The Ford Expedition is a truck and, unlike so many other full-size sport-utilities, it doesn't pretend to be anything else. This is a good identity to have, because Ford trucks continue to have an outstanding reputation for utility, reliability and durability, perhaps a byproduct of the extraordinarily rigorous testing they undergo at Ford's brutal truck proving ground in Arizona.

Both the long and regular-length versions of the Expedition are based on the tough, durable components of the Ford F-150 pickup. However, the Expedition features independent rear suspension, chassis technology that improves driving precision, ride comfort, and even passenger packaging.

In the past, the Expedition hasn't been able to establish much of a visual identity, as Ford tried to make the first-generation Expedition look like a car and then went to the other extreme with a notably clumsy interpretation of the heavy-duty tractor-trailer look in the second-generation version.

This new third-generation Expedition features a three-bar grille, large jewel-like headlights, and a domed hood that combine to deliver a look that's both distinctive and respectable. Moreover, there are five different wheel designs, including new 20-inchers with a chrome finish. The Expedition doesn't have the style of GM's sport-utilities, but at least it avoids the science-fiction look of the Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia.

The overall dimensions of the standard Expedition are much the same as before, while the new Expedition EL stretches the standard vehicle's wheelbase by a foot to 131 inches. Overall, the EL measures 14.8 inches longer than the standard Expedition, and that adds 24 cubic feet of cargo volume, an increase to 130.8 cubic feet behind the front seats from 108.3 cubic feet.

Both the standard Expedition and the Expedition EL are great big vehicles, measuring more than seventeen feet from nose to tail. As a result, they're not at their best while maneuvering closer to the dry cleaners at a suburban mini-mall. The Expedition has a turning circle of nearly 41 feet, while the EL requires 44 feet. They're also heavy, as even the base 2WD Expedition weighs 5578 pounds, while the base 2WD EL tips the scales at 5825 pounds. The addition of 4WD adds another 235 pounds to the bottom line.

To be frank, the Expedition is the kind of vehicle that comes with running boards as standard equipment, and we're glad it does.