Should you drive home in the 2021 Ford Expedition or do you need the bigger, extended-wheelbase Ford Expedition MAX? Our comparison guide is here to help you select the full-size SUV that’s right for your needs.
Price
The bigger Expedition MAX models are more expensive than their regular wheelbase counterparts. For example, the Expedition XLT starts at $53,410, while the Expedition XLT MAX starts at $55,410.
Interior Space
Although passenger space is essentially the same in both the regular and extended-wheelbase Expeditions, you’ll find a lot more cargo space in the latter model. Behind the third row in the regular Expedition, there is up to 20.9 cubic feet of cargo space but the Expedition MAX model offers 36 cubic feet for your stuff.
Fold down the second-row seats to create 63.6 cubes in the regular models and 79.6 cubes in MAX models. Fold down both rear rows to create 104.6 cubes of maximum cargo space in regular models and 121.5 cubes in MAX models.
Performance and Towing
You’ll find the same 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 under every Expedition hood with a standard output of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. In top-tier Platinum models, output jumps to 400 horses and 480 pound-feet of torque.
Besides cargo space, towing capabilities is the other main difference between the Expedition and Expedition MAX models. Tow ratings also vary according to whether or not your Expedition is equipped with rear- or four-wheel drive:
- Expedition 4x2: 9,300 pounds
- Expedition 4x4: 9,200 pounds
- Expedition MAX 4x2: 9,000 pounds
- Expedition MAX 4x4: 9,000 pounds
Features
The 2021 Ford Expedition is available in five trim models: XL STX, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum. The new XL STX, the only two-row Expedition, is not available with the extended wheelbase. However, you can buy any of the other four trim levels as an Expedition MAX model.
In terms of comfort and tech features, the extended-wheelbase MAX models are essentially the same as their regular-size trim model equivalent.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights from each trim model.
XL STX:
- 18-inch wheels
- Five-passenger seating
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
- Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety aids (Blind-Spot Monitoring, automatic high beams, Lane-Keeping Mitigation, Forward Collision Mitigation)
XLT:
- Eight-passenger seating
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Ford Sync 3 infotainment with an 8-inch touch screen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration
- Rear parking sensors
Limited:
- 20-inch wheels
- Leather upholstery
- Optional second-row captain’s chairs (reduces total seating to seven)
- Hands-free power liftgate
- Front parking sensors
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist (full-speed adaptive cruise control, navigation)
King Ranch:
- 22-inch wheels
- Exclusive leather upholstery
- Panoramic glass roof
- Power-folding captain’s chairs
- Surround-view parking camera
- Automated Park Assist technology
Platinum:
- Premium leather upholstery
- Satin aluminum exterior trim
- Wood and leather interior trim
- Heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats
- Power-folding second- and third-row seats
- Active Noise Cancellation
Which SUV Should You Choose?
When you’re choosing between the 2021 Ford Expedition and Expedition MAX, you’ll want to consider cargo space and towing capacity. Remember that the regular Expedition model can tow more and that the long-wheelbase MAX version offers quite a bit more cargo space. Also, keep in mind that the MAX trim models are slightly more expensive than their standard-wheelbase counterparts.