We've been doing our Best In Class Awards for six years now and based on the positive feedback, it has a lot of good buying information. Where else can you get such a comprehensive set of specifications all in one place, where you can instantly compare those specs, head-to-head, with their direct competitors? We've tapped into our vast driving experience with each one of these vehicles and made our selection based on the most significant criteria. Admittedly, we tend to lean toward bigger engines, larger towing capacities, and stronger bang-for-the-buck readings, so we don't expect our priorities to be an identical match to yours. That's why (in the past) we've listed all available chart information--fuel economy, passenger seating, and optional engine costs--on every vehicle.
Of course, getting that information often changes as fast as the information itself.
All pricing information presented here is from the most current edition of the 2007 Edition of the "Kelley Blue Book New Car Price Manual."
Best Full-size SUV
Ford Expedition EL
Essentially an all-new design this year, the short-wheelbase Expedition and newly added longer-wheelbase Expedition EL do much better when going head to head with the comparable Tahoe and Suburban. The new interior is impressive, and there are clever seat mechanisms that allow for tons of room, sometimes at the push of a button (like in the third row). Additionally, Ford is also the only full-size SUV to offer a six-speed transmission for a strong off-the-line feel as well as good real-world fuel economy on long trips. The six-speed gave us much better mileage numbers when directly compared with the GM Active Fuel Management system, which includes cylinder deactivation, in either the Tahoe or Suburban. Because the EL gives more room, a bigger payload, and carries more baseball players, the biggest new kid on the block gets the vote.
| Full-size 4WD SUV |
| Vehicle | Chevy Suburban/ GMC Yukon XL | Chevy Tahoe/ GMC Yukon | Dodge Durango |
| Base price | $40,360/$41,185 | $38,355/$39,065 | $30,005 |
| Wheelbase | 130 | 116 | 119.2 |
| Base engine | 5.3L OHV V-8 | 4.8L OHV V-8 | 4.7L SOHC V-8 |
| Optional engine | 6.0L V-8 ($1095); 6.2L V-8 ($9000) | 5.3L V-8 ($800); 6.2L V-8 ($9000) | 5.7L V-8 ($1780) |
| Airbags | Dual, side | Dual, side | Dual |
| Largest tires | 265/70R17 | 265/70R17 | 265/75R17 |
| Fuel capacity, gal | 31 | 26 | 27 |
| EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 15/21 (14/18) | 16/19 (14/18) | 14/19 (11/15) |
| Max pass | 9 | 7 | 8 |
| Base curb weight, lb | 5323 | 5037 | 4471 |
| GVWR, lb | 7000 | 6500 | 6600 |
| Max cargo capacity, cu ft | 131.6 | 104.6 | 102.4 |
| Max towing capacity, lb | 8400 | 7700 | 9000 |
| Full-size 4WD SUV cont... |
| Vehicle | Ford Expedition/ Expedition EL | Nissan Armada | Toyota Sequoia |
| Base price | $32,895/$37,355 | $38,485 | $37,290 |
| Wheelbase | 119.0/131.0 | 123.2 | 118.1 |
| Base engine | 5.4L SOHC V-8 | 5.6L DOHC V-8 | 4.7L DOHC V-8 |
| Optional engine | NA | NA | NA |
| Horsepower, SAE | 300 | 317 | 273 |
| Torque, SAE | 365 | 385 | 314 |
| Airbags | Dual, side, head | Dual, head | Dual |
| Largest tires | 265/70R17 | 265/70R18 | 265/65R17 |
| Fuel capacity, gal | 28.0/33.5 | 28 | 26.4 |
| EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 14/18 | 13/19 | 15/18 |
| Max pass | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Base curb weight, lb | 5578/5928 | 5302 | 5100 |
| GVWR, lb | 7700/7900 | 7100 | 6700 |
| Max cargo capacity, cu ft | 108.5/130.8 | 97.1 | 128.1 |
| Max towing capacity, lb | 9030 | 9000 | 6200 |