Vehicle Comparison
| 2021 Ford Expedition | 2021 Chevy Suburban | |
|---|---|---|
| Towing Capacity | 5,900 lbs. - 9,300 lbs* | 7,800 lbs. |
| Payload Capacity | 1,756 lbs. | 1,690 lbs. |
| Ground Clearance | 9.8 in. | 8.0.203 in. |
| Engine | 3.5L/213 V-6 | 6.2L V-8 |
| Power | 375 HP | 355 HP |
| Torque | 470 LBS/FT | 383 LBS/FT |
| Transmission | 10-Speed-Auto | 10-Speed-Auto |
Source: "2021 Chevrolet Suburban Review" CarIndigo
Source: "2021 Ford Expedition XLT 4x2 Features And Specs" Car and Driver
* With the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package
American Heavyweight SUV Showdown
Whether you're hauling your family around town from baseball practice to dentist appointments or packing your friends in to go camping, a big SUV is the perfect vehicle. The Ford Expedition and the Chevy Suburban have been longtime runners for years. 2021 continues the heavyweight boxing match between them. So, which one is right for you? We'll go over each vehicle in detail to help you make a better decision for your next SUV. When you're ready or if you have any additional questions, stop by Jimmy Michel Motors Inc today in Aurora, MO. We're happy to help put you in a vehicle you'll love and teach you everything you need to know during a test drive.
Trim Variety
Choosing the right trim for your SUV makes all the difference. Both the Ford and Chevy have a wide variety of trim levels to adapt to your lifestyle and driving habits. We'll go over a few unique features that each model brings you. For starters, the Expedition comes in two distinct sizes - Regular and MAX. The MAX adds almost a foot of length for extra cargo and passenger space in the third row. The base XLT gives you SYNC® 3 and second-row 40/20/40 CenterSlide® seats with manual reclining features.
The Chevy Suburban also has plenty of trim levels. The LS base model has premium smooth ride suspension and standard 18-inch wheels equipped with all-season tires. LT adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror, wireless charging, and a Bose 9-speaker audio system. The RST kicks things into high gear with a jet-black interior and victory red stitching, a monochromatic black grille, specific badging, and 22-inch bright machined high-gloss aluminum wheels. The Z71 brings available four-corner air ride adaptive suspension, twin red tow hooks, and a skid plate for off-roading adventures in style and practicality. The Premier has a magnetic ride control system, lane change alert, and front and rear parking assists. Finally, the High Country trim includes most of the previously mentioned features with a unique signature grille, sill plates, interior stitching, and a 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine with Dynamic Fuel Management.
Power Under the Hood
With vehicles this big, they need some serious ponies under the hood to power them. And both of these American SUVs deliver. The Ford Expedition comes standard with an impressive 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 that puts out 375 horsepower with the available upgrade to 400 horses and 480 lb-ft of torque. On the other hand, the Suburban comes standard with a 5.3L V8 that produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque with the option to upgrade to a 6.2L eight-cylinder engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.
Preproduction Computer Generated Image Shown.
Expedition Limited MAX
The Limited model brings 20" premium dark tarnish-painted wheels, leather-trimmed seats, power-deployable running boards, and the booming 12-speaker B&O™ sound system by Bang & Olufsen. For a purely unique look, the King Ranch® model proudly displays 22" sic-spoke painted machined-face aluminum wheels, Del Rio leather-trimmed seats, a 360-camera with a split view to make hauling your trailer and cargo easier, and more. Finally, the top trim level - the Platinum brings a panoramic Vista Roof®, upgraded engine, adaptive cruise control, and all of the technology you can imagine.
Fuel Efficiency
While having more cylinders sounds attractive to fans of big engines and power, the Expedition beats out the Suburban in both fuel efficiency and towing capability. The Expedition boasts best-in-class towing of 9,300 lbs with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package and best-in-class miles per gallon with 20 MPG without sacrificing power. The Suburban gets only 17 average miles per gallon with its V8.
Interior Comfort and Features
Both SUVs sit drivers and passengers comfortably with their roomy interiors.
Expedition Interior Space
There's ample space for full-sized adults to relax on long road trips, groceries for a large family, building supplies for your DIY weekend project, and more. Both vehicles offer very similar headroom and legroom for everyone on board. However, the Expedition offers slightly roomier seating for a more comfortable ride. It also comes standard with independent rear suspension, giving even your third-row passengers a luxurious and soft ride.
Expedition Features
The Ford Expedition comes with Ford Co-Pilot360™ Technology, a beautiful way to combine all types of driver assists and creature comforts to make you a better driver. This tech includes smart-charging USBs, wireless charging, navigation, 12-speaker B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen, pre-collision assist, lane-keeping system, auto high-beam headlamps, and much more. The FordPass™ Connect allows you to enjoy 4G LTW Wi-Fi on the road, connecting up to 10 devices at the same time. Passengers can enjoy the dual-headrest rear-seat entertainment system on long road trips or special events.
The Chevy Suburban has a large 10.2-inch Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus System† and an available 15-inch Head-Up Display that commands the dashboard. The rear-seat passengers can also be treated to dual 12.6-inch LCD touch screens to stay connected and entertained. The Suburban also offers Amazon Alexa, built right into the vehicle, allowing you to stream your favorite music and add items to your shipping list while on the go.
