Ford is the first to admit that the sales of full-size, truck-based sport utilities have suffered as people turn to smaller, more fuel-efficient, car-based utilities for their daily transportation.But many experts say fuel prices have simply chased away the people who shouldn't have been driving a full-size sport-utility in the first place.Left are those who really need one for hauling people and gear and towing trailers.

The Expedition carries people, hauls gear, tows boats, and pulls campers.When it's equipped with four-wheel drive, the Expedition will also get you there whether the road is dry, wet, snowy, or even when there's hardly any road at all.

The cabin features rich materials and generous space in all three seating rows.The second- and third-row seats fold flat to create a useful rear cargo area.Extended-length Expedition EL models add even more cargo-carrying capacity, especially noticeable when trying to load groceries or gear behind the third-row seats.

All Expeditions are powered by Ford's 5.4-liter V8 that makes 310 horsepower and offers towing capacities in the 9000-pound range.Thanks in part to independent rear suspension, the Expedition offers a smooth ride that is more car-like than most big, truck-based SUVs.That's nice on long drives.

With its combination of utility, a smooth, stable ride and a pleasant interior, the Ford Expedition is a fine choice for families that tow or take driving vacations.

Expedition XLT ($34,845) and 4WD XLT ($37,745) come with cloth upholstery with front captain's chairs (driver's seat is six-way power adjustable), and a 40/20/40 split-bench seat in the second row.A leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, front and rear air conditioning with rear controls, remote keyless entry, automatic headlights, alarm, an AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 player connectivity and rear controls, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, overhead console, and illuminated visors are also part of the package.Exterior standard equipment features 265/70R17 tires on alloy wheels, running boards, roof rails, fog lights, power-adjustable heated outside mirrors, a rear liftgate with flip-up glass and a rear defroster/wiper/washer system, and a keyless entry keypad.

Expedition XLT EL ($38,370) and XLT EL 4WD ($41,270) are equipped the same as standard wheelbase versions, except they come with a split-folding third-row seat and a conversation mirror.

Options for XLT models include third-row bench seat ($875) or power-operated third-row bench seat ($1,370), leather captain's chairs ($1,295), rear load-leveling air suspension ($485), a heavy-duty towing package ($395), Sirius satellite radio ($195), rear-seat entertainment ($1,295), heavy-duty trailer towing equipment ($395), and a power moonroof ($995).A Convenience Package ($895) includes a reverse-sensing system, power rear quarter windows, universal garage-door opener, six-disc CD changer, and power-adjustable pedals.

Expedition Eddie Bauer ($40,180) and Eddie Bauer 4WD ($43,080) are trimmed as outdoor adventure vehicles and are distinguished by a longer list of convenience features as standard equipment, notably the Expedition's unique power-folding split third-row seat.Other standard features include leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, memory for the mirrors and driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, a Premium sound system with six-disc CD changer, trip computer, conversation mirror, mirror-mounted turn signals, power-adjustable pedals, and protective cladding for the lower body panels.The Eddie Bauer EL ($42,830) and Eddie Bauer EL 4WD ($45,730) are equipped, basically, like the standard-wheelbase versions.

Options for Eddie Bauer models over and above those of the XLT include heated and cooled front seats ($625), power running boards ($995), a navigation system ($1,995), second-row captain's chairs ($795), air suspension ($485), and a Convenience Package ($1,295) which includes a power liftgage, power rear quarter windows, universal garage-door opener, rain-sensing wipers and a rear-view camera.

Expedition Limited ($43,010) and Limited 4WD ($45,910) add heated and cooled front seats, 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, universal garage-door opener, power rear quarter windows, and 255/70R18 tires on chrome alloy wheels.The Limited EL ($45,660) and Limited EL 4WD ($48,560) are equipped the same.

Expedition King Ranch ($44,950) and King Ranch 4WD ($47,850) have upgraded Chaparral leather upholstery, King Ranch badging, and gold exterior accents.The leather also trims the center console lid, steering wheel and door panels, while wood trim can be found on the center console, shifter handle and instrument panel.King Ranch EL ($47,600) and King Ranch 4WD EL ($50,500) have the same features.

Safety equipment includes front airbags, torso-protecting front side airbags, three-row head-protecting side-curtain airbags with rollover deployment, tire-pressure monitor, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with brake assist, and AdvanceTrac electronic stability control with Roll Stability Control.A rear obstacle detection system is standard on Limited and King Ranch, and optional on Eddie Bauer.

Both the long and regular-length versions of the Expedition use many of the components from the Ford F-150 pickup.However, the Expedition features independent rear suspension, which improves driving precision, ride comfort, and rear-seat roominess.

This third-generation Expedition features a three-bar grille, large headlights, and a domed hood that combine to deliver a look that's both distinctive and respectable.There are several different wheel designs, including 20-inchers with a chrome finish.

