Max or non-Max?

[SunnySunshine]

Our 2024 Ford Expedition Platinum MAX was lemoned and surrendered. Our family (my parents and I, and possibly sometimes my grandma when she visits from China) will be using the vehicle. Right now we're kind of stuck between a 2025 Tremor (which unfortunately doesn't have a MAX version) or custom ordering a King Ranch MAX. It's been a really hard decision. Does that one extra feet make a huge difference? Like anyone have experience driving the non-MAX? Honestly, this past year with the Platinum MAX, we've only probably needed that extra length once, but on the other hand we haven't taken a single road trip in the past year (lucky for me chronic illness for 1.5 years now, which I honestly thought I'd get better from, but did not).

We've also taken a look at the Yukon XL AT4, but gosh the interior compared to the Expeditions just suck. 6 USB ports total (for a car that holds 7-8), no 12v outlets, and a center console (as if the designer never even tried using it) that doesn't hold anything. Only plus on that vehicle is probably SuperCruise, and Ford suspensions is no match for the smoothness of the air suspension.

 

[dlcorbett]

If you dont need the extra space, the tremor would be roomy enough. Me personally, if I wanted a max, I'd get the drivers pkg or stealth performance pkg as both are cheaper than kr but have the same or more features (I do love the kr look though).

Have you driven a 25 yet, the ride is vastly superior to the 24s. Also, though super cruise is "better", the updated bluecruise works rele good and its cheaper to obtain & sustain.

 

[bb37]

Seems like a simple question. How many people do you need to carry and how much luggage/stuff will they bring with them?

Four adults with luggage for a long weekend at a hotel or resort would fit in a non-Max. Four adults going camping for a week would probably need a Max.

 

[SunnySunshine]

@dlcorbett Father and I test drove a Tremor, it is definitely better in terms of ride smoothness. We probably would have just got a decked out Platinum with the Platinum Ultimate package, but those 24" wheels got us super hesitant due to how rough our 2024 Platinum MAX was. However you're right on the Stealth Performance Package, which brought the MSRP to around $2000 less than the King Ranch.

 

[dlcorbett]

On smooth roads, the 24in wheels ride identical to the smaller wheels, but slightly firmer over bumps. Its still very absorbent and better than before, but my wife and and I thought the kr and stealth trucks were drive felt better than my dads 22 escalade, 25 tahoe and 25 armada.

 

[cooldude919]

Do you intend to take any trips while using the 3rd row? If so get the max.

If not, you can have the 3rd row down and have plenty of room for stuff.

We take trips sometimes with 6 people, and on our 2018 non-max, storage behind the 3rd row is obviously fairly useless.

 

[balthisar]

I had a 1998, and there was no Max. Then a 2004, again, no Max. And a 2010 Max, except this was in Mexico where a large vehicle kind of sucked (and it was called Max there instead of LT or whatever we had here a couple of years). Then a 2019 non-Max. I've finally settled on my 2022 Max.

When I need that third row plus storage behind it, it's totally worth it. Tremor's cool, I wanted Timberline (then, but no Max), and finally settled on Platinum (just to get BlueCruise, which was Platinum-exclusive then). I have no regrets. You can trim out and customize appearances, tires, etc., but you'll never be able to lengthen the truck.

 

[SunnySunshine]

I wish Ford would just have made a Tremor MAX, or at least offered it as a package on another trim. Have to say though living in the SF Bay Area, parking the MAX version and navigating parking garages has been somewhat of a pain occasionally this past year. (We came from a 2006 Honda Pilot.)

 

[dlcorbett]

Yea that decision is still beyond me.

 

[knight26]

I have the 2022 Timberline with a 2nd row bench seat. I rarely have to haul around more than 5 people, so the non-max Timberline made sense for me. I picked up a cargo rack to go in the receiver on the rare occasion that I need extra space for cargo. It really depends on how much people and stuff you haul on a regular basis. My sister would not survive without the Max, and she struggles with it b/c it's 11 inches shorter than the GMC Yukon XL she had before.

 

[tangbang]

I wish Ford would just have made a Tremor MAX, or at least offered it as a package on another trim. Have to say though living in the SF Bay Area, parking the MAX version and navigating parking garages has been somewhat of a pain occasionally this past year. (We came from a 2006 Honda Pilot.)

