere from the late nineties.
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sanjay 6:23PM (7/25/2006)
Is no-one concerned about the laughably pathetic 300 bhp from 5.4 litres! That's archaic, which sums up these glorified farm vehicles and the majority of their owners attitude. It doesn't actually rile me at all if someone wants to buy such a p.o.s. like this, the jokes on them to drive something so atrociously ugly, crude and inept.
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