New York City is a study in the delicate ballet of power that dances back and forth across the tiny island. From buildings to moguls, everything stands tall and powerful.
The lesson one perceives from the Big Apple is that we’re all power hungry. It doesn’t matter whether you’re trying to get across the intersection first or clawing your way up the corporate ladder. The fact is we all want more power.
So, Ford has upped the power on the Ford Expedition for 1999 — its single-overhead-cam V-8 for 1999. The standard engine, a 4.6-liter, sees its horsepower jump from 215 to 240 with torque rising from 290 to 293 foot-pounds. The 5.4-liter sees its rating jump from 230 to 260 horsepower with torque rising from 325 to 345 foot-pounds.
Both engines are teamed to a four-speed automatic transmission, but the 5.4-liter’s transmission is electronically controlled. All engines are teamed to Ford’s Control Trac, Ford-speak for all-wheel drive.
One can leave it in the automatic all-wheel-drive mode or it can be locked in four-wheel-drive high or low ranges. Expeditions also can be had as a 4×2. Trim levels include XLT and Eddie Bauer.
Gas mileage will take some getting used to. Learn to love your local gasoline retailer. EPA rating for the 5.4-liter with 4X4 drivetrain is a dinosaur-depleting 12 mpg city. A test drive of equal parts city and highway returned a sobering 13 mpg. The XLT has a 30-gallon tank. You do the math.
For a truck that’s only slightly bigger than a politician’s ego, this vehicle rarely seems that big. Getting into it means using the running board. Yet once in the lofty perch, one finds this steers and maneuvers with ease. You only become aware of its size when tossing it through corners. There’s body lean, although it’s well controlled. The ride is car-like supple. The cabin quiet. But, all the weight can be felt while threading through twisties.
Parking this mammoth also becomes an adventure, something to consider when taking this car into Philly or New York. My favorite garage in Philly (no I won’t tell you which one) wouldn’t accept it. Nor would a couple others. I finally found one that would, but it just barely cleared the rafters; the radio antenna banging along. It’s the most adventure vehicles of this type will see.
But that was the worst of it. There’s something about being in comfy chair-high seats, gliding along in comfort with a mammoth V8 under the hood. Just ask anyone who owns a big old American car.
Of course, the throne in this royal chamber is fit for the power hungry. You look down at almost every other vehicle on the road, with a feeling that your truck is not too big. Others are too small. Visibility is good all-around, helped by substantial side mirrors. This helps you avoid running over Hondas. (Did you feel a bump?)
Of course being power hungry, one needs comfort and coddling.
This means the usual assortment of tilt steering wheel, power drivers seat, Symphony Hal l-like sound system, automatic climate controls, lots of leather and the ubiquitous power mirrors/locks/windows.
Unusual is power adjustable pedals. A dash-mounted toggle switch activates a 12-volt DC motor that moves the pedals a total of 3 inches forward or back. This allows shorter drivers to sit farther away from the steering wheel-mounted airbag.
Other luxe-barge features include automatic headlamps, numeric keypad on the driver’s door, speed-compensated volume, and lots of room. This regal ride has a great set of middle seats, with headrests and adjustable shoulder belts. The rear set of seats sits slightly higher, although leg and head-room will suit children more than adults. That third row also impinges on cargo room, which is just average with seats in place. But tumble the second and third rows and there’s room to carry the spoils of war.
All of this has its price, but power always carries a stiff tariff. For $29,355, you can buy a base Expedition 4×2, while the test vehicle, an XLT is based at $32,185. Toss in gas mileage of 12 mpg city and 16 highway, and you’ll be glad that gas is cheap right now. The test drive returned 13 mpg in mixed use.
Of course, we all like to think we’re Donald Trump, even if we’re more like Donald Duck. But this vehicle, with its powerful engine, smooth ride, good handling and copious space makes moving through traffic easier than building overpriced condos in Manhattan.
1999 Ford Expedition XLT
Engine: 4.6-liter SOHC V8
Transmission: 4-speed electronic overdrive automatic
Tires: P255/70SR16
Standard: Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, fog lamps, part-time four-wheel-drive with auto-locking hubs, speed-sensitive power steering, roof rack, trailer harness; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; four-speaker AM/FM stereo with clock, power windows with driver’s express down, power point, power driver’s seat, variable intermittent windshield wipers, rear wiper, rear window defroster; center armrest with storage, dual airbags, power locks, floor mats.
Base price, base model: $29,355
Base price, test model: $32,185
EPA rating: 12 mpg city, 16 mpg highway
Test mileage: 13 mpg
