Comparison: 2015 Chevrolet Suburban vs. 2015 Ford Expedition Max
Story and photos by John LeBlanc
Able to ferry a herd of friends and family with their gear – while towing tonnes – these full-size SUVs look like dinosaurs compared to the plethora of smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient crossovers that have taken over new car showrooms.
Yet for many buyers who truly need the maximum capabilities of such behemoths, note that both the plus-size Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition Max have been significantly redone for 2015. So, we asked: which one is the more capable really, really big SUV?
FIRST PLACE: 2015 Ford Expedition Max
Despite being based on a Ford F-150 truck chassis dating back to the Paleolithic era (a.k.a. 2007), the refreshed-for-2015 Expedition Max betters the Suburban in almost every area, including performance, interior room, towing, safety and price.
Expeditions come in regular ($45,569) and the Suburban-rivaling long-wheelbase Max ($60,011) version that replaced the larger, Super Duty truck-based Excursion in Ford’s SUV lineup in 2005. Both Expeditions offer seating for either seven or eight passengers, depending on second-row seating – a choice of a three-across bench or a pair of captain chairs.
Four-wheel drive mated to a six-speed automatic transmission is standard in the Expedition. More interestingly, though, where you may expect an old-fashioned V8, the Ford sports a new 3.5-litre turbocharged six-cylinder as its lone powerplant. Although it may give up two cylinders to the Chevy, the blown-six more than makes up for it in oomph.
Rated at 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, that’s not only 55 hp and 55 lb.-ft. more than last year’s 5.4-litre V8, but also more than the Suburban’s naturally aspirated V8. The results are a zero-to-100 km/h time of 7.1 seconds – quicker by two-tenths over the Suburban – and more towing capacity: 3,946 kilograms versus 3,629 kg, respectively.
Another major reason buyers like these McMansions-on-wheels is their bachelor apartment–like interior space. And beyond its better straight-line performance, the Expedition Max’s interior is roomier all around. The Expedition Max offers more seating and cargo space than the Suburban, whether the third-row squabs were up or down. Adults carrying back seat tickets will be happier in the roomier Ford than in the Chevrolet, too – plus its lower rear cargo floor, due to a more compact rear suspension setup, makes it easier to lift heavy objects into the back of the Expedition Max.
Add to the Ford’s favour its better NHTSA crash test ratings, with an across-the-board $5,000 price advantage, and the more powerful, roomier 2015 Ford Expedition Max is the pick between this pair of big SUVs.
SECOND PLACE: 2015 Chevrolet Suburban
The octogenarian Chevrolet Suburban has been hauling loads of people and gear longer than the Expedition. Redesigned for 2015, the latest generation of Chevrolet’s biggest SUV is much fresher than its Ford rival, being based on the latest Chevy Silverado. While the Expedition Max is roomier and more capable, the Suburban feels more premium and sophisticated.
Essentially a stretched version of the $51,200 Chevrolet Tahoe, the longer Suburban starts at $54,150 for rear-drive models; four-wheel drive adds $3,300. Our loaded Suburban LTZ tester rang in at $73,460, compared to a similarly equipped $69,599 Expedition Max Platinum.
One way the Suburban’s newness shows itself is at the scales. At 2,620 kilograms, a 4WD Suburban is lighter than an Expedition Max by 148 kg. That advantage shows up in how the big Chevy feels from the driver’s seat and how much it gulps at the pumps.
All Suburbans are powered by a more traditional 5.3-litre V8, making 355 horsepower and 382 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic. With estimates of 15.4 L/100 km in the city and 10.8 on the highway, though, the Chevy betters the Ford’s respective 16.4 and 12.0 numbers.
While the Expedition Max offers a more comfortable ride over bad pavement, the Ford feels more awkward than the Suburban when asked to change directions quickly. Despite its archaic rear solid axle design, the Chevrolet’s combination of less weight, rigid frame, aluminum front control arm and Magnetic Ride Control shocks (standard on LTZ models) make the Suburban feel more agile than the more cumbersome Expedition Max.
Drivers will also appreciate the Suburban’s higher level of fit and finish, and better-organized control layout inside. Comparatively, the Expedition’s interior feels less sophisticated, with more hard plastic, an unfriendly infotainment user interface and too many small buttons. The Suburban’s front seats are also more supportive than the softer Expedition Max’s front thrones.
Overall, the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban scores with its (slightly) better fuel economy, premium cabin and tighter handling. But if you are looking for more traditional big SUV qualities – like room and power – the less expensive Ford is a better overall pick.