This. I would have loved to buy Tremor Max for our family of six. Platinum SPP instead, and possibly mild lift/leveling kit/33" tires down the road once there are proven solutions for '25.

 

[bubba871]

We always use the extra room of the MAX

 

[Maxine the Max]

Our 2024 Ford Expedition Platinum MAX was lemoned and surrendered. Our family (my parents and I, and possibly sometimes my grandma when she visits from China) will be using the vehicle. Right now we're kind of stuck between a 2025 Tremor (which unfortunately doesn't have a MAX version) or custom ordering a King Ranch MAX. It's been a really hard decision. Does that one extra feet make a huge difference? Like anyone have experience driving the non-MAX? Honestly, this past year with the Platinum MAX, we've only probably needed that extra length once, but on the other hand we haven't taken a single road trip in the past year (lucky for me chronic illness for 1.5 years now, which I honestly thought I'd get better from, but did not).

We've also taken a look at the Yukon XL AT4, but gosh the interior compared to the Expeditions just suck. 6 USB ports total (for a car that holds 7-8), no 12v outlets, and a center console (as if the designer never even tried using it) that doesn't hold anything. Only plus on that vehicle is probably SuperCruise, and Ford suspensions is no match for the smoothness of the air suspension.

The Max. When we got ours and I looked at the a regular expedition the dealership had. The storage are behind the third row is so dinky. It wasn't anymore then my Taurus X I was upgrading from. Unless you can leave the third row down I would max.

 

[GT350driver]

I refer to our 2020 Limited Max as a seven passenger F150. I run around with the rear seat and both 2nd row seats flat all time with a Weather Tech mat up against the lift gate. Seems like I end up picking up things here and there so its nice to just pop the liftgate and load up and leave.
There's more space inside than my F150 crew cab with a cap on it had .....just sayin'

 

[Profkanz]

I have an XLT non max. As a DIY handyman, I periodically haul 8 foot long sheet goods or lumber ( and sometimes 10 foot long stuff). I do not have a max and wish I did. Eight foot sheet goods will not allow the tail gate to close. Eight foot lumber rests on the center console, and ten foot lumber stops at the dash board.

 

[LG_123]

I wouldn’t buy one unless it’s a max. The extra trunk space, 8’ bed with the seats folded down, and larger gas tank are all very useful.

 

[Gary Waugh]

Love my max, I am 6’2” tall and can sleep in the back without my feet and head hitting the door and front seats, when I have to move wood or sheet rock a 4’x8’ sheet will fit in the back and I can close the tail gate. We have 2 Newfoundland dogs and can use all 3 seat rows and bring the dogs.. can’t ever see me going back to a standard (non-max) sized expedition.. but fitting my max in the garage is a real challenge, I have about 3” of space between the rear of the car and the wall, which just allows the garage door to close at the front.. just fitted some rubber stops on the floor, so reverse in until the rear wheels hit the stops and then I am done, but it’s tight!!

 

[way2far]

We have three kids of various ages. The MAX allows them plenty of legroom along with ample storage even with the third row up. When shopping and determining Max vs. Non-Max, I was surprised how similar the non-Max storage area was behind the third row to my Explorer. I think the only difference other than being a "bigger" vehicle was additional leg room in the 2nd and 3rd row. I needed the extra cargo area.

 

[dags1207]

Definitely MAX for us with bench seats (which is what we ordered) for multiple reasons:
- We regularly have family in town making us 8 total
- We like to roadtrip with our 2 dogs
- We pack heavy for all occasions and situations

I wish Ford would just have made a Tremor MAX, or at least offered it as a package on another trim. Have to say though living in the SF Bay Area, parking the MAX version and navigating parking garages has been somewhat of a pain occasionally this past year. (We came from a 2006 Honda Pilot.)

+1 on this. We would’ve loved a Tremor MAX to replace our Bronco. Even more so a PowerBoost Expedition Tremor MAX. That would be ultimate excursion/expedition vehicle! But oh well, we can dream…

 

[VCFP153]

I went for a Max (and a '15 EL before that) because I feel like the non-Max is sort of the worst of both worlds. It's too big to be especially maneuverable, can be a pain to park, but without the extra space. In other words, you're not gaining anything by NOT getting a Max. As for the Tremor stuff, there are better off-road upgrades available in the aftermarket (or soon will be for the Gen V).

As an aside, did you previous one actually get Lemon Law'ed over a mirror?