Hey everyone, I’ve got a question that’s been bugging me. I drove a relative’s 2007 Suburban and felt like the body roll was too much—kind of reminded me of our old Chevy Lumina where the suspension failed, and the car leaned so hard it was dangerous.
Now I’m wondering, for those who’ve driven both, how does a 2010-2017 Expedition EL compare to a similar year Suburban in terms of body roll? I haven’t had the chance to ride in an Expedition yet, so I’d love to hear what it feels like.
I had a 2019 Limited, and the body roll was pretty noticeable at first. The shocks were worn out, though—it had about 64k miles on it. I swapped in Bilstein 5100s, and it made a big difference. There’s way less roll now, but the trade-off is that the ride got a bit stiffer. So, it really comes down to what you’re looking for.
This really depends on the trim and suspension setup. The Suburban varies a lot depending on wheel size and suspension. Models with 17-18 inch wheels are softer, but they roll more and tend to bounce around a bit. If you’re looking at 20-inch wheels (or 22-inch on 2015+), the roll is reduced, but the ride gets a lot stiffer—some might even say uncomfortable.
The Expedition feels more consistent overall. It’s generally stiffer than a Suburban with smaller wheels but softer than one with big wheels. Before 2015, you could get air suspension on the Expedition, and that was great—super smooth. After 2015, Ford switched to adjustable shocks, which are good but not as nice as air springs. Overall, the Expedition feels more stable in different driving conditions compared to a Suburban.
I’ve got one in that year range, and the body roll isn’t bad at all. Like with any big SUV, you’ll feel it if you’re making sharp turns at higher speeds. As long as you keep up with regular suspension maintenance, get alignments, and use decent tires, Expeditions ride pretty well overall.
We’ve got a 2021 XLT 2WD, and yeah, you can feel the body roll, but it still feels controlled and safe. I mean, it’s a giant, heavy SUV rolling down the road, so it’s to be expected. I just adjust how I drive on curves. My advice? Pretend you’re driving a limo with people sipping drinks in the back, and you won’t even notice it.
I drive an '07 Expedition, and it’s solid. The roll isn’t too bad for normal driving, and I rarely even think about it. That said, I had the air suspension bypassed years ago, so it’s all mechanical now, and the ride feels pretty crisp. Way better than any budget sedan I’ve been in.
I’ve got a 3rd-gen Expedition EL Limited (2007-2017) with Michelins, standard suspension, and Bilstein shocks in the back. Honestly, body roll is minimal for a vehicle this size. I can take sharp turns on country roads without feeling like I’m tipping over. That said, I’ve got a bit of history—I rolled my Explorer once, so maybe I’m just careful now. 
I’ve driven an '08 Escalade and now own a '13 Expedition. The Expedition feels way safer to me. As long as you’re not yanking the wheel, you’re fine. I take exit ramps 10 mph over the posted limit and hug curves without any trouble, but it’s worth testing the limits first. Once you get the feel for it, you’ll know exactly how to drive it.
I’ve got a 2015 Expedition EL, and I hate how it drives. The body roll is really noticeable. If you hit a bump or take a corner, you can really feel the weight shift. It’s not great for handling at all.
The newer GM SUVs with magnetic suspension are on another level. The ride is super soft, but they also handle body roll surprisingly well for their size. I’d say the 2024 Tahoe with base suspension feels pretty close to my 2019 Expedition—there’s not a huge difference. The Ford is a bit floatier, though, while the Tahoe feels tighter and more controlled. Ever since 2021, GM’s switch to a fully independent suspension makes the Suburban/Tahoe ride noticeably better overall.
Thanks for sharing all of your experiences! This has been really helpful and gives me a much better idea of what to expect.