Shipping your family to and fro? Your vehicle of choice may be between the 2022 Chevy Suburban vs the 2022 Ford Expedition. Several decades ago, the choice for an ideal family vehicle normally meant one of two options. The first choice usually was a minivan, considered by some to be the “family taxi” of the 1980s. These weren’t the best with fuel efficiency, but were more than ideal for transporting passengers of the shorter variety from point A to point B.
The second choice, which was slightly more economical than the previously mentioned vehicle, was the station wagon. Slightly larger than a sedan, these were the stereotypical family vacation vehicles that dominated popular culture, particularly in films such as National Lampoon’s Vacation. It’s hard to believe that those were the only options!
Thankfully, time has moved forward and the SUV has usurped both aforementioned vehicles—to become the ideal family vehicle for today’s modern family. While many subcompact and trimmed-down models have gained the most popularity among consumers, there are those who have larger families—and therefore, need more space. Today, I’ll be examining two models that offer practicality to this unique demographic. The Chevy Suburban and Ford Expedition are two vehicles that have long been established as effective and efficient, and we’re going to see which one is the better option for you and your family. Only one can come out on top, so let the comparison begin!
Cost-Effectiveness & The Consumer
It would be too easy to dangle a carrot in front of your face in the form of a starting MSRP and attempt to sway your opinion. But, in the interest of being objective and maintaining journalistic integrity, I’ll begin there. The 2022 Ford Expedition starts at $54,315; while not as expensive as the GMC Yukon or the Jeep Wagoneer, it’s still slightly higher than the Nissan Armada and Chevy Tahoe. As for the 2022 Chevy Suburban, its beginning MSRP is almost identical, starting at $54,795. So, no matter which one of these vehicles you decide on, expect to pay in the same relative price range.
Of course, the average consumer has much more to be concerned with, especially when it comes to the price on the sticker. Because of their size and the unpredictable nature of gas prices, MPG is something to keep a close eye on. When it comes to the 2022 Ford Expedition, there are some variances that will affect fuel consumption. The most efficient Expedition is the FWD model, which attains a combined MPG of 19. The 4WD model, which is best recommended for families who either live in or plan on traveling outside the city limits, still manages to achieve a combined MPG of 18.
The 2022 Chevy Suburban has an advantage over the Expedition, which limits its powertrain to gasoline-powered engines. For those who want to get the most out of a full tank and still have the efficiency to go where 4WD demands it, we recommend the Chevy Suburban equipped with 4WD and a diesel-fueled powertrain. Equipped with a ten-speed automatic transmission, the 3.0-L Duramax allows the Suburban to achieve a combined MPG of 22, which consists of 20 MPG while in the city limits and 26 when the vehicle takes to the highway. The EPA estimates that this allows the diesel Suburban to travel approximately 616 miles on a full tank. When it comes to gasoline-fueled powertrains of the Suburban, the 5.3-L V8 proves to be efficient and consistent, allowing both 2WD and 4WD models to attain a combined MPG of 16.
Interior Motives & Comfortable Kids
If you’re shopping for a vehicle that’s along the lines of the 2022 Chevy Suburban or the 2022 Ford Expedition, it’s very safe to assume that the passengers you’ll be carting around are of the shorter and younger variety. As most of us are aware, children tend to be finicky and aren’t afraid to make their voices known—especially when it comes to criticism regarding comfort. Fortunately, both the Expedition and Suburban have an elevated focus on providing comfort and storage space for all the amenities you need to take with you on your journey.
The interior of the Expedition, like so many other vehicles, is based around the infotainment screen. As far as centerpieces are concerned, the Expedition doesn’t want for visibility with its 12” screen equipped with the latest in Ford’s Sync4 software. This state-of-the-art technology offers voice recognition and cloud connectivity for added security in an age that’s increasingly digital.
Of, course, for a heftier price, you can upgrade to a 15.5” display screen, if such a thing is a necessity. Some of the other items that you can find in the upper trim levels include leather upholstery and massaging seats. And, for those of you who want to drown out the worries of the world, an available 22-speaker stereo system cannot be ignored.
When it comes to keeping the members of your journey occupied, Chevy has undoubtedly made the necessary amenities available to consumers. While Ford places emphasis on grown-up entertainment, Chevy goes back…to the back seat, that is. Two available 12.6” screens positioned behind the front seats along with multiple USB charging ports will certainly be more than enough to keep your guests of the shorter variety occupied during a longer-than-average commute. A maximum-10.2” infotainment screen anchors the dashboard of the interior, which itself is intricate in its symmetrical design.
Of course, transporting children is one thing, but what about those errands that require you to maximize storage space? What if circumstances dictate that you pull off a “difficult win” if you’re someone who happens to be the trailering type? Fear not, consumers, Ford and Chevy both have you covered for both of these hypothetical situations.
The 2022 Ford Expedition doesn’t lack for storage space, with over 104 cu.ft. of available room for those long journeys. And if you need more room via towing, a capacity of 9,300 lbs. is more than adequate to accommodate you. Chevy, not to be outdone, has extended their towing capacity and available storage to outshine the competition in terms of versatility. To this end, the 2022 Chevy Suburban can tow up to 8,300 lbs. when properly equipped. Storage-wise, GM rolls out the red carpet so to speak, as an available 144.7 cu.ft. of space is flexible enough for your every need.
The Final Verdict
Choosing the right vehicle is rarely easy, and choosing between two models that showcase versatility and practicality is no exception. While both offer similar advantages in terms of conservative fuel consumption and pricing, in the end, we side with Chevy. The 2022 Chevy Suburban simply offers more in the way of storage, towing, and its diesel powertrain; it proves that larger SUVs with 4WD can still give consumers more miles to the gallon than previous incarnations.
Aside from being a more versatile model, the Suburban has those extras that are necessary for entertaining a family as a whole—and not just the grownups. While the SUV has been scaled down from its earliest incarnations, a larger model is sometimes necessary for the larger-than-average family. Therefore, Chevy crosses the finish line once again.
