Anyone Compared a 2023 Ford Expedition to a 2024 Escalade? My Experience

I just rented a 2023 Ford Expedition Limited while my 2024 Cadillac Escalade Sport Diesel was in the shop (got hit in a parking lot last August). I’m curious—what do people here think of the Expedition, especially those who drive it daily? Honest opinions are welcome.

Here’s what I noticed: the ride wasn’t what I expected. It felt like I was driving a van—every bump in the road was noticeable. Compared to my Escalade, which feels smooth as butter, the Expedition’s suspension felt pretty rough.

The engine had some pep, which was nice, but it didn’t feel well-matched with the rest of the car. For example, in something like a Porsche Macan GTS, the power feels intentional and cohesive. In the Expedition, it was like the engine and the rest of the car weren’t on the same page.

Another thing: the cabin was loud. Road and wind noise were way more noticeable, making long drives less enjoyable. It left me wondering—does the Raptor F-150 really feel that different, or is it mostly hype? Can suspension upgrades fix everything?

I know the Escalade costs more (like $45k more), so I wasn’t expecting a perfect match. But even for its price range, I thought the Expedition would feel more polished. There were creaks and rattles, the leather seemed outdated, and the stitching looked sloppy.

So, what’s the general vibe here? Are Expeditions worth it? Does the Navigator feel significantly better? And for those who’ve driven a Raptor F-150—does the upgraded suspension make a big difference, or is it all marketing?

Thanks for reading. I’m curious to hear your thoughts!

If you’re comparing to an Escalade, the Navigator would be a better match. It has upgrades in comfort the Expedition doesn’t have.

Oakes said:
If you’re comparing to an Escalade, the Navigator would be a better match. It has upgrades in comfort the Expedition doesn’t have.

Fair point. I’ll try to test drive a Navigator soon. Does it have the same engine, though? I need to check.

@Yan
Yeah, it’s the same engine but tuned for more power. The Expedition has 375hp, while the Navigator goes up to 440hp. That might change a bit for 2025. My 2020 Navigator felt way stronger than my Expedition.

@Davi
Good to know, thanks! I didn’t realize the tuning made such a difference.

Yan said:
@Davi
Good to know, thanks! I didn’t realize the tuning made such a difference.

Yep! I’m actually excited for the 2025 Expedition. They’re adding a sport performance package that makes it very close to a Navigator. But if I could choose any SUV, I’d go for the 2025 Navigator Black Label—it’s stunning.

@Davi
It’s tough to pick between the 2025 Escalade with the 6.2L engine and the Navigator Twin Turbo. Both have their perks.

I own an Expedition and sometimes rent a Navigator or Suburban for work trips. Here’s my take:

The Suburban and Escalade have been the gold standard for big SUVs, and there’s a reason for that. But they’re very different vehicles. A truck-based SUV like the Expedition won’t ride as smooth as something with magnetic suspension. If your rental had 22-inch wheels, that probably made the ride worse too.

I do think the Navigator is more comfortable than GM’s magnetic ride. But GM handles better overall—it feels more planted. I don’t know the stats, but I’d trust a GM SUV more in a tight corner.

About the engine—maybe the fake exhaust sounds in the Expedition didn’t help? But your 3.0L diesel is just amazing. Switching to anything else would be disappointing. That said, Ford’s 3.5L turbo is a beast, especially at higher altitudes.

The Navigator improves a lot of what you didn’t like, but it still feels like a polished Expedition. The Escalade feels like its own thing, not just a Suburban with upgrades. If you’re looking for top refinement, the Navigator doesn’t quite reach Escalade level.

@Wylie
You’re spot on about the Escalade handling. It corners way better than most SUVs its size.

I’ve been spoiled with engines. I started with a 3.0 EcoDiesel, then had two Macans, and now the Duramax in my Escalade. I guess I need to drive a Raptor next to see how it feels with all the upgrades.

This post is stirring the pot, but I like it!

Bay said:
This post is stirring the pot, but I like it!

Haha, just sharing my honest thoughts.

So… the $50k more expensive car is better. Shocking.

Mai said:
So… the $50k more expensive car is better. Shocking.

Fair, but the Expedition Limited isn’t cheap either—it’s around $70k. At that price, it should feel more refined.

I’ve owned several Ford SUVs and think they’ve fallen behind recently. The Expedition’s platform is old now. It felt competitive when it came out, but newer SUVs have caught up.

Ford needs to add more suspension options like GM does. The Expedition’s basic springs aren’t great. If your rental didn’t have the adjustable dampers, that could explain a lot of the rough ride.

@Davi
Thanks for the insight! I’ll be keeping an eye on the 2025 models. Hoping Ford steps it up this time.