2003 Ford Expedition
Expert Review

Moms know all about growth spurts. Almost overnight, it seems, the kids can't fit into their clothes or shoes. In many families, the quickly growing youngsters suddenly don't fit comfortably in the family car or sport utility vehicle, either.

In fact, Ford Motor Co. says growing families—with kids getting into their pre-teens and teens—were a key reason Ford's Expedition SUV became popular in the late 1990s.

"When we launched it in 1996, the expectation was for 120,000 units (to sell annually)," said Leo Williams, global marketing manager for Expedition. "Demand just grew. In three months, we found ourselves trying to ramp up production to, at first, 160,000, then to 180,000, then to 220,000, and ultimately to 240,000 units."

A lot of buyers were "couples and families," he said. "Many were growing out of their minivans—either because they didn't like the minivan image or because the kids really liked this Expedition (instead). It was better adapted to the older kids, 13 to 17 years old … (and) these are very active families for the most part. They didn't just think about what they're going to do, they're going out and doing it."

Now, families wishing to ditch the ol' minivan might want to check out the upcoming 2003 Expedition, which offers more seat comfort, amenities and handling improvements over the previous-generation Expedition. It also has some industry-leading features and can tow more.

Styling unimpressive
The 2003 Expedition, unfortunately, doesn't look much different from earlier Expeditions.

Most people will notice that the grille is bigger on the front of the new Expedition. Other styling changes—such as a taller hood, bigger door handles and larger standard tires—might be too subtle to notice unless a new Expedition is parked right next to an older one.

This is the primary weakness of the new model, according to Jeff Schuster of automotive researcher J.D. Power and Associates.

I have to agree. During my test drive, I didn't see other drivers even looking at the 2003 Expedition. Yet, in reality, all the sheet metal on the 2003 Expedition is new, save for basically the front doors and roof.

Williams called it a "minor concern," adding: "I believe we have a clean, polished look."

Ride is a highlight
Once inside and riding in this sizable SUV, I quickly noticed how different the 2003 Expedition is.

Though the new Expedition is nearly the same size as the old one—it's a slight, 1.2 inches longer overall — it sure doesn't drive like the old one.

In back-to-back drives of a 2002 Expedition and a 2003 model, I felt like the newer Expedition was more connected to the road. It didn't have the bounce and sway of the more-truckish-riding earlier-generation Expedition. Ford engineers sought to provide a more car-like ride, and they succeeded.

The new Expedition felt like a somewhat smaller vehicle, from the driver's seat at least, and I found myself taking mountainside roads and curves with more confidence than I expected.

New steering system
This new SUV doesn't have the recirculating ball steering of previous Expeditions. Instead, rack-and-pinion steering provides a more precise feel.

The Expedition's wheels are pushed farther out to the corners now, making the vehicle's track wider, which gives a more stable feel on the road.

The new Expedition and its sister vehicle Lincoln Navigator are the first full-size SUVs to market with independent rear suspension. It's a configuration found on many cars, while trucks and truck-based SUVs have traditionally used live rear axles that contribute to a somewhat bouncy, truckish sort of ride.

Combined with extensive use of lighter-weight, aluminum suspension components that can react more quickly to road surface changes, the new suspension is more adept at keeping wheels in contact with the pavement and conveying a more refined ride.

"One of the complaints from current customers is that the vehicle is a little bit too trucky," Williams said. "Many people liked the image but said the ride was more trucky (than they liked). This is a more car-like ride."

Indeed, the 2003 Expedition's ride felt discernibly less truckish than the competing Toyota Sequoia. The Expedition also felt less floaty on the road than do the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon.

In all of these models, riders do have to climb up a good ways to get aboard.

More safety items
Williams said buyers of full-size SUVs assume they're getting a safe vehicle. After all, the Expedition is heavy—weighing 5,200-plus pounds, about the weight of two Ford Focus cars—and stands 6.5 feet tall.

Expedition has received five-star crash ratings for both driver and front passenger in government-conducted frontal crash tests in the 2001 and 2002 model years.

The 2003 Expedition adds to the safety record with an even stronger passenger compartment and largest brakes in the segment—better for towing trailers and boats—as well as optional curtain airbags that can provide injury protection in side crashes and rollovers. Tire pressure monitors are available for the first time, and Advance TRAC stability control system is another option.

Power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals are standard on Expedition, helping drivers properly position themselves in front of the steering wheel-mounted frontal airbag.

Of course, Expedition can be had with a four-wheel-drive system. It worked competently to move the test vehicle up hillsides, on dirt paths and through a muddy ditch. Drivers must remain vigilant, however, in navigating this big vehicle with care around trees and on narrow paths.

Big news: Power rear seats
Of course, the advertising will focus on new creature comforts.

The Expedition and its sister vehicle, the 2003 Lincoln Navigator, come to market as the only full-size SUVs with third row seats that fold flat into the floor by the push of a button.

These power third-row seats are split 60/40 to accommodate a mix of passenger and cargo needs.

The third-row seat really isn't bad for adults. Thanks to the generous floor space made available by the independent rear suspension, riders back there don't sit with their knees right under their chins—a problem that is found in some third-row seats in SUVs.

Another new seat feature
Second-row seating is innovative, too. With split, three-seat design in this row, the middle seat can be slid forward, closer to the front seats.

This makes the middle spot in the second row a perfect place to put a youngster. Not only is the child away from side doors, but he or she sits within an easy reach of front-seat riders like mom or dad.

An additional benefit is the fact the youngster gets a bird's eye view out the windshield, since no front seat blocks the forward view.

This isn't the only family-friendly feature in the 2003 Expedition. This new SUV can be had with the same, wide-angle mirror that's in the Ford Windstar minivan that allows the driver to keep an eye on back-seat activities without having to turn around in the driver seat. This additional mirror is installed up on the ceiling, near the windshield.

Good view from on top
I appreciated the high ride height and how much quieter the interior of the new Expedition is. Ford even injected foam into certain body areas to keep unwanted sounds from the interior.

Riders do hear the engine while accelerating. Two V8s are offered, and they're the same ones as in the previous Expedition.

They sound a lot more impressive, thanks to special tuning to give them "a tough truck sound," according to one Ford official.

Note that fuel economy here isn't the best. It ranges from 13 or 14 miles per gallon in city driving to 17 to 19 mpg on the highway, depending on engine and two- or four-wheel-drive. Both engines require unleaded regular, and maximum towing capability is 8,900 pounds now.

A final note
One of the few new vehicles that has eschewed lots of silver-colored accents in the interior, the 2003 Expedition is the first Ford-branded SUV to offer a navigation system. A DVD entertainment system is available, too.