The newly redesigned 2025 Ford Expedition is very important for Ford as it goes up against the best-selling Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. Does this new Expedition do enough to beat the competition? I take a detailed look this Expedition MAX Active trim. This is the new base trim of the 2025 Expedition. Let’s dig in!
The updated 2025 Expedition is about the same size as before. It’s a large truck-based, three-row SUV with a capacity to sit up to eight people. The MAX version I am focusing on here is a long wheelbase version, which competes directly against the Chevy Suburban.
While the Tahoe and the Suburban offer a bit more interior volume than the Expedition, this Ford SUV offers a lot more standard power. The base powertrain in the Expedition is a 400 horsepower 3.5L twin-turbo V6 with 480 lb-ft of torque. The base 5.3L V8 in the Tahoe is rated at 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. Ford’s powertrain is also more efficient. Here is how they are rated by the EPA.
The new Expedition has a higher trailer towing capacity. The 2025 Chevy Tahoe is rated to tow up to 8,400 lbs. The 2005 Ford Expedition is rated at 9,600 lbs, but there are a couple caveats. See Ford’s trailer tow guide below.
The new Expedition with 2WD is rated to tow a maximum of 6,000 lbs. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, it’s the more efficient rear axle ratio. There is also the engine cooling system capacity. When you equip the Expedition with 4×4, they all come with a two-speed transfer case. There is also a heavy-tow package that increases the engine cooling capacity. This bumps up the trailer towing capacity up to 9,000 – 9,600 lbs.
The Expedition MAX I am driving has 1,360 lbs of payload capacity, but the payload can be higher on other models, depending on the optional equipment. Naturally, you want to see a higher payload capacity if you plan to tow closer to a 9,000 lbs trailer (since a 9,000 lbs trailer takes away about 900 lbs of the payload capacity).
Most of the new Ford Expedition models are available with the BlueCruise hands-free driver assist feature at an additional cost. The Expedition offers good comfort in all three row of seats. Tall and large adults can fit in any of the seats.
Overall, there is a lot to like about the redesigned 2025 Ford Expedition and Expedition MAX. The last hurdle it must overcome is value. This is for you to decide, but I can list the starting prices. The new Tahoe and Suburban have a lower starting price.
- Expedition 2WD starts at $62,000 + $1,995 = $63,995
- 4×4 $65,000 + $1,995 = $66,995
- Expedition MAX 2WD at $65,000 + $1,995 = $66,995
- 4×4 $68,000 + $1,995 = $69,995
- Chevy Tahoe 2WD starts at $59,000 + $2,195 = $61,195
- 4×4 $62,000 + $2,195 = $64,195
As you can see, the starting price of a 2025 Chevy Tahoe is $2,800 lower than a 2025 Ford Expedition. This is a significant difference. You need to look at some of the trade off that I mentioned above to see if the new Expedition offers a good value for your needs.
Both the Ford Expedition and the Chevy Tahoe are assembled in the United States. The Expedition is getting close to celebrating 30 years on the market. The original 1997 Expedition was produced at Ford’s Wayne facility in Michigan. In 2009, the Expedition production moved to Louisville, Kentucky. I got a chance to visit this factory this week. Ford builds most Super Duty trucks and the Lincoln Navigator at this same factory. There is so much going on there, but they get it done. The Chevy Tahoe and Suburban are produced in Arlington, Texas.
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