'18 Expedition Platinum vs '18 Yukon Denali

[Garrett]

The two things I personally like more about the Suburban/Yukon XL are the cargo space behind the 3rd row in the Suburban/Yukon XL is massive compared to the Expy Max. The specs don't even tell the entire story as the Expy's rear cargo space has a curved edge (on the rear center part by the latch) and the measurements are taken from that widest point, which is still a few inches smaller than the Suburban. However, the real story is its about 6 or more inches smaller when you consider the usable space for something large like a big box. If you don't believe it, go back up a Suburban and an Expy Max and compare the two side by side with a measuring tape, and take measurements at the edges and the center. You'll see what I mean.

The other thing I like more about the Suburban/Expy is that I like how the one ceiling mounted shoulder harness in the 3rd row comes right out of the ceiling in the Burb. However in the Expy/Navi there is a huge ceiling mounted (future head injury coming) hard plastic harness protruding from the ceiling.

But everything else is better in the Expy!

Interesting take, as the one major thing we hate about the Yukon is the back cargo area due to the 3" "wall" you have to deal with due to the rear seat storage.

 

[JExpedition07]

Interesting take, as the one major thing we hate about the Yukon is the back cargo area due to the 3" "wall" you have to deal with due to the rear seat storage.

Yea that’s what I don’t like either, the flat fold seats are huge

 

[gtnator]

I’ll also add, if you do get a chance to compare the rear storage area (behind 3rd row seats) of the Suburban/Yukon vs Expy/Navi side by side as I have, you’ll even notice the length advantage of the Burb when comparing where the 3rd row headrests sit relative to the back lid. In the Expy Max the 3rd row head rests are very noticeable closer to the back lid than in the Burb. Larger crumple zone, and larger storage area advantage goes to Burb/Yukon XL. At least that’s my opinion. But as I said the Expy drives like a dream and is better in my opinion in most other ways.


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[JExpedition07]

I’ll also add, if you do get a chance to compare the rear storage area (behind 3rd row seats) of the Suburban/Yukon vs Expy/Navi side by side as I have, you’ll even notice the length advantage of the Burb when comparing where the 3rd row headrests sit relative to the back lid. In the Expy Max the 3rd row head rests are very noticeable closer to the back lid than in the Burb. Larger crumple zone, and larger storage area advantage goes to Burb/Yukon XL. At least that’s my opinion. But as I said the Expy drives like a dream and is better in my opinion in most other ways.


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I enjoy the way the suburban drives, I know it’s weird but I prefer to feel the road. I don’t like the NNBS suburbans because they felt too floaty to me compare to the new one.

 

[gtnator]

I enjoy the way the suburban drives, I know it’s weird but I prefer to feel the road. I don’t like the NNBS suburbans because they felt too floaty to me compare to the new one.

Interesting. What’s NNBS?


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[JExpedition07]

Interesting. What’s NNBS?


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NNBS=07-14’ NBS=2001-2006’. Not sayimg I like to be thrown around but I like to feel connected to the road, gives me a more confident feel.

 

[dlcorbett]

The new expys on the base suspension is smooth, but very firm. Its not floaty at all. Sometimes it can feel a bit too stiff, esp elevated cracks. My 09 nav had a layer of cloud underneath, as you probably kno since the 07+ expys had this as well. My dads escalade doesnt have a glued feel, its actually very nautical and yacht like. Its nice on smooth roads, problem is as soon as the road craters, it feels like itll fall apart.

 

[Craig Lasnier]

You can still get a V8 in the GM vehicle. I think in the long run this will hurt Ford sales.

 

[NyackRob79]

I’ll also add, if you do get a chance to compare the rear storage area (behind 3rd row seats) of the Suburban/Yukon vs Expy/Navi side by side as I have, you’ll even notice the length advantage of the Burb when comparing where the 3rd row headrests sit relative to the back lid. In the Expy Max the 3rd row head rests are very noticeable closer to the back lid than in the Burb. Larger crumple zone, and larger storage area advantage goes to Burb/Yukon XL. At least that’s my opinion. But as I said the Expy drives like a dream and is better in my opinion in most other ways.


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Suburban is a 7+ year old design, and it shows. If you're looking for overall passenger comfort (as I have, with a family of 6), Expy is a winner without a doubt.

