Unveiled this past February in Texas, the all-new 2018 Ford Expedition has seen its levels of sophistication and performance boosted even higher than before. And given that over 50% of its buyers use it to pull loads (15% of them every week or at least monthly), Ford has chosen to outfit the large SUV with the class-exclusive Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature, designed to make manoeuvring with a trailer attached much easier than before.
To use the system, the driver turns a knob to indicate in which direction the trailer needs to move; the technology then takes over and automatically directs the truck to get the trailer to the correct position. The system can limit the vehicle’s speed in response to the type of road surface, and it results in drivers being able to tow and manoeuvre a trailer more quickly and confidently.
“Warmer weather has families longing for outdoor adventures, and the all-new Expedition provides generous space, connectivity and smart new technology for the trip,” explained Craig Patterson, Ford SUV marketing manager. “With best-in-class towing capability of 9,300 pounds (4,219 kg) and available Pro Trailer Backup Assist, you can spend more time on the water rather than struggling to back up and launch your boat.”
The Ford Expedition also comes decked out with several other new technologies and modern amenities, such as an advanced cargo manager with an adjustable shelf behind the third row of seats, an available Vista panoramic roof and wireless charging for smartphones. Entertainment systems, meanwhile, include a Wi-fi hotspot, a rear audio-video entertainment system integrated into the headrests, the SYNC 3 system (compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), an available B&O PLAY premium audio system with 12 speakers and even a live TV service (availability in Canada still to be confirmed).