MAX is one of those words that carries a lot of wait. No one ever exclaimed “Take it the MAX” and expected something underwhelming. So when the 2019 Ford Expedition MAX rolled into my driveway, the first thing I wanted to know is the story behind the MAX part of the name. The Expedition is already a large SUV so what could possibly take it to the MAX?
Turns out, when it comes to the Expedition, Max means a whole foot.
What this Dad digs about the 2019 Ford Expedition MAX
A Foot Longer – An additional twelve inches brings the Expedition Max to a whopping 221.9 inches long–the largest vehicle Ford offers to the general consumer. A whole foot might not immediately sound like a lot of extra space but once you peek inside at the cargo options of this Expedition, it’s clear that those inches are being put to use. With the third and second row of seating laid flat, the Expedition offers an impressive 73.3 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s room enough for most imaginable road trips, let alone simple runs to the hardware store.
The addition of the extra space plays into how Ford built this Expedition’s wheelbase. It offers extra leg room in the second row, which certainly felt roomy. The third row, on the other hand, was slightly confining, particularly for a 6 foot tall Dad Driver like myself. But children and shorter adults should find slightly more room here in the third row than in most large SUVs. Interestingly, the Expedition Max also comes with a larger fuel tank (28.3 gallons to be exact) which should help with mileage. But I’m sure the extra curb weight chips away at that advantage.
Lone Star State Pride – Nearly one in every four Expeditions sold in the U.S. are sold in Texas. Yee-haw. Being a Texas Dad Driver, I certainly appreciate when any auto manufacturer builds custom vehicles with the Lone Star state in mind. So I was more than excited to see the Texas Edition badging on the Expedition I spent a week reviewing. As you would expect, many of the features that come along with this edition have to do with it’s hauling capabilities including trailer tow enhancements and a specialized cargo package. The Texas Edition also comes with what Ford calls Enhanced Park Assist– basically a fancy camera tech that scans your surroundings for available parking spots and navigates you to them. Lastly, the Texas Edition includes some snazzy 22-inch wheels.
I particularly loved the Texas Edition badge–there is something bold about seeing that Texas flag emblazoned in chrome on the back of the vehicle. The Enhanced Park Assist was interesting technology to use. I tested it out in a relatively busy parking lot and for the most part it actually worked. It found parking spaces on the row I was driving down, though I doubted if the Max could actually fit in a few of them them. I’m a cautious parker by nature (I’d rather park in the empty part of a lot than risk getting a door ding) so I don’t know how often I would take advantage of this tech but it’s nice to know it’s there.
Speaking of Cool Tech – The Enhanced Park Assist was just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to competent and useful tech that actually helped me navigate and feel safe inside the Expedition Max. The Enhanced Park Assist does a fine job of finding a parking spot but it does an even better job of self parking. It’s admittedly a little nerve wrecking surrendering control of the parking duties over to the vehicle, especially when that vehicle is as large as the Expedition Max. But I had nothing to worry about–the Expedition parked it self with ease thanks to the slew of cameras around the outside of the vehicle and some tech wizardry by Ford. This same self parking technology equally impressed me in the 2020 Ford Escape I also recently reviewed.
Ford calls their suite of safety technology Ford Co-Pilot 360 and for good reason – its as if you have an extra pair of eyes guiding you and keeping you safe. Features like blind spot monitors, cross traffic monitoring and lane departure are work extremely well and the exact moments you need them too. Only problem is that these features are only available on the higher trim levels of the 2019 Expedition. If you’re a Dad Driver, you going to want to make sure these features on including on your Expedition, if only for the fact that they function so well.
Cushy Ride – Under the hood, the Ford has equipped the 2019 Ford Expedition with a turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 375 horsepower. Its paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission thats both responsive and efficient. Gears climbed nicely and I never felt any abrupt downshifts. Handling is fantastic although there is a slight disconnect between the steering wheel and the feeling of being grounded. It didn’t make me feel like a disengaged driver but I would have liked to have felt the grip of the road a tad more. One thing that’s for certain though is that this is one cushy ride, ideal for long road trips.
Solid Design – There is something solid about the overall design of the 2019 Expedition. From the outside, it looks strong, elegant, and confident. It’s long but not too long and I dig the bold, bulky lines that shape the contours of the body. I particularly love the slotted bars that make up the front grill. They create a unique effect that turns what could have been an otherwise safe design choice into something modern and fresh. Inside, the Expedition is striking but restrained enough to bring function and form to the forefront. The truck-like design of the front dash may not be everyone’s cup of tea but there are no doubt elements of Ford’s design language here and it feels…well…solid.
What Gets a Dad Downvote
Mediocre Fuel Economy – I wasn’t expecting the 2019 Expedition to go easy on the gas but if long commutes are a part of your daily drive, be prepared to gas up often. The 2019 Ford Expedition gets 16 miles to the gallon in the city and for the most part I found that to be accurate during my drives. The Expedition does slightly better on the highway, jumping to 21 miles per gallon. Again road trips with long stretches of open road is where this bad boy will shine.
This is an Investment – The Expedition is a specific vehicle for what I believe is a very specific type of consumer. If passenger/cargo space is what you need, the Expedition has you covered. If you need to haul a boat or a camper on your next road trip, the Expedition has you covered. If you’re looking to purchase an affordable SUV, the Expedition might not have that covered. While the base XLT version of Ford’s large SUV can be purchased new for around $50k, some of the more essential bells and whistles will not be included. The MAX Limited edition that we tested came in at $75,680 but it includes several optional packages which complete the Expedition as a unique SUV. I’d be hesitant to give up those packages but then again, the sticker price must be considered.
Taking it the MAX
At the end of those twelve extras inches later, the 2019 Ford Expedition MAX leaves a trail of possibilities: road trips, hauling opportunities, and room for the entire family. Ford’s safety packages and design elements push this SUV over the threshold of average and allow for an innovative mix of function and utility. Dad Drivers, especially those in Texas, will love the comfortable ride and the space to bring along whatever strikes their fancy. And for Driver out there, taking it to the MAX now has a totally new meaning.
Phillip is a filmmaker, an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and craft beer aficionado. He writes about cars, car tech, and various other cool Dad things. He lives, works and plays in Dallas, Texas.
