This is a family hauler with attitude.
People who buy full-size SUVs like the 2023 Ford Expedition typically do so for passenger space, towing capability, cargo capacity, or some combination of the three. But with Ford's recent facelift for the 2022 model year, it added two new Expedition trim levels called the Timberline and Stealth Edition. The former is an off-road variant that goes after the Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro, while the latter is a sportier variant that faces off against the Chevrolet Tahoe RST Performance Edition.
The Stealth Performance Package is only available on the Limited trim for a whopping $9,880 ($80,480 total with destination). Is it worth that massive investment? We spent a week driving the Expedition Stealth Edition to determine if a three-row body-on-frame SUV could ever be considered “sporty.”
Stealthy Styling
As part of the Stealth Package, the Expedition sacrifices all of its shiny bits for darker, more menacing accents. These include black mirrors, badging, grille accents, and 22-inch wheels with red brake calipers for a pop of color. The wheels are particularly cool, with a sort-of Mustang look. Even the famous Ford Blue Oval is finished in black, tying the whole package together. The Infinite Blue Metallic Tinted Clearcoat paint on our tester stands out nicely with the meaner Stealth look, but for the full murdered-out effect, we'd opt for Agate Black Metallic.
Muscle Car Power
Along with the darker accents, Ford significantly increased the power under the hood. The Timberline and Stealth Edition share the honor of being the most powerful Expeditions money can buy. The 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 includes the same tune as the Lincoln Navigator, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. That's more than GM's 6.2-liter V8 and the Wagoneer's twin-turbo inline-six.
Ford says the Expedition Stealth can hit 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds, but independent testing has measured it below five seconds. That's astonishing for something this big. It's so quick off the line that, on a few occasions, the glovebox popped open – perhaps indicative of a few niggling quality issues on our tester rather than its impressive performance.
Though the straight-line speed is impressive, we weren't blown away by the handling. This is still a massive vehicle, and no amount of adaptive sport-tuned suspension (a $995 option) can change that. The ride is perfectly comfortable, but the kids in the back would get sick if you decided to unleash the Expedition's power on a curvy road. For a more comprehensive family thrill ride, we still prefer the Dodge Durango SRT.
Roomy Interior
The Expedition packs room for seven occupants, though second- and third-row space are not best-in-class. This is also true for cargo space, where the Expedition provides less storage space than the Chevy Tahoe and Jeep Wagoneer. There is the Expedition Max if you need more space, particularly behind the third row, but the Chevy Suburban and Jeep Wagoneer L still boast more cargo volume. This is still a very spacious vehicle, but there are more practical haulers in the segment.
This is all relative, as any family migrating to an Expedition from a midsize SUV will feel a definite increase in size.
Is It Worth Navigator Money?
If you’re looking for a full-size SUV with a sporty edge, this seems like the best option. It’s more powerful than the Tahoe RST Edition, but it does not offer a throaty V8. Inside, the Stealth is well-equipped with heated/ventilated front seats, second-row captain’s chairs, power-folding third row, a 15.5-inch infotainment system, a 22-speaker B&O sound system, digital gauge cluster, panoramic roof, and more. But you know what else has all that stuff plus a luxury nameplate? The Lincoln Navigator.
With options, our Expedition Stealth Edition tester came in at over $83,000. A base Navigator starts at $79,725. That base price only includes two-wheel drive, 14 speakers, 20-inch wheels, and a 13.2-inch touchscreen, but it delivers a more premium cabin, heated/ventilated second-row seats, and a better dealership experience. The Stealth Edition is cool for moms and dads who want some Mustang flavor in their three-row family hauler, but buyers who want more elegance will be happier with a Navigator.
Keyword: Driven: The 2023 Ford Expedition Stealth Edition Is A Three-Row Muscle Car