The Ford Excursion, sold for the 2000 to 2005 model years, was the largest SUV of the modern era sold in large numbers in America. Built on the frame of Ford’s heavy-duty Super Duty pickup, it was longer than a Suburban, weighed well over three and a half tons and was offered with a V10 and Power Stroke turbodiesel V8s. It became a symbol of the big-SUV boom — admired by families who towed boats and trailers, criticized by environmental groups, and loved by limousine companies who stretched it into party vehicles.

Excursion at a glance
Model years 2000–2005
Platform Ford Super Duty (F-250) truck frame
Engines 5.4L V8, 6.8L V10, 7.3L and 6.0L Power Stroke diesel V8s
Seats Up to nine
Notable Largest mass-market SUV of its era

Built on a heavy-duty truck

Ford’s Expedition already competed with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, but some customers wanted even more capability for towing large trailers. Ford’s answer was to put an SUV body on the F-250 Super Duty chassis. The Excursion could tow heavy loads and carry nine people with cargo behind the third row.

The diesel legend

The 7.3-litre Power Stroke turbodiesel, offered until 2003, is famous for its durability, and diesel Excursions still command strong prices on the used market. It was replaced by the more powerful but less reliable 6.0-litre Power Stroke for the final years.

The backlash

The Excursion arrived just as concerns about SUV fuel consumption and safety were rising. Environmental groups criticized its size and fuel use and gave it the mocking nickname “Ford Valdez”, and its weight put it in a category exempt from some passenger-car rules. Ford responded with emissions improvements, but rising fuel prices in the mid-2000s hurt sales, and Ford ended production after the 2005 model year.

The limousine connection

The Excursion’s strong frame and big V10 made it a favorite base for stretched SUV limousines in the 2000s, alongside the Hummer H2 and Cadillac Escalade. Excursion limos with party lighting and bars were common at proms and bachelor parties. Read about that era in SUV limousines and the Hummer era.

The successor

The Ford Expedition MAX (originally Expedition EL, 2007) eventually filled the long-SUV role at Ford, on a lighter platform better suited to passenger comfort. Compare it with the Suburban in Suburban vs Ford Expedition MAX.

Today’s full-size SUVs

Modern full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL offer nearly the Excursion’s space with independent rear suspension, far better fuel economy and advanced safety systems. That is why they — not heavy-duty trucks — are the backbone of today’s chauffeured SUV fleets. See our Chevrolet Suburban.