The Lincoln name is synonymous with refinement, sophistication, and opulence in the automotive industry, serving an integral role as Ford Motor Company’s luxury brand. But for many automakers, having a luxury lineup means skimping on its other offerings to ensure drivers with a penchant for the finer things in life are directed to the models that will deliver, albeit with far-reaching price tags. Ford, however, does things differently and plays by a new set of rules where luxury is more attainable.
The 2023 Ford Expedition showcases Ford’s unique approach to building a family-friendly SUV that blends practicality and versatility with affordable luxury. Top-tier trims like the Expedition Platinum offer every luxury and convenience imaginable, showcasing that Ford doesn’t limit these features to its Lincoln lineup. On the 2023 Expedition, this luxury comes in various forms, from exquisite details, premium materials, and high-tech features to an extended platform befitting growing families that need ample room for passengers and gear.
Premium Comfort
The 2023 Expedition Platinum and Platinum MAX are designed with you and your passengers in mind. For Ford, every seat should offer premium comfort, and the Platinum delivers. This top-tier comfort starts with Carmelo leather-trimmed seats, with heated and ventilated front-row seating for you and your co-pilot. In addition, the seats optimize your posture, relying on a multi-contour design with an integrated Active Motion massage feature that significantly reduces leg and lower back fatigue. Passengers in the second row can also get a taste of this luxury, thanks to heated seats and rear auxiliary climate controls that complement the tri-zone electronic automatic temperature control system to ensure everyone is comfortable throughout the cabin.
Trims like the King Ranch take a different approach to luxury. For example, the King Ranch exchanges the Platinum’s Carmelo leather for Del Rio leather, which boasts the iconic “W” logo with Kingsville stitching. The Limited follows a similar suit and can be outfitted with a Mahogany interior that gives the SUV a distinct pop of color and added sophistication.
Customizable Cabin
Versatility is a luxury in an SUV, especially regarding cabin configuration. Ford acknowledges as much and gives the 2023 Expedition another advantage by offering drivers a choice between cabin design. For example, the Platinum models come standard with seating for seven passengers because of the Power-Folding Tip and Slide Captain’s Chairs in the second row. However, you can swap the captain’s chairs for a 40-20-40 Power Folding Tip and Slide second row that extends the SUV’s passenger capacity to eight without diminishing the Expedition’s lavish interior.
Luxurious Ride
An SUV with a premium cabin and plush seating is enticing, but those amenities mean very little if the SUV doesn’t deliver a smooth, quiet ride. Ford ensures as much by outfitting models like the 2023 Expedition Platinum with Continuously Controlled Damping with Suspension Road Preview, front and rear stabilizer bars, electronic power-assist rack-and-pinion steering for enhanced responsiveness, electronic stability control, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. But what do these features mean for the SUV?
The Expedition’s stabilizer bars enhance the SUV’s handling and your control, especially when towing heavy loads and relying on advanced features like Trailer Sway Control. The AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control complements these features by enhancing the Expedition’s stability using gyroscopic sensors to monitor its roll and turning rate. When it senses an imbalance, the system applies the necessary brake power to maximize the SUV’s traction on the road.
This control adds to the Expedition’s handling by giving you greater confidence behind the wheel. At the same time, the Expedition relies on innovative technology like its Continuously Controlled Damping system with Suspension Road Preview to take the SUV’s ride to the next level. This technology uses a camera mounted into the grille to monitor upcoming road imperfections like potholes. Then, when it senses an impending obstacle or issue, it adapts the suspension to minimize impact and improve the overall ride.
State-of-the-Art Technology
Knowing you have all the tools needed to navigate the road is an integral part of your experience as a driver. These tools are also essential to the Expedition’s appeal as an affordable luxury SUV. How so?
Ford unleashes every trick in its wheelhouse by outfitting the top-tier Expedition Platinum with every tech feature imaginable. From the driver’s seat, you have access to a 12.4-inch Screen in Gauge Cluster Display and an expansive 15.5-inch center display with the renowned SYNC 4A infotainment system. This technology keeps you connected and engineers confidence by putting everything you need within view or reach.
The SYNC 4A system offers seamless smartphone integration complemented by high-value features like the wireless charging pad and the array of Smart-Charing Multimedia USB ports throughout the cabin. The infotainment system includes a three-year subscription to Ford’s Connected Built-In Navigation, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot via FordPass Connect, and entertainment tools like HD Radio. Whether relying on HD Radio or streaming your playlist via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, Ford makes every listening experience immersive courtesy of its Bang & Olufsen Unleashed Sound System. The system includes 22 speakers with a subwoofer, making it the most comprehensive audio system in the segment.
The Expedition’s impressive suite of technology extends beyond its sound system to industry-leading tools like BlueCruise. BlueCruise is a hands-free driver-assist feature that lets you take your hands off the wheel and enjoy the ride when traveling on one of over 130,000 miles of compatible roadways throughout North America. This technology is another luxurious feature and complements a host of technology like Ford’s Active Park Assist 2.0 System that helps you park the SUV in any situation, parallel or perpendicular. It can even help you navigate the Expedition out of a parking space.
The Price of Luxury
What price are you willing to pay for a luxury SUV that answers all your needs and exceeds your expectations? Ford’s Lincoln lineup may be synonymous with luxury, but models like the 2023 Expedition prove you no longer have to pay a premium to experience Lincoln-like luxury. Instead, you can get behind the wheel of a fully loaded trim like the Expedition Platinum and still have plenty of money to spend on your next adventure. So, what does this look like for you and your budget?
The 2023 Expedition starts at $55,125, with the price increasing as you climb the lineup to reach the Platinum trim. Lincoln’s comparable SUV, the Navigator, is a far cry from the Expedition’s starting price, requiring drivers to spend $79,725 on the base model. Admittedly, the Navigator Standard is handsomely equipped but can’t outshine the Expedition Platinum.
Enjoying next-level luxury in the Navigator requires investing in a top-tier trim like the Reserve L, which will set you back over $91,935. However, you can get many comparable features on the Expedition Platinum for a fraction of the price. More so, you also get to enjoy industry-leading features like BlueCruise and a best-in-class sound system that puts the Navigator’s 14-speaker setup to shame.
These differences give the 2023 Expedition a clear advantage in the industry as more drivers look for ways to save money without settling for less. Ford makes this possible, giving the Expedition appeal by outfitting it with premium features and state-of-the-art technology that enhances its value. In turn, drivers get everything they want and need in an SUV without settling for something less than extraordinary.
