So my week with the Expedition Max is up. This weekend I took it to the ranch with one of my kids, so I put some road trip miles on and got to experience it on poorly maintained roads. The fuel economy on the highway/freeway was better than I'd imagined honestly. 22mpg at 74mph on the way up (a slight tailwind). Mostly around 20mpg the rest of the time at speeds around 69mph. I had a decent stretch at 60mph where I was at 24-25mpg.
This vehicle drives smaller than I'd assumed. There is a ton of space in the 2nd row especially. I think I'd like a bit more cargo space behind the 3rd row, but it's solid. The ride was a bit firm in our Limited w 20s, but the tire pressure was a bit high.
Overall I was really pleased with the vehicle. I am very, very torn about what to do. I am going to wait to make a decision until after I'm in the minivan for a week again at least. Those stupid sliding doors are much appreciated when the kids are still toddlers (3 1/2, 1 1/2), but it was actually easier to get the kids in their car seats in the Expedition as far as not having to drop them in or shimmy them around an edge (one still faces rearward).
We will travel more next summer with 4 adults and 2 kids (in-laws along), so I hope to decide at the latest around April or May of 2020. Our minivan is paid for, so I suppose that factors in somehow. I keep saying to myself that if I'm going to buy one next April or May, I may as well order it or buy it now so I have it for winter (although we have 2 AWD/4wd vehicles right now). My brother suggested we wouldn't be road tripping as much as I assume and that we could just rent an Expedition Max or Suburban when we do, so I suppose that is a consideration as well. I have a tendency to just want a new car too quickly (I'm sure I'm not alone in that around here). I feel like I will be sacrificing something for sure as the decision doesn't feel simple. Basically 4wd and more space and comfort in exchange for fuel economy, sliding doors, and more maneuverability. Less cache in driving a minivan obviously. And the DVD system in the minivan is nice and works well (come on Ford, clean that thing up!).
Thanks for all of the input - anything else you have to add as I make a decision is much appreciated!