2025 Ford Expedition Review: What's New, What I Love, and What I Miss
This is a VERY exciting tour for The Car Mom crew! The Ford Expedition has always been one of my go-to and most recommended family SUVs. When Ford unveiled the redesigned 2025 Expedition, you know I had to check it out.
I’ve toured just about every full-size SUV on the market, and the Expedition continues to stand out as the most family-friendly because of its car seat setup. For several years I drove the Ford Expedition, and when I was pregnant with my fourth, we moved to the Expedition Max to gain the extra trunk space we needed since I use my third row daily.
I even have a whole post dedicated to extended wheelbases (and whether they’re worth it) that you can check out here.
Curious about my car seat setup with 4 kids? This video is for you.
If you’re new here, hi! I’m Kelly—the Car Mom. I’m a mom of four and a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST), and I spend my days reviewing cars with real families in mind. My goal is to show you how these vehicles actually work for family life—whether that’s fitting multiple car seats, loading up strollers, or just making everyday drop-off a little easier.
In this review, I’ll walk you through what’s new, what still makes the Expedition a total car seat dream machine, and a few things I wish Ford had left alone. Let’s jump into the 2025 Expedition!
2025 Ford Expedition Highlights
All seats in the second row have lower anchors and tether anchors (in both the bench and captain's chairs options)
The third row outboard seats have lower anchors. Tether anchors are across the entire third row.
The outboard second row seats are car-seat-tilt friendly (meaning you can tilt the seat for easy third row access on BOTH sides!)
Each second row seat is on its own set of tracks, so you can adjust spacing for your specific car seat needs.
The interior has some nice upgrades, like the oval steering wheel, new digital display, and charging ports on the back of the front row seats instead of at the bottom of the center console.
The new split tailgate, along with its shelf-party tricks (it turns into a shelf, table, or bench!), is such a great upgrade. It makes the trunk more organized and usable.
What I Didn’t Love About the 2025 Ford Expedition Changes
On the exterior, there’s a large black panel that stretches across the entire back end. In my personal opinion, it looks mismatched on most colors.
They removed the full-sized door cupholder in the second row, which I used every day in my 2023 model.
Car seat tilt is now powered, not manual. Manual is faster, plus it’s one less thing you have to worry about breaking.
2025 Ford Expedition Car Seat Setup
In the Ford Expedition, the second and third rows are still my favorite car seat setup. Whether you go with a bench or captain’s chairs, this SUV is clearly built with families in mind, and the car seat hardware proves it.
Lower anchors are located on all second-row seats and outboard third-row seats.
Tether anchors are in every seat of the second and third rows.
BOTH outboard second-row seats have car seat tilt, making third-row access much easier.
Each second row seat is on an individual track, so you can adjust as needed.
2025 Ford Expedition First Impressions: Exterior
The front end of the Expedition got a serious facelift, and it’s working for me. The grille is fresh, bold, and sporty, especially with the Platinum’s black trim accents. It finally feels like Ford is catching up to competitors like the Tahoe, Yukon, and Suburban in terms of presence.
The rear, however, feels a little mismatched. The giant black panel on the tailgate makes it look busy and a bit awkward, particularly on lighter paint colors where the contrast is harsh.
My prediction? That rear design will be gone in the next model year refresh. Tell me if you agree below!
Overall, the exterior is a step in the right direction. The Expedition feels modern again without losing the practicality that families love.
2025 Ford Expedition Front Row Tech Upgrades + Interior Tweaks
The new 24-inch digital display is clean, functional, and well-placed. I actually prefer it over the full-width one in the Navigator (that was just too big).
There are no more heads-up display, which projects information like speed and navigation onto the windshield. It’s been replaced by the updated screen. But it’s still nice because I like having the things I need in front of me.
The new oval steering wheel is surprisingly comfy! It fits nicely in my hand and I love it more than I thought I would.
Though I love the new shape, the steering wheel adjustments are now digital instead of manual. You have to click multiple buttons just to move it, and I find that a bit clunky.
There’s no physical climate and audio controls (which I don’t love), but the digital system is still intuitive and better than previous models.
The door cupholders now fit real water bottles! And the center console has plenty of spots for my many drinks.
The center console can slide backward to create more space up front for your purse or other items.
The Second Row Is Impressive!
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know the Expedition is car seat heaven, and that hasn’t changed. Whether you opt for a bench or captain’s chairs, the second row remains one of the best in the business for car seats. Here’s why:
Three-across friendly, with lower anchors and tethers in every position.
Car seat tilt still exists on both sides, but now it’s powered instead of manual.
Charging ports on the back of the front seats: A new-for-2025 upgrade I love because it’s more direct to the passenger.
Heated seats, ceiling vents, cupholders, and a space for iPads are all still here.
One major miss: They removed the full-size door cupholder. Hopefully, they bring it back for the next model year.
Curious about how the Expedition stacks up against the Tahoe in terms of car seats? Check out my full breakdown: Why I Chose the Expedition Over the Tahoe.
2025 Ford Expedition’s Third Row
The third row in the Expedition continues to be one of the most practical in its class. You get:
Three full seats, each with its own headrest. That may sound basic, but trust me, not every competitor offers it.
Excellent car seat hardware placement with lower anchors on both outboard seats and top tethers across all three seats.
Reclining seats, functionality, and great legroom.
Cupholders, USB ports, and ceiling vents.
This third row was designed to be practical and comfortable. It doesn’t feel like an afterthought.
2025 Ford Expedition Trunk & Cargo Space
Ford nailed it with the Expedition’s cargo area! Here are a few standout features.
You can open just the top half of the split power tailgate, which is perfect for quick trips, grabbing a diaper bag, or tossing in groceries without everything spilling out.
The shelf works as a bench for tailgating, a snack table, or a barrier to keep loose items from rolling around. This is one of the smartest, most family-focused cargo solutions I’ve seen in an SUV.
The Expedition Max adds 12 more inches of cargo space without sacrificing passenger comfort. That extra foot really matters if you’re juggling strollers, sports equipment, or luggage. I go into detail on this in the Suburban vs Expedition Max blog.
Overall…We Love the 2025 Ford Expedition! A Strong Redesign with a Few Misses
The 2025 Expedition keeps everything that made it a family favorite while adding a modern tech refresh. There are a few misses, but overall, it’s still one of the best options for large families.
What I love…
Car seat flexibility that’s nearly unbeatable
Tech updates that feel modern but not overwhelming
Smart cargo features that make everyday life easier
What I miss…
Manual car seat tilt, instead of powered
The old rear styling without the oversized black panel
Full-size second-row door cupholders
Simpler manual controls for vents and steering wheel adjustments
If you haul kids, car seats, or gear like I do, the Expedition should be at the top of your list. It continues to prove why I picked it (the 2023 Max version) over the Tahoe and why it’s still my daily driver.
What do you think of the redesigned 2025 Ford Expedition? Are the updates a win, or do you miss some of the old features like I do? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. And if you’re curious to see how the Expedition stacks up against other family favorites, check out my other blogs.