Expedition Alternative

[Trainmaster]

There's nothing but good intentions to this post; I know this is an Expedition site and I've loved the Expeditions that I have owned. The time's coming to replace mine and I'm somewhat resigned to not buying a V-6 Turbo. So I'm looking at other options, even other American brands.

I'm sure some owners here have compared before buying. Has anyone seriously considered a Tahoe or Suburban? I'd like to hear of what GM or Dodge shortcomings convinced you to stay with Ford.

Not criticizing here, just my personal opinion. I'd like to hear yours.

 

[dlcorbett]

If you want a viable alternative, id recommend a minivan. If you cant do that, test a kia telluride, mazda cx9 or hyundai palisade. They drive as good as the expy so better than any other big truck, they have about the same amount or first and sec row space, more third row space than anything but the expy or a minvan. If you need a big v8, get a durango or wait for the new gms. Though the other big suvs are "nice enough", they are honestly just too expensive for them not to be as modern as they should, esp the gms. The expy is expensive but feels the price tag though and properly equipped are actually kinda a bargain. So id recommend almost any crossover over an expy competitor honestly.

 

[scottdm]

I seriously considered a Toyota LandCruiser before we bought our Expy. The 3rd row in the Land Cruiser was a deal breaker since we have 3 kids and use the 3rd row on a regular basis. If we didn't need the 3rd row as often, the Land Cruiser is built like a tank.

 

[nate6966]

I've always been a GM guy, but went with this Platinum Expedition when our Escalade hit 10yrs.
I don't regret it for a second.
If your issue is with turbo V6 and only that issue, then a naturally aspirated V6 will be lower in the desirable list, making V8 the only thing you'll consider.
If you want a V8, don't waste your money on the crappy GM 5.3L. Also avoid the gutless Dodge smaller V8.
You're only options that can slightly compare to the power and responsiveness of this EcoBoost are the SRT Dodge Durango, SRT Jeep Grand Cherokee Track Hawk, or the 6.2L Escalade / Denali. NONE of those options had a decent third row which is why I went with the Expedition.

 

[Flexpedition]

Consider a F150 Supercrew. Do you need and actually use the space behind your Expeditions second row of seats? If so, a simple bed rug and fiberglass camper shell might make the truck a good full-size, BOF SUV replacement. Our F150 rides and handles every bit as well as the Expedition.

I had a free upgrade voucher from Hertz a few months back and they stuck me with a Transit Connect passenger van. Joke was on them though because I genuinely enjoyed driving that thing. I don't know that I'd want to necessarily purchase one, but a 36 month lease would be the route I'd take. It was the Titanium model with the longer wheelbase. In a way its probably like riding a scooter or dating a porker, good times but don't want your buddies seeing you do it.

 

[Deadman]

I looked hard at the Suburban and Yukon Denali XL, but the 5.3L V8 in the Suburban is a gutless engine. You might think a V8 is a good thing, but just because its a V8 doesn't mean it makes much power.
The 6.2L in the Denali Yukon was nice, but it was big money and the 3.5L Ecoboost makes just as much power.
The GM stuff is all solid rear axle, so they ride like crap and the Expedition is independent rear, so it rides very smooth.

The main reason I did not buy a Yukon Denali is because that body style has been out forever and they will soon be coming out with an updated chassis and the old units will be worth nothing and outdated once that's released.

Just my decision making process, plus the Ford is Aluminum, so it shouldn't rust in the salt on our Wisconsin roads!

 

[grumpyoleman]

I agree with the previous posts and so much of what you are asking is personal preference...but since you asked. Before purchasing our Expy, we test drove virtually every option in the mid to large SUV market. Additionally, while generally a Ford man, I have owned a late model Hyundai Santa Fe and an older model Chev Suburban (5.3). In our search the Expy came out #1 (obviously since we bought one) but #2 was the Dodge Durango with the 5.7 V8. the only drawback to the Durango was as a large family, we needed the larger 3rd row and cargo space of the Expy Max. FWIW the Explorer was right behind the Durango … almost too close to call.
Test drive as much as you can and figure out for yourself what is important and what is not.

 

[JExpedition07]

The only current full size SUV I would buy myself is a Suburban/Yukon XL with the 6.2 L86. I would not purchase the Ford myself. No V8 option is a deal breaker, I slightly prefer the GMC styling as well but they both look nice. Durango is a bit too small plus no ladder frame, big thing is the cargo space.

I would not consider the Hyundai or Kia since they use weaker N/A V6 engines and are smaller than the rest dimensions wise. Plus low payload capacity on those. I’d try for a pickup truck as well if you don’t need the 3 rows.

 

[carymccarr]

I looked hard at the Suburban and Yukon Denali XL, but the 5.3L V8 in the Suburban is a gutless engine. You might think a V8 is a good thing, but just because its a V8 doesn't mean it makes much power.
The 6.2L in the Denali Yukon was nice, but it was big money and the 3.5L Ecoboost makes just as much power.
The GM stuff is all solid rear axle, so they ride like crap and the Expedition is independent rear, so it rides very smooth.

The main reason I did not buy a Yukon Denali is because that body style has been out forever and they will soon be coming out with an updated chassis and the old units will be worth nothing and outdated once that's released.

Just my decision making process, plus the Ford is Aluminum, so it shouldn't rust in the salt on our Wisconsin roads!

The current models started in 2015. I hardly think 4 years is ‘forever’. They also hold their value very well. Even the 2014’s (old body style) remain attractive in the used car market. In fact a mid level Tahoe (LT) with typical mileage still pulls in between $22-30k in the used market.

Important to note that (much to the dismay of GM fanboys) the new models will have IRSs

 

[shane_th_ee]

Start with your use cases:
What are you towing, how many people (particularly how many people while towing), and do you need room for luggage with a full load of passengers (without considering a roof rack/hitch rack)? If you're towing much of anything, it's really going to restrict your options, but if you're hauling more than 6 people you can consider pickup trucks...

Personally, I'd be really tempted to try and wait a year to see the new GMs, particularly if the rumored Yukon XL XT4 is offered with the 6.2L or 3.0L turbo diesel. But I've got 4 kids (so no truck) and a 6000lb travel trailer, so my options are pretty limited: GM/Ford BOF SUVs, GLS, and the new Discovery...