Sometimes, you’ve just got to have three rows. That’s just one of the reasons the Ford Expedition has remained so popular, and this year, the 2020 Ford Expedition was ranked “Best 3-Row SUV” by U.S. News and World Report, landing on top in a ranking of 20 of these 7 and 8 passenger SUVs. What gave the roomy Expedition the boost to beat out the competition?

The Ford Expedition is all about the space

Reviewers from U.S. News and World Report’s car division loved the abundant space in the 2020 Ford Expedition. As three-row SUV’s have replaced the minivan as the nation’s go-to family vehicle, these vehicles have gotten bigger and bigger. There is comfortable seating for eight in the Ford Expedition, and they were impressed with the 121 cubic feet of available cargo space. 

Another reason it came out on top was the exceptional capability achieved with the twin-turbo V6 under the hood. It delivers efficient and powerful performance, with a towing capacity of up to 9,300 pounds. They liked the full suite of standard, advanced safety features, but didn’t like the quality of the cabin materials for the price. 

Knocking out the competition

The Ford Expedition is the best of many three-row, 7 to 8 passenger SUV’s out there that the reviewers liked. The Hyundai Palisade came in third place and the Kia Telluride came in second place. These vehicles have seating for eight, plush interiors, and high-tech driver assistance features. They are powered by solid engines that both put out 291 horsepower. However, both were edged out by the bigger Ford Expedition.

With a starting MSRP of $52,810, it’s priced well above both the Palisade and the Telluride. In fact, those vehicles are almost $20,000 cheaper with less space but still plenty of features.

If you’re on a budget, those three-row SUV’s might be better options, depending on how much space you actually need. This is especially true when you consider that the price of the 2020 Ford Expedition soars to $77,160 for its top Platinum MAX model.

The 2020 Ford Expedition

Third-row passengers are no longer afterthoughts, having to awkwardly climb into the back row and endure a tight fit until the ride was over. The 2020 Ford Expedition has best-in-class legroom in the second and third rows. It also has standard third-row power reclining seats, and there’s available second-row tip-and-slide seats that make getting in and out of the third row a breeze. 

Luxury features available in the 2020 Ford Expedition include an available panoramic vista roof over both the first and second rows. King Ranch versions have a distinctive center console with wood veneer and a giant touchscreen plus heated and ventilated Del Rio leather seating.

There’s an in-vehicle WI-FI hotspot that can connect up to 10 devices, and a Ford app that keeps you connected to your truck wherever you are. 

There is a full suite of standard driver-assist features to keep you safe and confident on the road. These include a lane-keeping system, blind-spot detection, pre-collision braking, and more. There are a lot of different configurations to choose with different levels of luxury and features — XLT, XLT MAX, Limited, Limited MAX, King Ranch, King Ranch MAX, Platinum, and Platinum MAX. 

For those in the market for a high-end SUV with loads of space, the latest connective and safety technology, and a comfortable interior, the “Best 3-Row SUV” 2020 Ford Expedition is a powerful choice. This commanding vehicle has the power and presence to let it continue to be the kind of three-row SUVs.