Perfect Fit

When it's time to go down to the river, the 2000 Ford Eddie Bauer Expedition can take you there in style.

December 1, 2000

When it comes to SUVs, Ford suffers from a serious embarrassment of riches. There's the Excursion, the Expedition, the Explorer and soon the Escape, giving Ford arguably the most comprehensive fleet of SUVs on the market. At press time the Escape wasn't yet available for review, but the rest of the Ford line was, and after a solid six weeks of evaluation, one Ford SUV stood out: the Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition. It's not the biggest, nor does it offer the best fuel economy, but what the Eddie Bauer Expedition does is get you and your gear and whatever you're towing from point A to point B in fine form, even if the path isn't exactly a straight line.

The comfort starts when you slide into the heated leather captain's chair and hit the memory switch, which automatically adjusts the seat just the way you like it. And as an added bonus, the brake and gas pedals also adjust automatically to fit your height. Raising or lowering the pedals doesn't make that much of a difference if you're tall, but for shorter-than-average drivers, this is a real godsend that lets you drive the vehicle without having to sit right up against the steering wheel. It's much more comfortable, and more importantly, it's much safer, especially if the air bag inflates, when sitting too close to the steering wheel can be flat-out dangerous.

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Optional twin leather captain's chairs mean sitting in the back of the bus isn't too bad either. And the far rear bench seat lets up to seven adults climb aboard. The rear seat is removable for more storage capacity, but it's heavy and bulky, so once it's out the odds are it won't go back unless you really need the extra seating. The rear captain's chairs are nice if you generally have three or four people along for the ride, but when folded forward for maximum cargo space, they leave a hollow space between the seats.

Ford is deservedly cocky about the Reverse Sensing System option on the Eddie Bauer Expedition ($245), which uses sonar to let you know if you're about to back into something. There are four ultrasonic sensors mounted in the rear bumper that are activated when the transmission is shifted to reverse. When you're within 5.9 feet of an object, warning beeps sound, their frequency increasing as you get closer to the object. When towing, the system can be deactivated.

The Eddie Bauer Expedition is a towing monster. With the optional towing package ($390), the vehicle comes with a 7-pin wiring harness, a Class III frame-mounted hitch, an auxiliary automatic transmission oil cooler, and on the 4x2 version, rear-load leveling. Power is no problem. Equipped with a 260-hp, 5.4L EFI V8 and producing 345 feet per pound of torque at 2300 rpm, the test 4x4 Expedition feels as though it could easily exceed its stated towing capacity of 8,300 pounds. The electronic four-speed automatic transmission (with overdrive) shifts smoothly in town and on the highway, up and down steep hills, regardless of load. The power does, however, come with a price. The estimated fuel economy for the 4x4 Eddie Bauer Expedition is 12 mpg in the city and 16 mpg on the highway. Of course, mileage will be less if you're towing.

Then again, considering the size of the Expedition, maybe that's not such bad fuel economy. It's no Excursion, but it's definitely a full-size SUV, coming in at 204.6 inches in overall length and 76.6 inches in height, not counting the luggage rack. The driver and front-seat passenger get 40.9 inches of legroom and 39.8 inches of headroom, while the second-row riders get 38.9 inches of legroom and the same 39.8 inches of headspace. Third-row passengers get 27 inches of legroom and 35 inches of headroom, making it even more obvious why most people will simply remove that third-row bench seat unless they really need the seating for the kid's soccer squad.

The kids may have to wait, though, because with the shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive, the brawny towing package and the seriously sweet ride, grown-ups are probably going to keep the Eddie Bauer Expedition tied up with trips to the lake, the river, the campsite, the mountains and more. Not too big, not too small, not too flashy but no shrinking violet, this one's just right.

The Verdict

A full-sized SUV with seating for up to nine people or nearly 120 cubic feet of cargo space, the Ford Expedition combines a serious work ethic with comfort. The removable rear seat is heavy and bulky, making it difficult to quickly remove or install.

Engine: 260 hp; 5.4L, EFI, 16 valve, V8
Max Tow Rating: 8,300 lbs.
Wheelbase: 119.1"
Width: 78.6"
Height: 76.6"
Fuel Economy: (city/highway) 12mpg/16mpg
Fuel Capacity: 30 gal.
Head Room: 39.8" (front), 39.8" (second row), 35" (third row)
Leg Room: 40.9" (front), 38.9" (second row), 27" (third row)
Base Price: $39,790
Price As Tested: $42,575

Ford Motor Corp.
14441 Rotunda Dr., Suite 185
Dearborn, MI 48120
(800) 665-1515
www.fordvehicles.com