2025 vs. 2026 Ford Expedition: Upcoming Upgrades For The New Year

The Ford Expedition is the largest SUV in the lineup, making it a great choice if you have a big family or a lot of cargo to haul around Arizona. At this time of year, you may be wondering what the largest changes to the 2025 vs 2026 Ford Expedition are and whether to buy one now or wait for the 2026 edition to come out. Since we're not expecting a huge 2026 Ford Expedition redesign, your decision may come down to how quickly you need a new vehicle. If you're unsure about the best configuration to meet your needs, our overview of recent Ford Expedition upgrades should help.

Comparing the 2025 vs 2026 Ford Expedition

For the 2025 model year, Ford gave the Expedition what's known as a mid-cycle refresh. This typically involves significant exterior and interior changes to a vehicle after three or four years of the generation hitting the market.

Both the 2025 and 2026 Expedition have the same basic specs. This includes three rows of seating that can accommodate up to eight people, a large cargo area, and a powerful selection of engine options. They also feature a large central touchscreen to control the infotainment system and a truly huge digital gauge cluster that allows you to keep on top of your Ford's performance at all times.

Expected Redesign and Exterior Changes for 2026

We're not expecting many exterior changes for the 2026 model, as several important upgrades were already made last year. A new design for the front end, giving a fresh appearance to the fascia and headlights, creates a new look for the Expedition.

At the rear, the Ford Split Gate proved to be a big hit. It's part liftgate, part tailgate, helping you experience the benefits of both. While the upper part opens upwards, you can fold the lower part down like a tailgate to create storage space at your campsite.

Exterior lighting was also upgraded for last year's model. Tucson drivers can now activate exterior lights from different angles on the Expedition, which comes in handy if you're working in the dark around your vehicle.

Updated Interior Comfort and Third-Row Space

Expedition interior upgrades in 2025 included new soft-touch materials in the cabin and a modern interior design that put more focus on Ford's large touchscreens. Here are some of the features that both the 2025 and 2026 models have in common:

• Cloth upholstery throughout the cabin and power-adjustable seats in the front row, creating a modest but upscale feel.
• Optional synthetic leather or genuine leather upholstery, second-row heated captain's chairs, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel to add more luxury to the cabin.
• An optional panoramic sunroof to flood the cabin with sunlight during summer journeys across Arizona and beyond.
• Just over 20 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which you can expand to over 37 cubic feet if you choose the Expedition with the long wheelbase.

Infotainment and Technology Upgrades by Model Year

Both model years in our comparison have the same infotainment system. It consists of a large 13-inch touchscreen giving access to your favorite music, navigation features, and other apps. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto let you easily connect your phone to the entertainment system. What's more, you can stay online wherever you take your Expedition cruising thanks to the WiFi hotspot.

You can upgrade to a premium 10-speaker stereo for the very best audio performance. Wireless device charging is also available, ensuring your phone stays fully loaded during your journey.

Towing Capacity and Engine Performance Compared

The Expedition boasts two engine options, both of which provide substantial power under the hood and are based on the same engine design:

• The standard 3.5L turbocharged six-cylinder engine, putting out 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque.
• An upgraded version of the engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque.

The Ford Expedition towing capacity is an impressive 9,600 pounds, which should be more than enough to handle just about any size of camper. If you opt for the long-wheelbase model to get more cabin space, towing capacity drops slightly to a still impressive 9,000 pounds.

Safety and Driver Assistance Enhancements in 2026

One of the biggest pieces of news in the 2025 Expedition lineup was the expanded availability of BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free highway driving system. It's available as an option with all trims, which we expect to carry over into 2026.

Ford equips the Expedition with numerous standard safety features to help you on the road. For example, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking can kick in to help you avoid an accident in an emergency. The surround-view camera also comes in handy when you're trying to maneuver this big SUV into a parking spot. The aerial view lets you keep an eye on potential obstacles from all angles.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert also come standard, assisting you to detect motorists approaching from awkward angles. Another big help for visibility comes from the optional rain-sensing windshield wipers to make sure your view up ahead stays clear in all weathers.

Should You Wait for the 2026 Expedition or Buy now in Oracle?

If you're unsure whether to wait for the 2026 Expedition release date or purchase a 2025 model, it depends on how urgently you need a new SUV and whether you want to search for a better deal. Since we don't expect many differences between the two model years, it's worth checking to see whether any specials or incentives are on offer for the new release or the old model year as it comes to an end. Our finance team can also assist you with an auto loan application to help close the deal. Don't hesitate to reach out to us or give us a call to learn more.

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