The Ford Expedition is The Car Mom 2025 Car of the Year
Kelly Stumpe, The Car Mom, Is Thrilled to Announce the 2025 Car Mom Car of the Year: The 2025 Ford Expedition.
This marks the third year of our Car of the Year award, and each year we get more excited about what manufacturers are bringing to the table. From brand-new family-focused features to redesigned favorites with even smarter upgrades, these cars continue to evolve in ways that truly matter to families!! We love to see it!!
If you’re new here—welcome! I’m Kelly Stumpe, better known as The Car Mom. I’m a CPST (Child Passenger Safety Technician), mom of four, and an unapologetic car enthusiast. My goal is simple: to help families make informed decisions when it comes to finding the right car.
As a quick reminder, only vehicles that received a major redesign or mid-cycle refresh in 2025 are eligible for this year’s Car of the Year. So if your favorite family car isn’t on this list, it’s likely because it didn’t undergo a significant or notable update this year.
We are thrilled to announce the winner of the 2025 Car Mom Car of the Year — The 2025 Ford Expedition!
The Expedition has always been one of my favorite family SUVs, and this redesign brings a lot of upgrades while keeping what it already does really well. I was SO impressed with this redesign and I stand behind the Expedition as the most car seat friendly full-size SUV on the market.
Fresh, more aggressive exterior (from the front). The front end looks stunning. It’s sportier, more masculine, and finally feels competitive with SUVs like the Tahoe, Yukon, and Suburban.
Major tech upgrades inside. The new 24-inch dash looks great, feels intuitive, and is a big improvement over the outgoing model. I love having the map right in my line of sight.
They’ve added an oval steering wheel + BlueCruise! I was surprised by how much I like the oval steering wheel — it’s actually really comfortable. BlueCruise is also a great semi-autonomous driving option if you’re comfortable using it.
Still the GOLD standard for car seats. What more can you ask for?
Three-across friendly bench
Lower anchors in the third row
Tether anchors in all seating positions
Headrests in every seat
Car seat tilt for easy third-row access
Excellent second-row amenities. Ceiling vents, climate control, heated seats on higher trims, charging ports on the back of the seats (a huge upgrade), and great legroom.
Comfortable, usable third row. Headrests in all seats, lower anchors on both outboard seats, tethers on all seats, charging, cup holders, ventilation, and plenty of legroom. This is a third row you can use every day.
Split tailgate + smart cargo features. The split tailgate is a huge win and one of my favorite features. The new shelf/bench/table system in the trunk is genuinely innovative and adds flexibility for everyday life.
Ford fixed a lot with this redesign and kept what already made the Expedition great for families. I don’t love the black rear panel or losing some everyday features like the door cup holder, but the car seat setup, space, and overall usability still make this one of my top recommendations.
The 2025 Car of the Year Finalists:
2026 Honda Passport - Best for families who want a big, spacious five-passenger SUV without a third row. It’s ideal if you need great cargo space, strong three-across car seat capability, and an easy, everyday vehicle that still feels sporty.
2026 Hyundai Palisade - Best for families who need comfortable seating for six and want a high-tech, feature-packed interior. It’s one of my favorite cars for families with two kids, especially if you want great second- and third-row comfort without needing true seven-passenger seating.
2025 Nissan Armada - Best for families who want a full-size SUV feel with upgraded interior design and improved car seat hardware, but don’t need massive trunk space. It works especially well for older kids and adult passengers.
2025 Ford Expedition - Best for families who want a full-size SUV with major tech upgrades, a refreshed interior, and still the best-in-class car seat setup. It’s ideal if you need a truly usable third row and want the flexibility of the Expedition Max for extra trunk space.