Compare the2024 Ford Expedition MaxVS 2024 Jeep Wagoneer L

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 L 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 L 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 L.

Both the Expedition Max and Wagoneer L have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Expedition Max has Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Wagoneer L’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Expedition Max and the Wagoneer L 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 20 percent more Ford dealers than there are Jeep dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Expedition Max’s warranty.

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 L 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 13 points higher than the Wagoneer L.

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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 4 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

The Expedition Max has more powerful engines than the Wagoneer L:

On the EPA test cycle the Expedition Max 3.5 turbo V6 4x4 gets better fuel mileage than the Grand Wagoneer L (16 city/22 hwy vs. 14 city/20 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Expedition Max uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Grand Wagoneer L requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

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 L.

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 L doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Expedition Max’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Wagoneer L (131.6 inches vs. 130 inches).

The Expedition Max Platinum 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the Grand Wagoneer L 4x4 pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Expedition Max has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Wagoneer L (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 550 to 900 pounds less than the Jeep Wagoneer L.

The Expedition Max is 4.8 inches shorter than the Wagoneer L, making the Expedition Max easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

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 L’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Expedition Max’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Wagoneer L’s (6000 vs. 5750 pounds).

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 L 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 L 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 $3200 to $9320 less than the Wagoneer L 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 $9991 to $36016 less than for the Jeep Wagoneer L.

The Ford Expedition/Expedition Max outsold the Jeep Wagoneer by almost three to one during 2023.