2016 Ford Expedition EL and 2016 GMC Yukon XL Comparison

"AfromanGTO" (afromangto)
11/15/2016 at 16:24 • Filed to: None

Hello everyone on Oppositelock! I just got back from my friends wedding, and had to rent a second huge SUV for the second time in two weeks. So I decided to review the behemoths.

The first one I rented was a black 2016 Ford Expedition EL with the ecoboost engine, 4k miles, and a 34 gallon fuel tank.

Initial thoughts. This is a big suv and it is long. I hope this can fit in the parking garage to load all of the stuff up. (It does fit fine.)

Exterior. It is a nice looking huge suv, but why the hell is the hood so high. Standing in front of it, the top of the hood is almost higher than my chest. Why does it need to be so high, is it designed to push cattle? The black paint looks nice.

Interior. The seats fold down pretty easily, and the ergonomics of the interior is very easy to use. I like the black headliner and all black interior. (Why does every car company make the top part a stupid beige color now? It looks horrible and that focus group needs to be bitch slapped.) The cloth interior is nice, and the colors of the gauges and stereo are a nice blue. All of our stuff fit in there nicely, and everyone had plenty of room. After a few hours of driving the seats weren’t really that comfortable.

Driving. Just cruising along it does fine, but it drinks gas. Around the city the ecoboost kind of struggles to move when the light changes in stop and go traffic. To get it to move quickly you have to get into boost, and give it a lot of gas. Heading up the toll roads I was expecting for the Expedition to shine. Cruising around 75-80 was fine, but over 85 the hood started to shake. The higher the speed the more the shake. I called one of my Ford buddies, and he assured me that it is normal. Also he told me that Shelby developed a new hood latch system for the GT500, so it doesn’t have the typical Ford hood shake. So I kept it around 75 the trip. The visibility was pretty good for the most part, but it still is a big vehicle so you had to remember to look more than normal.

The fuel economy. The Expedition was in 2H the whole trip, and was never put into all time 4wd, 4wd high, or 4wd low. The majority of the trip was highway (interstate or toll roads), and maybe 15-20% was city driving. We averaged 15.5 mpg... The way back we averaged 15.2 mpg. It seems like this heavy suv could benefit more from a V8 than a smaller TT V6. Filling up a 34 gallon tank makes your wallet hate you.

The second one I rented was a white 2016 GMC Yukon XL with the flex fuel 5.3, 8900 miles, and 31 gallon fuel tank.

Initial thoughts. This looks bigger than the Expedition. Everything should fit in this one fine too like the Expedition.

Exterior. The white paint looks nice, but why is there cheap black plastic under the bumpers. I know it probably if for aero, but couldn’t they make it look nicer than just unfinished plastic? Also why is the antennae in an asymmetric position? Couldn’t they have put it in the middle? Instead of above the driver’s head. The headlight says GMC inside of it.

Interior. The lower part is dark in color, but the pillars and headliner are beige...... The leather interior in it is nice and comfy. I like the red and white light color theme, and white stitching in the leather. The seats fold down easy too. It fit all of our stuff easy, and even used to load all most of the wedding stuff back to my friends house.

Driving. The GMC did fine around town, and gas mileage was decent in the city. On the interstate and toll roads is where this big truck shined. It rode great at 80-85, and the seats were comfy the whole trip. I drove it for 512 miles, and didn’t have to stop for gas once. There wasn’t any wind noise or rattles from this suv, but my friend’s GMCs in the past had squeaks and rattles. It rode very well, and the suspension was comfy but not bouncy.

Gas mileage. In the city this huge truck did 19.2 mpg, the highway was 22 mpg, and combined was 21.1 mpg. I didn’t have to stop for gas for 512 miles. I filled it up the next morning and it only took 26.5 gallons. It wasn’t even empty. Also I had points at the gas station to fill it up for $1.80 a gallon, so it didn’t kill my wallet too bad.

