Expedition Max vs standard size

[Modelcarguy]

As mentioned once - measure your garage if that’s where it will live. A max wouldn’t fit in ours, so the standard length was the only way we could go.

if it fit the garage or is going to live outside, then get what you’d like. Driving the max has no different in feel from the standard model.

 

[spanz]

Glad to hear someone on the same situation. Garage space for me will be severely limited if I go Max so really debating if I have to or not.

The large Yakima roof rack seems like a pretty good solution.

I goes I can put on of the kids in the 3rd for for the week and see how limited the cargo space is.

it would not be impossible to extend the length of the garage! either a bump out on the front side of the car, or move the garage doors out a foot or two on the tail end of the car. Moving the doors would be mostly trim work, and you could re-use the existing garage doors.

 

[Grizguy]

The additional 18 inches makes a HUGE difference inside. Not much difference driving I have had both reg and max expeditions.. Street parking a bit tough when others park close to your lines..

and

the guy with the f150.. I have had the OLD f150 with the 8 ft bed. f150 extended with the 6 1/2 foot bed.. f 350 with full crew and 8 foot bed.. several f350 duellys with standard / extended / full crew with 9 foot dump beds. The larger trucks were a bit tougher in the parking lot..

 

[Grizguy]

Oh yea the garage.. The f350s don't fit my wife's garage. They have to go the the back garage. The MAX JUST fits in the house garage. I hung a tennis ball that touches the windshield.. 6 inches in front to the cabinets.. less than a foot to the overhead door..

 

[Deadman]

Oh yea the garage.. The f350s don't fit my wife's garage. They have to go the the back garage. The MAX JUST fits in the house garage. I hung a tennis ball that touches the windshield.. 6 inches in front to the cabinets.. less than a foot to the overhead door..

Be careful when someone bumps the hatch button and it scrapes paint off on the garage door. I put a parking aid on my garage floor so the cars 6 feet up from the rear so the hatch doesn't contact the garage door on opening.

 

[Alwaysthinkin]

Be careful when someone bumps the hatch button and it scrapes paint off on the garage door. I put a parking aid on my garage floor so the cars 6 feet up from the rear so the hatch doesn't contact the garage door on opening.

I want to see a picture of your garage @Deadman ! Six feet up in my garage would put it in my laundry room!

I adjusted the hatch to not lift high enough to hit garage door but have come close to knocking myself out at the grocery store by walking into the lowered hatch. Made the decision I'll "heal" quicker than the hatch but wish it had a sensor to prevent it lifting to high when blocked. (Can't believe I used to have manual window handles and felt lucky to have am/fm radio!)

 

[Deadman]

I want to see a picture of your garage @Deadman ! Six feet up in my garage would put it in my laundry room!

I adjusted the hatch to not lift high enough to hit garage door but have come close to knocking myself out at the grocery store by walking into the lowered hatch. Made the decision I'll "heal" quicker than the hatch but wish it had a sensor to prevent it lifting to high when blocked. (Can't believe I used to have manual window handles and felt lucky to have am/fm radio!)

The front of the garage has a kitchen and cabinets for hosting the kids parties out there.

 

[Alwaysthinkin]

The front of the garage has a kitchen and cabinets for hosting the kids parties out there.

View attachment 42488

Who needs a laundry room! I'm breaking thru tomorrow!

Seriously, very sweet home for your rides and the kids parties. I think I need to spend a day cleaning mine before I share any pics..... LOL

 

[shane_th_ee]

TLDR;

While it is often the size when driving in tight confines like parking, U-turns and off-road--but the wheelbase length makes a difference too.
I drive Tahoes and Suburbans all the time, and the difference due to wheelbase is quite substantial. Never driven a MAX but I would guess most of the same rules apply--but if you need more space and don't off-road as much the extra space under air and extra weight is worth it. YMMV.

But if I don’t need more space and if I did off-road much, I’d buy a Land Cruiser

 

[shane_th_ee]

Be careful when someone bumps the hatch button and it scrapes paint off on the garage door. I put a parking aid on my garage floor so the cars 6 feet up from the rear so the hatch doesn't contact the garage door on opening.

Get a pool noodle, cut it into 2’ lengths, and then cut them lengthwise (into semi-circular strips). Tape them to the garage door where it would contact the hatch and problem solved.

 

[lv2drive]

The front of the garage has a kitchen and cabinets for hosting the kids parties out there.

View attachment 42488

dammit @Deadman - i’ve got serious garage envy.

i would send you an opposing pic of my garage but then i wouldn’t ever be able to post again from the shame.

