Ford Expedition 2003 $6,995

Ford's full-size SUV sports changes inside and out. Outside, the Expedition looks bigger and bolder. Some of its new styling cues, such as the egg-crate grille and raised hood, are from its little brother, the Explorer. Inside you'll find fold-flat second- and third-row seats, with a power-folding option for the third row. The second row is split-40/20/40 enabling the middle section to slide forward. The Eddie Bauer package has an in-dash six-disc changer (optional on the XLT) and steering wheel-mounted stereo and climate controls, as well as an optional DVD player, navigation system and heated-cooled seats., , But the big changes are the ones you can't readily see. Underneath the skin a double-wishbone independent rear suspension system and a rack and pinion steering configuration improve road handling. AdvanceTrac stability control, along with ControlTrac four-wheel-drive system and an increased width of 1.7 inches should help keep the rubber down and the shiny side up., Introduction, , A general sense of dissatisfaction spread over Fordland in the mid-'90s when it realized that GM held a monopoly on full-size SUVs with its Chevy Tahoe and Suburban. With SUV sales booming and consumer trends pointing toward a desire for bigger and more powerful vehicles capable of hauling as many as nine passengers or more than 100 cubic feet of cargo, Ford found itself without a competitive edge in a hot market niche. When the redesigned F-Series pickup debuted for 1997, Ford engineered a proper large SUV on its platform. The Expedition was introduced with much fanfare that same year, finding favor among buyers whose only other choices were GM SUVs built on the decade-old C/K pickup frame. The Expedition was stiffer, powered by more modern overhead cam engines, and sized to slot nicely between the SUV twins from Chevrolet and GMC. Instantly popular, the Expedition became one of Ford's hottest sellers. But when GM redesigned the Silverado and Sierra pickups for 1999, new Tahoes, Yukons and Suburbans were also released into the marketplace. The revamped Chevys and GMCs could all carry nine, and as an added benefit, the rearmost seats in the Tahoe and Yukon were easier to remove because they were split and lighter in weight. Additionally, the GM pushrod V8 engines were tweaked for more power and refinement, and were worlds ahead of the comparatively weak Ford power plants. Then Toyota entered the fray with the eight-passenger Sequoia SUV, powered by a , creamy-smooth, Lexus-sourced 4.7-liter V8 engine. Based on the Tundra pickup, the Sequoia wore a sticker with a price premium, but consumers wanted that virtual guarantee of reliability that comes along with the Toyota nameplate, and they lined up to buy the hulking new SUV. Shortly after the debut of the Tundra, Expedition sales were propped up with lease subsidies and rebates. Special-edition trim packages were also offered to spawn interest. It was, at just four years of age, the oldest design in its segment. But Ford was already hard at work on creating a replacement. The 2003 Expedition is almost entirely new, carrying over only parts that the buyer cannot see. Bigger, more comfortable, more refined and easier to drive, the redesigned Expedition competes favorably with the SUVs from General Motors and Toyota, offering creature comforts not found in competing vehicles. If the new Expedition has an Achilles' heel, it is that the powertrains are virtually carried over from the previous model with no power upgrades. Still, there is plenty to like about the new super-sized SUV from Ford, and those shopping for such a vehicle will certainly want to take it under consideration., Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options, , Four trim levels are available. The base model, the XLT Value is your basic, no-frills workhorse that comes with a CD player, air conditioning, a flip-up rear hatch window and power-adjustable pedals. The Popular package will add running boards, rear-seat climate controls and auto-

• 4 Door
• 4 Wheel Drive
• Bug Shield
• Premium Wheels
• Rear Wiper
• Running Boards
• Towing Package
• Air Conditioning
• Center Console
• Cruise Control
• Heated Mirrors
• Power Door Locks
• Power Mirrors
• Power Seats
• Power Steering
• Power Windows
• Rear Air Conditioning
• Rear Defrost
• Tilt Steering
• Tinted Windows
• CD Player
• Information Center
• Keyless Entry
• Trip/Mileage Computer
• Antilock Brakes
• Driver Air Bag
• Passenger Air Bag