The all-new full-size SUV was unveiled on and launched on Octoas a 1997 model. Styling approval was completed in early 1993 (3 1/2 years ahead of 1996 production) under design chief Bob Aikins, with the UN93 design being frozen by September 1993, at 34 months prior to July 1996 production commencement. Initial planning began in 1991 parallel to PN96 F-Series development, prior to the UN93 program fully being approved in 1993.
Known internally at Ford as the UN93, the first generation Expedition was developed under the UN93 program from 1993 to 1996, headed by chief engineer Dale Claudepierre at a cost of US$1.3 billion. Meaning, all the way up to 2017, it kept its triangular-styled taillamps and rounded-rectangular shaped headlamps along with the overall boxy shape of the body. The Expedition was also the last Ford vehicle to retain its older design found in the early to mid 2000s. With 5% of vehicles over 200K miles, it landed the #4 spot in a 2016 study by listing the top 10 longest-lasting vehicles. The Ford Expedition is also known for being one of the longest-lasting vehicles on the road. A modified Special Service Vehicle version is available for law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and emergency medical services. As of 2010, over 1,545,241 Expeditions (both standard and EL/Max) have been sold. With the 2011 model year, the base model was designated XL, an upgraded XLT, and new for 2011 XLT Premium that replaced the Eddie Bauer trim (1997–2010) which was phased out from the entire Ford vehicle lineup. It is similar to the Lincoln Navigator, especially in Limited (2005–present) or King Ranch (2005–2017 2020–present) high-end trims both of which were introduced for the 2005 model year. It was equipped with a standard V8 engine from October 1996 until 2014 when it was replaced with more compact, yet more efficient and powerful 3.5 L EcoBoost V6 for model year 2015. The Expedition offered up to nine-passenger seating in model years before 2007 (with a front bench seat option in the first row) 2007–present model year Expeditions have bucket seats in the first row and seats eight passengers.