 

[aggiegrad05]

But if I don’t need more space and if I did off-road much, I’d buy a Land Cruiser

Which is now going to be a twin turbo v6 (or a twin turbo diesel)...Yota is also ditching the V8.

Granted, neither are coming to the US (at least not yet).

https://jalopnik.com/the-new-2022-toyota-land-cruiser-is-going-twin-turbo-1847066961

 

[Deadman]

dammit @Deadman - i’ve got serious garage envy.

i would send you an opposing pic of my garage but then i wouldn’t ever be able to post again from the shame.

No worries, I didn't post it to brag..... use what works for you!

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

The front of the garage has a kitchen and cabinets for hosting the kids parties out there.

View attachment 42488

That is one seriously slick garage; I'm very jealous.

 

[Armin]

Late to the party, but instead of asking max vs normal, get the bench seat. I have 3 kids and that is what matters far more. Three adults fit in a row, so you can then fill the back all to the roof. Double strollers, baby beds, baby chair, etc. It all fits.

Also, of course no disrespect, but just as buying a bigger house because you have too much stuff doens't work as you'll just buy even more stuff, if it doesn't fit in a freaking Expedition, the size of the car is not the issue.

My sister in law lives in Europe and takes their tiny cars on multi-day road trips with 3 kids and nothing on the roof. Tents, baby bed, etc. All in there. Just pack light and more efficient. Most of the stuff we bring is convenience. So I'd pick max vs normal based on garage size, price, good deal you may get and like I said get the bench seat.

 

[Expedition Dave]

But if I don’t need more space and if I did off-road much, I’d buy a Land Cruiser

Drove one. Too small, too thirsty, not enough towing chops... and $30K more than my FX4. But an amazing vehicle for what it is--no doubt.

 

[Deadman]

Late to the party, but instead of asking max vs normal, get the bench seat. I have 3 kids and that is what matters far more. Three adults fit in a row, so you can then fill the back all to the roof. Double strollers, baby beds, baby chair, etc. It all fits.

Also, of course no disrespect, but just as buying a bigger house because you have too much stuff doens't work as you'll just buy even more stuff, if it doesn't fit in a freaking Expedition, the size of the car is not the issue.

My sister in law lives in Europe and takes their tiny cars on multi-day road trips with 3 kids and nothing on the roof. Tents, baby bed, etc. All in there. Just pack light and more efficient. Most of the stuff we bring is convenience. So I'd pick max vs normal based on garage size, price, good deal you may get and like I said get the bench seat.

OR you can buy a Max with rear buckets and allow your passengers to be comfortable! lol.

 

[cfldad]

If you have infant carseats and rear facing toddler seats the back row is blocked off. Tilt and slide works fine for older kids and forward facing seats. We stuck with buckets so the older boys had a chance to get in the back row. (Infant seat out of cradle allows tilting)

I have had my boys go through the rear hatch over the backseat before, lol. Was easier than pulling out little ones.

 

[Craig Payne]

I know we're 10 pages in so this post will probably get the same visibility as the things that show up on page 8 of a Google Search, but I figured I'd lend my voice to the crowd, and to be honest, I made it to about page 3 before I jumped here to contribute, so keep that in mind.

The Max is worth every possible trade-off in my opinion. Granted, we're a family of 6, though one out of the house now so you could say 3 kids and that they could technically fit 3 across a bench, though I've done that before and it was far and away not an enjoyable traveling experience. Especially since we tend to take very long cross-country road trips. I just know that I personally would want more space then being 3 across in a bench so I'm really not surprised my kids feel the same way.

The other issue for me is that I came to the Expedition from a minivan which could fit 3 rows of people and had 33 cu. ft. of space still behind the 3rd row, which was already a bit tight, so I was specifically looking to match or exceed that moving into the Expedition.

All in all, +1 vote for the Max.

 

[Armin]

OR you can buy a Max with rear buckets and allow your passengers to be comfortable! lol.

Well no.

While it certainly is a benefit for adults and larger children to have captain/bucket seats, a non-Max with the 3rd row folded up will have more storage than a Max with even just one of the seats in the 3rd row in place. That is what I was referring to. If storage is your main concern, having a full 2nd row is what is far more important than the few inches the Max provides. Doesn't mean a Max is not a good choice, but it is of secondary importance.

The OP has only young children with a 3rd on the way. By the time they are large enough that they outgrow child seats and boosters and a bucket seat has a benefit, you are years further and thinking of your next car. Unless you want the 3rd row for somebody else than your children hence you are better off with a full 2nd row, regardless of Max or not.

Whether you want a Max or not, then is mostly a matter of price, size, the larger gas tank and likely what deal you can get on a specific model.

That is what I was trying to convey.