Expedition EL models stretch the wheelbase to 131 inches.Overall, the EL measures 14.8 inches longer than the standard Expedition, and that adds 22 cubic feet of cargo volume.Expedition offers 108.3 cubic feet of cargo space, while the EL delivers 130.8 cubic feet.

The Expedition and the Expedition EL are big vehicles, measuring more than 17 feet from nose to tail.As a result, crowded parking lots can be challenging.The Expedition has a turning circle of nearly 41 feet, while the EL requires 44 feet.

They're also heavy, as even the base 2WD Expedition weighs almost 6,000 pounds, and a loaded EL with 4WD will be comfortably over that.

The King Ranch model can be identified by its gold exterior accents and unique wheel design.

The Expedition comes with running boards as standard equipment.Power retractable running boards that deploy when the doors are opened are optional.Some prefer no running boards, but that doesn't appear to be an option.

Captain's chairs with movable armrests are standard across the four model lines.Leather-upholstered examples are available with a heating/cooling feature that makes them a more comfortable companion in winter and summer.Generous driver's-seat travel helps accommodate taller drivers, and it's a perfect match for the Expedition's movable pedals, so a wide range of sizes of drivers can sit comfortably.

The second seating row reflects Ford's thoughtful approach to passenger comfort: the standard 40/20/40 bench seat incorporates a center section that slides, bringing a child seat within easier reach of front-seat passengers.Optional second-row captain's chairs with a center-aisle pass-through can be substituted for adult-rated comfort.

Packaging advantages afforded by the Expedition's independent rear suspension enable the third-row seat to deliver more comfort for adults compared to the accommodations provided by the Chevy Tahoe.In fact, third-row room is among the best of any SUV, though three adults won't want to sit in the back for long.The high ride height also makes getting in and out a task for children.

The Expedition's liftgate with its flip-up glass hatch makes access to the cargo area very easy.The Expedition's second- and third-row bench-type seats fold flat into the cargo floor, affording a long cargo area that can be easily loaded.This means you don't have to unbolt the passenger seats and leave them on the floor of your garage every time you're making a serious run to the home improvement store.In this regard, the Expedition is much better designed than GM's large SUVs.The Expedition is also available with an optional power-folding third-row seat and electronically powered liftgate to make it even easier to load cargo.However, the seat cushions of the second- and third-row seats are a little slim in order to allow the seats to fold properly.

The Expedition is about more than convenience.A DVD-based navigation system with sizable 6.5-inch screen is available as an option.The rear-seat DVD entertainment system has an eight-inch screen that flips down from the headliner and also includes two sets of wireless headphones.A plug-in jack for an MP3 player is standard across the line.The Expedition is even a nice place to be when all the entertainment is switched off, as the combination of thick glass and a generous amount of acoustic insulation behind the dash and on the floor makes this a remarkably quiet interior; it's actually possible to have a conversation with the people in the third-row seat while you're at the wheel.

Ford's rear backup camera is less impressive than many others.The image is shown in the rear-view mirror, and is quite small.While the image is useful, obstacles are not as easy to spot as they are in systems that show their images on six- or seven-inch dash-mounted screens.

In this regard, the Ford Expedition tracks down the highway with excellent straight-line stability, negotiates forest roads with surprising agility, and absorbs impacts from bumps or broken pavement without straying from its path.It maintains a surprisingly calm ride considering its truck heritage.Most of the advantage comes from the synergy between a rigid frame, high-pressure gas shocks that afford excellent wheel control, and a second-generation, link-type independent rear suspension.

Steering effort is light and easy.The two-speed 4WD system is engaged with a simple rotary knob mounted on the dashboard, and it automatically reduces throttle sensitivity in low range for better traction in slippery circumstances.

The overhead-cam 5.4-liter V8 delivers 310 hp, but it's really tuned to deliver torque, 365 pound-feet of it, for towing.The six-speed automatic transmission runs seamlessly through the gears, keeping the engine from laboring through its rpm range.The result is a lot of reliable power.

We did notice some hesitation at initial throttle opening in some situations.It we came to a stop sign at the top of a hill, stopped, then accelerated, there was sometimes a pause while the transmission engaged and forward momentum began.

The Expedition makes an excellent tow vehicle.With the optional towing package, the standard 4WD Expedition is rated at 9000 pounds, the 2WD at 9200 pounds, the 2WD EL at 9000 pounds, and the 4WD EL at 8750 pounds.

For all its comfort and stability, the Expedition is still about utility rather than sport.When it comes to driving, the Expedition feels big and heavy, which it is.As good as it is, the Expedition certainly isn't sporty and no one should expect it to be.Still, the Expedition's overall driving performance is quite refined for its class.

Kirk Bell contributed to this report from Chicago, with staff reports from NewCarTestDrive.com.