MC&T Staff 
Ford just announced it’s lowering the starting price of the 2021 Expedition thanks to the addition of a new base model: the Expedition XL STX.
In previous years the Ford Expedition XL was only available through the fleet office, and thus off limits to Joe and Sandra. The new base model starts at $49,995—before adding $1,695 to cover the cost of destination— and represents savings of $2,815 when compared to the Expedition XL.
The Ford’s new $51,690 bottom line also brings the Expedition XL STX closer to the starting price of the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, which tips in at $50,295 including destination—and still represents savings of $1,395 over the big blue oval.
As for the content, there’s obviously less of it in the 2021 Ford Expedition XL STX compared to the Expedition XLT. For starters, the biggest difference is a reduction in seating capacity with the XL STX losing the Expedition’s standard third-row seating. The XL STX is also not available with the optional, extended-length Max body. At least not yet.
The new base model Expedition also loses the Ford Co-Pilot360 bundle of driver assists, which includes (or doesn’t in this case) rear parking sensors, satellite radio, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a garage-door opener.
However, what the XL STX does get are a couple model-specific features of its own. The 18-inch alloy wheels come painted in Magnetic metallic, and the Expedition’s five-bar grille comes painted in gloss-black to match the gloss-black mirror caps.
Like the rest of the Expedition family, the XL STX takes motivation from Ford’s turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 which is paired with the brand’s 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive comes standard with all-wheel drive available for an extra $3,050.
Other options include an electronic limited-slip differential which can only be added with the addition of AWD; a heavy-duty towing package, rear parking sensors, an engine-block heater, and a rear cargo mat.
Look for the 2021 Ford Expedition XL STX to begin showing up at dealers later this year, but is on the Expedition configurator right now.
– By Michael Accardi
