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2015 Ford Expedition EL 4x4 King Ranch can tow half of Texas (pictures)

The Expedition EL has wide open spaces inside.

Chris Paukert
Following stints in TV news production and as a record company publicist, Chris spent most of his career in automotive publishing. Mentored by Automobile Magazine founder David E. Davis Jr., Paukert succeeded Davis as editor-in-chief of Winding Road, a pioneering e-mag, before serving as Autoblog's executive editor from 2008 to 2015. Chris is a Webby and Telly award-winning video producer and has served on the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. He joined the CNET team in 2015, bringing a small cache of odd, underappreciated cars with him.
Chris Paukert
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The 2015 Ford Expedition's size lends it an imposing presence.

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There's no shortage of brightwork on the front end of this King Ranch model.

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You're forgiven if you didn't notice that Ford has given the Expedition a facelift for 2015.

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An extralong wheelbase on this EL model lends the Expedition a smooth highway ride.

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The rear end of the Expedition EL looks cavernous, even with the hatch closed.

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The rear of the Expedition is nondescript save for the big chrome billboard on the lift gate.

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These headlamps just don't cut it -- HIDs should be available.

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Unusually, the tail lamps are longer on the vehicle's side than they are from the rear.

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Note the King Ranch crests on the wheel caps.

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Yes, Virginia, those really are 22-inch wheels.

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The King Ranch is available with contrasting lower cladding, but our test vehicle was monochrome.

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Wide, power-folding mirrors are capped in chrome on King Ranch models.

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Lane-departure warning is welcome in a big beast like the Expedition.

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Ford's timeless blue oval.

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King Ranch badging pays homage to the legendary South Texas farm -- all 825,000 acres of it.

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Subtle EcoBoost badging hints that the Expedition doesn't have a V-8.

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Cabin is comfortable, but dated, with lots of hard plastics and uninspiring switchgear.

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Major controls are easy to locate.

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The King Ranch's deluxe leather seats are all-day comfortable.

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Twin 4.2-inch screens can be used to call up all manner of vehicle information.

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MyFord Touch mapping is graphically feeling its age.

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Mercifully, most HVAC functions have hard buttons; you don't have to use the screen.

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The Expedition's touchscreen is often slow to respond.

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The King Ranch comes with push-button start, but there's no proximity key available.

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Manual shifts can be had via a rocker switch on the gearshift.

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The armrest can leave a King Ranch-size imprint on your elbow.

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Shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive is an available option.

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Even the floor mats get King Ranch branding.

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HVAC controls are well organized, though some buttons are small.

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Ford's integrated trailer brake control is included.

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Audio is provided by Sony on this uplevel King Ranch model.

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The second row is plenty roomy.

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Access to third-row seats is better than most large SUVs.

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Yes, full-size adults can fit in the way-way-back seats.

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Second-row occupants get their own HVAC and audio controls.

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Lots of space, even with all of the seats up.

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You can seat five people and still carry a week's worth of vacation gear.

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With both rear rows folded, the Expedition's cargo hold can act like a weathertight pickup.

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It may not look like much, but the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 is an absolute beast.

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