Conclusion. Both big suvs served their purpose, but if I for some reason had to purchase one of these. I’d pick the GMC over the Ford. Even though it has the stupid beige headliner and pillars. It got better gas mileage, had a better ride, was more comfortable, and felt like it was built better.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this!

DISCUSSION (36)

OPPOsaurus WRX > AfromanGTO
11/15/2016 at 16:28

I skipped to the bottom. If you wanted a fair comparison it should have been Expedidtion vs Suburban or Navigator vs GMC. I’d guess the shake could have been from an unbalanced wheel or from someone wacking a curb.

Mercedes Streeter > AfromanGTO
11/15/2016 at 16:31

My parents have an Expedition EL...I love the silly huge thing but I’d never ever want to own one. It drinks to much petrol and is so so so very rust prone. My parents are currently combating rust on theirs...it’s low mileage and only 5 years old, rust is inexcusable. Oh, and fuel economy while towing a trailer? Good luck exceeding 5-7 mpg.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > OPPOsaurus WRX
11/15/2016 at 16:32

GMC w/5.3 is pretty close to the Expedition. The GMC pretty much parallels the Chevy, just tops out higher iirc. Navigator goes against the Escalade and top-trim Yukons.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > AfromanGTO
11/15/2016 at 16:32

Conclusion- V8's are awesome.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Mercedes Streeter
11/15/2016 at 16:40

My dads Tundra with any trailer at any speed and the 5.7L gets 10. 5-7 is pitiful .

shop-teacher > AfromanGTO
11/15/2016 at 16:40

Makes sense, the Expedition is a seriously old platform. While competent, it just isn’t going to have the refinement of the Suburban/Yukon.

Arrivederci > AfromanGTO
11/15/2016 at 16:49

Nice write-up! Rented an Expedition for a wedding a few years ago and noticed many of the same things you did, though mine was before they put the Ecoboost in there. We were in Boston and gas mileage was seriously poor. I think we got 13-15 on average in mixed driving.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/15/2016 at 16:55

o ok. I thought both the Lincoln and GMC picked up where the Ford and Chevy stopped

AfromanGTO > OPPOsaurus WRX
11/15/2016 at 17:16

They were the same price from the rental car company, and considered full size suvs according to their category...

The shake was from the hood, and the air trying to lift it up. My old truck (ford product) had the same problem with speeds about 80mph..

AfromanGTO > OPPOsaurus WRX
11/15/2016 at 17:17

GMC Denali is the top of the line. Almost on par with the Escalade. The regular Yukon is a Suburban with a different badge.

AfromanGTO > Arrivederci
11/15/2016 at 17:19

Thank you! I want to test drive a V8 Expedition, and see if it gets better gas mileage. That ecoboost isn’t good for a heavy suv....

AfromanGTO > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/15/2016 at 17:20

Exactly! Although I was hoping the ecoboost would be everything they automotive companies promise, but they failed yet again.

Refined V8s need to be the standard.

AfromanGTO > shop-teacher
11/15/2016 at 17:22

I more surprised how much better they tried and true old 5.3 V8 is better than the ecoboost 6. I mean it is so much better.

OPPOsaurus WRX > AfromanGTO
11/15/2016 at 17:23

seems like too much overlap. you would think they would design in something to prevent that shake.

AfromanGTO > OPPOsaurus WRX
11/15/2016 at 17:32

We are talking about GM here. You would hope the govt stopped the overlap when they gave them the bailout. I always wonder why GMC is there. You have Chevy for entry level trucks, Caddy for the luxury, and GMC for everything in between. It is like Buick for cars, but without getting the vehicles from Europe.

LongbowMkII > Arrivederci
11/15/2016 at 17:39

I’m sorry, but 13-15 sounds pretty good for a small mountain in the real world.

LongbowMkII > Mercedes Streeter
11/15/2016 at 17:42

Get that warrantied. I figure every car has a 7-10yr/unlimited corrosion warranty.

