Ford has equipped the latest edition of the popular Expedition XLT EL sport utility vehicle with a flex-fuel engine for 2010. This 5.4-liter Triton V8 has the ability to burn regular unleaded gasoline or E85 fuel or any combination of the two. E85 fuel is 85% ethanol and 15% regular gasoline.

The 5.4L V8 has three valves per cylinder for extra breathing capacity and more horsepower. With 310 horsepower and 365 lb.-ft. of torque, the Expedition has the towing capacity that many SUV drivers desire. Coupled with the smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission, this vehicle promises driving and towing power.

Experts who reviewed the 2010 Expedition weren’t overwhelmed by the acceleration provided by this engine. With a lot of cargo inside or a heavy load behind, acceleration was rated a 7 out of 10, but all reviewers still found it a useful towing vehicle overall.

Fuel economy isn’t something SUV drivers find much to brag about, but an estimated 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway is better than most in its class. For example, Toyota’s 6.2L Escalade gets 13 mpg in the city and Toyota’s 5.7L Sequoia gets 18 mpg on the highway. Add to that the reduction in miles per gallon that any E85 burner experiences and one can see that this vehicle is a workhorse, not a gas saver.

Given the fact that SUV drivers are often out in the country, possibly far from E85 sources, flex fuel is a must. The V8 engine that can run on any fuel mix comes in handy wherever the hunter, fisherman or camper roams. Enjoying its extended-length bed, sports enthusiasts will find the Expedition XLT EL with its 5.4L V8 engine to be a useful and comfortable work vehicle.