Choosing the right SUV for your family comes down to whether you want a truck that looks toward the future or stays stuck in the past. While some competitors are happy to lean on dated designs, Ford pushes the 2026 Expedition forward with real-world features that busy families need. Here's how the Expedition stacks up against the latest Chevy Suburban.
Key Takeaways
- Ford redesigned the Expedition's interior for 2026 to offer a more premium experience.
- Chevy's Suburban enters the 2026 model year with almost no changes following its recent refresh.
- With a 9,600-pound max tow rating, the Expedition out-pulls the Suburban by a significant margin.
Ford's Futurist Split Gate vs. Chevy's Stagnation
The standout feature for the 2026 Expedition is the all-new Ford Split Gate. This isn't just a standard hatch; the top portion opens like a regular SUV, but the bottom half folds down flat like a tailgate. This lower section can support 500 pounds, giving you a solid seat or a ledge for loading heavy gear.
By comparison, the 2026 Suburban is almost a carbon copy of the previous year. Aside from some new paint options like Midnight Moss and an added digital key the size of a credit card, Chevy didn't change a thing. While Ford is adding functional hardware, Chevy is just coasting on its last set of updates.
Horsepower and Hauling: Turbo V6 vs. Traditional V8s
Ford's twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 is the star of the show. The standard version pumps out 400 ponies, while the high-output variant kicks that up to 440 horsepower. That power allows the Expedition to tow a massive 9,600 pounds. To put that in perspective, the Suburban maxes out at 8,300 pounds, meaning Ford gives you an extra 1,300 pounds of capability for the big trailers.
If you're heading off-road, the Expedition Tremor comes ready for the dirt with a factory-lifted suspension, 33-inch all-terrain tires, and protective underbody shielding. It even uses Trail Turn Assist to help you pivot around tight corners.
The Suburban's V8 lineup struggles to keep pace with those figures. Its entry-level 5.3-liter V8 only manages 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft, and even the larger 6.2-liter V8 tops out at 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. Even its 3.0-liter Duramax Diesel, which is great for long-distance fuel economy, only produces 305 horsepower.
Powertrains and Towing
| 2026 Ford Expedition |
2026 Chevy Suburban |
| Standard and high-output versions of 3.5L twin-turbo V6 |
Standard 5.3L V8; available 6.2L V8 or 3.0-liter Duramax Diesel |
| 10-speed automatic transmission |
10-speed automatic transmission |
| Independent rear suspension |
V8-based set up |
| 9,600 lbs max towing |
8,300 lbs max towing |
Connectivity and Tech in a Panoramic Screen
The tech differences inside these two rigs are night and day. The 2026 Expedition features a massive 24-inch panoramic screen that spans the dashboard, keeping your maps and vital info right where you can see them without looking away from the road. When you're parked, the screen becomes an entertainment center for gaming or movies. Ford also packed in eight USB ports and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot to make sure the whole family stays charged and connected.
The Suburban uses a 17.7-inch center display, which is fine, but it feels a generation behind the immersive, wraparound panoramic tech Ford is using.
Picking the More Forward-Thinking SUV
The 2026 Chevy Suburban is definitely a big SUV, but the 2026 Ford Expedition is a smarter tool for a modern family. If you want the most towing muscle and the most advanced tech on the market, the Expedition is the clear winner. Contact Banner Ford in Mandeville today to see it for yourself!