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The 2025 Ford Expedition was fully redesigned. Ford made a good thing even better! I am thrilled to announce the 2025 Ford Expedition is The 2025 Car Mom Car of the Year!
- Best-in-Class Car Seat Setup: It’s one of the few full-size SUVs that truly works for growing families year after year.
- Split Tailgate with Multi-Use Cargo Shelf: The new split tailgate is a huge functional win. It keeps groceries from rolling out and makes loading bulky items easier. Paired with the fold-out shelf that converts into a bench or table, the cargo area is more versatile than ever — especially for busy family life.
- 24-Inch Panoramic Digital Dash + Updated Tech: The redesigned 24-inch display replaces the traditional heads-up display and gives the cabin a modern, high-tech feel. Combined with BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving and improved infotainment responsiveness, the 2025 Expedition feels far more competitive in the tech department.
- Oval Steering Wheel + Improved Ride Quality: The new oval steering wheel is surprisingly comfortable and adds a sporty, updated feel to the driver experience. Paired with noticeable improvements in suspension, braking, and handling, the 2025 Expedition drives smoother and more confidently than the outgoing model.
The Exterior
Exterior Updates: Finally Competitive (With One Controversial Choice)
Ford needed this refresh. The outgoing Expedition felt truck-like and honestly a little outdated compared to GM’s full-size SUVs. The 2025 version is sleeker, more modern, and more stylish up front — and it finally feels competitive again.
Now, my least favorite design choice on the whole vehicle is also the one that’s getting the most attention: the black tailgate.
No matter what color or trim you choose, you’re getting that black tailgate look. It has grown on me a little… but I still don’t love it.
That said, I think Ford did this to draw attention to what’s actually one of the coolest new features on the Expedition.
Split Tailgate: A Feature I’m Obsessed With
The new split tailgate is the kind of functional upgrade that makes me so happy.
Here’s why it matters in real life:
- It helps keep things from falling out when you open the trunk
- It makes loading bulky items easier (less “trunk Jenga”)
- It keeps groceries more contained (think: watermelon, milk, anything that rolls)
And in this regular wheelbase Expedition — not even the Max — I was still able to fit an UPPAbaby Vista stroller back there. The split tailgate makes that whole process easier and less annoying.
So yes… I don’t love the look of the black tailgate, but I LOVE what it does.
First Row
Driver Area: Upgraded Storage, Better Comfort, and a Big Tech Glow-Up
Starting at the driver door panel: Ford leveled up.
The cup holders and side cubby are now way more usable, and yes — I can fit a full-size 40oz Stanley in the door. That is a big deal. You know how many cars I’ve tried that in and failed?
The New Steering Wheel
Ford switched to a more oval-style steering wheel, and I was nervous when I first saw it online… but I actually love it. It’s more comfortable, especially if you naturally drive with your hands higher up.
How It Drives
This is one of the biggest upgrades, in my opinion. I drive a 2023 Expedition and the difference is noticeable. The ride quality, braking, suspension, and handling are better. It drives beautifully — smooth and confident without feeling sloppy.
Infotainment: Two Screens + Better Layout
The 2025 Expedition has two screens:
- An upper screen that acts like your digital dash (in place of a traditional heads-up display)
- A lower screen for infotainment
And because the steering wheel is shaped lower, I still have a clear view of the upper display — I’m not peeking around the wheel to see my information.
The infotainment is familiar Ford tech, just quicker and more responsive, and I appreciate that the climate controls stay pulled up no matter what screen you’re on.
You also get:
- A volume knob (thank you)
- A gear selector knob
- Driver assist controls on the wheel
One Disadvantage
The steering wheel buttons are annoying because they’re not labeled, and some functions take multiple clicks through menus. Not a dealbreaker, but it’s one of those “why did you do it like this?” moments.
BlueCruise
This Platinum trim includes BlueCruise, Ford’s semi-autonomous driving tech. It’s seriously impressive — if you’re test driving this car, you need to try it.
Center Console: Ford Understood the Assignment
The storage and usability up front is so good.
You get:
- Cup holders
- Wireless charger
- USB + USB-C (I love having both)
- A power-sliding center console that moves back FAST
When you slide it back, you open up extra storage space — and there’s even a hidden little Model T Easter egg, which is such a fun detail.
Then you’ve got:
- A big center console with two more USB-C ports
- A flat surface that’s perfect for car lunches, working, mom life, whatever
- A tablet holder for passengers
- Two more cup holders for the second row
It’s one of those interiors that feels like it was designed by someone who actually spends time in a car.
Second Row
Car Seat Setup: Still the Expedition Superpower
The Expedition is a car seat machine, and it continues to be best-in-class.
It comes in both bench and captain’s chairs, but I’m going to say it:
Ford, make more bench seats. They’re hard to find.
In my tour, I show the captain's chairs but can confirm the bench is a carseat machine.
Second Row (Captain’s Chairs)
- Lower anchors + tether anchors in each outboard seat
- Big aisle access to the third row
I showed rear-facing with a Britax Poplar (a compact seat front-to-back), and the clearance between the driver seat and the car seat was great. This is a good reminder that sometimes, third-row access is as simple as choosing the right car seat for the job.
Car Seat Tilt Feature
One of my favorite Expedition features is the car-seat-friendly tilt.
If a car seat is installed with lower anchors (LATCH), you can tilt the entire seat forward without affecting the integrity of the installation. It’s especially helpful with a bench, but even with captain’s chairs it’s useful for helping kids in the third row without having to awkwardly climb back there.
Second Row Comfort: Big, Airy, and Actually Thoughtful
Second row amenities are strong:
- Ceiling vents (yes)
- Heated second row seats on Platinum
- Rear climate control
- Charging ports on the seat backs (this is such a smart upgrade for older kids)
Charging ports on the seat back are a big deal because kids can actually reach them without bending down and losing the cord every five seconds.
Two misses that still bug me:
- The new door cup holder shape is… confusing (what is that shape even?)
- Still no sunshades
Third Row
Third Row: Comfortable + Functional (With a Headrest Caveat)
Third row in the Expedition is genuinely comfortable:
- Ceiling vents
- Cup holders
- Two chargers
- Great legroom (even with the second row pushed back)
I also love the versatility of how you can mix and match seats — boosters, forward-facing, rear-facing — the Expedition is one of the best at making “any seat works for any kid” feel possible.
Non-Removable Headrests
This is the one thing to note: third-row headrests are not removable, and because they protrude slightly, some car seats may not work back here depending on the manufacturer’s rules about gaps.
Ford told me the reason is tied to the power-folding third row — they prioritize that automatic headrest fold-down for ease of use, and that’s part of why they’re fixed.
There are still plenty of car seats that work in the third row — just not all of them.
Trunk
Cargo Space: Regular vs Max
The Expedition comes in two sizes:
- Regular
- Expedition Max (12 inches longer — all added to cargo space)
The Shelf System
New for 2025, Ford introduced a fold-out shelf that can:
- Act as a raised storage platform
- Fold into a bench you can sit on
- Convert into a table
It’s one of those innovations that makes you think, “Okay, someone really thought about tailgates and family life.”
And paired with the split tailgate? It’s genuinely useful.
Safety
The 2025 Ford Expedition prioritizes safety with the standard Ford Co-Pilot360™ suite, featuring automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and lane-keeping assistance. Key available features include BlueCruise hands-free highway driving, 360-degree cameras, and Intersection Assist 2.0
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