I know that front bench seats in truck based utilities are not popular right now but the Tahoe, Suburban, and Yukon have that as an option and I definitely know for sure some people want a front bench seat on a full-size SUV, even in leather. All full sized pickup trucks have front bench seats available, and I know their SUV counterparts should have that as well. I remember when Ford discontinued the front bench seat on the Expedition in 2009 and just because that choice isn’t popular doesn’t mean zero people want that choice. Speaking of front bench seats, the Tahoe, Suburban, and Yukon are the only full sized SUVs today that you can get a front bench seat but you can only get them in cloth seats which dissatisfies some people and leather seats and 9 seats should be a choice and people like different things. Plus the Expedition is based off the F150 and the F150 has a front bench seat available which means the Expedition should have it too. You can get three seats in the front row with leather seats in the F150 and that should be an option on the Expedition as well. Gotta give the Expedition some truck characteristics. I definitely know for sure a front split bench seat is cheaper and it definitely makes it more affordable for people. Speaking of the story I told my one of my cousins that the GM SUVs are the only ones that offers three seats in the front and he agrees that mainstream all full size SUVs should have front bench seats available and one of my uncles who I asked and told me that he would want an Expedition with a front bench seat in beige leather and whenever you don't need that front middle seat, you can just fold it down into an armrest.