Suburban vs Expedition
It’s Chevrolet against Ford in the full-size suv class, and the Suburban and the Expedition are the models carrying each flag. Taken area by area, the Expedition wins 3 of 4. That doesn’t make the Suburban a bad choice, but it does set the baseline.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Expedition wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Expedition wins
- Off-road & Towing Expedition wins
- Safety & Tech Suburban wins
- Price Expedition wins
- Engine & Performance0.0
- Fuel Economy & Range0.0
- Off-road & Towing3.3
- Engine & Performance5.2
- Fuel Economy & Range5.2
- Off-road & Towing8.5
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Expedition has 97 lb-ft more torque
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 480 lb-ft for the Expedition versus 383 lb-ft for the Suburban. The Expedition’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
-
The Expedition has 45 hp more power
The Suburban comes close with 355 hp; the Expedition does slightly better with 400 hp. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
-
The Expedition has better fuel economy
Think of it as a tiebreaker rather than a deal-breaker: 19 mpg for the Expedition, 17 mpg for the Suburban. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
-
The Suburban has a bigger 17.7 in touchscreen
The Expedition lists 13.2 in; the Suburban comes in at 17.7 in. That’s not a rounding error. Screen size isn’t everything (physical controls and software speed matter too), but bigger is easier to read.
-
The Expedition has better highway fuel economy
At 24 mpg versus 20 mpg, this is a decisive lead for the Expedition, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Suburban | Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 225.7 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 81 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 134.1 in | N/A (not specified) |
Engine & Performance
Expedition leads
The engine & performance comparison is one-sided. The Expedition leads where it counts. The Expedition gives you 97 lb-ft more torque. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades. For engine & performance, the Expedition is the one to beat.
Torque
Suburban: 383 lb-ft Expedition: 480 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Total system output
Suburban: 355 hp Expedition: 400 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Fuel Economy & Range
Expedition leads
The fuel economy & range numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the Expedition. The Expedition has the edge with better fuel economy. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership. Net result: the Expedition leads this part of the comparison.
Fuel economy (combined)
Suburban: 17 mpg Expedition: 19 mpg The Expedition uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
Fuel economy (highway)
Suburban: 20 mpg Expedition: 24 mpg The Expedition uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Off-road & Towing
Expedition leads
By a small margin, the Expedition is the stronger of the two in this area. The Expedition brings 1,400 lb more towing capacity. Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment, so check the exact trim you’re looking at. If off-road & towing is your priority, the Expedition is the car to pick.
Max towing
Suburban: 8,200 lb Expedition: 9,600 lb If you tow regularly, the Expedition’s higher rating gives you more margin.
Safety & Tech
Suburban leads
The Expedition comes close on safety & tech, but the Suburban does just enough to lead. On its side, the Suburban has a bigger 17.7 in touchscreen. A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance. Prioritize safety & tech, and the Suburban is where you should land.
Largest touchscreen
Suburban: 17.7 in Expedition: 13.2 in The Suburban’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Suburban | Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 5.3L V8 | 3.5L twin-turbo V6 (EcoBoost) |
| Total system output | 355 hp | 400 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 383 lb-ft | 480 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD (4WD available) | RWD (4x4 available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Suburban | Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 17 mpg | 19 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 15 mpg | 16 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 20 mpg | 24 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | 28 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Suburban | Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 9 seats | N/A (not specified) |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 41.5 cu ft Biggest cargo area | N/A (not specified) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 144.7 cu ft Most room, seats folded | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Suburban | Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 8,200 lb Lowest towing capacity | 9,600 lb (winner) |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Suburban | Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 17.7 in (winner) | 13.2 in Smallest touchscreen |
| Driver-assist suite | Chevy Safety Assist | Ford Co-Pilot360 |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Suburban | Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 225.7 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 81 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 134.1 in | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Suburban | Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $62,500 | $62,400 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The Suburban carried a slight premium of $100 at launch. The Expedition delivers more for less: $100 less, to be exact.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked launch. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Suburban if…
- you want the bigger touchscreen (17.7 in vs 13.2 in)
- you trust Chevrolet and want to keep things familiar
Choose the Expedition if…
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (480 lb-ft vs 383 lb-ft of torque)
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (400 hp vs 355 hp)
- you want better combined fuel economy (19 mpg vs 17 mpg)
- you want better highway fuel economy (24 mpg vs 20 mpg)
- you’d put the $100 saving toward something else
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Suburban or the Expedition?
For most people, the Expedition is the stronger choice, unless having a bigger 17.7 in touchscreen matters more to you than the rest.
Is the Suburban cheaper than the Expedition?
The Expedition is the cheaper option, launching at $100 less than the Suburban (launch prices as of launch).
Executive Summary
The Suburban from Chevrolet and the Expedition from Ford go after the same buyer. Here’s how I see them. Here’s what matters most to me: the Expedition offers 97 lb-ft more torque. Stack better fuel economy on top of that, and the Expedition’s lead grows. The Suburban has a trump card of its own in a bigger 17.7 in touchscreen.
If you’d rather have strength in safety & tech, go with the Suburban. If engine & performance is what you’d miss, go with the Expedition.
My pick: the Expedition, though I’d happily point you to the Suburban if you’d rather have a bigger 17.7 in touchscreen on the Suburban.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.