Sometimes, it’s not the fancy high-tech self-driving features that impress me the most. On a road trip with my family recently, I noticed a subtle but important feature on a 2025 Ford Expedition that’s designed more for convenience and security than anything.
It made a big difference in keeping the kids calm, and gave me peace of mind about an Apple iPad and my phone being stashed away safely.
I’m talking about a sliding middle storage box that can move back and forth. When you climb into the Expedition, you will notice two buttons that allow you to move the center storage compartment forward and back. That has a few implications for a long drive.
Ford Expedition and securing your stuff
The primary use for the center compartment is all about security. The moveable storage area has a cubby hole area where you can put electronics, right in the lower front. I used it for an iPad and an iPhone. Once you place your items there, you can then press a button to seal the compartment. To the naked eye, it just looks like a center storage unit. You can’t tell it’s retractable.
There’s another cavernous compartment right next to your elbow in the same unit, but that might be a better place for some knick-knacks or a bag of chips. In the sealed front compartment, the one you can’t even tell is retractable, you might put a wallet or other valuables. Storage options are critical, especially on long road trips like the one with did with the Carnival recently
Thieves would have a hard time knowing at a glance that the storage area even holds any gear. It’s one of the smartest security innovations I’ve seen in a while. And I’ve seen a lot of them, like this keyless Elantra.
Ford Expedition and watching media in the second and third row seats
I’m not sure if Ford intended this as a perk, but on a road trip my passengers discovered that the center compartment is also a great place to put a Nintendo Switch. The Expedition has a smooth and even ride, so it never felt like the device would careen off the make-shift TV stand.
To use it, you just retract the compartment all the way back so it is closer to your passengers. They can see the screen better, and you have access to that secure storage area while you drive. We even grabbed the Switch and stored it securely in the front cubby hole when we stopped for gas.
I would say the one thing I would change about this feature is to make the forward and reverse buttons a little less obvious. Maybe they could be situated with a few other buttons to hide the fact that they move the console forward and back. That’s a minor gripe, though.
Overall, the Ford Expedition is a fantastic long-distance vehicle. We loved all of the storage areas, including the one that is hidden from view. Plenty of space to stretch out (even more than the Kia Carnival I tested recently) and relax. It’s a marvel to drive, especially on long trips.