2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch MAX Review

This week we are taking a look at the 2020 Ford Expedition Max, the extended version, intended to compete with the Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon XL.

This is the 4th generation Expedition since it came out in 1997. This particular model is the King Ranch edition, named after the iconic 825,000- acre ranch in far south Texas.

My review vehicle is the four-wheel drive model, but you can get it in a shorter version, you can get it in a two-wheel version, and from the King Ranch trim level you can step down to the Limited or on further to the XLT.

Exterior

I love what Ford did with the all-aluminum exterior Expedition in 2018 and I was not an Expedition fan prior to this current generation. The clean lines and high beltline make it look long and lean with just the right amount of chrome and terrific 22” wheels.

Performance

Under the hood you’ll find a 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6. Before you question a V6 in an SUV this size, realize it has 400-horses, 480-pound feet of torque, and it will tow 9000 pounds. You get a 10-speed automatic that shifts silky smooth and pops into the right gear no matter the circumstances.

Interior

Inside, the Expedition is inviting and you get an immediate sense of how roomy this SUV is, even in the 3rd row. The seats are comfortable, the dash is well laid out with a driver info center you can configure from the controls on the steering wheel.

There is a large center console, a round transmission knob, controls for the 4-wheel drive system, and there is a wireless phone charger built into the console.

Above that is the Sync 3 8” touchscreen that works quickly and is simple. From that screen you choose your audio, change the climate system, operate the navigation system, apps for Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and get real-time traffic and weather. Everything can be voice activated and a really handy feature is you can direct tune the radio station you want, which is awesome for punching in your favorite Sirius XM channels.

Utility

Entry to the 3rd row is easy and the second row seats slide easily out of the way, even if there is a child seat strapped in. The opening to enter the third row is sizable. With all the seats behind the driver folded down, you have 121-cubic feet of cargo area. Buttons at the rear of the vehicle let you lower the second and third row seats. The power 3rd row seat folds up and down very quickly.

Standard Features and Options

Notable standard features include: hands-free power lift gate, power deployable running boards, 2nd row heated seats, heated and cooled front seats, the special King Ranch leather interior, power adjustable gas and brake pedal, powerfold 3rd row seat, dual-pane moonroof, and power tilt wheel. It has the trailer tow package with Ford’s slick trailer backup system.

Also included with the King Ranch are blind spot monitoring that includes the length of your trailer, push button start, keyless remote entry with remote start, reverse sensing, rear camera, and a neat keypad on the driver’s door to unlock the doors.

In addition, my tester has a Bang & Olufsen sound system, Wi-Fi hotspot, 10-way power seats, USB ports in the front and back, and a heated steering wheel.

This Expedition has only one option, the $1570 heavy duty trailer towing package, everything else comes standard.

Ride and Drive

Although large, the Expedition is not cumbersome to drive due to a very tight turning radius. The independent rear suspension system gives you a great ride, and the Expedition gives you a great view of the road ahead. All in all, it is a real joy to drive.

If you have never seen the unique leather seats in a King Ranch edition, they are magnificent, but do require some maintenance to keep them looking like new.

Fuel economy is 16 in town, 21 highway, and 18 combined.

What You’ll Pay

As you see this one, the MSRP is $81,680, which is right in line with other large SUVs on the market and less than some.