REVIEW: FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER 4X4

By Bren/Mikele Hagin

SPECIFICATIONS

      Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price              $ 40,880
      Price As Tested                                    $ 49,215
      Engine Type              SOHC 16-valve 5.4 Liter V8 w/SMFI*
      Engine Size                                 330 cid/5409 cc
      Horsepower                                   260 @ 4500 RPM
      Torque (lb-ft)                               350 @ 2500 RPM
      Wheelbase/Width/Length                  119.1"/78.6"/204.6"
      Transmission                           Four-speed automatic
      Curb Weight                                     5494 pounds
      Fuel Capacity                                  30.0 gallons
      Tires  (F/R)                          P265/70R17 all season
      Brakes (F/R)                          Disc (ABS)/disc (ABS)
      Drive Train                   Front-engine/four-wheel-drive
      Vehicle Type                      Eight-passenger/five-door
      Domestic Content                                        N/A
      Coefficient of Drag (Cd.)                               N/A

PERFORMANCE

      EPA Economy, miles per gallon 
      city/highway/average                            12/16/14
      0-60 MPH                                       10.5 seconds
      Maximum payload capacity                        1732 pounds
      Maximum towing capacity                         8200 pounds
                  * Sequential multi-port fuel injection
        

BRENDAN - Ford Motor Company is one of many manufacturers that 
offers a plethora of SUV's to today's car buying public. It has a full 
lineup from the entry-level Escape to the mammoth Excursion. While the 
most commonly seen SUV from Ford is the mega-selling mid-line Explorer, 
the Expedition we tested this week is what I'd consider to be the most 
practical, at least for a family the size of ours. Our tester was the 
Eddie Bauer edition, and it has all the stuff you would expect on a 
vehicle that starts at $40,000. But it also has lots of "extras" as 
standard equipment. Its Triton 5.4-liter single overhead cam V8 engine 
has the beans to tackle a big hill with the cabin loaded with folks and 
when pushed, it makes a great high-speed tourer. Its four-speed 
automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on our Eddie Bauer 
four-by-four. It has a maintenance-free battery with a battery saver 
feature and a 130 amp alternator, good for all those trips to the snow 
when all the accessories are on. But a fill-up on its 30-gallon fuel 
tank feeding its 12-city and 16 miles to the gallon highway can make 
for frequent stops for fuel.
     
MIKELE - I thought the Expedition handled like a sports car, or as 
close as possible for a large four-wheel drive machine. The press 
packet says front and rear stabilizer bars coupled with the optional 
four-corner load-leveling suspension help the Expedition though the 
turns, and the 3.73 limited slip rear axle help in those rough 
conditions of crawling through the underbrush or through creek beds. 
Someday, I'll have to try some of that stuff with an SUV. Inside, the 
Expedition Eddie Bauer has all the plush items that make the driver and 
passengers comfortable and gives them the modern conveniences that are 
a "given" for today's family vehicles. Cloth seats are standard, but 
our truck had leather all the way around, with a manual driver lumbar 
support and height adjuster in the front and optional captains chairs 
in the second row. The seats are heated, which is great for our recent 
cold spell, and the third row makes it possible to carry lots of kids 
to school band practice. Other interior items include power windows 
with a one-touch feature on the driver's side, power mirrors and locks, 
tilt steering, air conditioning and illuminated entry. The optional 
MACH audio system in the Eddie Bauer edition is powerful, with a 
six-disc CD changer and seven premium speakers, including a subwoofer 
with 300 watts of peak power. That's enough watts to please even the 
most jaded teenage "beat" conscience passengers.

BRENDAN - I bet mothers would be seen as superstars picking up the 
kids after school while blasting away with that kind of sound power. 
Our pups loved all the room in the Expedition, with plenty of space for 
them to romp around. I would suggest getting one of those partitions 
that block dogs from getting up front, because it's safer for everyone. 
Outside, the Expedition has the sleek contours Ford has developed for 
its recent SUVs, and our test Eddie Bauer had 17-inch Chrometec steel 
wheels for a cool street-style look. With raised white letter 
P265/70R17 all-season tires mounted on them, it makes the Expedition 
appear almost muscle car-like. Park a new Bullit Mustang next to it in 
your garage and you'd be the star of your neighborhood.

MIKELE - The Expedition made me feel safe while driving it, and 
all the stuff that I read about it gave me even more assurance. 
Second-generation driver and right front passenger airbags are 
standard, and side impact airbags are available, as long as it has the 
optional second row captain's chairs and reverse sensing system. Manual 
three-point shoulder belts with pretensioners for all outboard 
passengers are standard, as well as four-wheel power disc brakes with 
four-wheel ABS. It also has side door intrusion beams and child proof 
rear door locks to round out an ultra-safe cabin.

BRENDAN - Maybe if we're lucky Ford will give us one of these 
babies again so we can take it up skiing. I bet it would fit a few 
snowboards as well.

MIKELE - If you snowboard like you used to skateboard, were both 
in trouble.