2018 Ford Expedition Max Photos, engines & full specs

In 2017, Ford unveiled its true competitor in the three-row full-size SUV market, the Expedition Max, a luxurious vehicle built on top of the same chassis as the F-150, and tried to put a dent in a segment where Chevrolet dominated with its Suburban model.

There were not too many options for SUVs capable enough to have an extended family on board and a trailer in the back on the market when Ford introduced the Expedition Max. But since the American automaker already had the sturdy chassis of the F150 and the rest of the technical bits and pieces to make it, it greenlit the project and hoped for the best. Fortunately, it didn’t have to develop any new engine or transmissions for it, and part of the bodywork was already developed for the regular Expedition. As a result, customers could enjoy a big, full-size SUV with room for eight and enough luggage room left for their belongings to take them to their next picnic destination.

The Expedition Max shared its front fascia with its short-wheelbase sibling, the Expedition. It featured LED daytime running lights that surrounded the outer sides of the headlights, following a C-shaped pattern. To emphasize the luxury vehicle, Ford installed a chromed grille where the blue-oval badge took center stage. The front bumper sported a silver trim on its lower side, mimicking an underbody shield, although it was made from plastic. That was flanked by a pair of scoops that housed the fog lamps. In addition, underneath the apron, Ford added a plastic extension downwards to limit the airflow under the vehicle.

From its profile, the car looked similar to the regular Expedition up to the C-pillars behind the rear doors. From there on, the automaker added a third row of wider windows all the way to the tailgate. On top of the vehicle, customers could get a set of roof rails either for additional luggage space or just for decoration. Finally, the back of the car featured a broad tailgate adorned at the top with a roof spoiler and flanked by wrap-around taillights. Ford made the lower bumper with a silver plastic trim that concealed the towing hook and the exhausts.

To access the vehicle, Ford added retractable running boards that spanned between the front and rear wheels, which eased ingress and egress for passengers. Once onboard, customers discovered a luxurious cabin fitted with all the amenities needed on long travels. A wide center console separated the two bucket seats at the front. There, Ford placed the transmission selectors, a storage area with a wireless charger, and an armrest with a cubby storage underneath. Unlike the F-150, the Expedition Max featured a rotary button for the gear selector instead of a lever. Moreover, a smaller, similar-looking knob was used for the transfer case for vehicles fitted with 4x4 systems.

On the second row, Ford offered customers the option of two captain seats or a bench seat for three. Thanks to the long wheelbase and the vast interior, there was enough room for adult-sized occupants in the third row, although it was not recommended for people over 6 feet (1.82m) tall. Among other onboard available amenities, Ford installed a powerful sound system, screens on the back of the headrests, and a panoramic glass roof. Furthermore, a 5G Internet hotspot and several USB ports were available.

Under the hood, the Expedition featured a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 unit in two power-output configurations. Both were mated as standard to a 10-speed automatic gearbox, and both were available with a rear- or all-wheel-drive system.