The Eddie Bauer ($36,395) and Eddie Bauer 4WD ($39,295) are trimmed as outdoor adventure vehicles and are distinguished by a longer list of convenience features as standard equipment, notably the Expedition's unique third-row seat which folds flat into the cargo floor. Other standard features for the Eddie Bauer model include leather upholstery with front captain's chairs (driver's seat is 10-way power adjustable), the third-row seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, an AM/FM stereo tuner with 6CD changer, and protective cladding for the lower body panels.

The Eddie Bauer EL ($39,045) and Eddie Bauer EL 4WD ($41,945) are similarly equipped as the standard wheelbase versions.

Options for the Eddie Bauer models include a lengthy list of practical features including a power-folding, third-row bench seat, rear load-leveling air suspension, a heavy-duty towing package, and second-row captain's chairs. Convenience features include a navigation system, Sirius satellite radio, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

The Limited ($37,845) and Limited 4WD ($40,745) are meant to deliver car-like, highway-friendly sophistication in a sport-utility package. The list of standard equipment resembles that of the Eddie Bauer model, but the style statement is far grander and the list of convenience features includes elaborate luxury items. Leather upholstery is standard, as are front captain's chairs (driver's seat is 10-way adjustable) with a heating/cooling feature. The power-folding rear bench seat is standard. Exterior upgrades include 255/70R18 tires with chrome-finish wheels, power-adjustable and folding mirrors.

The Limited EL ($40,495) and Limited EL 4WD ($43,395) are similarly equipped as the standard wheelbase versions.

The option list for the Eddie Bauer and Eddie Bauer EL includes a lengthy list of practical features including a power-folding, third-row bench seat, an electronically powered liftgate, rear load-leveling air suspension, a heavy-duty towing package, and second-row captain's chairs. Convenience features include a navigation system, Sirius satellite radio, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

Walkaround

The Ford Expedition is a truck and, unlike so many other full-size sport-utilities, it doesn't pretend to be anything else. This is a good identity to have, because Ford trucks continue to have an outstanding reputation for utility, reliability and durability, perhaps a byproduct of the extraordinarily rigorous testing they undergo at Ford's brutal truck proving ground in Arizona.

Both the long and regular-length versions of the Expedition are based on the tough, durable components of the Ford F-150 pickup. However, the Expedition features independent rear suspension, chassis technology that improves driving precision, ride comfort, and even passenger packaging.

In the past, the Expedition hasn't been able to establish much of a visual identity, as Ford tried to make the first-generation Expedition look like a car and then went to the other extreme with a notably clumsy interpretation of the heavy-duty tractor-trailer look in the second-generation version.

This new third-generation Expedition features a three-bar grille, large jewel-like headlights, and a domed hood that combine to deliver a look that's both distinctive and respectable. Moreover, there are five different wheel designs, including new 20-inchers with a chrome finish. The Expedition doesn't have the style of GM's sport-utilities, but at least it avoids the science-fiction look of the Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia.

The overall dimensions of the standard Expedition are much the same as before, while the new Expedition EL stretches the standard vehicle's wheelbase by a foot to 131 inches. Overall, the EL measures 14.8 inches longer than the standard Expedition, and that adds 24 cubic feet of cargo volume, an increase to 130.8 cubic feet behind the front seats from 108.3 cubic feet.

Both the standard Expedition and the Expedition EL are great big vehicles, measuring more than seventeen feet from nose to tail. As a result, they're not at their best while maneuvering closer to the dry cleaners at a suburban mini-mall. The Expedition has a turning circle of nearly 41 feet, while the EL requires 44 feet. They're also heavy, as even the base 2WD Expedition weighs 5578 pounds, while the base 2WD EL tips the scales at 5825 pounds. The addition of 4WD adds another 235 pounds to the bottom line.

To be frank, the Expedition is the kind of vehicle that comes with running boards as standard equipment, and we're glad it does.

Interior Features

The 2007 Expedition has a brand-new interior look. The acres of cheap plastic seen in the previous models, so reminiscent of a rental car, have been replaced by a richer blend of finishes, textures and color. In fact, the overall effect of the fully optioned 2007 Expedition Limited is the best representation of modern American-style luxury within Ford's overall vehicle lineup. Wood, chrome and leather make the Expedition an inviting place to spend a day on the road.