Ford modernises 2022 Expedition with design tweaks

The Ford Expedition has been updated, and with it come some significant design changes. There is also a new ‘Timberline’ series, which is described by the carmaker as the “most off-road capable Expedition ever.”

The exterior remains almost completely the same as the previous model apart from the lights. At the front, the headlamps are now lined up in a row horizontally instead of vertically, sitting between the two metallic strips that dissect the grille from width to width. The C-shaped LED strips that surround the lamps have been made slightly wider and bolder, and have an etch taken out of them at the far edges.

The lights at the back are housed in the same units as those of the predecessor, but the signature inside has been simplified. The C-shape is used again, but is much smaller than the shape on the front. It is positioned so that the centre of the C aligns with a chrome strip that runs across the width of the rear.

While the changes on the exterior are subtle and few, the interior has had a complete overhaul. A newly designed IP immediately makes the cabin feel infinitely more modern than the previous Expedition, which was looking rather tired. Each section is clearly defined, ensuring a neater and more cohesive design. The ledge at the top is separated from the middle section by a straight ridge, accenting by leather stitching. The middle section is finished in different materials, depending on the trim, and includes air vents that are now smaller and rectangular.

A new 15.5-inch portrait-orientated touchscreen sits astride the dash. It is thin and sleek, and sits next to a new 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster. These two new screens are a big improvement on the smaller ones found in the previous model, which were embedded inside the IP and looked ancient.

The off-road ready variant, dubbed Timberline, comes with a few unique features, including specialised underbody shielding, 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler AT tyres, and a ‘Trail Turn Assist’ system that was first seen on the Bronco, used for tightening the turning radius. It also has a more detailed grille at the front end, and various orange accent lines that run between body panels.

Ford says the new Expedition will go on sale in the first quarter of 2022. It hopes that the design improvements will “attract new customers… including more women seeking family adventures to balance the stress of their overprogrammed lives.”