WE bought an Expedition in 1998 ...
... because it had the 3rd seat option (this was an option in '98).
We did not like Mini-vans and probably will never own one, yet we wanted a third seat option. At the time there were only 4; Durango, Expedition/Navigator, Land Cruiser/LX 450, and the Suburban twins. The Durango was too small, the Suburbans too big, and the Land Cruiser too expensive!!

This left us with one choice for a three seat non mini-van vehicle.