2005 Ford Excursion XLS, XLT

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Styling changes are the main news for the massive 2005 Ford Excursion. It has the same great performance profile as last year, an incredible amount of power available from the optional diesel engine - unique in the segment, and is still Ford's top-level vehicle for size, luxury and safety.

At the trim level described here, the Ford Excursion XLS and XLT models, the real story is the performance profile. Equipped with the same mechanical features and options as the top-level trims, reviewed separately, the lower-end Excursions kick some serious butt, on-road and off.

Available Models
The entire 2005 Ford Excursion lineup consists of the same five models as last year: the XLS, XLS Limo, XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited versions, however, this year Ford has refined these offerings, with new wheel choices, new interior and exterior colours and some exterior changes like the new jewelled headlamps. The Eddie Bauer and Limited models are covered in a separate review.

Interior Features
The 2005 Ford Excursion is quite simply enormous. This means space in abundance. It has three big rows that seat up to nine adults, while both interior volume and interior space are best in class with over 140 cubic feet of cargo room. The XLS Limo takes those nine around in some comfort as well, with leather upholstery, multi-way powered captain's chairs and a limited -slip differential for a smoother and more commanding ride.

The manufacturers at Ford know that people interested in the Excursion want to be able to put its size to the test. With this in mind, the full-size Excursion combines the design of a tailgate and a lift-glass rear cargo into its Tri-Panel door system. The door has a separate lift-glass for convenient small-parcel loading and lightweight twin swing-out composite doors with no visibility-blocking center pillar. Power windows, doors, mirrors and optionally, pedals, combine with keypad and remote keyless entry for standard comfort and security on all models. The new interior colors are Pebble and Charcoal Black.

Some of the other available options for 2005 include an AM/FM radio with in-dash 6-disc CD player, telescoping heated power trailer-towing mirrors and various seating upgrades.

Exterior Features
As mentioned above, the 2005 Ford Excursion has made some exterior changes with jeweled headlamps, a new grille and bumper and revised wheel choices that include, for the XLT and XLS models, standard 16-inch aluminum wheels and, on 4-wheel drive models, LT265/75R16 all-terrain white-letter tires.

Performance
Excursions come with four-wheel drive but base models can be had with a rear-wheel drive configuration powered by a the standard-equipped 5.4-liter Triton V8. which delivers 255 horsepower at 4500 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque at 2500 rpm. The second engine option is the 6.8-liter V10 with 310 horsepower at 4250 rpm and 425 lb-ft of torque at 3250 rpm. Finally, for heavy-duty towing behemoths, buyers can choose the 6.0-liter turbodiesel which, combined with Ford's 5-speed TorqShift automatic transmission, pumps out a class leading 325 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque.

Safety and Security
Dual front airbags and antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. A rear obstacle detection system is optional with XLT models.