Compare the2023 Ford Expedition MaxVS 2023 Jeep Wagoneer

The middle row seatbelts optional on the Expedition Max inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The Wagoneer doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

The Expedition Max has standard Post-Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Wagoneer doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Expedition Max’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Wagoneer.

Both the Expedition Max and the Wagoneer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

There are over 25 percent more Ford dealers than there are Jeep dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Expedition Max’s warranty.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Expedition Max have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Wagoneer.

The Expedition Max has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Wagoneer doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Expedition Max’s reliability 12 points higher than the Wagoneer.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

The Expedition Max has more powerful engines than the Wagoneer:

As tested in Motor Trend the Expedition Max Limited/KR/Platinum is faster than the Jeep Wagoneer V8 hybrid gas:

On the EPA test cycle the Expedition Max gets better mileage than the Wagoneer:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Expedition Max uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Wagoneer requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Expedition Max has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Wagoneer (27.8 vs. 26.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Expedition Max, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Wagoneer.

The Expedition Max stops much shorter than the Wagoneer:

The Expedition Max’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Wagoneer doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Expedition Max’s wheelbase is 8.6 inches longer than on the Wagoneer (131.6 inches vs. 123 inches).

The Expedition Max Platinum 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the Grand Wagoneer Series II pulls only .67 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Expedition Max Platinum 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the Wagoneer Series III 4x4 (28 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 30.4 seconds @ .52 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Expedition Max has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Wagoneer (9.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Expedition Max to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Ford Expedition Max may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 700 pounds less than the Jeep Wagoneer.

The Expedition Max has .7 inches more front headroom and 3 inches more front legroom than the Wagoneer.

The Expedition Max’s cargo area provides more volume than the Wagoneer.

The Expedition Max’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Wagoneer’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

On a hot day the Expedition Max’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Wagoneer can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Expedition Max’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Wagoneer doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Uconnect Access can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Insurance will cost less for the Expedition Max owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Expedition Max will cost $4740 to $7090 less than the Wagoneer over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Expedition Max will be $220 to $10246 less than for the Jeep Wagoneer.

The Ford Expedition/Expedition Max outsold the Jeep Wagoneer by 29% during 2022.