Ford Expedition

The 2008 Ford Expedition boasts "rugged luxury," in eight trim levels. The MSRPs range from around $31,000 to $44,000 scoring you a whopping nine-passenger seating capacity and a powerful 5.4L SOHC 3V V8 engine. If a buyer is looking for innumerable options and considerable presence on the road, then Ford has the vehicle.

Expedition's trim levels range from the XLT to the newest King Ranch EL. The XLT provides collision protection for all three rows of seats. The Safety Canopy System protects rear seat passengers with airbags. It also features keyless entry fobs and a driver's door keypad, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child safety locks on the rear doors. The XLT comes standard with the 5.4L SOHC 3V V8 and a six-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, the lowest trim level includes an MP3 input jack and power locks and windows. The highest trim level, the King Ranch EL, is larger than other trims, introducing twenty-four more cubic feet of cargo room. The King Ranch EL's interior features wood trim and leather-trimmed seating. A universal garage door opener is included, as well as rear-floor heat ducts to heat the rear seating just as quickly as the front. Interestingly, the King Ranch EL possesses the same engine and transmission as the entry-level trim.

The 2008 Expedition is a imposing presence on the road, with the GMC Yukon of a similar size. The exterior has a chiseled appearance, as if carved from a large boulder. Expedition's chrome grille is streamlined and blends well with the rest of the SUV. The 2008's exterior gives the impression of being the perfect vehicle to protect precious cargo. One can easily imagine a black Ford Expedition in the presidential cavalcade. The interior's two front captain chairs further extend the idea that the Expedition is an impressive vehicle for impressive drivers. Climate controlled heated and cooled seats are also available in the higher-end trims.

While the 2008 Ford Expedition certainly makes an impact, extra features like the in-dash navigation system, rear-seat DVD player, and SIRIUS satellite radio are all extras that can put a buyer into the next price bracket. Not only that, the fact that all Expedition trims share the same engine model reinforces the notion that the more expensive trims are simply adding trinkets to the standard XLT model. A buyer should ask himself if he is willing to pay a significantly higher price for features that can be purchased at a later date for less cost.