Ford Expedition vs Chevy Suburban

The Ford Expedition is one of the largest and best SUVs on the market for families who need that extra space, whether for luggage, kids, or animals. There really isn’t much that the Expedition can’t handle being thrown at it. There are two flavors for the big Ford: Expedition and Expedition Max, which is the longer wheelbase model that competes with the Chevrolet Suburban. 

Ford Expedition MSRP, Trim Levels, and Power

The base model Expedition XLT Max starts from $62,995. Every Expedition features the same 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission. However, depending on the trim level, you will get different horsepower and torque ratings. XL, XLT, and STX models have 380 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Limited, KR, and Platinum models get 400 horsepower and 480 torque, while Timberline and Stealth trim levels get 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. No matter which trim level you have, the Expedition recommends 87 octane, helping to save you a little bit of money at the pump for the 23.2 gallons in the standard wheelbase model and 27.8 gallons in the Max models. 

Chevy Suburban Base Price and Power

The Chevrolet Suburban has a standard MSRP of $64,195, a bit higher than the Expedition Max, and features three very different engine options. The standard engine is a 5.3-liter Vortec V8 that produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 that makes 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, or the 3.0-liter inline-6 Duramax turbo-diesel that has 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. All engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. 

Towing Capacity

When it comes to towing, which is a good reason to buy a large SUV, the Chevrolet Suburban has a max towing capacity of 8,100 lbs, which is good. However, the Expedition Max is able to tow up to 9,200 lbs, which is a lot when you consider that both vehicles have huge interiors that can carry a marching band and all of their equipment and still tow a moon. 

Fuel Economy and Safety Rating

The Ford also has the Suburban clipped in the fuel economy department. With rear-wheel drive, the Expedition gets 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 combined. When equipped with 4WD, those numbers drop by only one mpg. Both numbers are still better than the Chevy, which musters only 16 mpg combined with its V8 motors. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, gave both vehicles five stars in overall safety.

The Car Connection Comparison

In a recent comparison test between the two by The Car Connection, the Expedition ranked higher at 6.7 points out of 10 compared to the Suburban with 6.2 points. They also had this to say about how great the Ford is: “The Expedition feels lighter on its available 22-inch wheels than the Suburban, and with the high output version of the V-6, Ford says it can go from 0-60 mph in about five seconds. That’s impressive for a 5,500-pound brick. The Expedition blends in more than the Suburban, beside different grilles and wheel sizes ranging from 17-22 inches. The trims offer different personalities, with a chrome bedazzled Limited, a rugged Timberline with off-road upgrades, a western-themed King Ranch, and a ritzy Platinum. Dress the inside up however you like, the Expedition could be mistaken for an F-150 inside, replete with a dual glovebox. A standard 12.0-inch touchscreen centers the dash, flanked by blocky vents and underlined by traditional climate dials and knobs.”

Conclusion

Buyers looking for horsepower and torque will be wise to go with the Ford Expedition, as it offers more power in all of its engine configurations than the big Chevy. It costs a little less money, too, without sacrificing on luxury and amenities. 

At Dick Smith Ford of Columbia, we value our customers and offer some of the best prices and services. With more than 100 new and used vehicles to choose from, our outstanding sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. Our fantastic service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.