The giant sport utility vehicle is indeed a paradox. I had a sinking feeling just before I was to make a trip to a Raleigh hospital last week. The thought of leaving the Excursion's Toreador Red Clearcoat paint on a pile of concrete made my stomach turn. It scared me enough that I left the big hulk resting in front of my house while I put a much smaller vehicle into duty. The Excursion demands vigilance when in a parking lot or negotiating a narrow street.
Gas mileage is another issue.
A 44-gallon tank assures that the Excursion will pass a few gas stations but when it comes time to fill up, check the loan limit on your Master Card. Then there's the garage issue. Ford officials say the Excursion will fit, albeit snugly, in a residential garage. To fit the big beast into a suburban garage, a major house cleaning would be in order. Well, you guessed it.