With a whopping 16 trim levels, the 2009 Ford Expedition is sure to appeal to just about anybody in the market for a big, feature-packed SUV. The Expedition is Fords largest SUV, bred to compete with the Chevy Suburban and the GMC Yukon and, therefore, won’t give you great fuel economy or an easy time of it in a crowded parking lot. But, owners in ’08 felt that, for its size, the Expedition handled well and was remarkably maneuverable.

Starting with the base Expedition XLT and running through the more feature-laden Eddie Bauer, Limited and King Ranch, each style offers owners a choice of RWD or 4WD and EL (Extra Length) in RWD and 4WD. Each Expedition EL trim level is some 15-inches longer than the regularly-sized Expedition, with the wheelbase 12-inches wider.

A carryover from ’08, all the 2009 Expedition trim levels pack the 5.4-liter, 310-hp DOHC Flex-Fuel V8 with a 6-speed overdrive transmission. At 14/20 mpg for the RWD trims and the 4WD trims a tad less, fuel consumption is not a huge consideration for most buyers. All trim levels feature, among other things, running boards, a Class IV trailer hitch, A/C with rear-seat controls, cruise, power doors, windows and mirrors, keyless entry, front Captains chairs, a 6-way power driver’s seat, adjustable pedals and a rarely-seen independent rear suspension. All trims are capable of towing 9,000 lbs. and offer a cavernous 82.5 cubic inches of cargo space with the second and third row seats folded down.

Up-sized wheels, chrome accessories, leather-trimmed upholstery – including Chaparral leather in the King Ranch trims – rear-seat DVD entertainment, a rear parking and backup camera systems, the SYNC voice activated communications and entertainment system and a power moon-roof are a sampling of further options available on the 2009 Expedition. . Drivers in ‘08 were impressed with Expedition’s available PowerFold third-row seating, allowing the seat to be stowed with the push of a button.

Safety is traditionally a priority with Ford, and all 2009 Expedition trims feature standard 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with brake assist, the Personal Safety System, safety canopy airbags, side intrusion door beams, AdvanceTrac with roll stability control (RSC) and front and rear side airbags. Behemoth as it is, it’s no surprise that the ’09 Expedition received a 5-star front and side impact rating from the NHSTA. None of the Expedition trims are suitable for off-road use.