- ALL THREE Second row seats recline AND slide fore/aft in the Expy. Suburban offers just a flat bench. While it reclines, there is no adjustment fore/aft. Given that two of those second row-seats in our Expy have child seats, the fore/aft flexibility is a winner.

- THIRD ROW in the Expy is in a class all its own. I mean, the third row seats RECLINE! In the suburban, they're so upright it's like you're sitting on a church bench. I have ferried adults in the third row, with legroom to spare, and with the seats reclined, they've fallen asleep on 3+ hr drives. Good luck getting those results with the Suburban.

- THIRD ROW legroom: Expy is a winner here. Expy's third row seats are placed further back. While this sacrifices about 6 cubic feet of cargo space, it offers unparalleled passenger comfort. Remember, Suburban rides on a solid rear axle. That thing takes up the whole floor in the back. Expy runs on independent rear suspension.

- THIRD ROW visibility: I feel like I'm advertising here, but I've extensively test-driven both the Suburban LTZ and Expy Platinum, and the third row seats, which my 7 and 9 year old kids occupy, has NO VIEW in the suburban. They placed the C-pillar right in your face back there. The only thing getting a view in the back of the Suburban is whoever is sitting in the trunk.

- THIRD ROW access: You can tell that Ford had third row comfort in mind, because the tip-and-slide access to the third row is unparalleled. My 7 year old can do it with ease. Try getting your kids to fold and raise the Suburban 2nd-row seat to gain access to the third row. It's something an adult has to do.

I'm sure the 2020 Suburban will bring a lot of these innovations to its platform, but for the 2018 and 2019 model year, Ford Expy Max is a no-brainer if you're looking for passenger comfort.

 

[gtnator]

Suburban is a 7+ year old design, and it shows. If you're looking for overall passenger comfort (as I have, with a family of 6), Expy is a winner without a doubt.

- ALL THREE Second row seats recline AND slide fore/aft in the Expy. Suburban offers just a flat bench. While it reclines, there is no adjustment fore/aft. Given that two of those second row-seats in our Expy have child seats, the fore/aft flexibility is a winner.

- THIRD ROW in the Expy is in a class all its own. I mean, the third row seats RECLINE! In the suburban, they're so upright it's like you're sitting on a church bench. I have ferried adults in the third row, with legroom to spare, and with the seats reclined, they've fallen asleep on 3+ hr drives. Good luck getting those results with the Suburban.

- THIRD ROW legroom: Expy is a winner here. Expy's third row seats are placed further back. While this sacrifices about 6 cubic feet of cargo space, it offers unparalleled passenger comfort. Remember, Suburban rides on a solid rear axle. That thing takes up the whole floor in the back. Expy runs on independent rear suspension.

- THIRD ROW visibility: I feel like I'm advertising here, but I've extensively test-driven both the Suburban LTZ and Expy Platinum, and the third row seats, which my 7 and 9 year old kids occupy, has NO VIEW in the suburban. They placed the C-pillar right in your face back there. The only thing getting a view in the back of the Suburban is whoever is sitting in the trunk.

- THIRD ROW access: You can tell that Ford had third row comfort in mind, because the tip-and-slide access to the third row is unparalleled. My 7 year old can do it with ease. Try getting your kids to fold and raise the Suburban 2nd-row seat to gain access to the third row. It's something an adult has to do.

I'm sure the 2020 Suburban will bring a lot of these innovations to its platform, but for the 2018 and 2019 model year, Ford Expy Max is a no-brainer if you're looking for passenger comfort.

I agree with everything you said. But I do have to say the Suburban has the advantage in larger cargo room behind the third row. It’s noticeably larger.


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[JohnT]

Also in the 3rd row as a heavy 6' 4" guy I can sit comfortably without my knees in my face and my head not rubbing the roof. No other car lets me do that

 

[NyackRob79]

I agree with everything you said. But I do have to say the Suburban has the advantage in larger cargo room behind the third row. It’s noticeably larger.


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This is true. An issue that could have been easily mitigated had the Expedition MAX been another 4" longer, which would have yielded the extra 5 cubic feet to put it on par with the Suburban. 4" inches might not seem like much, but multiply it by the width and height of the rear opening and it yields significant room. As it currently stands, Suburban is longer than Expedition MAX by 3", so I'm not quite sure what the reason was behind Ford's decision. Just gotta accept it though. They're not gonna change the Expy for another decade