The 2007 Ford Expedition exemplifies the term “Sport Utility Vehicle.” With a towing capacity in the 9,000 pound range, it’s meant to carry people, pull boats, personal watercraft, camping or utility trailers, haul gear — and do it all in style and comfort. The four-wheel drive version of the Expedition will get you there and back whether the road is wet, dry, snowy — even if there’s barely any road at all.

In spite of high gas prices, the full-size SUV isn’t going to disappear from America’s highways any time soon. Three generations of families are common at vacation venues, making lots of passenger seats a necessity, not a convenience. There are literally millions of boats and recreational campers to be towed — and more sold every day. With this in mind, the 2007 Expedition has been comprehensively upgraded — everything from passenger comfort, towing capacity, and options, right down to driving pleasure. The goal is making it so family-friendly, it becomes the preferred full-size SUV of choice over rivals such as the Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Dodge Durango, Nissan Armada, and Toyota Sequoia.

But what has made the Expedition even more family-friendly is reducing its price by an average of $4300. A base model XLT Expedition retails for $29,995, some $5485 less than in ‘06. A new, fully-transferable warranty extends bumper-to-bumper protection to three years/36,000 miles, with the powertrain covered for five years/60,000 miles — not equal to GM’s new 100,000 mile warranty, but a vast improvement over 2006.

Walkaround: The 2007 Ford Expedition comes in two different sizes — the standard 119-inch wheelbase version, and the new Expedition EL. With its 131-inch wheelbase, it adds 24 cubic feet of cargo cargo-carrying capacity and is aimed squarely at the Suburban. Both versions are based on the F-150 pickup — America’s all-time best selling vehicle. The Expedition doesn’t pretend to be anything but the truck it is, which is good, because Ford trucks enjoy an outstanding reputation for reliability.

The new third-generation Expedition features Ford’s new signature three-bar grille, large jewel-like headlights, and a domed hood that combine for quite a distinctive appearance. Five different wheel designs are offered, including new chrome 20-inchers. At the rear, the Expedition’s liftgate has a flip-up glass hatch, which makes access to the ample cargo area easy and convenient. A Class III trailer hitch is standard on all models.

Interior: The 2007 Expedition also features a new interior look. The cheap, rental-car-like plastic of past years has been replaced with a rich mix of color, textures, and finishes including wood, chrome and leather.

There are three trim levels on the new Expedition — the entry-level XLT, the outdoor-oriented Eddie Bauer, and the luxurious Limited version.

Standard equipment includes A/C, tilt steering wheel, AM/FM stereo with single-disk CD and an MP3 plug-in jack, front captain’s chairs with movable armrests, adjustable pedals, a 40/20/40 split-bench seat in the second row incorporating a center section that slides forward up to eleven inches, bringing a child seat within easier reach of front-seat passengers, rear cargo bin, 265/70R-17 tires, running boards, roof rails, fog lights, power-adjustable outside mirrors, and a rear liftgate with flip-up glass and rear defroster/wiper/washer system.

Options for the XLT include second-row captain’s chairs, manual or power-folding, third-row bench seat, navigation system with a 6.5-inch screen, premium AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer, Sirius satellite radio, rear-seat DVD entertainment system with a 8-inch screen that flips down from the ceiling and includes two sets of wireless headphones, rear load-leveling air suspension, and a heavy-duty towing package.

The Eddie Bauer versions are distinguished by a longer list of convenience features as standard equipment, notably the unique third-row seat which folds flat into the cargo floor. Other standard features include leather upholstery with front captain’s chairs (driver’s seat is 10-way power adjustable) boasting an optional heating/cooling feature, the third-row seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, an AM/FM stereo tuner with 6CD changer, and protective cladding for the lower body panels.

Additional options for the Eddie Bauer and Eddie Bauer EL include a power-folding, third-row bench seat, and electronically powered liftgate.

The Limited version includes most available options on the other models as standard.

Safety equipment includes front-seat frontal and side-impact air bags, three-row head-protection curtain air bags, anti-lock braking (ABS), and electronic stability control with anti-rollover technology.

Under The Hood: All Expedition’s are powered by a 300-horse, single-overhead-cam 5.4-liter V-8 featuring variable valve timing, and three valves per cylinder. A new, six-speed automatic transmission is standard. Its transition through the gears is seamless and keeps the engine from laboring. The 365 pound-feet of torque is also noticeable when towing, making it more of a pleasure than a chore. With the optional towing package in place, the Expedition can tow 9000 pounds — the best rating in this class.

Every Expedition is offered in either rear-wheel drive (2WD) or electronically engaged four-wheel drive (4WD).

Behind The Wheel: Both the standard Expedition and the EL are big vehicles, measuring more than seventeen feet in length. Needless to say, the 41-foot turning radius (44 on the EL) means they aren’t highly maneuverable in a tight parking lot.

Road manners are excellent for a vehicle this size and weight — and noticeably superior to the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon. It handles the highway with excellent stability, and negotiates dirt roads with surprising agility. Thanks to a frame that’s 10 percent more rigid, high-pressure gas shocks delivering excellent control, and a second-generation, link-type independent rear suspension, the Expedition absorbs bad, bumpy pavement with a minimum of impact on the ride.

The two-speed 4WD system is engaged with the turn of a dashboard-mounted knob, and it automatically reduces throttle sensitivity in low range for better traction on slippery surfaces.

Ford’s unique stability control, which incorporates sensors that detect both roll angle and yaw rate, was originally engineered by Volvo. It’s not as agile as its GM and Nissan competitors, but overall driving performance is far superior to previous Expeditions.

Whines: For all its comfort and stability, the Expedition remains more about utility than sport, with handling a little heavier than I personally prefer — but that’s also a subjective judgment.

Bottom Line: Fuel prices have chased lots of people out of the full-size SUV market, but the 2007 Ford Expedition stands out because it offers the best overall utility package and delivers superior performance in virtually every aspect. The 2007 Expedition is simply the best vehicle on the road for family vacation travel.