Article Comments: 2007 Full-Size Domestic SUVs Comparison

26 messages, Last post on Nov 15, 2007 at 11:40 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, SUV

Article comments for Comparison Test: 2007 Full-Size Domestic SUVs - Capping off our comparo, we lashed a sizable burden to the back of each ute and made them pull it up Jacumba grade, an 11.5-mile interstate hill that spends a lot of time between 5 and 7 percent. (more)

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#1 of 26 Article Comments: 2007 Full-Size Domestic SUVs Comparison by KarenS HOST Dec 19, 2006 (11:43 am)
Take a look at our comparison of the 2007 domestic SUVs and tell us what you think. Comparison Test: 2007 Full-Size Domestic SUVs Replies to this message: misaniovent (Dec 19, 2006 3:18 pm) ricketts22 (Dec 20, 2006 9:36 am) actualsize (Dec 20, 2006 11:58 am) guessed (Oct 17, 2007 12:15 pm) canddmeyer (Dec 20, 2006 1:37 pm) cobra32 (Dec 20, 2006 9:17 pm) actualsize (Dec 21, 2006 12:08 pm) and 1 more... jerrywimer (Dec 21, 2006 4:56 am) 50k (Dec 24, 2006 4:23 pm)
#2 of 26 Re: Article Comments: 2007 Full-Size Domestic SUVs Comparison [KarenS] by misaniovent Dec 19, 2006 (3:18 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Dec 19, 2006 11:43 am) Honestly, I'm not surprised. Although I personally like the Tahoe, the fact that the Expedition has fold-flat third-row seats was, I imagine, a very large factor that GM wishes they hadn't screwed up on. With that in mind, I'd not buy either. If I absolutely had to, I'd get an Acadia.
#3 of 26 MISSING by 73shark Dec 19, 2006 (6:45 pm)
Couldn't tell for sure but it appeared that the Ford didn't have a full complement of gauges. Also didn't mention that the V4 mode on the Tahoe only comes in when coasting or going downhill. Wish my Tahoe had the fold flat third seat.
#4 of 26 Impressed by jerrywimer Dec 20, 2006 (4:08 am)
By the Expedition's performance when towing. Especially given the higher tow rating (and tested weight behind it). Despite many owners' claims that this particular engine felt week, it obviously is stronger than they perceive it to be. Having said that, the $50k Tahoe price HAS to be sticker, because I've seen LTZs going for less than that, which means they've also got 20" wheels / tires and the Autoride suspension system- addressing two areas that the Expy won in, steering/handling and rear sag when trailering. It's even possible to get the LTZ without the backup cam / nav, making the comparison even more apples-to-apples. Not that I think it would have won. It's obvious that the reviewers: 1) are enamored by smaller vehicles (heck, that's even expressed in writing!) 2) therefore love vanlike fold-into-the-floor seats and IRS All that says to me is that at least the review presents a lot of information, but if you're in the market for something like this, disregard the editors' opinions and go with the fact-based parts when deciding which vehicle suits your needs and desires. It could be that the fold-flat / IRS or Ford styling does it for you. If so, great. If not, great too.
#5 of 26 economy? by ricketts22 Dec 20, 2006 (9:36 am)
Replying to: KarenS (Dec 19, 2006 11:43 am) you guys didnt mention the fuel economy of the two SUVs. i'd kinda like to know how they did in a little more detail than the spec sheet, like what to expect on the highway, and when towing. Personally i dont need a third row seat, my '99 didnt even have the option, so its not really in the equation. A couple miles per gallon are a bigger deal. Replies to this message: actualsize (Dec 20, 2006 11:58 am) guessed (Oct 17, 2007 12:15 pm)
#6 of 26 Re: economy? [ricketts22] by actualsize Dec 20, 2006 (11:58 am)
Replying to: ricketts22 (Dec 20, 2006 9:36 am) Our actual observed fuel economy, 15.4 for the Chevy and 13.5 for the Ford, appears on the "Specifications and Performance" page, alongside the manufacturer's ratings. Towing fuel economy is shown and discussed under the "Tow Test Results and Explanation page," 8.1 for the Chevy and 7.7 for the Ford. Links to both of these pages appear in the column to the left of the story. As for things like the absences of gauge comments and V4 operational details, a very good observation, we couldn't put everything in this story. Since these trucks have previously had First Drives and Full Tests written about them, and the Tahoe is in our Long Term Road Test Blog fleet, we left certain details out to avoid redundancy and repetitiveness. Replies to this message: guessed (Oct 17, 2007 12:15 pm)
#7 of 26 Re: Article Comments: 2007 Full-Size Domestic SUVs Comparison [KarenS] by canddmeyer Dec 20, 2006 (1:37 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Dec 19, 2006 11:43 am) Despite weighing 280 more than the Tahoe, and being put at a disadvantage with another 1300+ pounds of ballast, the Expedition kicked butt with a 1600 pound penalty. Overall, a great article, but the towing test should have been done as is, without the ballast. Replies to this message: cobra32 (Dec 20, 2006 9:17 pm) actualsize (Dec 21, 2006 12:08 pm) ahightower (Dec 21, 2006 9:07 pm) jerrywimer (Dec 21, 2006 4:56 am)
#9 of 26 Re: Article Comments: 2007 Full-Size Domestic SUVs Comparison [canddmeyer] by cobra32 Dec 20, 2006 (9:17 pm)
Replying to: canddmeyer (Dec 20, 2006 1:37 pm) The tow test is totally useless. Both vehicle should have had the same weight to tow. Your logic is very flawed in that the 1300+ extra pounds that the Ford had to carry up would not effect its results in your tow test. It would be like doing a drag test and putting one vehicle with a 1300+ pound load and expecting it too not effect the outcome just because it rated to pull more. In a 1/4 mile test every hundred pounds is equal to 1/10 of a second extra time. So in a 1/4 mile distance of this tow test between the two vehicles you added over a full second every 1/4 of a mile to the Ford in the towing test. Tow ratings is not based on how fast you can pull a load but by how much your drivetrain can handle without falling apart. The only thing the Tow test shows is how the Ford can tow 6710 pounds up a hill and the Chevy only 5390 pounds up a hill. So how does the Ford rate at pulling 5390 pounds up a hill we will never know now will we. Do you guys think that maybe 1300+ pounds is gonna make a difference in the time and gas mileage of the Ford in the towing test it's a simple fact to move a heavier load will take more energy which means fuel and time than a lighter load. Replies to this message: actualsize (Dec 21, 2006 12:08 pm) ahightower (Dec 21, 2006 9:07 pm)
#10 of 26 Re: Article Comments: 2007 Full-Size Domestic SUVs Comparison [canddmeyer] by jerrywimer Dec 21, 2006 (4:56 am)
Replying to: canddmeyer (Dec 20, 2006 1:37 pm) I agree. This is why I was impressed with the posted observations of the Expedition's towing performance. I still don't understand all the owners' complaints that the engine feels weak, at least not based on the comparison test results here. Maybe Ford has improved something dramatically in the new drivetrain over the older ones though. BTW, the unloaded overall economy results still favor the Tahoe by a decent margin (15+ vs. 13+), so even though the tow test was a bit unbalanced purely because of the ratings, I doubt the Expy would've done much differently on the fuel economy thing than it already did. The hillclimbing (speed) numbers may've looked better though.