I got the Max because I can fit a queen-size mattress in the back with the seats down. It’s great for camping or when we need an extra bed. The Sequoia and Yukon couldn’t fold their second row flat, so that made the decision easy for me.
I totally agree, the Sequoia’s cargo space is a joke. Love how the Expedition’s seats fold down flat!
We’ve got the 2021 Max Limited, and we love it. Needed the extra space for three kids and luggage. It’s a bit tough to park sometimes, but the cameras and sensors help. If you don’t need the extra space, the regular version should be fine.
We switched from an Expedition EL (now Max) to the regular version. Only had a couple of times where we needed more space, but the regular one fits in the garage much better.
I loved my Max! It was a beast, and the kids’ arguments were way in the back where I couldn’t hear them. 
Haha, that’s hilarious!
Go for the Platinum if you can. The suspension is so smooth, and the seats are incredibly comfortable. Plus, you get massaging seats!
We got the Lincoln Navigator L with the HD tow package. Love the extra cargo space, especially with twins on the way. Tows our 3,500 lb trailer no problem. The brake controller is great too.
Skip the power running boards, they can be unreliable. The Platinum is nice, but unless you really want all the fancy stuff, an XLT with the tow package should be enough for most needs. Also, if you’re not dealing with snow, you could skip the 4WD and save on gas.
If you figure out how to convince your spouse that traveling is fun, let me know!
I can fit a 10-foot piece of lumber in my Max.
Go for the Max if you want the bigger fuel tank and plan to tow. It’s only about 9 inches longer, and you’ll appreciate the space, especially coming from a van. The regular version’s trunk space is almost nothing when the third row is up.
I’ve got a Max Limited and it’s been great for towing our camper. Seats the kids comfortably, and it handles well in the snow.
We’ve got a 2021 Max Limited. It was plenty of space for us, three kids, and the in-laws on a 2,000-mile road trip. We used a hitch-mounted cargo carrier for some of the luggage, but no complaints about space.
I’ve got the regular version for a family of 4, and it’s plenty big. Wouldn’t want anything larger.
Are you talking about 3 kids or 3 adults? That’s the big difference between the regular and Max when it comes to rear seating.
If you’ve got 3+ kids, the Max is a no-brainer. But if you don’t need the third row or a ton of cargo space, the regular one should be fine. I’ve only driven the Max, but it’s got a ridiculous amount of room with the seats down.
Wife and I have the 2019 XLT regular, but if I could do it over, I’d get the Max with the tow package. It’s odd that the regular version’s towing capacity is limited to 6,000 lbs while the Max can tow 9,000 lbs.
If you need the extra trunk space, get the Max. I drive for Uber Black, and I rented a regular Expedition for a week. The trunk space was so small, I had to fold the third row down often just to fit bags. With the Max, I can fit all the luggage and still seat a family of six comfortably. It’s also not that hard to park, at least in Texas where parking spaces are big.
Go with the Max. But if you want to keep it in the garage, measure first!