The Best Year for the Ford Expedition

in Year Model Comparison
Ford logo

Source: Pixabay

Ford has been making Expeditions since 1997, and there’s a good reason why these full-size three-row SUVs have lasted so long in the car market. They’re reliable, technologically advanced vehicles with plenty of room to transport you and whoever you want. Some years have been kinder than others to the Expeditions, though, and you don’t want to go out and buy any old Expedition without knowing much about the differences between year models first.

That’s why CoPilot points you to the 2016 Expedition, the best year for the Ford Expedition. We’ll tell you all about why it’s the best and how much you can expect to pay for one depending on your preferred features!

Quick Answer: Get the 2016 Ford Expedition

Our research has led us to find that the best year for the Ford Expedition is the 2016 model. Ford had a great year with the Expedition lineup, perfecting many of the technical and mechanical aspects of the full-size three-row SUV that they had worked on for years. On top of this, the 2016 year model is more reliable than many of its predecessors and followers. If you go with a 2016 Ford Expedition, you’ve got a great SUV on your hands that will take you where you want to go in safety and comfort.

NOT JUST FOR CAR SHOPPING

The CoPilot app isn’t just for buying a car - our new CoPilot for Owning tool will help you keep track of recalls and gives you advice on which scheduled maintenance tasks are most important.

Is the Ford Expedition Right for You?

Ford Expeditions are exceptional vehicles if you want something durable that’ll stand the test of time. These are great cars for transporting large families in safety and comfort and offer excellent towing capabilities. They aren’t cheap, however, so it is important to remember when shopping for an Expedition.

If you want a car that will take you to and from the same places for cheap, the Expedition probably isn’t suitable for you. It is right for you if you’re willing to dig into your wallet for a cutting-edge, long-lasting SUV with top-of-the-line entertainment features and road capabilities.

Five Different Trim Levels

The 2016 Ford Expedition offers a surprising amount of variety with its five different trim levels, another reason that 2016 is the best year for the Ford Expedition. You can choose from the base XL, the XLT, the Limited, the King Ranch, and the Platinum trims. All trims come with a 365 hp, 3.5-liter, V6 cylinder engine, so added performance isn’t a factor you should consider when choosing what trim to get. However, the list of features is a significant factor and varies greatly depending on the trim.

The base XL trim only comes with standard features, but the XLT is where things start to get interesting. This trim adds Bluetooth connectivity, a 3rd-row seat, smartphone integration, and steering wheel audio controls, helping modernize the Expedition quite a bit. The Limited trim has all of these plus some extra comfort features, allowing you to heat or cool your seats, along with multi-zone AC and a nice woodgrain interior trim.

If you want to get really fancy, look at the high-tech King Ranch and Platinum trims. Both come with new features like power-retractable running boards and a top-of-the-line navigation system. The seating also gets an overhaul from the Limited trim onwards, with these cars having comfortable leather seats rather than cloth ones. The Platinum doesn’t add much more on top of this than a sunroof, so consider this when evaluating the extra expense attached to this trim.

THE BEST SEDANS WITH HIGH GROUND CLEARANCE

There are plenty of vehicles on the market that let you tower over obstacles without losing the convenience of a compact car. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of our favorite new ​sedans with high ground clearance​.

What’s the Drivetrain and Gas Mileage Like?

All five trim levels of the 2016 Ford Expedition are available in both 2 Wheel Drive and 4 Wheel Drive, so no matter what trim you go up with, it’s up to you which one you want to purchase. For all of these trim levels, the combined city/highway gas mileage is 18 MPG for those with 2 Wheel Drive and 17 MPG for those with 4 Wheel Drive. 

What Technology Comes with the Ford Expedition?

Ford Expeditions have many features, and the 2016 year model is no exception. While the base trim may not come with a ton of fancy features, the cars only get more technologically advanced the higher up the trim list you go. Even the first trim above the base one, the XLT, gets you major convenience with steering wheel audio controls and the ability to integrate your smartphone with the car’s console and use a Bluetooth connection. The King Ranch trim is the best bang for your buck regarding technology, including features like power-retractable running boards, a premium sound system, a remote engine start, and an excellent navigation system. 

What Will You Pay for a 2016 Ford Expedition?

One thing that can’t be said about the 2016 Ford Expedition is that it’s cheap, but it’s still the best year for the Ford Expedition because of the incredible value you’re getting. However, you might not want this car if you’re looking for something on the less expensive side. The MSRP for a base 2016 Ford Expedition XL starts at around $41,000 for a 2 Wheel Drive model, and it only gets pricier. The XLT trim will run you approximately $45,500, the Limited a little over $55,000, the King Ranch about $59,400, and the Platinum will cost you the most, starting at around $60,300. Any of these trims will cost you another $3,000 to add 4 Wheel Drive, so account for this cost as well if you want that drivetrain.

HOW MANY SPARK PLUGS DOES A DIESEL ENGINE HAVE?

The answer to this question isn’t as  simple as you’d expect. Let’s look explore the difference between gas and diesel engines and explore just how many spark plugs a diesel engine actually has.

2016 Ford Expedition Safety Features And Reliability

Ford Expeditions are great at many things, but the most important thing it does well is keeping its passengers safe. The 2016 year model has top-tier reliability ratings compared to the other models in the Expedition line, making it the best choice for an Expedition regarding safety. Standard safety features in all 2016 Expeditions include anti-lock brakes, an anti-theft security system, electronic stability control, and six airbags.

Potential Issues With a 2016 Ford Expedition

Although the 2016 year is one of the best models for this classic SUV, it has its fair share of reliability issues that any potential buyer should know about.

  • Dies while driving: According to CarComplaints.com, the 2016 Expedition’s number one problem is its tendency for the engine to die while driving. Based on the reports, the Expedition would stall or lose power without so much as a warning. Apparently, this issue stemmed from a faulty throttle body, and replacing this component is the most common fix.
  • Brake issues: While it’s not exactly a prevalent problem, several owners of the 2016 Expedition complained about the brake fluid level warning light coming on – but the brake still works. The complainants checked for the brake fluid levels, which were indeed low, but no evidence of leaks has been found. The most common fix is to replace the brake booster and master cylinder.
  • Defective blower motor: The 2016 Expeditions with manual temperature and fan controls were reported to have a blower motor that only works on specific settings. The most common issue is that the blower motor only works when it’s set on High.

Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.

Share on Pinterest
Share on Reddit
Why Use CoPilot?

Shop and buy your next car with confidence. CoPilot searches every car at every dealer, every day, and ranks them based on what matters to you.

When you shop for a new or used car, CoPilot helps you know more. We search every car at every dealer so you don't have to, we give you data and insights you won't find anywhere else, and we rank every car so it's easy to find the best car at the best price.

When you're ready to buy your next car, CoPilot helps you make sure you never get taken advantage of at the dealership. Would you like to know more than the salesperson? CoPilot helps you avoid any tricks, traps, and scams. Know how and what you can negotiate. With CoPilot, you'll save time, money, and frustration.