2026 Ford Expedition Active: Lakeland Buyers Guide

Everything Ford considers essential, nothing left out

Active is the entry point to the 2026 Expedition, and Ford didn't treat it as a stripped-down starting line. Every standard feature that carries fleet-wide through Platinum, Tremor, and King Ranch starts here: the 24-inch panoramic instrument display paired with a 13.2-inch center touchscreen (Ford calls the combination the Ford Digital Experience), FordPass Connect with a 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, which bundles adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and a 360-degree camera system. The powered Ford Split Gate, a two-piece tailgate that opens like a conventional liftgate or drops the lower section into a 500-pound-rated loading platform (or bench seat at a tailgate), is standard here too, not held back for a higher trim.

Seating runs 7-passenger standard with an 8-passenger bench-second-row configuration available, and the cabin holds a Class IV trailer hitch receiver plus Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist standard, useful for a first-time tower who's never lined up a hitch by eye. Blind-spot monitoring extends its coverage out to a trailer being towed, and tri-zone automatic climate control gives the second and third rows their own controls, which matters on the kind of Central Florida afternoon where the front seats are comfortable and the way-back is not.

Rear-wheel drive, with 4x4 on the table

Active is the only 2026 Expedition trim sold with a rear-wheel-drive configuration; every other trim in the lineup ships with 4x4 standard. That RWD setup carries an EPA estimate of 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined, the best fuel-economy figure in the Expedition range, and 4x4 remains available as an upgrade for buyers who want it without stepping up a trim. The standard engine is the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 at 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque, run through a 10-speed SelectShift automatic, and it takes regular gasoline, no premium requirement anywhere in the lineup. Paired with the available Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package, Active reaches the lineup's top max-tow figure of 9,600 pounds.

Why buyers start here

Morgan C., who bought a used 2022 Expedition here, described the process as "fantastic from start to finish," adding that the sales team "was informative, helpful, and patient" and "never made us feel rushed or pressured" through the test drive and negotiation. It's a common thread in Expedition feedback at this dealership: a straightforward process rather than a marathon one, whether the vehicle is a new Active off the lot or a used Expedition traded in from another brand on the same three-franchise campus.

Frequently asked questions

Does Expedition Active come standard with 4x4?

No. Active is the one Expedition trim built on a rear-wheel-drive base, with 4x4 offered as an available upgrade. Platinum, Tremor, and King Ranch all ship with 4x4 standard, no RWD option on those trims.

How many people fit in an Expedition Active?

Seven as standard, with an optional bench second row that brings capacity to eight. That 8-passenger configuration is also available on Platinum and Tremor; King Ranch caps at 7 because it doesn't offer the bench second-row option.

What's the towing capacity on an Expedition Active?

Up to 9,600 pounds with the available Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package, which adds an integrated trailer brake controller and additional cooling and wiring rated for the higher figure. Without that package, confirm the base tow rating with the dealer before assuming the maximum applies.

See an Active in person

Lakeland Automall typically keeps Expedition Active models in stock alongside the rest of the lineup, and because the dealership also carries Hyundai and Genesis on the same lot, a trade-in from either brand can be appraised the same visit as the Expedition test drive. View current Active inventory or reach out to schedule a time to see one.