Ford's wildly successful SUV for the midsize SUV class puts a fold-flat seat in the third row for seven-person capacity of all editions in 2004. Ford's AdvanceTrac computer-controlled anti-skid equipment is now optional for three trims -- XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited. Also, the Eddie Bauer and Limited editions gain sport buckets on the second row.

Explorer's total trim list extends from the base XLS edition to XLS Sport, XLT, XLT Sport, NBX, Eddie Bauer and Limited series. The NBX trim brings an off-road package with two-tone bumpers, side step bars and tow hooks. For power Explorer's standard engine, a 4.0-liter single-cam V6, delivers 210 hp through to a five-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic. An optional 4.6-liter V8 in single-cam design rises to 239 hp.

For entertaining backseat passengers, Explorer offers a DVD-based entertainment kit with wireless headphones and a seven-inch color screen that flips down from the ceiling.

Riding on Ranger's chassis but toting the body of an Explorer, Ford's unique Sport Trac works as both truck and SUV. It looks like Explorer from prow to the back of the second side door, but then the wagon's enclosed cargo compartment gives way to a sawed-off pickup bed. That back box, crafted from sheet-molded composite plastic, extends for 50 inches.

Inside, four full-size doors make entry easy from any seat, and the seat system has two front buckets and a back bench that splits and folds to form a brief cargo bay. Sport Trac draws power from Ranger's single-cam 4.0-liter V6. Optional 4WD traction is offered with a dashboard switch to shift easily from rear 2WD to 4WD high gear or into four-wheel low for off-road travel. For 2004 there are four trims with XLS, XLT, XLT Premium and Adrenalin. The latter contains a 510-watt Pioneer audio system with nine speakers plus a six-disc CD player with MP3 capability.

A fresh color palette adds tint choices like Competition Orange Clearcoat and Dark Blue Pearl Clearcoat Metallic.

Ford's full-size sport-utility vehicle for 2004 appears in trims of XLS, XLT, new XLT Sport, the off-road NBX series and deluxe Eddie Bauer.

Expedition's cabin has room for as many as nine riders and comes with a third-row bench that collapses flat into the cargo floor for a slick disappearing act with optional push-button PowerFold motivation. Disc brakes for all wheels tie to an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with brake assist (BA), and Ford's Safety Canopy curtain-style side air bag system is optional. Standard engine for this big SUV is Ford's overhead-cam 4.6-liter Triton V8 that runs up to 232 hp, while an aluminum-block 5.4-liter Triton V8 is optional for 260 hp. Maximum trailer weight climbs as high as 8950 pounds in RWD traction mode.

Both V8 plants in Expedition link to an excellent four-speed automatic Ford transmission. A transmission high-gear lockout switch set as a button in the tip of the column-mounted shift lever enables the driver to downshift with only the tap of a thumb. Ford's optional multi-phase Control Trac 4WD device has a control knob on the dashboard for dialing up a driving mode, from rear two-wheel traction to four-wheel high and low or automatic AWD.

For pavement ventures the system seamlessly distributes traction to wheels that grip, but when heading off-road the 4WD high and low system locks the differential and applies torque evenly to all wheels.

Optional AdvanceTrac brings electronic traction control that can selectively brake a spinning wheel while also rerouting torque to an opposing wheel with traction. A fresh color chart includes new shades like Pueblo Gold and Red Fire.

Ford's super SUV starts with the chassis of a super-size F-250 Super Duty work truck, which contains the Super-Duty mechanical systems and pulls from one of three Super-Duty engines.

The superstructure rises from the Super-Duty chassis, with four access doors etched into the side and a tri-panel gate at the rear, plus three tiers of seats, yet still there's more room in the back bay for cargo. Excursion for 2004 supports a new base trim XLS, plus XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited variations. Powertrains consist of gasoline V8 and V10 engines or a diesel V8. Ford's Triton 5.4-liter V8 is standard with 255 hp. A 6.8-liter Triton V10 - stock for Eddie Bauer and Limited 4WD but optional on other models - hits 310 hp.

Ford's 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel, pumping best-in-class 325 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque, is also available. New options reach to chrome running boards for XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited trims, and telescoping trailer tow mirrors with integrated clearance lights, turn signals and heat elements.

Gone is Ford's Windstar minivan, replaced this year by Freestar, which from the outset was designed to become a powerful Ford wagon with superior safety features including curtain-style side air bags for all three rows of seats. Freestar also stocks a third-row bench seat that folds into the floor plus optional power liftgate and power sliding side doors.

Powertrains begin with the standard 3.9-liter V6 but extend to a new 4.2-liter V6. A four-speed automatic works with either plant. Five trim levels include the base Freestar plus LX, LX Sport Appearance, SE and Limited.

The exterior varies with trims, as Freestar and LX models show a monochromatic treatment with body-color fascia and grille, SE and Limited flash hints of chrome on grille and bumper strips, and Limited wears two-tone body paint.