Premium SUV Review: 2025 Ford Expedition King Ranch 4×4

 Ford, Reviews  Comments Off on Premium SUV Review: 2025 Ford Expedition King Ranch 4×4
Dec 012025
 


            When Ford first introduced the King Ranch trim in 2021, many industry insiders considered it a bit over the top.

Slathered in Castaño leather, from the dash, to the center console, to door trim, and even the saddlebag-style seatback pockets. Bearing the Running W brand from the legendary King ranch in Kingsville, Texas, the F-150 Super Crew took luxury on a truck to a whole new level. At the time, Ford limited the trim’s availability to Texas, assuming it only had appeal for buyers in this state, but it turned out there was a greater demand for premium trucks and this trim, across the lineup. It appeared on the Expedition in 2005.

Latino Traffic Report (LTR) recently tested the 2025 Ford Expedition King Ranch 4×4. All these years later, the trim hasn’t lost any of its luster but the Expedition has evolved.

All-new for 2025, the redesigned fifth-generation Expedition reflects the requests from customers after 1,100 hours of interviews with the intent of making life easier for families.  Available in a standard or extended wheelbase, LTR drove the former with seating for seven but the Expedition can be outfitted to fit eight. The turning radius was impressive on such a large vehicle.

The test model came with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine rated at 400 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. Matched to a ten-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, it can tow up to 9,000-pounds. Oh yeah, it can also go off-road using the terrain management system with selectable drive modes, from normal to off-road.

Fuel economy may not be worth mentioning but for the curious, the test model averaged up to 19.3 miles per gallon during the test drive, a little better than the EPA estimated average of 18 mpg.

As a top-of-the-line trim, the King Ranch includes the available Flex Powered Console that slides back with the press of a button to access the wireless phone charger and flips to reveal a hidden cubby for added safety. The second-row captain’s chairs and the 40/20/40-split rear bench are power operated, making entry and exit a lot easier.

A 24-inch panoramic display that replaces the instrument cluster is standard. Customers can either select Google Assistant or Alexa for in-vehicle controls. There’s a smaller 13.2-inch touch screen for engaging the infotainment system. The King Ranch comes with the Bang & Olufsen stereo with 22 speakers, a subwoofer, and 30 presets.

Steering wheel control functions have been modified to include two buttons with options shown in the panoramic display which can be a little distracting. Sometimes when designers choose form over function it works, sometimes it takes practice.

It also came with the panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled front seats, heated second-row seats—the original Castaño leather has been replaced with Del Rio leather. Lighting strips that change color depending on the SUVs status, e.g. park vs drive, further accent the interior. A blind spot monitor and pre-collision assist are standard but the test model added Ford Co-Pilot 360 2.0 with reverse brake and lane keeping assist.

            Pricing for the 2025 Expedition starts at $65,295 with destination fees.  The as-tested pricing, with a few extras like 22-inch Sinister Bronze aluminum wheels, came to $85,650.

Sí: The 2025 Ford Expedition King Ranch 4×4 delivers luxury and versatility in the spirit of the original version but with added convenience.

No: The two-button steering wheel controls system is a little distracting and will take getting used to.