As we’ve learned over the last few years, Twitter is the go-to platform to kick digital dirt in the face of those you despise. While such juvenile tomfoolery is common among divisive political views, Ford is taking diligent notes, as evident from the in-house comparison of the new-for-2018 Ford Expedition to the aging Chevrolet Tahoe, citing several instances where the Expedition outperforms the Tahoe. But is it a fair comparison?
One of the first comparison highlights is third-row legroom. In the Expedition, third-row legroom measures 40.9 inches compared to 24.8 inches in the Chevy Tahoe. However, the Expedition grew in overall length from the previous generation to the current one, increasing from 206.5 inches to 210 inches. The current Tahoe measures 204 inches in length. Needless to say, the far more spacious Chevrolet Suburban, and its ten extra inches of rear legroom over the Tahoe, was left out of Ford’s in-house comparison test.
Next came a chart comparing max horsepower and torque, towing capacity, cargo space, second- and third-row legroom measurements, and combined fuel economy ratings of several Expedition competitors. The Tahoe and Suburban, and their GMC counterparts have the most available horsepower—420. However, the Expedition outshines with torque—480 pound-feet compared to 460—and towing capacity—9,300 to 8,600.
Lastly, the comparison pointed out the massive panoramic roof the Expedition offers. Chevrolet doesn’t offer one for the Tahoe.Â
Stats are fun, but here comes the caveat: while customers may indeed cross-shop the Expeditor and Tahoe/Suburban, there is a stark price difference between the three. The Tahoe starts at $48,000 while the Suburban starts at $50,800. The Expedition is more expensive than both, starting at $52,130. While Ford is eager to compare the Expedition to its crosstown rivals, it’s not a fair fight. A better comparison would be to pit the inevitable all-new Chevy Tahoe against the Expedition. But by the time that could happen around 2020, the Expedition would already be two years old, perpetuating a cycle of not-so-fair comparisons.Â
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In the automotive world, the Expedition’s time in the spotlight is fading, as it’s slowly being overshadowed by the future 2020 MY redesigns of the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe soon to debut this year, perhaps next month at the NY Auto Show. Pitting either one of Chevrolet’s revised full-size SUVs would be a better comparison to the new Expedition because you’re comparing a K2 platform Suburban and Tahoe that entered showrooms 5 years ago vs a new Expedition redesigned 2 years ago.
^Agreed the Tahoe has been out for like 5 years, It isn’t a fair comparison when the Expedition completely refreshed, same being said for the Navi Vs Slade comparison. Let’s wait till after the redesign to make comparisons.
Probably about how the 2019 Chevy Silverado stacks up against the again F150…. The Chevy, buy numerous reports, is a disappointment. Also the expedition has massive torque in a small engine. And don’t forget the Ford 3.5l Ecoboost still outperforms the 6.2l in speed and performance. So sure… Wait for the new suburban and Tahoe…I put my money on the Ford.
The only EB 3.5 that currently outperforms the current Chevy 6.2 is the Raptor or the top Limited with the optional Raptor 3.5. The other 2.7/3.5 Eb motors in all other F-150’s are slower.
The problem with the 3.5 vs 6.2 comparison is Ford sells a TON of the 3.5’s – standard in the SUV’s and higher-level trim pickups, optional in the rest – while GM sells very few 6.2’s except where they’re standard in an Escalade or Denali-level Yukon. At a $2,500 adder, you don’t see them as frequently in trucks, and virtually never in the rest of the SUV’s (the $10k RST package Tahoe). I have a 6.2 in my SLT truck, and love the motor – I think it may be better than a 3.5. BUT, if you’re comparing an Expedition to a Tahoe, you’re comparing to a 5.3, which is way, waayyy off of the level of performance from either a 6.2 or a 3.5. The damn transmissions in the GM’s are killing me – 6L80 and 8L90 have both been POS for me.
The 3.5l most definitely does not outperform the 6.2 in performance or speed. I hear you will be able to get the HO 3.5 and that may match it, but the regular 3.5 falls a little short.
If Ford can’t touch even just the Tahoe with the Expedition and Expedition L (not even counting the Suburban, Yukon. And Yukon XL) and GM has a all new version set to unveil very soon, I’d say it’s Ford that’s worried.
GM full-size SUVs have always dominated. It’s not even close and it doesn’t appear to be changing. Far greater domination than F150 over the Silverado too.
I have a midnight edition 2018 lt tahoe in the garage and had a 2012 lt before that. In the other stall sits a 2017 f150 king ranch. The expedition doesn’t vary much interior wise and engine wise. The chevy is kind of a plastic/vinyl piece of garbage compared to the ford interior for the price I paid for each. King ranch or non king ranch the ford interior is better. The only thing that chevy has is better gas mileage with the v8 than the ford v6. The ford v6 however is quick and powerful. Don’t even get me started on the third row of the tahoe. If you have small kids then its fine but there is no way an adult can sit back there. The expedition has more room from what I’ve seen and I’m talking the plain old expedition vs the expedition max. But alas the wife likes the chevy and the ford wouldn’t fit in the garage due to the extra length.
Dealer made the mistake of giving me an Expedition loaner when the Suburban was in the shop (again). Better vehicle than ’15 ‘burb in most measures. I’ve never owned a Ford, always GM. I’m shopping next time. Too many problems with two current K2xx’s, especially when Ford appears to have come as far as they have. I may not buy one, but GM will have to jump through a lot of hoops to keep me in their fold after these two messes they sold me.
The Tahoe has a horrible 3rd row and GM has had plenty of time to address this issue. Even the previous generation Expedition includes an adult-friendly 37.7 inches for those in the third row. All full size SUVs should have an adult-friendly 3rd row. Also, it is completely appropriate to compare the Expedition to the Tahoe like it is appropriate to compare the Expedition Max to the Suburban.
Does anybody besides think ford copied the way the Chevy big SUVs look?
From the side it’s hard to tell them apart.
Although I still think the suburban looks a little better.
I like both GM and Ford products….I just seem to have better luck with GM products.
I am pretty pleased with my 6.2L Silverado and 18mpg but not happy with Premium fuel.
21.0 mpg overall average over 115k miles thus far in my ’16 SLT 4×4. Cannot argue with that. One 25 mile stent @ 36 mpg in the Keys at steady state 50 mph, no stops, no hills. The mpg’s ain’t the problem.
You’re obviously just a misled GM fan boy who is probably getting paid by them to write this stupid, biased article on a POS vehicle that has the worst third row seating in it’s class. A transmission that jerks and rattles at 70mph. Cherry on the cake, a service department that will not acknowledge that anything is wrong ever and try to find a solution. How do I know, I have thrown away 70K on a GMC Yukon Denali.
Expedition is superior in every way possible, even if it’s more expensive it’s worth it. Compares and excels in every way possible. GM costs about the same and delivers NOTHING! Oh wait, except disappointment.
Expedition have more gasoline consumption than Tahoe