Thoughts of the Ford Expedition evoke feelings of excitement, adventure, and the open road. Large SUVs are great for families, commuters, or drivers who simply like more bulk to their vehicles. Ford has committed itself to excellence when it comes to building some of the best SUVs on the market. Now, the automaker is doubling down on the success of the 2021 Ford Expedition by knocking thousands off the price tag. 

If you’ve been eyeing a Ford Expedition for your next road trip, this price cut may just be the catalyst that propels you to finally purchase one. According to Cars Direct, Ford restructured the Expedition’s starting MSRP, which is now $50,720 (including destination charges). That’s $3,785 cheaper than the starting MSRP of the 2020 Expedition.

The 2021 Ford Expedition is looking pretty enticing with its new price tag, but is this seemingly fantastic deal just too good to be true?

So, what’s the catch?

The Expedition’s entry-level trim was the XLT for the 2020 model year. However, that’s no longer the case. A new base model, the XL, was added to go along with the so-called price cut for 2021.

This no-frills model isn’t an all-new edition. It was previously available in the auto maker’s fleet lineup. Although it doesn’t come packed with popular features, the XL’s attractive price makes it a good option for those simply looking for an SUV that fits the entire family.

It won’t cost buyers too much more to get a whole lot of extra goodies. The STX package, available for just $970, adds Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a tri-zone climate control system, and 18-inch Magnetic Metallic wheels. Plus, the infotainment system will be upgraded to the advanced Sync3 software with an eight-inch touchscreen.

Ford gets competitive with pricing

The Expedition reigns supreme among three-row SUVs in terms of performance and quality. However, its high price tag may have cost them in terms of sales. In comparison, the rival 2020 Chevy Tahoe has a starting MSRP of $50,295 (including destination charges), which is $4,210 cheaper than the 2020 Expedition XLT.

According to GoodCarBadCar.com, the Chevy Tahoe vastly outsold the Ford Expedition in recent years. The publication’s data shows 104,152 and 101,189 Tahoes sold in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Meanwhile, Ford moved only 54,661 Expeditions in 2018 and 86,423 in 2019.

With a more affordable pricing strategy, the 2021 Ford Expedition might make more headway in the large SUV segment.

Ford didn’t make any adjustments to the pricing of the XLT trim. However, the manufacturer dropped the MSRP of some higher-end models. For instance, the 2021 Ford Expedition Max Limited 4×4 now starts at $68,320, which is $2,870 less than its 2020 counterpart.

Is the price of the 2021 Ford Expedition right?

The Expedition has been a mainstay within Ford’s lineup. While it is often proclaimed as a top choice for families with its spacious interior and excellent durability, it may have remained just out of reach due to price. 

Will this price reduction help the Ford Expedition dominate the competition? Ford has made a gamble, but it seems safe to say that this is one bet worth making.