Chevy Suburban or Ford Expedition XL; which one would your rent

[DesiPower]

So I will be renting one of those "Premium SUV" for a 12 day "road trip", if you will. Will be driving around 3000 miles 2000+ of those will 4 people only, will get some snow on the way... maybe even stay for a night in snow/ski resort. Rental company's website say Chevy Suburban or Ford Expedition XL or similar, so if given a choice, which one would you prefer? based on comfort and safety...

 

[iamwiz82]

You need to call and ask what is available at that specific location before you start deciding what you want to pick. An airport location will have significantly more options than a street location.

 

[DesiPower]

You need to call and ask what is available at that specific location before you start deciding what you want to pick. An airport location will have significantly more options than a street location.

Its at the airport, tomorrow at 9:00 AM, I am sure i will get to choose. I did call too and they pretty much read me what's on the website and said that they cannot say anything more, i will have to come and see

 

[lxskllr]

Neither. I wouldn't want to feed them.

 

[SandEagle]

first, an indian diplomat gets strip searched, and now an indian wants to drive a domestic SUV. times sure are changing. can you get a toyota 4runner or sequoia instead?

 

[radtechtips]

The suburban is gonna get much better gas mileage and the expedition is only a little bigger. So it depends how much you care about that

 

[Tweak155]

Get whichever one will give you better mileage. They both have a ton of space.

 

[boomhower]

I'm a die hard Ford fan but the Suburban is the better vehicle.

 

[mmntech]

Most rental companies won't guarantee you a specific make or model. So you could end up with either one, depending on what they happen to have in stock that day.

Most places don't keep very many premium vehicles on the lot unless they're in an area where there's high demand for them. That's typically rental outlets near luxury dealerships, for insurance replacement purposes.

I'd personally have opted for a minivan for a roadtrip. Those two monsters will be pigs on gas.

 

[Tweak155]

I'm a die hard Ford fan but the Suburban is the better vehicle.

I only bought an expedition because it was quite a bit cheaper. Next time I'm going Suburban when I have more coin.

 

[DesiPower]

first, an indian diplomat gets strip searched, and now an indian wants to drive a domestic SUV. times sure are changing. can you get a toyota 4runner or sequoia instead?

Asians are smaller, I needed big American ones... as far as the strip search, bitch got what she deserved

 

[Markbnj]

Unless you have a ton of gear to haul I'd say either of those is too large, and both will suck gas like mad. If you haven't done this sort of trip in a large vehicle before you may be unpleasantly surprised by how often you're hitting the pump. I recently did a 3200 mile round-trip in a truck which gets 15-18 MPG, and I could probably have flown first class for what it cost me.

If that isn't an issue, then either should do fine. The Suburban is probably roomier and more comfortable, but if you don't really need the third row seating, or five feet of cargo space, I'd bet the Expedition will get slightly better mileage.

If you aren't experienced driving vehicles like these in snow, take care. They don't stick to it any better than any other vehicle, and in fact they're worse because they're heavy and typically riding on fat street tires.

 

[SandEagle]

Asians are smaller, I needed big American ones...

:sneaky:

 

[BurnItDwn]

I'd recommend a minivan. More room and better MPG. Sienna or Odyssey would work.

 

[DesiPower]

I'd recommend a minivan. More room and better MPG. Sienna or Odyssey would work.

Minivan was by 1st choice but I needed the 2nd row to sit three people comfortably... I wish minivans had bench on the 2nd row

 

[DesiPower]

Unless you have a ton of gear to haul I'd say either of those is too large, and both will suck gas like mad. If you haven't done this sort of trip in a large vehicle before you may be unpleasantly surprised by how often you're hitting the pump. I recently did a 3200 mile round-trip in a truck which gets 15-18 MPG, and I could probably have flown first class for what it cost me.

If that isn't an issue, then either should do fine. The Suburban is probably roomier and more comfortable, but if you don't really need the third row seating, or five feet of cargo space, I'd bet the Expedition will get slightly better mileage.

If you aren't experienced driving vehicles like these in snow, take care. They don't stick to it any better than any other vehicle, and in fact they're worse because they're heavy and typically riding on fat street tires.

Thanks for the heads up, will be careful

 

[drbrock]

Suburban all day everyday. I love Fords but in that specific segment Chevy is far superior.

 

[zinfamous]

I'd recommend a minivan. More room and better MPG. Sienna or Odyssey would work.

Not if he's driving through snow country. I was in Tahoe 2 weekends ago and one of the rental cars in our group was a Suburban. A system dropped 2 feet of snow in the Donner area in less than 24 hours...my wee Mazda had a bit of trouble getting up our steep driveway 2 days later. The suburban? Not so much.


That will be crazy expensive for that mileage, though. If you can switch cars at some point, maybe do that.

 

[DesiPower]

Not if he's driving through snow country. I was in Tahoe 2 weekends ago and one of the rental cars in our group was a Suburban. A system dropped 2 feet of snow in the Donner area in less than 24 hours...my wee Mazda had a bit of trouble getting up our steep driveway 2 days later. The suburban? Not so much.


That will be crazy expensive for that mileage, though. If you can switch cars at some point, maybe do that.

I estimated $700 in gas and $1300 on rental, I am mentally prepared for that, it was planned. I hope I am not awfully off.

btw, if its Mazda 5, its not technically a minivan by American definition. I doubt a Odyssey or Sienna or Caravan/T&C would have trouble either

 

[xanis]

What about a Ford Transit? You might be able to find one at a rental place, and it meets all of your criteria + gives you better MPG.

 

[DesiPower]

What about a Ford Transit? You might be able to find one at a rental place, and it meets all of your criteria + gives you better MPG.

its probably 1/5 the size of the Suburban... not to mention its a cargo van with only one row of seating iirc

 

[BurnItDwn]

transit connect I believe is the one with more seats, but it's smaller than a minivan, and not sure about the 2nd row if it will fit 3 or 2, but it's not very wide, so probably not comfortable for 3 even if it has a bench for row 2.

Anyhow ... since you've clearly done your research and alternates that make sense you have obviously figured in to the equation, I think it's a draw. Either one will suit your needs well.

If the Suburban has less horrible of fuel economy, it seems like the more rational choice. A friend of mine has an Expedition (not "XL" variant though), and the 3rd row seats are useless for adults ... but otherwise it's not terrible.

 

[Markbnj]

I estimated $700 in gas and $1300 on rental, I am mentally prepared for that, it was planned. I hope I am not awfully off

That gas estimate sounds pretty close. I think I spent around $800 on my trip, which was NJ to CO and back.

 

[Gerle]

Minivan was by 1st choice but I needed the 2nd row to sit three people comfortably... I wish minivans had bench on the 2nd row

I thought of the minivans the Siennas had optional 2nd row bench seats, at least they used to. That might not be the case anymore. Ask them?

 

[Stifko]

Too bad you can't rent them with diesel engines.
Does Ford even make a diesel Expedition anymore?
I am pretty sure Chevy stopped making a diesel Suburban.