Pistol Whipped Cream > AfromanGTO
11/15/2016 at 17:42

Rented a 2017 Expedition in ABQ a couple weeks ago. I actually loved it. Wish i needed something that big as a DD. Just my opinion.

shop-teacher > AfromanGTO
11/15/2016 at 18:03

GM has done a great job refining the good old fashioned pushrod V8. The 5.3 is a real honey of a motor.

PS9 > AfromanGTO
11/15/2016 at 18:04

*yuge.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > AfromanGTO
11/15/2016 at 18:27

“so it doesn’t have the typical Ford hood shake”

That’s funny... because in the past, I’ve owned 2 Ford Focii, 2 Ford Escorts and a Festiva... and none of them had hood shaking problems.... even at speeds of over 85mph.

And yes, even the Festiva could go faster than 85mph.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > AfromanGTO
11/15/2016 at 18:41

If you want to get rid of that black plastic on the Yukon you have to step up the trim level.

I’d LOOOVE a Denali. Problem is I’m not keen with parting with$73k USD for how I’d want one optioned....

AfromanGTO > shop-teacher
11/15/2016 at 18:50

Yes, it is. The LS engine family is a great durable engine. I wonder when they will start refining it with more exotic techniques and materials. Along with computer tuning.

AfromanGTO > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
11/15/2016 at 18:51

Ever have a Ford truck or older Mustang? Drive one of those, and you’ll understand. European Fords don’t seemed to have this issue.

shop-teacher > AfromanGTO
11/15/2016 at 18:57

The current ones are actually the LT family of motors, and they’re really pretty high tech.

AfromanGTO > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/15/2016 at 18:57

I figured getting rid of the black plastic was a trim package and 20K + away.

For the price of the Denali, you can get an Escalade, C7, Shelby Mustang, Hellcat, 75 Miatas, or 4 GTOs.

DynamicWeight > AfromanGTO
11/15/2016 at 19:31

A coworker had a rented Expedition last week. I got to drive it around the block. It felt pretty good for being so huge, but I could not imagine living with it day to day.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > AfromanGTO
11/16/2016 at 09:11

“Ever have a Ford truck or older Mustang?”

Nope and nope. Having said that, I think I should add a Mustang to my bucket list.

Though I’ve rented some Ford cube vans... but I never took any of those to 85mph.

“European Fords don’t seemed to have this issue.”

Or Mexican-Japanese ones (Ford Escort was built in Mexico using a Mazda Protege platform) or Japanese-Korean ones (Festiva was built in South Korea and was based on the Kia Pride, which in turn was based on the Mazda 121)

I just find it surprising that a car like the Mustang or a modern Ford truck would have hood shake issues as described while their cheaper/lower end vehicles don’t.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > AfromanGTO
11/16/2016 at 09:31

Great write up, thanks for sharing the experience!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
11/16/2016 at 09:37

Could it maybe be the mounting angle and size of the FWD vs RWD? FWD tends to go with a shorter, more steeply angled hood.

Don’t have anything to back this up, just a thought off the top of my head.

AfromanGTO > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
11/16/2016 at 09:53

American design and quality for you. Japanese and Asian designed cars are made better. Drive a fox body Mustang, and you’ll see it. lol

AfromanGTO > shop-teacher
11/16/2016 at 09:54

I didn’t know that. I assumed they were just the LS style 5.3 with cylinder deactivation. Like the L76 6.0 V8.

shop-teacher > AfromanGTO
11/16/2016 at 10:15

They have direct injection now, and a bunch of other little differences.

AfromanGTO > shop-teacher
11/16/2016 at 13:55

I am impressed with the differences. Getting 21 mpg on the interstate, and it was in V8 mode the whole time. It rarely was in the 4 cylinder mode.

shop-teacher > AfromanGTO
11/16/2016 at 14:06

I was surprised by the numbers you got. There’s something to letting a big motor go easy vs. winding up a smaller one.

AfromanGTO > shop-teacher
11/16/2016 at 14:22

I was as well. I couldn’t believe the Yukon got 21 mpg, and I didn’t even use the full tank. The Ford just seemed like the engine was working so much harder to move the weight around. Having the tq and power down low is better than having it higher up in the revs.