The oversized Hummer was inspired by the military, coveted by Hollywood celebrities, and outshined World War Jeeps. Known for their bulky frame and off-roading capabilities, these gas guzzlers were everywhere.
Ford took its crack at a showstopping SUV and gave us a heavy-duty vehicle with ample cargo room and seating for up to nine people.
A massive SUV super duty truck
The Ford Expedition from the late ’90s was very popular. However, the Ford Excursion was based on the company’s largest full-size pickup truck, the F series.
Like the F250, the front displays a three-parted grille and large squared headlights, according to
. It also shared the same dashboard-style as the F250 super duty. And the thoughtful addition of side steps to climb inside the SUV was greatly appreciated.
Almost exclusively sold in the U.S. and Canada, the 2000 Ford Excursion models ranged between 77.4 and 80.4 inches tall. Can you believe its towing capabilities are up to 10,000 pounds? What a workhorse.
Ford produced both diesel and gasoline options. During its early lifecycle, the manufacturer offered four different powertrain options: a 5.4-liter Triton gas-powered V8, a 6.8 Triton gas-powered V10, and a 7.3-liter PowerStroke diesel V8 which was later replaced by a 6-liter. Pretty impressive for a family SUV.
There’s no doubt this monster of a car was designed for the whole family, and your neighbor’s family as well. Rivaling a Chevy Suburban, this model has three rows of roomy seats and enough storage space to help your friend move.
The back features a half tailgate and dutch doors. This makes it easier for towing, as a full tailgate would be difficult to open with a trailer attached. We also love the convenient power outlet next to the back doors that would come in handy for tailgating or inflating a blow-up mattress on your next camping trip.
The overhead center console extends to the back row, which gives passengers a little bit of a luxury feel during longtrips on the road with kids. A screen even pops down on the high-end limited version with adjustable controls. Charge points tucked away in a hidden side cubby? Are we in a plane or a car?
Why did the Ford Excursion only last one generation?
MORE:The 2022 Ford Excursion: Rumor or Reality?
The Ford Excursion was ahead of its time and unfortunately discontinued after the 2005 model year.
article from 2002, “Industry analysts said Ford most likely lost money on the Excursion. It needed to sell about 40,000 a year to break even…it’s likely to sell only about 30,000 this year.”
Maybe the massive vehicle fizzled out because it was too long to fit into a garage, or took up two parking spots in the city. Rising gas prices may have also been a factor, as well as a shifting mentality to preserve the future of the environment. And the timing of the Great Recession certainly didn’t help either.
Surprisingly, 20 years later, this behemoth has developed a cult following. And, an even larger redesigned Ford Excursion has been rumored to make a comeback in the near future. As of yet, the speculated 2022 revival has no official confirmation from the automaker.
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