Ford Expedition dimensions

Even with its truck-based trappings, the 2012 Ford Expedition is quite the civilized feature for shoppers needing a car with significant passenger, trunk and towing capacities. Ford Expedition SUV offers the following pros: Respectable handling and road comfort; spacious third-row seat; easy-to-fold back seatings increase dashboard flexibility. Ford Expedition SUV drawbacks are: V8 motor struggles under heavy loads; dated and cluttered controls; dashboard cheapened by some low-quality plastics.

The 2012 Ford Ford Expedition is a full-size body-on-frame SUV available in two body lengths: regular and the EL, which adds 15 inches of overall length. Every is provided in four versions: base XL, midrange XLT, upscale Limited and top-of-the-line King Ranch edition. Each Ford Expedition comes with traditional seats for eight except the regular-length XL, which comes traditional with five. Auxillary second-row captain's chairs lower capacity to seven.

The XL comes traditional with 17-inch alloy wheels (18 inches on the EL), automatic headlights, foglamps, a roof rack, running boards, heated mirrors with integrated blind-spot mirrors, keyless entry (both remote and door-mounted keypad), cruise control, air-conditioning (with back controls), cloth upholstery, a six-way performance driver bench (manual recline), a leather-wrapped tilt-only helm, a sliding and reclining 40/20/40-split second-row bench, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a six-speaker audio system with a CD player, an optional stereo slot and back stereo controls.

Upgrading to the XLT adds 18-inch alloy wheels to the regular body style, plus back parking sensors, power-adjustable pedals, performance rear-quarter windows, a trip computer, the voice-operated Sync system (includes Bluetooth phone connectivity and an Ipod/usb stereo interface among other functions) and an updated audio system with radio and steering-wheel-mounted controls. XLT models can also be ordered with the Sport Look suite that contains a body-colored grille, black running boards and black dashboard trim.

The Limited trim level packs on 20-inch polished alloy wheels; a heavy-duty tow package; front parking sensors; power-folding mirrors; driver-side auto-dimming mirror; a performance liftgate; a rearview camera; automatic wipers; dual-zone automatic climate control; leather upholstery; eight-way performance front seatings with heating, cooling and driver memory functions; heated second-row seats; a power-folding third-row seat; a house-style electric outlet and a luxury audio system with subwoofer.

The Western-chic King Ranch edition sports features alike to the Limited while adding special two-tone paint, 20-inch painted alloy wheels, updated headlamps, updated "chaparral" leather upholstery and wood trim.

Many amenities found on upper versions can also be had as features on the less expensive models. Other major add-ons, depending on trim level, include 20-inch alloy wheels, a load-leveling back air suspension that is great for towing, a sunroof and a back entertainment system with two headrest-mounted diplays. Available on all but the XL trim level is a touchscreen navigator that contains HD radio and Sirius Travel Link service (provides real-time data on traffic, weather, sports, movie listings and local fuel prices). .