Jeffrey N. Ross | Dec 02, 2020
According to Ford, six out of every ten Expedition SUVs it sells are luxury models equipped with either the Limited or Platinum trim levels. So for 2020, buyers are getting even more luxury options with the reintroduction of the Expedition King Ranch.
First introduced in 2005, the Ford Expedition King Ranch stood as the Ford division's flagship people mover until the Platinum trim debuted in 2015. The King Ranch was not among the trim level offerings when the Expedition was redesigned for the 2018 model year. But now, the iconic nameplate is returning for 2020 to split the difference between the aforementioned Limited and Platinum trim levels.
2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch Exterior
Not much has changed since the fourth-gen Ford Expedition made its debut a couple years ago, but the 2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch does get some unique styling elements. With stone gray accents on the bumpers, mesh grille, mirror caps and roof rails, Ford made sure you could instantly identify this model, and the 22-inch wheels and power-operating running boards finish off the key styling upgrades.
Despite this new design entering its third model year, it still looks extremely stylish and modern, and the King Ranch looks even better in this tester's Star White Metallic Tri-Coat paint job. With rear glass which can open independently of the liftgate, the cutting-edge style of the new Expedition shows it still has old-school SUV ties.
Shop Ford Expedition Inventory
2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch Interior
While the new Lincoln Navigator is better equipped to take on full-lux SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, the 2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch is aimed more at tweener luxury SUVs like the GMC Yukon Denali. The King Ranch is a luxury car disguised as a giant SUV thanks to three rows of premium "Del Rio" two-tone leather seating that is configured in a seven-passenger layout with second-row captain's chairs. Front occupants get heated and cooled seats, and the middle row gets heated seats, but all rows get the signature King Ranch "running W" emblem embroidered on the seat backs.
Being a luxury model, the 2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch comes with a boatload of content. Additional luxury touches include a heated steering wheel, power-folding third-row seats, a panoramic Vista Roof with a massive power sunroof, USB charging ports for all three rows, a 12-speaker B&O premium audio system, and SYNC 3 with navigation. This infotainment system features compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as FordPass Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 mobile devices.
Regardless of whether you are planning on hauling passengers or cargo, the Expedition can accommodate just about anything. With seven passengers, the Expedition is able to carry 19.3 cubic-feet of cargo behind the rear seats, but with both rear rows folded flat, this SUV can swallow 104.6 cubic feet of gear. And if this isn't enough space, Ford also offers the long-wheelbase Expedition Max, which also comes in the King Ranch trim level, and offers up to 121.5 cubic-feet of cargo volume.
Shop Ford Expedition Inventory
2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch Performance
All 2020 Ford Expedition models are powered by the same 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6, with most offerings delivering an output of 375 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The top Platinum trim level still gets a higher engine tune with an output of 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque.
This engine pairs to a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard auto start-stop to help this big SUV achieve EPA-rated fuel economy estimates of 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, making it more efficient than the new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. After a week of driving, this tester's trip computer showed an average of just over 18 mpg in mostly city trips.
Speaking of driving, even with those massive 22-inch wheels, the 2020 Ford Expedition has an exceptionally smooth ride, and this SUV is a lot more manageable to drive than you might expect from such a big vehicle. With quick and light response at low speeds, this Expedition handles more like a midsize vehicle, which is mostly thanks to an electric power assist steering. Fortunately, this adaptability doesn't come at the expense of feeling loose or vague at higher speeds. Despite weighing it at 5,368 pounds, this Expedition 4x2 showed impressive acceleration, and with the ability to haul up to 9,300 pounds, it bests Chevy's Tahoe in terms of towing.
Shop Ford Expedition Inventory
2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch Safety
The big 2020 Ford Expedition has equally enormous safety, as shown by the Five-Star crash rating it earned from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
All 2020 Expeditions come standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go Driving, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Dynamic Brake Support, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, a Lane-Keeping System, and Automatic High-Beam Headlamps.
The King Ranch also adds a 360-degree backup camera with a split view, and features dedicated washers to ensure a clear view.
Shop Ford Expedition Inventory
2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch Overall
From subcompact to full-size, Ford is dominating today's SUV landscape, and the introduction of the 2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch is further proof of that. This seven-passenger family hauler has all of the convenience and technology that buyers expect from a luxury vehicle, and it's been injected with plenty of Texas style.
Of course, a big, family-hauling SUV isn't going to come cheap. In base form, the 2020 Ford Expedition has a starting price of $52,810, which is almost $4,000 more than the new Tahoe. Opting for the luxurious King Ranch trim level will set you back enough to buy a Ford EcoSport (about $20,000), but it's definitely worth the price considering all of the added content and style added to the Expedition. As tested, this Expedition King Ranch had a bottom-line price of $74,885, including the optional paint color and required destination charge.
