Overview
The 2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch is the subject and host of this review. In one of our earlier articles in 2018, we tested Ford’s biggest SUV.
You can read this article by clicking the link below:
https://www.autoandroad.com/2018/04/2018-ford-expedition-limited/
For the 2020 model year, Ford introduced the King Ranch version of its biggest SUV. The Expedition is based on the best-selling F-150 pickup truck. The King Ranch trim level is offered both with standard and extended (Max) body versions. Our tester had the standard wheelbase, which was still a big vehicle.
The top model of the Expedition honours King Ranch which is the largest ranch in Texas and also in the USA. It comprises 825,000 acres (3,340 km 2; 1,289 sq mi) and was founded in 1853 by Captain Richard King and Gideon K. Lewis.
For more information on King Ranch, please visit https://king-ranch.com/
The Expedition has a muscular, bold design with an impressive exterior and interior. The big, chrome grill has headlights with three LED “lines” and fog lamps and is nicely integrated into the body. With a more conservative and boxy design, this SUV offers ample room for passengers and cargo. This vehicle is a good representative of FoMoCo, which fully dedicated itself to building SUVs and trucks.
The Lincoln Navigator, Expedition’s corporate cousin is a more luxurious alternative and shares the same platform.
Engine and powertrain
The 2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch has a 3.5L V6 EcoBoost twin-turbo engine with 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 10-speed transmission. Although we could not test this feature, the Expedition has a towing capacity of 9,300 pounds which makes it a proper utility vehicle. So, Ford’s big ute has sufficient power reserves in every situation and our test drive proved it.
Driving impressions
The major part of our test drive with the 2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch was from Toronto to the Bruce Peninsula, using both country roads and highways. Remembering the fact that this is a truck-based big SUV, it was a pleasure to drive this vehicle. We unleashed the power reserves especially while passing other vehicles on two-lane country roads. The acceleration was superb and the body rolls were very manageable at rare winding spots of otherwise straight roads. The 22-inch, painted, machine-faced aluminum wheels make the ride more exciting. The King Ranch logo distinguishes this version further from standard models.
Interior
2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch offers a high and commanding seating position. Automatic running boards are inevitable for a tall vehicle like this and make getting on and off very easy. The big buttons and controls are easy to use, even if you wear a glove in winter, thanks to design features shared by the F-150, Ford’s workhorse. The brown Del Rio leather is all rows nice and comfortable, even if this colour is not to everyone’s taste. Ebony Del Rio door trims and Mesa Del Rio armrest and steering wheel with Kingsville stitching and Ziricote Wood Veneer complete the luxurious atmosphere. the 10-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats are very comfortable. The 12-speaker B & O sound system made our journey more enjoyable. The Synch-3 infotainment system with voice-activated navigation, several USD ports, and wireless charging Media Hub all contribute to a comfortable and relaxed long journey.
Discovering the Bruce Peninsula, Great Lakes Area
With a short midweek getaway, my wife and I found ourselves in the Bruce Peninsula, less than 300 kilometres from East York. Due to Covid-19 restrictions more than ever Canadians spend their vacation in Canada and avoid a flight as much as possible. Even if not for a good reason 2020 offered an opportunity to explore the beauties of our own country.
The Bruce Peninsula is a popular destination at the west end of Georgian Bay. Georgian Bay, entirely in Canada is part of Lake Huron. Is it 15, 000 sqkm and thus constitutes 25 percent of Lake Huron. The Great Lakes Region consists of five lakes; Huron, Michigan, Superior, Erie, and Ontario. With a combined area of 244,000 sqkm, it contains 20 percent of the world’s total freshwater reserves. This is almost the half of entire Spain. We Canadians are lucky to share this vast geography and precious resource with our southern neighbour, the United States.
Our first stop: Grey Roots Museum and Archives (GRMA)
Although it was closed to the public at this time, we enjoyed our short stop here GRMA began as a County museum in 1955 and played an important role in preserving the history and promoting the heritage of Grey County. It is located just south of Owen Sound on Grey Road 18. The current facility opened in 2004. The building houses the County museum, archives, and tourism offices. Since we could not enter the facilities, the most interesting part for us was Moreston Heritage Village adjacent to the main building. The village reflects the development of Grey County from the 1850s to the 1920s. We were not able to buy gas for 25 cents per litre but we at least immortalized our visit with a photo.
For more information, please visit http://greyroots.com
Camping in Lions Head
Although our plan was to drive to the Bruce Peninsula, I took the very reliable advice of a friend to make Lions Head our main destination. 264 kilometres from Downtown Toronto, Lions Head is a small village at a small bay and only 50 kilometres from Tobermory, the tip of the peninsula. My wife was hesitant to stay at a hotel and we decided to test the “overnight facility” of our big SUV. We reserved a spot at the Lions Head Campground and slept in the vehicle for two nights. It was more convenient than staying in a tent and using the campground’s facilities made life easier. I laid the second and third-row seats flat, put two inflatable mattresses on top of seatbacks, and our beds were ready. The beach at the bay was between the campground and the marina. The crystal clear water of Georgian Bay was a boost to the body and soul and swimming here was not enough. We Dined at the patio of Lions Head Inn Restaurant & Pub which was only steps away from the campground. Taking a walk towards the marina and feeling the breeze was amazing.
Lions Head was born as a port for the lumber trade in the 1870s. In those years roads in the Bruce Peninsula were almost non-existent and transportation of goods and people was entirely by water. Early settlers in the area thought they could see the head of a lion when looking to the right, where the massive cliffs are located. So, it became the name of this beautiful place.
Lions Head is said to be one of the darkest places in Southern Ontario and local amateur astronomers offer free star-gazing programmes in summer.
Lions Head is also part of the world-famous Bruce Trail.
For more information please visit: http://visitlionshead.ca
Tobermory
As we were close to Tobermory, the main hub of the Bruce Peninsula, we did not spare a 50-kilometre ride for a lunch break and stroll. Tobermory is at the tip of the peninsula and has a ferry connection to Manitoulin Island and further to Northern Ontario. We wish we could spend more time here and discover its surroundings.
On our way back home
Good moments pass by so quickly. It was time to hit the road to get back home.
We enjoyed a slow and relaxed ride to Toronto via Collingwood and Barrie and finally joined the crowd at the SB Hwy-400.
In Collingwood, almost exactly halfway took a break for an early dinner. Then, we had a panoramic tour of the city up to the Waterfront.
Collingwood is a town of nearly 22,000 inhabitants in Simcoe County. It is situated on Nottawasaga Bay at the southern point of Georgian Bay and close to Blue Mountain Ski Resort. With skyrocketing real estate prices in and around Toronto, more people move to further regions of Southern Ontario. And with emerging opportunities of working from home permanently, it will not be surprising to see Collingwood grow into a vibrant and livable city at beautiful Georgian Bay.
Consumption
During our one-week test-drive our average consumption was 14.3 liters. The measured consumption is by Natural Resources Canada is:
14.7 liters for city & 11.2 liters for the highway. This is a reasonable value for a vehicle of this size.
Conclusion
2020 Ford Expedition King Ranch is a powerful and luxurious SUV. It delivers everything that you can expect from a vehicle of this category:
A powerful engine, tons of passenger and cargo space, great towing capacity.
Pricing
The pricing for the Expedition starts at C$ 71,602.
Our fully loaded tester with options had an MSRP of C$ 84,825.
See the window sticker below:
For more detailed and most up-to-date information please visit http://www.ford.ca
Article and Photos by Varol Mckars
