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2001 Ford Excursion XLT

Date: 25 August 2001	Miles: 3,800
The Ford Excursion, the king of the SUVs, is the official MotorWeek road trip vehicle, and has been since it booted the Suburban off its throne almost two years ago. We're on our second Excursion now, a no-nonsense XLT grade in Medium Steel Blue Clearcoat. Looking more purposeful than our original Limited model, we also fittingly decided to give an Excursion 4X4 a try. But one thing we didn't change on our new Excursion is the engine. In our minds turbocharged diesels are the only way to arrive in a full-size SUV and Ford's 7.3-liter PowerStroke V8, with its 250 horsepower but 505 pound-feet of torque, fits the many moods and missions of the Excursion to a tee. Not to mention the better fuel economy. Our first few tankfuls for this Excursion are returning 18.5 miles per gallon. Mind you it will take almost 90,000 miles of driving to mathematically justify the $4,065 price of the Power Stroke. But with the odometer at 3800 miles, we know it will seldom be idle. And, if it mirrors our initial test, this Excursion should be surprisingly economical, very comfortable, and trouble free.
Date: 28 September 2001	Miles: 5,800
Our 2001 Ford Excursion XLT 4X4 is the second of these turbo V-8 diesel full-size SUVs that we've tested. As our primary crew carrier, we find that the addition of four-wheel drive causes only a modest penalty in ride. Plus, while we thought the 4X4 would use more fuel than our previous 4X2, so far that's not been the case. 17.5 is our average after 5,800 miles. But, we won't know the real story until we slog through winter.
Date: 9 November 2001	Miles: 8,578
Since our last report we've been using our 2001 Ford Excursion more for around town than on long trips. While this is a big beast, it's still remarkably maneuverable in tight quarters, as long as you stay out of low lying parking garages. However, being a big 4X4 trapped in suburbia has taken its toll on fuel economy. Since last report economy has dropped considerably and now stands at 13.3 miles per gallon after 8578 miles. But, friends tell us that if our Excursion was a V-10 gas powered unit instead of a V-8 turbo diesel, we'd be looking at single digits. On the other hand, this heavyweight oil burner has great power when you need it, and the Super Duty pickup derived chassis handles with a light touch even when heavily loaded. Plus, our Excursion matches ability with excellent comfort, and after 4 months, is 100% trouble free. The spouse of one of our staff summed up her first time driving the Excursion by saying: ''I was pleasantly surprised by my experience at driving such a big vehicle. I enjoyed it totally...and I felt pretty safe, too.'' That says it all.
Date: 28 December 2001	Miles: 11,679
This is our second turbo-diesel V-8 Excursion. Now that its spending more highway time, fuel economy is rebounding to about where it should be, 15.7 miles per gallon after 11,679 miles. Mind you, that's with 4-wheel drive. So, you get our drift, we prefer diesel power for its efficiency without sacrificing pulling power. You do put up with a bit harsher ride than with a 4X2 Excursion, but with winter approaching, we think it will be worth it. We've read a lot lately about Ford's quality problems. Well you can't prove it from our 6- month old Excursion. It's trouble free, with very good fit and finish, and not a squeak or rattle to be heard. The Excursion is the biggest SUV you can buy without a trucker's license, and while some compact car drivers may give you a nasty stare, it still fits the American highway lifestyle perfectly.
Date: 28 February 2002	Miles: 13,619
As you may remember, our big Excursion is a 4X4, with V-8 diesel power. Therefore rather than the near single digit fuel economy numbers some owners report, our Excursion is holding steady at 15.7 miles per diesel fuel gallon. Total time and distance of our test is now 7 months and 13,619 miles. Cold winter morning starts are not a problem with this Powerstroke V-8. For that matter, we've had no mechanical hiccups with the Excursion, just lots of effortless hauling to hither and yon.
Date: 10 May 2002	Miles: 21,500
Recent gas price gyrations are making some buyers rethink the practicality of full-size sport-utility vehicles like this 2002 Ford Excursion XLT. But not us. Our Excursion 4X4 is a turbo- diesel. The 7.3-liter V-8 PowerStroke churns out a modest 250 horsepower, but with that a barge- pulling 505 pound-feet of torque. That's about 20% more pulling power than the 6.8-liter V-10 gas engine that powers many Excursions. Plus, while the V-10 owners have to be satisfied with 10-12 miles per gallon at best, after 21,500 miles, we have a real world average of 15.8 miles per diesel fuel gallon. The problem with our solution is, unfortunately, price. At $4,410 the diesel option is steep. But, if your mission requires heavy trailer towing, it's more bearable. Plus, with a 44 gallon fuel tank, our diesel Excursion is a long hauler to the extreme.
Date: 9 August 2002	Miles: 28,000
Now this giant SUV really only makes sense if you have a very big family, or big hauling needs, like moving a super sized boat and trailer. But, if you can fill all 9 seats, or max out the 5 ton towing capacity of our 4X4 turbo diesel V-8, then the Excursion makes perfect sense. And lest you think this is still a gas, or in this case, diesel fuel hog, after 13 months and over 28,000 miles with us, its 15.8 miles per gallon economy is still a lot better than most smaller, less capable SUVs. So, the Ford Excursion may be a little big for the average garage, and it is one vehicle that really needs the reverse sensing system when backing, but it's still about the best way to move lots of cargo with great comfort and ease.
Date: 27 September 2002	Miles: 34,000
After 15 months and over 34,000 miles, well beyond the scope of our normal long term test, we close out our time with this 2001 Ford Excursion XLT 4X4. Only a few weeks after word leaked out from Ford that the Excursion will likely be permanently retired by 2004. Excursion was the focus of undeserved criticism by environmentalists for its fuel- guzzling ways. We say that since our 8-passenger model, with its 7.3-liter turbo-diesel V-8, returned a test average of 15.7 miles per gallon. That's more than many mid-size and far less capable SUVs. No other vehicle can carry and tow as much, as economically, as an Excursion diesel. Another charge we found lacking was poor Ford product quality. Nothing broke on our Excursion. It was 100% reliable. We can't say that often. Only now are we noticing a little wear in the brakes, and we found near 100 degree days did tax the air conditioning. But that's it. So, no wonder we will miss this gentle giant, and we think folks with big hauling needs will, too. But we can still haul quite a bit in this Dodge Ram Quad Cab, and haul fast in this Acura RSX Type-S. Up next on MotorWeek's long term road test update.