Is a Ford Expedition a V6 or V8?
In today’s lineup, the Ford Expedition runs on a turbocharged V6 rather than a traditional V8. This is a shift that reflects broader industry moves toward powerful, efficient six-cylinder engines.
Historically, Expeditions did offer V8 options, particularly in the 2000s and early 2010s, but the modern generation is V6-only. This article breaks down the current powertrain and how the engine lineup has changed over time, so readers understand what they’re likely to find in a given model year or trim.
Current state: what powers today’s Expedition
The latest Expeditions rely on Ford's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, a twin-turbocharged gasoline engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivers about 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque in standard configurations, with higher-output versions reaching roughly 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque in the most capable trims. There is no factory V8 option in the current model-year lineup.
Engine specs in brief
Below is a concise snapshot of the current engine and performance figures you’ll see in recent Expeditions.
- Engine: 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 (twin-turbo)
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Horsepower: approximately 375 hp (base) to about 440 hp (high-output)
- Torque: approximately 470 lb-ft (base) to about 510 lb-ft (high-output)
- Configuration: V6, not a V8
Concluding: For buyers and drivers today, the Expedition’s powertrain is a turbocharged V6 designed to deliver strong towing capability and competitive acceleration without a V8 engine option.
Historical engine options by era
To put the current setup in perspective, it helps to note how engine choices evolved. The Expedition’s past included V8 powerplants, while the modern lineup emphasizes EcoBoost V6 performance for efficiency and capability.
- Pre-2015 generations: predominantly V8 engines, with the 5.4-liter V8 powering many trims, offering substantial towing and confident highway acceleration.
- Mid-2010s transition: Ford moved toward the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, introducing turbocharged power as a primary option and gradually phasing out the V8 in new builds.
- Current generation (latest model years): exclusively EcoBoost V6, optimized with advanced transmissions and chassis tuning; no factory V8 option remains.
Concluding: The engine landscape for the Expedition has shifted from traditional V8s to turbocharged V6 power, aligning with Ford’s broader strategy for efficiency and high-end torque in full-size SUVs.
What this means for buyers and drivers
For prospective buyers, the EcoBoost V6 offers robust towing numbers, strong low-end torque, and better potential fuel economy relative to older V8s—especially when paired with Ford’s 10-speed automatic and updated suspension tuning. It also simplifies maintenance in the sense that there’s a single primary engine family for most trims, though specific outputs vary by model year and configuration.
In practice, those who prioritize pure V8 engine nostalgia or-out-of-production-feel may seek older used Expeditions, while buyers after modern efficiency, advanced technology, and strong towing capacity will find the EcoBoost V6 well-suited to the Expedition’s mission.
Summary
Today’s Ford Expedition is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, not a V8. While older Expeditions offered V8 options, the current generation—across most trims and model years—uses the turbocharged V6 to deliver strong performance and towing capability with improved efficiency. If you’re shopping, verify the exact engine and output for the specific year and trim to ensure you’re getting the configuration you want.
