Ford has had a big year with the release of the all-new Bronco and Bronco Sport, the reveal of the F-150 Lightning, and much more to help the company burst into the headlines again and again. Now, they’ve announced a few interesting ways that they’re continuing to grow and improve their lineup, two of which are going to make off-road fans particularly excited. If you’re someone who keeps your finger firmly planted on the pulse of what Ford has going on, then you might’ve already heard about some of this. Otherwise, get yourself a fresh cup of coffee because you’re in for a treat.
Ford’s Largest SUV Is Getting a Refresh
Perhaps the biggest overall news recently out of the ol’ big blue oval is that the Ford Expedition, their largest SUV, is getting a complete refresh for 2022. This isn’t an all-new generation, but it’s still a significant update that offers numerous new features and options, along with a couple of impressive new trims to choose from (more on that down below). With these changes, it’s clear that Ford is focused on creating the ultimate vehicle for road trips and adventures if you have a large family or big group of friends (the Expedition seats up to eight passengers across three rows – or seven if you pick the second-row captain’s chairs).
Thanks to a towing capacity of more than 9,000 lbs, the Expedition is a great choice for camping, taking a boat for a day on the lake, or long road trips with a camper or trailer in tow. Although this isn’t an all-new generation for the Expedition, the interior has been nicely refreshed, and there are a number of great options available throughout. In terms of technology, the Expedition will absolutely dominate thanks to a pair of available screens: a 12.4-inch HD digital gauge cluster for the driver and a 15.5-inch HD infotainment display, plus the new SYNC 4A system that keeps you connected and in control.
The refreshed Expedition now has support for Ford’s Power-Up software system, which allows for over-the-air updates to keep your vehicle on the cutting edge of technology. If you like to listen to music while cruising, then get ready for something truly special. An available Bang & Olufsen Unleashed sound system that features 22 speakers, including a subwoofer, to create a 360-degree surround sound experience with more speakers than any other SUV in this class. The rear-seat entertainment system has been updated with support for Amazon Fire TV, letting your passengers stay entertained even on the longest of road trips.
Speaking of your passengers, the updated 2022 Ford Expedition does a better job than ever before of keeping them safe thanks to a wide range of standard and available driver-assist technologies. For example, there’s a Road Edge Detection system that helps you stay in your lane when the edge of a road can be detected, along with Intersection Assist, which uses the front camera and radar to detect oncoming traffic and help you avoid a potential collision when you’re making a left turn. Perhaps best of all, the updated Expedition now has BlueCruise available. This is Ford’s semi-autonomous driving technology that allows for hands-free driving on more than 100,000 miles of highways in North America.
The Expedition Stealth Performance Edition
Along with the announcement of the updated 2022 Expedition, Ford has also revealed several new editions for this model, including a powerful Stealth Performance Edition. This new edition includes blacked-out trim pieces, red caliper brakes, and a retuned suspension with 22-inch wheels for a striking appearance and an impressive driving experience.
Performance is going to be excellent with this edition, as it includes a 3.5L EcoBoost engine tuned to deliver 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, with a sport-tuned suspension and dual exhaust. Whether you want to feel like a secret government agent, a superhero, or anything in between – this edition looks like the best way to do it.
The All-New Expedition Timberline
While the Stealth Performance Edition might offer the best on-road experience for the Ford Expedition, one of the most exciting details of the 2022 update is the all-new Timberline trim. This is not the first Timberline for a Ford SUV – the slightly smaller Ford Explorer got a Timberline model starting just this year. If you’re interested in a full-size SUV with three rows of seating that you can take off-road, then this is the Expedition you’ve been waiting for.
The Expedition Timberline is something special, with off-road capability and performance that leave every other SUV in its class in its dust. It has the same impressive engine as the Stealth Performance Edition, giving you 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, along with best-in-class ground clearance of 10.6 inches. Along with this, the Expedition Timberline features a heavy-duty skid plate to protect the underside, a rough road suspension for hitting the trail, and unique shocks designed to handle anything you throw at them.
You get Ford’s unique Trail Control technology on the Expedition Timberline: think of it as cruise control for going off-road, letting you focus on the terrain and maneuvering. The Timberline features unique 18-inch high-gloss black-painted aluminum wheels with 32-inch all-terrain tires wrapped around them. Combine all this with a 2-speed transfer case and Ford’s Control Trac electronic limited-slip differential, and you’ve got a large SUV with unsurpassed traction and control when you’re on the trail. You can also get exclusive interior trim details and colors – such as leather-trimmed seats with Deep Tangerine stitching and similar details on the door trim and steering wheel – if you’re into that kind of thing.
Saving the Best for Last: The Ford Bronco Raptor!
The most exciting recent announcement from Ford is also, sadly, the one with the least amount of information available right now. After several months of rumors and speculation, Ford has confirmed that a more powerful and impressive version of their recently released all-new Bronco is on the horizon and in the works. Perhaps the most surprising part of the announcement, however, was the name. People had been speculating that it might be called the “Warthog,” but Ford has revealed that it will be sold as the Ford Bronco Raptor.
If you’re any kind of Ford fan, then that name should mean something to you – the Raptor name has been used since 2010 for special models of the Ford F-150 pickup to indicate powerful and off-road-focused versions. Just a couple of years ago, the Raptor title was also bestowed upon Ford Ranger models designed to deliver improved performance and power – just not here in the US. Even though we don’t get the Ranger Raptor (that’s fun to say), you can still see that Ford reserved this title only for their trucks until now.
This announcement marks the first time the Raptor name has extended beyond Ford’s pickups and means that next year, we’re going to see something truly special. Unfortunately, this is literally the only information that Ford revealed. They showed off a revised Bronco front-end, a large cloud of dust, and a Raptor logo as they announced this model coming out in 2022, but that’s it. They called it a “sneak peek” and promised more details will be shared later, which is great and all, but I want to know more now! There’s plenty of speculation out there – expect a wider stance, improved shocks, and perhaps a more powerful engine – but for now, we’ll just have to wait for a full reveal sometime before the heat-death of the universe.
