2025 Ford Expedition Hands-On Preview: Big Tech for a Bigger SUV

A twin-level screen setup, and split tailgate are some of the big upgrades.

Ford on Thursday evening debuted the 2025 Expedition. The full-size, body-on-frame enters its fifth generation with more than a few similarities to last year’s model—same platform, same EcoBoost V6—but sees big upgrades to its practicality and onboard tech alongside the expected styling tweaks, all in a bid to make it more appealing to families.

There’s not a whole lot of change to the profile of the Expedition: there’s only so much that can be done to a gigantic box, after all. It’s a slightly taller box now, mind you. The front gets an even taller, bluffer grille, with a slightly more angular take on Ford’s C-clamp LED signature; with the main beams on, it’s a bit like two apostrophes, joined with a light bar at the bottom.

Big changes are afoot out back, as a contrasting black panel stretches across most of the liftgate. Why is that? Ford wants to highlight the addition of a split tailgate. With a configurable cargo management system, it can double as a table or even offer a backrest for seating. We got to go on-hands with it and while it’s short enough to dig into adult backs, it should prove helpful for short stints or kids. There’s also adjustable lighting built into the top portion of the liftgate.

Popping open the front doors introduces the next big change: the Expedition now features a two-foot ultra-wide screen set right against the windshield. Like the setup in the Lincoln Nautilus, the top screen is set deep to function as a replacement for any head-up display, offering high-res, customizable sections for the most pertinent driver info. A large landscape-orientation touchscreen sits in the middle of the dashboard. Both run the new Ford Digital Experience that debuted in the 2025 Explorer. This setup includes a built-in Google Assistant and on first impressions should be easy to use. Ford will also be offering a Connectivity Package, which adds a WiFi hotspot, access to Google Play apps, and native Google Maps. This is available as a one-time purchase at order, or can be subscribed to annually, because of course that’s becoming more common. The Play store opens up access to games and TV streaming (both only available while the vehicle is parked, naturally), including a Ford-exclusive version of the Asphalt Nitro 2 racing game.

Similarly, BlueCruise will now be available across the Expedition lineup, it too requiring a subscription. First-time buyers have a few choices: a 90-day trial, a year’s subscription, or a one-time purchase. Skip the latter and the options are annual or monthly fees.

Other smart family upgrades include digital device holders built into the front seatbacks—because what family doesn’t already have their own tablets to bring along?—as well as a power-sliding center console for easy access in the second row. The latter is suitably massive. Ford also includes a 40/20/40 split third row, enabling longer items to load into the Expedition with ease.

The venerable 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 continues on in two outputs: the standard setup produces 400 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, while the High Output bumps those figures to 440 and 510, respectively. The latter is the only option for the new Expedition Tremor, which joins the lineup alongside the Platinum, King Ranch, and Active. The Tremor boasts standard four-wheel drive, 33-inch all-terrain tires, a suspension lift (for 10.6 inches of ground clearance), and an electronic locking rear differential. There’s also additional underbody protection. Tremor adds a dedicated rock crawling driving mode, in addition to Trail Turn Assist and Trail 1-Pedal.

Buyers opting for a big body-on-frame SUV are more likely to tow, so Ford will be including its handy Pro Trailer Hitch Assist on the Expedition. Pro Trailer Backup Assist is also available, letting owners use a simple dial to navigate a trailer through any tough paths. Tow capacity is capped at 7,000 pounds without a load-levelling bar, or 9,600 pounds with a weight distributing hitch.