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For decades, the Ford Expedition has been a fan favorite, beloved by large and adventurous families of all kinds. It is rugged, spacious, and reliable. It has plenty of interior cabin space, and cupholders galore! In recent years, there have been some new and improved alternatives that are worth consideration.
Before we dive into the full list, I’ll give you a quick rundown of my top three favorite cars similar to the Ford Expedition. They are, in no particular order: the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, the Chevy Tahoe, and the Lincoln Navigator.
New to the chat: the Grand Wagoneer. It’s large and spacious, rugged and luxurious––somehow all at once. It has the classic Jeep design and offers a new alternative for drivers who may be tired of the traditional Ford or Chevy options.
The Chevy Tahoe is another one of my favorites because it’s not quite as long as the suburban, but still has plenty of room for bigger families. The Tahoe has a 9-passenger configuration option, and has a larger interior touchscreen.
Finally, I love the Lincoln Navigator for both its luxury and exterior design. My husband has become obsessed with its new model ever since watching “The Lincoln Lawyer” show on Netflix, and I totally get why. The Navigator is pricier, but the Expedition has the same amount of cargo space and MPG performance.
Now that I’ve spoiled the surprise of the favorites, keep reading for the full breakdown!
1. Toyota Sequoia
The all-new redesign of the Toyota Sequoia for 2023 is very welcome and very overdue! It’s been ages since it got a makeover. It now has a beefed up front grill, a hybrid option, and an overall sportier feel.
It’s definitely a heavy duty SUV, which makes it an attractive alternative to the Ford Expedition.
Its gigantic 14-inch touchscreen display makes it very easy to read/view while driving, but it tows 7,400 pounds at most, making it less powerful than the Expedition.
The Sequoia has a starting low-trim MSRP of $58,300 and gets 20 city/22 hwy MPG. With 437 hp, it gets up to 60 MPH in just 6 seconds.
2. Lexus LX
Starting at $86,900, the 2022 Lexus LX is the luxury version of the Sequoia. This is not surprising, considering Lexus is the luxury arm of Toyota. So if you’re wanting a fancier SUV that’s comparable to the Expedition and Sequoia, look no further.
Its front grill is beefed up, and it has a striped grill design, similar to the Expedition. What’s especially unique is its ultra-luxury backseat. It gives you the feeling of being in the back of a Porsche with the way the mid-row console separates the two captain’s chairs.
This wouldn’t be the best configuration option for a family with car-seats, but it’s tempting for families with older children.
The Lexus LX gets 17 city / 22 highway MPG, and goes from 0 to 60 in 6.9 sec. It tows up to an incredible 8,000 pounds and has 409 hp.
3. Jeep Grand Wagoneer
If you were to put the Grand Wagoneer next to the Expedition, their sizes would be noticeably different. As a full-size suburban, the Grand Wagoneer is longer than the Expedition, but they seat the same number of people. I wanted to include the Wagoneer for some perspective on what’s available for a “family” car.
If you’re looking at the Expedition, chances are you’ve considered full-on suburbans as well. I’ve always liked Jeep cars. I think they can be really sporty and fun. The Grand Wagoneer is Jeep’s take on the suburban, and its interior is really impressive and luxurious.
But it’s pricey! Low-end trims start at $58,995 but can surpass $100,000 after additional features and packages are added on. Jeep has even announced a Grand Wagoneer L trim for 2023, adding a foot in length to the 2022 Grand Wagoneer model.
With room for you and 7 other passengers, this car is powerful. Its 420 hp hauls up to 8,790 pounds and jumps to 60 MPH in 7.6 seconds. It’s not very fuel efficient, with 13 MPG city / 18 MPG hwy.
4. Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator is another large capacity vehicle, like the Ford Expedition, that is ideal for families in need of extra room in their car. The Lincoln Navigator underwent a major redesign in 2018, and it just keeps improving each year. I personally love how luxurious and edgy its exterior looks, and its interior makes you feel like royalty.
As I shared at the top of the article, this is easily one of my top favorites as an alternative to the Expedition. It’s sleek and looks (and is!) expensive.
It is very roomy inside, with space for 7 passengers and all the cargo. The Navigator starts at $76,710, making it a luxury SUV vehicle. It has a towing capacity of 8,300 lbs, gets 23 MPG highway, and has 440 hp.
5. Cadillac Escalade
If you’re looking for another luxury alternative to the Ford Expedition, the Cadillac Escalade is a solid option. It seats about the same number of passengers (7), but is a fancier, more luxurious design than the Expedition, with an MSRP starting at $76,295. The Expedition is a more rugged version of the Escalade, so it just depends on what your preference is.
It tows up to 7,700 pounds if you are brave enough to tow something behind such a beautiful car. With 420 hp, it gets to 60 seconds in 6.1 seconds, which is a bit faster than the Grand Wagoneer. It does come in a hybrid version, which is impressive for the luxury SUV segment of the market.
The standard gas model gets 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
6. Mercedes Sprinter Van
OK, I realize a sprinter van isn’t something you’d compare to the Expedition right off the bat, but hear me out. As “van life” has become a trend over the past five or so years, the Mercedes Sprinter Van has become popular among large families who want a car that can double as an adventure vehicle.
While this car is technically a van, it’s not the same as a mini-van. It has much more head space than the Expedition, but still maintains a sporty vibe for a large van-style vehicle. This is especially true when you consider all the modifications and upgrades you can add on your own.
The passenger van starts at $45,300 but can easily surpass $100,000 when all the sporty bells and whistles are added. It has a max horsepower of 188 and gets to 60 mph in 11.2 seconds. Unlike other Mercedes vehicles, this one was not built for speed! It is not very fuel efficient, as it gets about 14-15 MPG.
