Touching down at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport—bearing the name of the city's most iconic son—I was reminded that excellence and community pride are part of this region's DNA. That same energy runs parallel to the all-new 2025 Ford Expedition, built just a short drive away at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant (KTP). This isn't just a redesign; it's a redefinition of what a full-size SUV can be for modern families and adventure-minded drivers.
Built in the Bluegrass with Purpose
Ford's investment in the city is clear: $500 million was committed to KTP for the new Expedition launch. The plant employs nearly 9,000 people, 10% of whom are military veterans—including leaders like Perez, a proud Marine vet. Unlike many facilities shifting toward full automation, KTP places people at the center of production. Automation is used sparingly—not to replace jobs, but to reduce strain on workers. It’s community-first manufacturing, proudly American.
Ford also added dedicated production lines to accommodate the new split tailgate feature—a key innovation on this model year.
Quality Control: Smart, Precise, and Instant
Ford is redefining quality assurance by introducing MAIVS: the Mobile Artificial Intelligence Vision System. Demonstrated by Ford engineer Warren McWilliams, MAIVS uses smartphone-powered AI to detect inconsistencies on the line and alert team leaders immediately. With nearly 120 devices already deployed, this system corrects problems in real time, sometimes before a vehicle even advances to the next stage.
Designed With You in Mind
The 2025 Expedition is the product of more than 1,100 hours of owner feedback through focus groups and surveys. Ford focused its efforts on delivering three core experiences:
1. Wonder – Delivering excitement through bold design and intelligent technology.
2. Better Together – Encouraging family time through thoughtful space and utility.
3. Linger Longer – Creating comfort so inviting, you won’t want the journey to end.
Expedition owners tend to be younger than those purchasing Ford’s other full-size SUVs, and according to Daniel Peake from Ford Communications, 51% of Expedition drivers are women—a demographic that influenced several interior and usability enhancements.
Trim Levels & Targeted Versatility
The 2025 Expedition lineup offers something for everyone:
• Active: A well-equipped base model with essential tech and comfort features.
• King Ranch: Western-inspired luxury with rich saddle-colored leather and premium wood trims.
• Platinum: The flagship of refinement, featuring massaging front seats, advanced driver assistance, and standard heated and cooled seating.
• Tremor: Built for off-road adventures with trail-ready features and rugged appeal.
During our second day of testing, the Expedition Tremor took to a muddy trail curated with help from BFGoodrich. Standard all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, and recalibrated suspension made it clear that this isn’t a gimmick trim. It’s a true off-roader with real-world capability.
Ford Digital Experience & Cabin Innovation
The Ford Digital Experience features a 24-inch panoramic digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch center touchscreen at the heart of the new Expedition's tech story. Running on Google built-in, it provides voice control via Google Assistant, turn-by-turn navigation through Google Maps, and seamless access to apps from Google Play.
Built-in Wi-Fi supports up to 10 connected devices, and video conferencing via Zoom will soon be available through the infotainment system. For fun, you can even use your smartphone as a joystick to play games like Arcade Sports directly on the center display.
Rear-seat entertainment gets a reimagined approach. Gone are the bulky DVD-based systems. In their place: spring-loaded, claw-like holders built into the front-seat headrests that grip phones or tablets of various sizes. A tablet stand slots in the front center armrest, letting devices be positioned for backseat viewing.
The power-operated center console slides rearward, providing younger passengers with easier access to cupholders and rear climate controls—an elegant and practical touch.
Other standout cabin features include:
• Adjustable brake and accelerator pedals
• Heated and ventilated seating, depending on trim
• Panoramic sunroof
• Second-row captain’s chairs
• Third-row “captain-style” center-fold seatback that doubles as a divider for kids or extra-long cargo support
Driver Assistance & Safety
Ford’s latest BlueCruise 1.4 system elevates hands-free highway driving with features such as:
• Lane Change Assist
• Lane Repositioning for optimal lane centering
• Curve Speed Control that automatically reduces speed for tight turns
Across our two-day experience, BlueCruise was one of the market’s most intuitive and confidence-inspiring systems. Its composure was impeccable, whether navigating Kentucky’s interstates or shifting lanes during longer stints. Coverage extending to over 400,000 miles of mapped North American highways is a major asset for families who love to hit the road.
Towing Capability
Whether it’s for boats, campers, or weekend trailers, Ford understands towing matters:
• Up to 9,600 lbs max towing (a 300 lb increase from the previous year)
• Tow up to 7,000 lbs without requiring load-distribution bars
Around 40–50% of Expedition owners tow at least 2–3 times per year, and the 2025 model is ready for the task.
Final Word
Ford produced 471,000 vehicles at KTP in 2024, and the new Expedition reflects everything the brand has learned from its loyal SUV community. With no significant price increase for the 2025 model year, Ford continues to deliver strong value, smart packaging, and rugged capability.
Pricing for the 2025 Expedition starts at $63,995 for the Active trim and climbs to $85,650 for top-tier models like Platinum and King Ranch. While modestly up from the 2024 starting price of $59,685, the enhanced tech, feature set, and removal of the entry-level XL trim ensure you're getting more for your money.
The 2025 Ford Expedition is not just a facelift—it’s a full-scale reboot grounded in feedback, built by real people, and ready for whatever life throws your way. Whether navigating daily routines or taking on the trails, this SUV ensures you can do it in comfort, safety, and style.
