The power third-row seat is invaluable when changing roles from people hauler to a cargo hauler and back again with just a press of a button. Expedition's third row is comfortable enough for a couple of full-size adults. When no one is seated back there, the third-row headrests can be pushed down flush with the seatbacks, greatly improving the driver's rearward visibility.
With the seats folded down, the cargo floor is perfectly flat, in contrast to many SUVs, which have a slanting platform. The Expedition's flat floor, combined with the flaps that cover the gap where the seats hinge, makes it easy to slide objects in and out. Another nice feature is the window in the liftgate that opens so you can quickly load or unload stuff without opening the whole liftgate.
The second-row bench seat splits roughly into thirds. The middle section can be moved forward 11 inches, almost abutting it to the back of the front center console. Ford calls this feature CenterSlide, and it gives front-seat parents easier access to a small child in a safety seat. The small center seatback can also be folded down and used as a work surface for two people in back. The two outboard second-row seats fold easily forward for access to the third-row seat.
The Reverse Sensing System is available as a stand-alone option for 2006. It's a great feature, particularly on large SUVs, whose rearward blind spot can be three times as large as a sedan's. A tone alerts the driver to objects behind the vehicle whenever it's shifted in reverse. Don't depend on it, though, it's an aid and is not designed to absolve drivers of the responsibility of looking where they're going.
Some of Expedition's interior systems are programmable, and the programming is relatively easy. Tired of fighting those automatic locks? You can turn off the auto-locking feature. You can set whether the seat automatically moves back when you shut off the ignition. You can decide whether you want the right mirror to automatically tilt down when reverse is selected.
The optional navigation system has a nice bright screen. It works well, but like all navigation systems, takes some time to master. Next Page