Test drive Ford Expedition 2002 - 2006 SUV

On nature

Ford Expedition good cure for city spleen

This giant in the city is like an elephant among Mosek, which if it snaps, they will still give way to the road. Ford Expedition inspires reverence, although I would never refuse it to elegance. One way or another, and while driving a huge car you feel more than confident, trying only inadvertently something inconspicuous not to move. In the metropolis, however, it is boring, he strangles the stench of carburetor machines and calls the spleen, so we and my friends in a fine day in a hurry to nature. Fortunately, Expedition provides an opportunity to climb to where you will find only the collector of the roots in Kirsz boots. And the tent does not need a place in the car, even though open the hotel.

Comfort in American

Inside, it is deliberately rough skin, but of the most choke quality. In such a decoration, it makes sense, it does not allow you to forget that, although you are used to comfort, but in your soul a pioneer, Boyscout. The seat is equipped with electrical controls, only the degree of lumbar support and the angle of inclination of the back change mechanically. The steering wheel moves only in height, which is typical for an American car, but does not create difficulties with proper landing at the wheel. In addition, Expedition has an electrical adjustment of pedals.

In general, after the restyling last year, the Expedition interior leaves a very good impression. The driver’s place is visually separated from the rest of the cabin, part of the dashboard and the central console are trimmed with black plastic, while the rest of the beige parts. The chrome rims around the ventilation deflectors bring the spirit of sports, and even the AKP poker on the steering column looks appropriate here.

Near the central console there is a block of control of an all -wheel drive transmission. It has four modes. 2Hi rear -wheel drive, which is used for normal movement. AUTO 4WD Electronics connects the front wheels only when the rear slip. 4Hi constant all -wheel drive with a symmetrical distribution of torque between the axes. 4LO Reduced Transmission. It is noteworthy that you can manipulate a lever on the go, only a lower row, which is used only on serious off -road, is connected after a complete stop. On the left are the buttons of the on-board computer, the climate control unit in the cabin and the music center with the compact disk player on the right. By the way, there are many buttons on the steering wheel, which allow not only to control the audio system, without tearing off the hands from the steering wheel, but also to change the air temperature and activate the cruise control system. But for the climate in the back of the cabin, two levers in the ceiling are responsible, next to the rear view mirror. However, passengers themselves can provide themselves comfort at their disposal a separate control unit of the climate control system. In addition, those sitting from the back have the opportunity to connect the headphones to the audio system and listen to the CD, while the driver, for example, is enthusiastic about the radio expert.

Separately, I will say about the expanse in the stern. Although the seats are located high enough, they are comfortable, and there are plenty of legs. In addition, in a huge luggage compartment, we found two more chairs of the third row, which can be easily extracted from the floor. Needless to talk about space under the luggage and the possibility of folding the seats of the second, as a result of which the expedition will not yield to another truck.

On the roads and off -road

We are heading not far, to the familiar Dmitrovskoye Shosse district, to the shore of the reservoir. By the way, my friends showed amazing stupidity, deciding to argue with one of the safety systems: they stubbornly did not want to fasten their belts. Smart electronics gave a fairly unpleasant sound signal, stubborn riders made the sound of the audio system louder. This went on for two minutes, then the on-board computer decided to call us to order differently: it turned on the sound signal for a minute every quarter of an hour, hoping for the human mind. But is our person able to argue some American electronics? ..

On the course of Expedition is a typical American car. The pendants are soft, which is why the rolls of the body in vihi are large. Frankly drive, abruptly rebuild, storm the bundles of turning on Expections anyway, that trying to make a sumo fighter perform in competitions in rhythmic gymnastics. You can, of course, but it will hardly give pleasure. A car was created for that. Here are the distant marches of his destiny. At the wheel of Expedition, you can drive at least a thousand kilometers, and do not feel tired: it stands well on a straight line, in good faith swallows pits and other irregularities. By the way, a couple of times with sharp restructures, the Advancetrac stabilization system came into business very timely and quite correctly, it should be noted. And the brakes are good, which is important for a heavy car.

If we talk about dynamics, then the mighty V8 allows you to accelerate instantly and from any engine speed. The torque is so great that with idle revolutions it is not a weak pickup. The only but somewhat thoughtful automatic transmission, which, however, expect from an American SUV. Note that the car in the EDDIE Bauer version with a 5.4 -liter engine with a capacity of 260 hp visited the test. In the very near future, by the way, an even more powerful modification with a power unit of the same volume, but developing 300 forces, will debut in the interior of official dealers.

It was worth moving off the asphalt, as it became clear that, firstly, it is better to translate the transmission into the Auto 4WD mode of the connected all-wheel drive, and, secondly, soft pendants with large moves, this is exactly what is needed outside the asphalt. An empty steering wheel was a little annoyed, but this is characteristic of large SUVs, especially from the New World. When crossing small barriers, the front wheels were connected now and then it was worth only a little to the rear. But directly to the place of the picnic managed to drive up, only using the constant all -wheel drive system. Expedition without hesitation and passengers forced several ditches for himself and passengers, climbed onto steep hills along the bumps and crawled down the loose soil. My task, as a driver, was, it seemed, only not to scratch the thresholds. Although I would not dare to call on a completely unnecessary field: if this 2.5-ton car is put on the belly, I will have to look for a suitable tractor for a long time. Yes, we, however, were not required to overcome the arable land.

Further, it follows the part, the reader is not interesting and has no direct attitude to the car. I can only say that in fact the man in the boots, which was indeed on us, was very surprised and refused to believe that we really drove here on this beautiful car.

Only from Eddie

Ford Expedition is still offered only in the top version of Eddie Bauer at a price of $ 61,440. It is easy to guess that the car is equipped with the highest category, and only a sliding hatch on the roof is listed in the list of options, which is installed together with side safety curtains at a price of $ 14,440. From The main competitors will highlight the Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota Land Cruiser 100. But I note that the choice of such a car is very subjective. You can use it not only as a large machine for the whole family, but also as a car of escort. In any case, confidence behind the wheel and comfort in any weather at any time of the year are guaranteed.

Brief technical characteristics of Ford Expedition
Engine volume, cubic meter. See 5403
The number of valves per cylinder 2
Power, l. With. at about./min. 260/4500
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min. 475/2500
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p. 10.0
Maximum speed, km/h 180*
The average fuel consumption l./100 km. 14.7
The volume of the fuel tank, l. 106
Car mass, kg 2572
Dimensions, mm. 5225x2000x1970
* Maximum speed is limited by electronics

Text: Andrey Osipov

A source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 9 (77), 2005]