2018 Ford Expedition: 9 Smart Features of This Big SUV | The Short List

Craig Cole
by Craig Cole

The Ford Expedition is hardly the freshest SUV around. Sure, it has a number of useful features, but not necessarily enough to overcome its outdated feel.

Remedying this, the 2018 model will bring myriad innovations to a segment not usually known for change. Perhaps most importantly, this body-on-frame SUV is set to shed around 300 pounds by gaining an aluminum body.

But that’s the most obvious enhancement, the lowest-hanging fruit. There’s much more lurking just beneath the surface. This new 2018 Ford Expedition is chockfull of new features, with engineers making important strides in three key areas: connectivity, comfort, and convenience. Breaking it down further, here are nine things you should know about it.


9. Wi-Fi Hotspot

And we start with electronics. Keeping an entire stable of mobile devices connected is available in-vehicle Wi-Fi. Ford is hardly the first automaker to offer this, but nonetheless, it’s an incredibly handy feature, especially for families. You can look up road trip destinations, watch YouTube videos or even respond to work e-mails while on the go. The new Expedition’s hotspot supports up to 10 devices and has a range of 50 feet.


8. Plug ‘n’ Play

Ensuring all those smartphones and tablets are fully juiced, this 2018-model-year SUV has power plugs everywhere including four 12-volt sockets, half a dozen USB ports, a 110-volt household outlet and even a wireless charging pad, Ford’s first implementation of this technology.


7. Rear-Seat Entertainment

Moving on to feature No. 7, keeping the kiddies occupied is an optional dual-screen, rear-seat entertainment system. For maximum flexibility, it can play different DVDs on each screen at the same time or stream content from mobile devices. You can even hook up your favorite console for on-the-go gaming.

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6. First-Class Third-Row

One thing the Expedition’s excelled at for years is passenger comfort. It’s one of the only SUVs available today with a third-row seat that life-sized adults can actually fit in! And this hasn’t changed a bit for 2018. There’s tons of head- and knee-room in steerage, plus the backrests are power adjustable.

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5. Inspired by Chairs

You can thank this rig’s independent rear suspension for providing much of that space. Naturally, the second-row chairs are suitably pampering as well. Engineers paid extra attention to the height of the lower cushions, making them comparable to a chair’s. This helps promote good posture, which can reduce discomfort on long drives.


4. Tip-and-Slide Seats

Second-row seats in the all-new Ford Expedition feature tip-and-slide architecture that enables passengers to access the third row without having to uninstall a child seat mounted in the second row.

Aside from being long-haul comfortable, the second-row seats have another trick up their sleeve. They tip and slide – even with a child seat in place – providing a generous space for climbing into the third-row. The seat tracks have also been made much lower so you’re less likely to trip over them while clamoring back there.


3. Pushing My Buttons

When it comes to convenience, all the new Ford Expedition’s back seats can be power folded at the push of a button, both the second- and third rows. If you can use a TV remote you can go from human hauling to cargo carrying in just seconds, anytime, anywhere… well, maybe not while from the driver’s seat while cruising down the highway, but you get the drift.


2. Four-by-Eight

And once those backrests are dropped, you’re treated to a generous cargo hold that’s pretty much flat, making it easier to load and position freight. Also, this area of Expedition is wide enough between the wheel-wells to accommodate four-by-eight sheets of building material; the extended-length Max model can even swallow them whole with the hatch closed.


1. Under-Floor Storage

If that’s not enough, the 2018 Ford Expedition also has hidden, under-floor stowage compartments, perfect for stashing items you’d rather not have exposed to prying eyes, like a purse or jewelry.

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Craig Cole
Craig Cole

Born and raised in metro Detroit, Craig was steeped in mechanics from childhood. He feels as much at home with a wrench or welding gun in his hand as he does behind the wheel or in front of a camera. Putting his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism to good use, he's always pumping out videos, reviews, and features for AutoGuide.com. When the workday is over, he can be found out driving his fully restored 1936 Ford V8 sedan. Craig has covered the automotive industry full time for more than 10 years and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).

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