The V10 is a delightful engine. It produces 310 horsepower and can propel the Excursion along the Interstate at high rates of speed. The V10 generates a very impressive 425 foot-pounds of torque at 3250 rpm. Tell someone you have a V10 and they think you're driving a rocket. But an Excursion 4x4 weighs about 7,200 pounds, so its acceleration performance at high altitudes seems no better than an Explorer or Expedition.

Still, it had no trouble passing other vehicles on two-lane roads. The Excursion is rock solid at 97 mph where a governor keeps you from going any faster. The EPA doesn't even rate trucks this big for fuel economy, but you should expect something in the 10-12 mpg range; we saw 14 mpg on the highway, but 10 mpg is more likely around town.

If you like diesel engines, you'll love Ford's turbocharged 7.3-liter Power Stroke. It seems unaffected by high altitude and I was amazed at its ability to accelerate past slower cars on two-lane roads. The diesel generates 505 foot-pounds of torque at just 1600 rpm, useful for pulling stumps out of your yard or pulling heavy trailers up steep ramps. Ford worked hard to reduce noise from the diesel both inside and outside the Excursion; but you still shouldn't expect to sneak up on anyone. The diesel gets around 16 to 18 mpg, and with a 44-gallon fuel tank, the diesel has a range of more than 700 miles.

On paper, the Excursion is with a 5.4-liter V8, but I suspect they would struggle if you loaded six passengers and luggage and headed for the mountains. This engine is best left as an economical engine for utility companies in the flatlands.

While the 4x2 comes with Ford's Twin I-Beam front suspension and coil springs, the 4x4 uses a solid front axle and leaf springs. Differences in ride and handling between the two are surprisingly subtle. The 4x4 handles well, tackling corners with confidence and offering good grip on dirt roads. It does not offer the ride sophistication of the newest generation Suburban and Yukon XL 1500-series models, however. At high speeds, the Excursion is stable. Strong crosswinds and an 18-wheeler going in the opposite direction had little effect.

Its long wheelbase means the Excursion is not a serious off-road vehicle. But the part-time four-wheel-drive system and 8.1-inch ground clearance should get you up some pretty gnarly dirt roads in nasty weather. The Excursion does not offer a system like GM's Autotrac, which distributes torque front to rear automatically for slushy, inconsistent conditions. But Ford's clever vacuum-controlled hub-locking system quickly engages four-wheel drive on the fly by pressing a button. A low-range set of gears is ready whenever you need to tackle steep, slippery terrain.

Most important, the Excursion is rated to tow trailers up to 10,000 pounds (more than enough to pull a hefty boat). All Excursions come ready to tow, with a Class IV receiver hitch and factory-wired seven-pin electrical connector; a four-pin adapter is also included. All Excursions come with D-load range light-truck tires, LT265/75R-16D. You may want the available all-terrain treads if you drive on muddy trails, but the all-season tires are smoother and quieter for towing long distances.

This is a heavy vehicle, however. It's so heavy that it doesn't offer a big payload.

There's no getting around the fact that this is a big vehicle and its size is apparent in downtown areas. The Suburban is easier to manage. However, if you're used to big rigs, then you'll find this one surprisingly maneuverable and easy to park.