Is the 2025 Chevy Suburban better than the 2025 Ford Expedition?

In the United States, bigger is always better. Even as gas prices continue to fluctuate, SUVs remain the most popular vehicles in 48 out of 50 states. Two long-standing favorites, the Ford Expedition and Chevy Suburban, have seen changes for the 2025 model year, with each bringing power, style, and versatility to the table.

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The Suburban, Chevy’s oldest nameplate, was introduced at the height of the Great Depression in 1935 as the ultimate family vehicle. While most families are not as big as they were back then, it still stands out among consumers with its rugged durability, expansive cargo room, and variety of engine choices. The Expedition, introduced to the market in 1997, also continues to impress with its towing capacity, and ample interior space.

So, how do they compare in terms of performance, features, and overall value? Let’s take a closer look and see which one edges out the competition.

Related: 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban priced, Tahoe starts at $60,495

2025 Chevy Suburban vs. 2025 Ford Expedition: Both SUV juggernauts see upgrades in the new model year

Both SUVs have seen refreshes inside and out for 2025. The Suburban’s exterior and interior have been slightly refined. On the outside, the SUV’s front fascia has been redesigned to feature a bolder mesh pattern and smoother bumper lines, new daytime running lights, and newly available walk-up and walk-away lighting that activates when its doors are locked or unlocked. New wheel designs, including a 24-inch option, further enhance comfort and handling.

Inside, a larger 17.7-inch center touchscreen and 11.0-inch dash display are new to the Suburban, as is an available head-up display. GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system is also available across more trims than ever before.

The Expedition features new, smaller headlights (to replace the former big C-bracket lights) in addition to new tapered LED daytime running lights that look reminiscent of the redesigned F-150. Corner wraparound tail lights have been made thinner with updated graphics, and there’s also the addition of 24-inch wheels.

Inside, a new user-friendly 24-inch display features a fully digital gauge cluster and navigation display.

2025 Chevy Suburban vs. 2025 Ford Expedition: The Suburban has more trim choices and affordability levels for buyers on a budget

The 2025 Ford Expedition features four trims — Active, Tremor, King Ranch, and Platinum. The automaker has dropped the XL, XLT, Limited, and Timberline trims, and replaced them with the Active (base) model and the off-road-focused Tremor trim. Prices for trims range from $63,695 to about $83,000.

The Suburban’s base trim, LS, starts at $63,495. Its five additional trims—LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country — range in price from $66,695 to $83,195. Both the Suburban and Expedition are relatively equivalent in price, but the Suburban takes the prize for offering more options to consumers.

Related: 2025 Ford Expedition Tremor: Conquering trails or just for show?

More engine choices in the Chevy Suburban than in the Ford Expedition, but a higher towing capacity in the Expedition

The Suburban’s engine options include a naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 standard to all trims except the High Country, generating 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The High Country's standard naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87, cranks out 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.

There’s also the choice of a 305-horsepower 3.0-liter diesel inline-six that delivers a whopping 495 pound-feet of torque. Lower trims with the exception of the LS have the 6.2 as an available option, and all trims but the LS have the choice of the turbo-diesel. All are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the choice of rear-wheel or available all-wheel drive.

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The Expedition has two engine choices among its trims. A 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 generating 400 horses and 480 pound-feet of torque is standard in the Active, King Ranch, and Platinum trim levels. A high output 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque is standard to the Tremor trim and optional to the Platinum trim.

Engine options are once again paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive is standard across all trims with optional four-wheel drive. (However, four-wheel drive is standard to the Tremor package.)

The Suburban can tow up to 8,300 pounds when fully equipped (its diesel engine taps out at 7,800 pounds), but it cannot compete with the Expedition’s towing power. It can haul up to 9,600 pounds with the proper gear.

The fuel economy of the Suburban diesel engine is better than anything you’ll get in the Explorer

The Suburban’s mileage numbers are mostly the same as those from the 2024 model year — the four-wheel-drive 6.2-liter is 16 mpg combined, and the four-wheel-drive 5.3-liter is 17 mpg combined. In comparison, the Expedition’s numbers are 18 mpg combined. However, the 3.8L Duramax surpasess both at 22/mpg overall.

2025 Chevy Suburban vs. 2025 Ford Expedition: Both are spacious but the Suburban has the edge

Both SUVs are massive, but the Suburban's passenger and cargo space is larger. It can seat up to nine — the LS trim offers an available bench seat that accommodates three people up front. Its other trims can seat eight, unless there are captain’s chairs in the second row, then that number goes down by one.

Second row legroom is about 42 inches, and third-row passengers enjoy almost 37 inches. The Ford Expedition Max, the Expedition’s slightly larger iteration, adds to those numbers by a few inches.

The Expedition can seat up to eight, and like the Suburban, with captain’s chairs added to the second row, that number drops by one. Both competitors have a split third row — the Suburban’s is 60/40, and the Expedition’s is 40/20/40. Of the two, when the seats are down, this is the Suburban’s category to win — with 144.7 cubic feet of cargo volume, it easily beats the Expedition MAX, which can hold 121.5 cubic feet.

Final thoughts

Which full-size SUV is the best for you will depend mostly on your needs. While both are workhorses, the Ford Expedition is the superior SUV when it comes to towing and camping features. In trim levels and engine options, the Suburban is the clear winner. We also can’t ignore its exceptional cargo space.