The 2018 Ford Expedition is finally the full-size family hauler from Ford we've been waiting for.A long-awaited redo for the spacious family hauler finally arrives this year, and the 2018 Ford Expedition gets more than a "mane and tail" makeover. The new SUV will be available in XLT, Limited, and Platinum trims in rear- or four-wheel-drive configurations. A long wheelbase Expedition will be offered and is called Expedition MAX, which is a new name for the States. Pricing hasn't yet been announced.
Pros Boxy, upright stance Advanced safety tech Strong V-6 and 10-speed powertrain Helpful terrain management system
Cons We thought we were past the rotary shift knob Uncertain about fuel economy Expedition MAX?
The 2018 Ford Expedition ranked #1 in Large SUVs. Currently the Ford Expedition has a score of 9.4 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 8 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Powerful engine Upscale cabin with plenty of features Three rows of spacious seats Lots of cargo space
Cons More expensive than competitors
More powerful V6 engine and new 10-speed automatic transmission.The 2018 Expedition is fully redesigned.The first year of the fourth-generation Expedition.Updated interior with new features.
PROS Turbo V6 engine, now with more power, pulls strong even when laden Easy folding and sliding of rear seats increase interior flexibility Adults will actually be comfortable in the third-row seat Tows more than similarly sized crossover SUVs
CONS Fuel economy still below what a typical three-row crossover achieves Big, bulky and tricky to navigate and park in tight quarters
There are plenty of seven-seat SUVs to choose from if you've got a large budget, but what if you're looking for something that's got all the space but is more reasonably priced? Well, then the Skoda Kodiaq should be on your shortlist, because its attractive entry-level price certainly makes it appealing to big families looking for value for money. It's actually Skoda's first ever seven-seater car, and its first large SUV. It shares some of its underpinnings with other VW Group SUVs including the Audi Q2, Seat Ateca and Volkswagen Tiguan, but the larger Kodiaq is more of a rival for the Nissan X-Trail, while the higher-end and pricier versions compete with the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and even Land Rover's Discovery Sport. The entry-level versions of the Kodiaq come with five seats as standard, but it’s the seven-seat versions that have by far the most appeal. Engine options range from a 121bhp 1.4 petrol all the way up to a punchy 188bhp 2.0-litre diesel, and there’s also a choice between front and four-wheel drive and manual and automatic (DSG) gearboxes.
The Kodiaq is the first seven-seater for the Czech manufacturer, and the start of a rollout of SUV models due to hit showrooms over the next four years. Kodiaq is named after the Kodiak bear which inhabit the Kodiak islands in Alaska. For some handy dinner table trivia, the car is spelt with a ‘q’ not a ‘k’ as a tribute to Alaska’s native Alutiiq people who identify an animal by ending its name with a ‘q’. That and there’s already a Chevrolet Kodiak and, you know, lawyers.
Pros Practical, spacious and clever - like a Skoda should be Comfortable seats, and comfortable ride Upmarket interior, especially the touchscreen
Cons Front design perhaps a little awkward Lacklustre midrange response from both engines Third row quite tight
The Skoda Kodiaq is the Czech company’s first seven-seater SUV and a real reason to worry for rival models such as the Nissan X-Trail, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. The Kodiaq strikes a good balance when it comes to offering comfort and agility. Well, ‘aglie’ might be too strong a word, but for a car of this size, the big Skoda suffers from little body roll even if you power through corners quickly. More important is the cosseting ride, which you get in all but 19-inch wheeled models. It shields passengers from big bumps and broken road surfaces, with only smaller high-frequency jolts catching the chassis out. We drove a model with 19-inch wheels and although the ride wasn’t uncomfortable, you did feel most bumps in the cabin.
Pros Superb build quality Hugely practical interior Seven-seat option
Cons Stiff ride with big wheels Some wind noise at motorway speed Top-spec diesel noisy
