Yukon vs Expedition

[tabbibus]

So I know this may be a can of worms similar to TV vs Cobras, but I'm gonna ask anyways. We are looking into a good people hauler that can do double duty as a tow vehicle. Narrowed it down to the two in the title. I wanted to get y'alls opinion on these. I'd be looking at current gen models, but do not have to be brand new. I rented a Yukon over the weekend and really liked it but have not gotten myself into an expedition yet.

Thoughts?

 

[Meetball]

Im gonna throw in an escalade, I went with the esv that has the bigger motor and you cant even tell the boat is back there. Room for 7, difference in gas between boat hooked or not, 3 mpg.

 

[2kwik4u]

I owned a 2003 Yukon. Non-XL. Bought it with 28k miles, sold it just over 180k miles. Was extremely dependable, and VERY useful. Only real gripe with it was the lack of space behind the 3rd row, and taking the 3rd row out was a PIA. I think the Expedition wins that battle with the seats the fold into the floor. I prefer the GM interiors, and styling overall. I DESPISE console shifters (what a giant waste of space), and GM has kept the column shifter. I think Ford probably has the better info-tainment system of the two. Don't buy into the hype of improved fuel economy with the EcoBoost, when towing they are both going to suck down the fuel. The improvements of one over the other are marginal here IMO. The Ecoboost will feel more "lively" to drive though. Expedition probably rides a bit better with the independent rear suspension.

I don't think you'll go wrong with either. I'm a GM guy, so I'll vote for the Yukon or Yukon XL. If you get the Denali you can get the 6.2L which has a TON of power in it.

Have you looked at a Durango? They're a little smaller, but have similar tow ratings and aren't like parking a small bus

 

[tabbibus]

Thanks guys. The Escalade is a bit too rich. Don't wanna break the bank too much.

I do need the space though, so don't mind the small bus footprint haha. The Yukon I rented was the XL and man did it have a long ass! But it was surprisingly easy to drive, even in the narrow streets of Boston. I'm partial to Android Auto, which I think both support, so I shouldn't notice much difference in the infotainment. The expedition has the little knob for shifting now, so less space is used up in the console. I guess I just need to drive both and get my family in them and see which fits better.

 

[2kwik4u]

Thanks guys. The Escalade is a bit too rich. Don't wanna break the bank too much.

Keep your eyes peeled for a lightly used Yukon XL Denali. I bought my truck with only 36k miles on it for $36.5k. It's an SLT+ Sierra. Basically every option of the Denali exceppt no 22in wheels, no magnetic ride, and no digital cluster. Sticker price was just south of $60k brand new. The Yukons will hold their value a little better, but those first few years are ROUGH on this market. The Denali will get you some upgraded trim features, and more importantly the 6.2L option. 420hp/400ft-lbs and it gets very similar mileage to the 5.3.

I guess I just need to drive both and get my family in them and see which fits better.

If you can swing it, I would highly advise renting both before purchasing. Drive them both for a week, somewhat close to each other in timing. Get a good feel for which you and your family like better.

I really don't think either is bad choice.

 

[Beachbummer]

I have a lowly pilot, but it shares the "flat seats from the third row are always with you" feature. If you frequently haul 5 or less, but occasionally haul 8, the third row bring flat and away is a great feature to have. Only for that... Expedition +1

 

[Ronnie]

My vote is for the expedition , I’m on my second one a 2010 limited but my 2001 XLT served me well for many years and thousands of miles towing.

i also had a 2003 chevy avalanche which towed ok but tended to hunt for gears going up hill and cost me a fortune in transmission repairs. Maybe chevy and gmc have improved things since but when upgrading last year I chose to stick with the Expedition. Their sync system is excellent as is their auto leveling rear suspension. The center and 3rd row seats fold flat and if you get the limited the retracting and extending running boards are a nice addition to the electric mirrors.

 

[MrMoose]

Did you consider the Nissan Armada? Tows great... Even through the Rockies. Good V8. Thirsty though. The platinum trim is good value, and in my opinion the interior is closer to the caddie than the competition.

 

[tabbibus]

Did you consider the Nissan Armada? Tows great... Even through the Rockies. Good V8. Thirsty though. The platinum trim is good value, and in my opinion the interior is closer to the caddie than the competition.

We looked at it. Bosswoman does not care much for the look of it. She will be the primary driver of the SUV when not towing.

 

[2kwik4u]

.......Bosswoman............

You mean Transportation Committee Chairwoman?!?!?!

I have one of those too BTW

 

[Ronnie]

Anyone have a CFO (chief financial officer) for a spouse?

 

[Toby]

Drive an Expedition if you haven't yet. It is the best in class currently overall. You also may find you don't like it (not likely) and will make the choice easy. Hard to direct personal preference decisions though.

 

[2kwik4u]

Anyone have a CFO (chief financial officer) for a spouse?

Finance Committee Chairwoman......yes

We co-chair a few committee's in the household. I only have Garage Decor and Arrangement Specialist in my title. The rest of my duties are purely governed from elsewhere within the organization.

 

[Ronnie]

Something else to consider, an Expediton is based on the F150 (aka the best selling truck for decades now, or so I’ve heard/read).

 

[2kwik4u]

Something else to consider, an Expediton is based on the F150 (aka the best selling truck for decades now, or so I’ve heard/read).

I don't think they share a chassis......Expedition is IRS and F150 is a solid axle. Might have same drivetrain, but I'm fairly confident the chassis are different.

GM has been outselling the F150 for awhile......if you count Chevy and GMC as the same truck. If not, then F150 wins that arms race. I don't think the F150 is a bad truck by any stretch, but I always use cation when correlating sales numbers to quality. Just because a lot of people buy them, doesn't mean they're the best, just means a lot of people bought them.

 

[Shady28]

We have two 2015 Yukon's (new body styles). One an XL Denali the other SE standard size. They've hauled sail boats on the roof racks, fishing boats, 242x, kids, dogs, firewood and everything in between. Have 80k on the Denali and 65K on the SE so they've been put through their paces both in miles and gravel, snowy and icy roads here in MN and into Canada and I can't complain.

Electronics and upholstery (leather & cloth) have held up to significant abuse, though Weathertech mats are a life saver.

Solid MPG 18-22 avg depending on the trip (which beat our old Jeep) and beyond struts on the Denali, no major repairs in 4-5 years. Typical software upgrades, but no show stoppers.

Highly recommend, not to mention they have a sharp look from all angles imo. I should note my wife hated the concept of a big XL SUV and now she drives the XL and I drive the std and she's mentioned multiple times how she would pick another car at this point. Amazingly versatile for day to day kid life and cabin weekends.

 

[Toby]

The Expedition does share the F150 powertrain (gen2 3.5 EcoBoost/10spd auto) but does not share chassis. The irs does make it more compliant. I have had both gen1 and gen2 EcoBoost F150's and they more than do the job.

 

[Toby]

Still comes down to personal preference. Really can't go wrong either way. I just happen to be a Ford mark since I was a kid lol

 

[AboveTheBest]

Something else to consider, an Expediton is based on the F150 (aka the best selling truck for decades now, or so I’ve heard/read).

I think you meant the best selling vehicle for the last few decades.
If the F150 were a country, it’s GDP would rank it 83rd in the world ($50 billion).

I’d go with the Explorer Expedition. Maybe I’m biased though...

 

[tabbibus]

I think you meant the best selling vehicle for the last few decades.
If the F150 were a country, it’s GDP would rank it 83rd in the world ($50 billion).

I’d go with the Explorer. Maybe I’m biased though...

You mean expedition right? Not explorer.