The Expedition Active and King Ranch sit at opposite ends of the lineup without the Tremor’s off-road focus or the Platinum’s package complexity. For Nassau County buyers who want a straightforward full-size SUV without extensive option decisions, these two trims define the real spending range in the Expedition family. The gap between them is meaningful - here is exactly what changes and what stays the same.
Bottom Line: The Expedition King Ranch adds Del Rio leather seating across all three rows, 22-inch Sinister Bronze wheels, the 22-speaker B&O Unleashed audio standard, and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving - content that the Active requires package additions or trim changes to match.
- The Active uses cloth and ActiveX seating; the King Ranch uses Del Rio leather in all three rows
- The B&O Unleashed 22-speaker audio is standard on King Ranch; it requires the Driver’s Package on Platinum and is not available on Active
- BlueCruise is standard on King Ranch; Active Touring gets only a 90-day trial
What the Active Includes at Its Price Point
The Expedition Active is not stripped-down entry-level content in the way that an XL pickup might be. It enters the lineup with the 24-inch panoramic display, SYNC 4, a comprehensive driver assistance suite including BlueCruise trial on the Active Touring level, standard power-adjustable front seats, and three-zone climate control. The 18-inch dark aluminum wheels are a reasonable-looking wheel for the body size.
The Active’s seating is where its trim level shows most clearly. Front seats are cloth or ActiveX depending on the configuration; the second and third rows are cloth. For buyers in Nassau County who regularly carry passengers in all three rows - school runs, extended family travel, long-haul trips out east - the cloth seating is functional but does not match the refinement standard of the trims above it.
The Active is the Expedition most likely to be purchased by buyers who need the three-row capacity and the towing capability but do not require the interior luxury that the mid-range and flagship trims provide. It is a capable vehicle. The question is whether the Active Touring’s additional content closes the gap with King Ranch in a way that justifies the trim jump.
The Active Touring Sub-Trim: Narrowing the Gap
The Active Touring is the higher configuration within the Active lineup and adds meaningful content. It includes heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, the BlueCruise 90-day trial, and upgraded second-row seating. The Family Travel Package is available only on the Active Touring, adding the Vista Roof, zone lighting, and flexible third-row configuration.
With the Family Travel Package, the Active Touring comes close to King Ranch in interior comfort - but it still lacks the Del Rio leather treatment across all three rows, the 22-speaker audio, and the permanent BlueCruise subscription that the King Ranch includes standard.
What the King Ranch Adds Over Any Active Configuration
King Ranch is distinguished by three features that no Active configuration can fully replicate:
Del Rio leather seating across all three rows. The King Ranch’s leather is the namesake material that has defined this trim across multiple Ford nameplates. The western-inspired stitching, the King Ranch branding on headrests and floor mats, and the leather-wrapped third-row cushions give the entire cabin a consistent premium character. When seven people are in the vehicle, everyone is seated on leather - not just the front two rows.
22-speaker B&O Unleashed audio as standard equipment. This is the same system that requires the Driver’s Package add-on on the Expedition Platinum. On the King Ranch, it is included in the base trim price. For buyers who prioritize audio quality - and a full-size SUV with seven passengers creates a lot of ambient noise to overcome - having the Unleashed system standard is a meaningful difference.
BlueCruise hands-free highway driving as a standard subscription. Active Touring buyers get a 90-day trial. King Ranch buyers get the hands-free highway driving capability as part of the trim without a trial cutoff. For Nassau County buyers who regularly commute on the LIE or make highway trips up to New England or upstate, this is a convenience feature with recurring value.
"The King Ranch is the trim for buyers who want every passenger to experience the same quality. The leather in all three rows, the audio that fills the cabin, and the hands-free driving on the highway - these are not luxury extras for the front seats. They change the experience for everyone in the vehicle. That is the right conversation to have with a family of five or six."
General Manager, Levittown Ford
Exterior: Sinister Bronze Wheels vs. Dark Alloy
The King Ranch’s visual identity comes primarily from its 22-inch Sinister Bronze aluminum wheels - a warm-toned bronze finish that coordinates with the western leather theme inside. These are larger in diameter and more distinctive than the Active’s 18-inch dark alloy wheels, and the bronze tone works well against the King Ranch’s available two-tone paint options.
The Active’s 18-inch wheels are appropriate for a trim at its price point and are not a visual shortcoming, but the size and material difference is visible side-by-side. For Nassau County buyers who care about curb presence, the King Ranch’s 22-inch wheels make a more substantial statement.
Two-wheel drive is now available on the King Ranch for 2027. Previously this option was only available on the Active. For buyers in Nassau County who do not need or want 4WD, this opens the King Ranch to rear-wheel-drive configuration without requiring any trim compromise.
Side-by-Side Summary
| Feature | Active / Active Touring | King Ranch |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 400 HP EcoBoost | 400 HP EcoBoost |
| Seating Material | Cloth / ActiveX (rows 1-2) | ✓ Del Rio Leather - All Rows |
| Audio System | Standard audio | ✓ 22-speaker B&O Unleashed |
| BlueCruise | 90-day trial (Touring) | ✓ Standard subscription |
| Wheels | 18-inch dark alloy | ✓ 22-inch Sinister Bronze |
| 2WD Available | Yes | ✓ Yes (new for 2027) |
Who Should Choose the Active, and Who Should Choose King Ranch
The Active makes sense for buyers whose primary goal is three-row capacity at the most accessible Expedition price point, and whose passengers primarily occupy the first two rows. It also makes sense for buyers who plan to add the Family Travel Package to the Active Touring and get close to King Ranch comfort without the full trim premium.
The King Ranch is the right choice when the third-row experience matters - when grandparents, teenagers, or frequent rear-seat guests are getting leather seating and not cloth. It is also the right choice when audio quality is non-negotiable and you do not want to add the Driver’s Package separately. The standard BlueCruise subscription rounds out a package that is harder to replicate with options on the Active.
For the full overview of all 2027 Expedition updates, see our 2027 Expedition what’s new guide for Nassau County. To browse available inventory, view current Expedition listings at Levittown Ford or check Expedition specials.
FAQ
Do both Active and King Ranch use the same engine? Yes - both use the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 at 400 HP and 480 lb-ft of torque. The High Output 440-HP engine is only available on the Tremor and certain Platinum packages, not on the Active or King Ranch.
Can I get the Family Travel Package on the King Ranch? The Family Travel Package is available only on the Active Touring trim, not on the King Ranch. The King Ranch includes its own content set that is not package-dependent.
Is the MAX body available on both trims? Yes - both the Active and King Ranch are available in the standard-length body and in the MAX extended body. The Tremor is the only Expedition trim available in the standard length only.
Does the King Ranch include heated rear seats? Heated seating on the King Ranch includes the standard front seat heating. For specific rear seat heating configuration, consult Levittown Ford on current available specifications for in-stock units.
Is the Expedition King Ranch available in two-wheel drive for 2027? Yes - two-wheel drive is now available on the King Ranch for 2027. This is a new availability for this trim and an advantage for Nassau County buyers who prefer rear-wheel drive.
The gap between Active and King Ranch is real and meaningful - primarily in seating material, audio quality, and BlueCruise availability. For Nassau County families evaluating whether the King Ranch’s content justifies the premium over a well-equipped Active Touring, the answer usually depends on how important the third-row experience and the audio system are. Contact Levittown Ford to discuss current availability of both trims serving Levittown, East Meadow, Wantagh, and Seaford.
Review NHTSA vehicle safety ratings for the Ford Expedition when making your full-size SUV decision.