Ford Expedition Max vs. Chevy Suburban For My Family Of Six
I’m back in the Ford Expedition—this time, the Max!
If you’ve been a part of the Carpoolers community for a while, you might remember my post about why I chose a standard Ford Expedition over the Chevrolet Tahoe when we were a family of five with three kids under four. If you haven’t, read the breakdown here.
At the time, I loved how it handled multiple car seats while still giving us plenty of trunk space. But now that we’re a family of six, our needs have changed. With four kids, I knew we’d have to start using the third row every day—and that meant sacrificing some of the trunk space we relied on in our standard Expedition. It quickly became clear it was time to size up to an extended-wheelbase SUV.
I’ve spent a lot of time with both the Chevy Suburban and the Ford Expedition Max, and I knew pretty quickly that the Expedition Max would be the better choice. It checked all the boxes for our current and car seat setups, and I’m excited to share why it ended up being the right fit for us.
So, I want to break down why we needed an extended-wheelbase SUV, what made the Expedition Max stand out for us, and why it ended up being a better choice than the Suburban. If you’re navigating similar decisions for your family, I hope this helps make things a little easier!
We Needed An Extended-Wheelbase SUV
When we found out we were expecting our fourth, I knew it was time to rethink the family car situation. With three kids, I made the standard-wheelbase Ford Expedition work by fitting all three car seats across the second-row bench—a setup that became a staple of The Car Mom brand.
But with a fourth on the way, I realized that setup wasn’t going to cut it anymore. We’d need to use the third row every day, which meant losing a significant amount of trunk space in our current SUV. That’s when I began exploring extended-wheelbase SUVs like the Ford Expedition Max and Chevrolet Suburban.
These cars offer an extra foot of length behind the third row, which translates to significantly more usable trunk space without sacrificing passenger comfort.
For us, this extra space was a game-changer. It gave us room for everything we needed while still keeping all four kids comfortably seated in their car seats.
However, I will say this: these cars are big. Before committing to one, I highly recommend asking your dealership if you can take it home to see if it fits in your garage or driveway. Yes, dealerships will let you do this! It’s worth checking because these SUVs are long—and parking them can be an adventure all on its own.
To help you decide which wheelbase option is the better choice, check out my post: Regular vs. Extended Wheelbases: Which Size Vehicle Is Right For Your Family?
Why We Chose the Ford Expedition Max
When comparing the Expedition Max and Suburban, the ONLY reason I chose this car is because of its car seat flexibility. That’s it. For our family (with a complex car seat setup), I needed a car that could grow with us and our complicated setups for years to come but still give us more space in the trunk than a minivan allows.
Car Seat Compatibility
With four kids still in car seats, this was my number one priority—and it’s where the Expedition Max truly shines:
The second-row seats are independent and allow for a car seat-friendly tilt with LATCH installation. This makes accessing the third row so much easier without having to uninstall anything—something completely unrealistic to do when you’re juggling multiple kids.
Both rows offer lower anchors (LATCH) and middle headrests in every seat position, giving us far more flexibility for different car seat configurations as our needs evolve. The Expedition Max also has tether anchors in every seat.
In comparison, the Suburban lacks LATCH anchors in its third row and doesn’t include middle headrests back there either. For me, that was a dealbreaker because I want options as my kids grow out of car seats or if we need to rearrange seating for any reason.
What To Know About The Ford Expedition / MAX
Of course, no car is perfect—even one as family-friendly as this. That said, these are relatively minor complaints compared to how well this SUV meets our family’s needs overall.
Here are a couple things I wish Ford would improve:
No Built-In Sunshades: This is by far my top complaint for a car that is clearly meant for families. Even some minivans have them—why not full-size SUVs?
Basic Interior Design: Compared to luxury competitors like the Lincoln Navigator or even higher-end trims from other brands, the Expedition Max’s interior feels more basic and utilitarian. That being said, I still really do love the experience as a driver.
An Okay Looking Exterior: I’ll say it - the Surburban is the better-looking car on the outside. Nothing about the Expedition Max screams cool, while I think there are a ton of full-size SUVs that bring an overall more rugged look.
Why We Didn’t Pick The Chevy Suburban
Let me start by saying this: everything about the Suburban feels cooler.
It’s sleek, stylish, and has a modern vibe that’s hard to ignore. Plus, it offers tech features that might even be better than what the Expedition Max has. If you’re looking for an SUV that makes a statement, the Suburban is definitely worth considering.
But for our family of six, we had to prioritize function over form—and that’s where the Suburban fell short. Here’s why:
Car Seat Limitations
The Suburban lacks lower anchors (LATCH) in its third row, which was a significant drawback for us since Hattie and George would sit back here permanently. Like the Expedition, the Suburban also has tether anchors on every seat.
It also doesn’t have middle headrests in the third row, making it less flexible for car seat setups or older kids who need proper head support.
While its second-row seats are functional, they don’t tilt forward with car seats installed, making third-row access much more difficult when you’re juggling multiple kids.
If you don’t have young kids in car seats or don’t rely heavily on your third row, this may not be a deal-breaker for you. But for us? This was huge.
Why It’s Still a Great SUV
I’ll admit: if we weren’t dealing with such a complex car seat setup, I might have been tempted by the Suburban’s cool factor. It’s stylish, modern, and feels like a car you’d want to be seen driving. For families who don’t need to use every row daily or who prioritize aesthetics and tech over car seat compatibility, it could be the perfect fit.
My Personal Car Seat Setup
As our kids grow out of car seats (eventually!), I know this SUV will continue to adapt to our needs—whether it’s shuttling them to soccer practice or loading up bikes for a weekend adventure.
Here is our current car seat setup:
George (my oldest): Graco SlimFit 3LX
Hattie (my second): Clek Foonf
Fred (my third): Evenflo Revolve 360 Slim
Libby (my fourth):Nuna Pipa
The Right SUV Is The One That Works Best For Your Family
Selecting the right car for your family is a personal decision, and what works for one family may not work for another. Both the Ford Expedition Max and Chevrolet Suburban are excellent options in the extended-wheelbase SUV category.
For our family of six, the Ford Expedition Max stood out ONLY for its superior car seat compatibility. That’s it. Everything else about the Surburban gives it a “cooler” feel, but it just wouldn’t work on a day-to-day basis.
If you’re in the market for a new family car, I encourage you to take your time exploring your options. Test-drive both models, evaluate how they fit into your daily routines (and your garage!), and think about what features matter most to your family. Identifying your priorities will help guide you toward the right choice.
At the end of the day, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to family cars—it’s about finding what works best for your unique needs. For us, the Expedition Max has proven to be an ideal fit, but that may not be the case for yours.
What family car do you drive? Please let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest 2025 car-buying tips for families, check out my recent posts:
