To the Max or Not?

[twernst]

Previous max owner, platinum, 2018; unfortunately, now driving a grand Cherokee looking to get back into the expedition. Wondering if any of you have gone from the max to the normal size or the normal size to the max.

Please share your opinions.

 

[GixxerJasen]

Our current Expy is our first and our biggest SUV prior to that was a Honda CRV, so the normal was absolutely spacious when we bought it. No way we'd ever need a Max. I also wanted to do some mild off roading and the extra the Max hangs over the back end seemed like it'd be a problem. In the end I doubt it would have been an issue and boy did we fill that cargo area up with 4 aduts, a dog and a week's worth of luggage. Had a few times we wished we'd gone for the Max, but not always. If you were used to the Max you might want to go that route. I imagine it's hard to go backwards when it comes to cargo space.

 

[2020-MAX-Limited]

My opinion is if the Max fits comfortably in the garage, get the Max.

 

[Air00Max]

Big question is what size family you have, different things you would expect to haul with you, and how often you think you'd need the extra space. With two kids playing sports, traveling for various events, etc. I am thankful that we went with the Max. My opinion is it's better to have the room if you need it than to not have it and wish for it.

 

[Mr Big]

I wanted a MAX, Coming from an Excursion. But when I was looking, only black on black was available. So I went with a standard.
I don't regret it at all, as I would never do in my Platinum, what I did in my Excursion. The extra room in the back is nice, for me only to get the 3rd row further away from the back of the vehicle. But unlike the Excursion, we are only talking 12 inches.

 

[JAMADOR]

3 kids, 2 dogs. Max for us, came from a Flex before.
Wife drives the Max, I have an Explorer.
Personally, I prefer the smaller size, so for me I'd opt for the SWB, if we already had the family hauler covered.

We had a SWB Wagoneer for a rental in CA last week, gave us a feel of how the SWB Expy would be. It fits, but it was nice to get back home to our MiniBus

 

[prenticect]

Add to the existing comments. I had a normal expy. myself and my 3 boys. That was perfect for us and sports and everything. I do use the roof rack at times. Got married and added 2 more boys. I had to get a bed extender for trips. Then the expy has some issues so I decided to get a new one, I went with the EL (old version of the MAX name). That was a HUGE for us. Suitcases could stay in the truck and the other beach stuff would go on the bed extender. My expy fits in the garage, but end to end. I think they make garages too small anyway, but it fits. When my boys leave the home.. I will be getting a truck... so unsure what EXPY I would get. I use the expy as a truck as a sheet of plywood fits in the EL, if you put all the seats down. That is a big plus for me. I like the new Timberline trim.. but they do not offer it in the MAX.

 

[Deadman]

If you go on longer trips, get the Max for the fuel tank alone. The shorty has a much smaller gas tank.
I'll never understand buying a large SUV, but then wanting it "smaller". I wish they offered a MAX MAX, I'd trade mine today.....

 

[LazSlate]

With the max you limited to specific trims.

 

[2020-MAX-Limited]

get the Max for the fuel tank alone. The shorty has a much smaller gas tank

I forgot about the larger fuel tank. That is another good reason for the Max. When I fill ours up, I see 600+ miles to empty.

 

[balthisar]

I've had both, but with recent models, my 2022 Max is more useful than my 2019 non-Max. My 2004 non-Max was better than my 2010 Max. Situations flip-flop.

I don't park in a garage, so that's not a deciding factor for me. The ability to drive with grandparents and carry luggage trumps everything else.

The only downside is that I'm so used to the SWB that I constantly back up wrong. I'll get over it, I suppose.

 

[Polo08816]

If you go on longer trips, get the Max for the fuel tank alone. The shorty has a much smaller gas tank.
I'll never understand buying a large SUV, but then wanting it "smaller". I wish they offered a MAX MAX, I'd trade mine today.....

This.

The Max is basically the length of a F150 crew cab with a 5.5 foot bed.

Too bad no one makes a 3/4 ton full size SUV these days...

 

[Mack444]

I have the same desire for the 3/4 ton SUV…
Still family hauling in my 2002 excursion 7.3, but ready to upgrade technology side since kids are starting to actually clean up after themselves.

 

[GixxerJasen]

I don't want to see what a 3/4 ton SUV would cost these days.

 

[ROBERT BONNER]

No one ever writes in and says I really wish my truck was shorter. MAX is best. And yes, I had (2) gen I's, and (5) gen II's; but, when the gen III's came out, I went for MAX only.

 

[ROBERT BONNER]

The Max is basically the length of a F150 crew cab with a 5.5 foot bed.

Actually, Ford shows the difference is 11.6". F150 CC 5.5' bed is 231.7" tip to tip. The Expedition MAX is 220.1". I have both. the turning radius on my Expedition MAX is significantly shorter than the F150 as well. It's not only that much shorter, it "feels" that much shorter.

 

[Mack444]

Big reason I would now consider the nonMAX is because same weight rating w/ less vehicle means larger tow capacity. Things like the Yakima EXO system and other rack/box options increase the appeal too.

 

[sjwhiteley]

I’ll always have a MAX or equivalent. If you don’t have a larger vehicle, currently, you will justify that you don’t ‘need’ the space. When you have it, you use it, though, even if rarely.

The MAX (as already noted) has a slightly larger fuel tank, and the longer wheel base, I believe, gives a slightly better ride. The turning radius is amazing for a truck of this size.

Bottom line, it’s good to have it and not need it.

 

[m3bs]

There are times when I would appreciate the Max. While it has a slightly lower tow rating, I'd like to think the longer wheelbase would provide better ride and handling stability when towing. The extra range would really be appreciated when towing as well. Now that I'm driving mine as a daily driver, I do appreciate the slightly better maneuverability in tight parking lots that my standard model has, not to mention being able to fit in my garage with inches to spare.

But I have been looking at Max inventory recently......

 

[Dahammer]

A longer vehicle always has a better ride (softness), especially when the road has unevenness or potholes.
A shorter vehicle, well, let me say, can be a bone rattler, especially over potholes and road unevenness.