It can tow up to 7,000 lbs, putting its towing capacity a thousand pounds past the Expedition.
7. GMC Yukon XL Denali
The Denali, like the Expedition, has 3 rows of seating for 7 or 8 passengers, depending on the configuration. It starts at $69,100 and goes up to $73,600+ depending on features and add-ons chosen. It pulls up to 7,700 lbs, making it a great choice for boating and dirt-biking families.
Its towing capacity is slightly higher than the Expedition’s 7,000-pound limit. The Yukon XL Denali’s mass does not hinder its power. Its 420 hp propels it to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. If fuel economy is a priority for you, this vehicle is good, but obviously not great. It gets 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
8. BMW Alpina XB7
As BMW puts it, this vehicle is a masterpiece. With seating for 7 passengers, this is the most luxurious option on the list–by far. Its starting MSRP is just north of $140,000, so I realize this is more of a “for fun” option for most readers. It doesn’t have the same towing capacity as the Expedition, with the ability to haul just under 6,000 pounds.
However, my guess is that if you’re driving a $140,000 SUV, you probably also have a giant truck to pull your toys. Just a guess, though. The trunk space is also limited with the third row taking space in the back, so you may prefer this one if you’re set on first class luxury and comfort, and don’t need room for all 7 people.
With 612 hp, it jumps to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds (in true BMW fashion) and gets 15 city/21 hwy MPG. Like I said, I realize this is likely outside of most people’s budget, but it’s just so beautiful, isn’t it?
9. Kia Telluride
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The 2023 Telluride is another larger SUV that is comparable to the Expedition for 8 passengers. It is a tad smaller and less powerful than the Expedition, but its design is a bit more updated in my opinion.
It has the cool new Kia logo on the grill and the “Telluride” model name has been moved to the back of the car. The new 2023 Telluride is definitely more rugged than previous years’ models.
The Telluride has less trunk space than the Expedition, but they are both capable of seating eight passengers. It starts at $34,000 MSRP and gets up to 20 city/26 hwy MPG. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds and has 291 hp.
10. Nissan Armada
The Nissan Armada is a fair competitor to the Expedition, especially considering it tows 2,500 pounds more (towing capacity of 8,500 compared to 6,000). Although this car got a facelift in 2022, I still don’t love the exterior look of the Armada. It reminds me of a safari vehicle for some reason.
However, its 8/10 score from Car and Driver cannot be ignored.
With a starting MSRP of $49,500, it has 400 hp and gets 14 city/19 hwy MPG. So on the fuel economy front, this car is not impressive. It goes from 0 to 60 in 6.2 to 6.6 seconds.
11. Chevy Suburban
The Chevy Suburban is probably one of the closest alternatives to the Ford Expedition. The infamous Chevy versus Ford debate is especially relevant here, considering these cars are very comparable. In 2020, the Expedition beat the Suburban by 1 star for overall safety (5 stars vs. 4 stars, respectively).
The suburban has about 7 more cubic feet of cargo space, and it has a higher towing capacity (up to 7,800 pounds versus 6,000).
With an MSRP of $54,700, it has up to 420 hp, and gets 21 city/27 hwy MPG, making it more fuel efficient and more affordable than the Expedition. While the Chevy Suburban has more cargo space, its MSRP is still $15,000 less than the Expedition. It only takes 6.9 seconds for this large SUV to reach 60 MPH.
12. Chevy Tahoe
Another Chevy alternative to the Expedition is the Tahoe. It has a larger seating capacity than the Expedition (just 1 seat; 9 passengers versus 8), and is similar in overall mass and function. The Expedition’s newly updated touch display breezes past the Taho, with 15.5 inches of digital beauty (as opposed to the Tahoe’s 10.2-inch digital panel).
Personally, I prefer the Tahoe’s design over the Expedition; this is one of the reasons why I listed it as a favorite alternative at the beginning of this article! With a starting MSRP of $52,000, the Tahoe is slightly less expensive than the Sequoia. It has up to 420 hp, allowing it to tow up to 7,900 pounds, and gets 21 city / 28 hwy MPG.
From a fuel performance perspective, the Tahoe has a diesel capability with which the Expedition cannot compare. Chevy offers a Duramax diesel engine, allowing it to get 28 MPG on the highway. The Expedition gets at most 23 MPG, making it the underperformer as far as fuel is concerned.
FAQ
Is the Ford Expedition worth it?
The Ford Expedition is a great option for a large family vehicle, especially for those who have 6+ passengers and the cargo to go along with it. It provides plenty of space for everyone in tow to stretch out and get comfortable, especially for long road trips. It doesn’t provide the most cargo space, but it’s ample/sufficient.
What are the most common problems with the Ford Expedition?
According to Car and Driver, its most recent review shared that the fourth generation Expedition (2018-2019) had zero complaints from consumers and scored a 5/5 reliability score.
Additionally, the NHSTA (National Highway Safety Transportation Association) has four complaints on file so far for the 2021 Expedition, relating to issues from back-over prevention and the electrical system of the car to the engine and powertrain.
However, only 4 complaints on record isn’t bad, and aligns with the 5/5 reliability score from Car and Driver.
What are the different trim levels of the Expedition?
The 2022 Expedition has five trim levels available that increase in price and luxury: XL, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum. The XL has the same power train as the XLT, but XLT has a few more color options and amenities, such as the auto-lift powertrain, which enables you to have the trunk close itself.
This is especially helpful when your hands are full of groceries or a baby in tow!
The Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum just add more bells and whistles, including tow packages, roof rails, and additional tech features. Depending on how many bells and whistles you want/need, this will determine which trim is the right fit for you and your family.