4th Gen Ford Expedition vs. 4th Gen Lincoln Navigator

To the eyes of Americans, the Ford Expedition is part of everyday life much like every big SUVs in the neighborhood, especially if it feels at home in red states where everyone's free to wear their cowboy hats to express their Americanism. For third-world countries, especially the Philippines, an Expedition became a status symbol for the upperclassmen, especially if it was used to escort politicians from one government establishment after another. With this new version, the flagship SUV just got even more serious while reflecting the American values of today. So, what's it all about?

2018 Ford Expedition

After so many years, Ford's flagship full-size SUV, the Expedition, has been regenerated from the ground up and it's now an oversized Explorer made to cater to cowboys and billionaires alike, especially politicians like it always does in third-world countries. With prices start at $51,695. it's hard to face the fact that the all-new Expedition is about a grand more than its chief rival, the Chevrolet Suburban, but there's one thing the Expedition does that the Suburban does not; cleverness.

First and foremost, despite being a big SUV for the strongmen within them, the new Expedition is powered by the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 turbo engine, which is kinda small compared to the past Expeditions in history where V8s became mandatory but hey, tough times ahead. This turbocharged engine produces 375 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, that's more than what you get from the Suburban and as a result, a class-leading towing capacity of up to 9,300lbs. That is a good mark for Ford and to help those who want to get the most of their towing needs, it's been given the necessary tools such as the 10-speed automatic with Tow/Haul mode, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, and integrated Trailer Brake Controller. With things like these, the new Expedition is for those who like to carry stuff with ease or go ballsy against the Suburban in the middle of a tug-of-war.

2018 Ford Expedition interior

2018 Ford Expedition interior

The interior is still typical Ford and it puts you into a reminder of the F-150 but because this is a big SUV for those who love to wear cowboys in weddings and carry rifles on a day-to-day basis, it's surprisingly comfortable for up to seven or eight passengers. Not only it work as a family car but also a limousine for the VIPs and in terms of boot space, it's big enough to fit most of the outdoorsy stuff and that's Ford standards to you. If you go to the long-wheelbase MAX variant, boot space is up to 121.5 cu. ft., which is annoyingly slightly shorter than the Suburban's, but unlike its rival, the new Expedition has an available Advanced Cargo Management System that will help owners stow their stuff securely in their place. Great for tailgating if you ask them and thanks to SYNC Connect, the Expedition becomes a wifi hotspot for your gadgets wherever you may go. There's even a wireless charging spot where you can charge your gadgets without sacrificing your cords to the chopper as well. With so many features, the Expedition works as either a family car or a VIP escort in so many ways and it's way beyond luxury in so many levels.

2018 Ford Expedition

I already mentioned the engine but what I didn't mention are the dynamics because it utilizes the same platform as the current F-150, handling is slightly improved compared to the old Expedition and because of its use of high-strength lightweight material construction with some aluminum involved in it, it's surprisingly lighter as well, although I'm a bit worried about the tug-of-war part against the Suburban.

To make sure it can handle like a proper SUV, it's been given an Independent Rear Suspension so it can handle road conditions in its own right and when given with the FX4 Off-road package, Continuously Controlled Damping,  and Terrain Management System, the new Expedition matches the same adaptability as the Land Cruiser or the Range Rover and coupled with a wide array of safety features, the Expedition is fit on almost any road conditions, be it rain or shine, come what may.

The new Expedition may have emerged from the red state with right-wing nutjobs who supported the fat man who controls our lives, but while it disappoints the Suburban in terms of pricing and spacing, it makes up with its towing capacity, creature comforts, and performance that sets the new standards to American full-size SUVs. I'm amazed that Ford finally made the Expedition even more luxurious than ever that will accommodate all kinds of people but if you are part of the billionaires' club and if you think the new Expedition is a bit too cheap for your exquisite tastes, perhaps consider this...

2018 Lincoln Navigator

This is the all-new Lincoln Navigator, the posher version of the Ford Expedition for those who think the new model is too Republican for its own right. Of course, it comes with the same choice of either short or long wheelbase, the same aluminum bodywork that lost almost 200lbs of weight, and the same EcoBoost V6 as the Expedition as well as its 10-speed gearbox, but unlike the Expedition, it can accommodate up to seven people, it's got more posh features than the Expedition, and more importantly, the V6 engine that powers it is more powerful than the Expedition, so powerful, its 450HP power output matches the same output as the old F-150 Raptor.

2018 Lincoln Navigator

As a result, the new Navigator will eat the Cadillac Escalade for breakfast, lunch, and tea, although not as powerful as the Range Rover and it has lesser towing capacity than the Expedition because of so many posh features that emphasize luxury over practicality. It may not be suitable for family trips because of its $72,055 price tag but it's a grand less than the Escalade rival it's targeting, so it's the perfect heavyweight SUV for barons, industrialists, moguls, even politicians.

It's great to say that with its lightweight aluminum body, adaptive suspension, and available four-wheel drive, the new Navigator no longer feels like the old one. In fact, it's slightly better than the old model in so many ways in terms of comfort, drivability, spacing, and convenience that makes it on par against the European opposition. Looks like the Q7, the GLS-Class, and the X5 would be shaking their underbodies right now every time they see this Navigator parking alongside them. Now that's America being, oops. Sorry. Shouldn't say that term because everybody's reading.

2018 Lincoln Navigator interior

2018 Lincoln Navigator interior

For the super wealthy with exquisite tastes, they can spec out their Navigator with the new Black Label experience featuring bespoke interior treatments as well as membership privileges such as trips to five-star restaurants, a stay at a posh hotel, or a trip to a country club. Now there's your "out on a limo" feeling that will make your inferior siblings mad over your newly found behavior after your recent stay with the billionaires' club, don't you think?

And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. These new full-size SUVs may have emerged from a state famed for their fried chicken but the new Expedition and the new Navigator will showcase just how hospitable they really are for their occupants. The new Expedition is all about showing its cowboy charm to almost everyone while the Navigator has some Golden State charm to the big shots who want to stand out from the rest. You have to give them credit though that even if America is in a state of decay, they sure know how to make big SUVs like these. The more we know...

Photo: Ford Motor Company