Families across St. Mary’s County know a full-size SUV has to do more than look good in the driveway. It has to tow the boat, haul the gear, and still have room for a full third row on the way to practice. A full-size 3-row SUV comparison only matters if it’s built on current numbers, so here’s how the 2026 Ford Expedition stacks up against the Chevrolet Tahoe, Toyota Sequoia, and Nissan Armada.
The 2026 Ford Expedition leads the full-size SUV class with up to 9,600 lbs of towing capacity, up to 123.1 cubic feet of max cargo space in the Expedition MAX, and available Ford BlueCruise hands-free highway driving, outpacing the Tahoe, Sequoia, and Armada on several specs that matter most to Southern Maryland drivers.
Lexington Park Ford has helped drivers across California, Lexington Park, St. Mary’s City, and Leonardtown choose the right full-size SUV for towing and everyday life for years, and we pulled the current 2026 spec sheets so you don’t have to. This guide breaks down power, towing, cargo, tech, and safety across all four SUVs, then helps you decide which one fits how you drive.
Key Points: Full-Size 3-Row SUV Comparison
- Best-in-class towing for adventure-ready families. The Expedition 4×4 tows up to 9,600 lbs, more than the Tahoe (8,400 lbs) or Armada (8,500 lbs), enough margin for a boat trailer bound for the Patuxent River or Chesapeake Bay.
- More room where families actually use it. The Expedition MAX offers up to 123.1 cubic feet of max cargo space, the largest figure in this comparison.
- Hands-free highway driving that’s actually built out. Ford BlueCruise covers 97% of controlled-access highways in the U.S. and Canada, more mapped coverage than Super Cruise or ProPILOT Assist.
Power and Performance: Built Ford Tough
The 2026 Ford Expedition comes standard with a 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 producing 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. The available 3.5L EcoBoost V6 High-Output engine, standard on the Tremor, delivers 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft.
| Vehicle | Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Fuel Economy (Est. City/Hwy) |
| Ford Expedition | 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 400 hp | 480 lb-ft | 16/24 MPG |
| Ford Expedition | 3.5L EcoBoost V6 HO | 440 hp | 510 lb-ft | 15/22 MPG |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 5.3L V8 | 355 hp | 383 lb-ft | 15/19 MPG |
| Chevrolet Tahoe High Country | 6.2L V8 | 420 hp | 460 lb-ft | 14/18 MPG |
| Toyota Sequoia | 3.4L i-FORCE MAX Hybrid V6 | 437 hp | 583 lb-ft | 19/22 MPG |
| Nissan Armada | 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 | 425 hp | 516 lb-ft | 16/19 MPG |
The Sequoia’s hybrid system posts the highest torque number here, but Ford’s EcoBoost approach delivers proven simplicity: over a decade of refinement, instant turbo torque for merging with a loaded trailer, and no hybrid battery weight to carry.
Key Performance Advantages:
- Standard EcoBoost output competitive with or ahead of every gas V8 in the class
- Instant turbo torque delivery for towing and acceleration
- Over a decade of EcoBoost refinement behind the current engine family
- Lower emissions than the segment’s larger-displacement V8s
Which Is the Best Full-Size SUV for Towing?
When it comes to hauling a boat, camper, or recreational trailer, the Expedition leads the pack:
- Ford Expedition 4×4: Up to 9,600 lbs
- Ford Expedition MAX 4×4: Up to 9,000 lbs
- Toyota Sequoia (RWD SR5): Up to 9,520 lbs, dropping closer to 9,000 lbs on heavier 4×4 trims
- Nissan Armada: Up to 8,500 lbs
- Chevrolet Tahoe: Up to 8,400 lbs with the Max Trailering Package
The Sequoia’s RWD-only figure looks strongest on paper, but most Sequoia 4×4 configurations tow closer to what the Expedition 4×4 already beats. The Expedition’s 10-speed transmission and EcoBoost torque curve are tuned around trailer loads, not just a peak number, which matters more on the hills between California, MD and the boat ramps along the Patuxent than horsepower alone.
2026 Ford Expedition MAX Cargo Capacity: Room for Everything
Standard Expedition:
- Seating for up to 8 passengers
- Up to 22.9 cu ft behind the third row
- Up to 69.9 cu ft behind the second row
- Up to 108.5 cu ft maximum cargo capacity
Expedition MAX (Extended Length):
- Up to 37.4 cu ft behind the third row
- Up to 84.5 cu ft behind the second row
- Up to 123.1 cu ft maximum cargo capacity
Storage Features: the Flex Powered Console slides forward for extra storage or back for easier second-row access, and the Multi-Function Ford Split Gate opens as a full liftgate or a smaller tailgate section for tight driveways.
| Vehicle | Behind 3rd Row | Behind 2nd Row | Max Cargo |
| Ford Expedition | Up to 22.9 cu ft | Up to 69.9 cu ft | Up to 108.5 cu ft |
| Ford Expedition MAX | Up to 37.4 cu ft | Up to 84.5 cu ft | Up to 123.1 cu ft |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 25.5 cu ft | 72.5 cu ft | 122.7 cu ft |
| Toyota Sequoia | Up to 22.3 cu ft (3rd row slid forward) | 49 cu ft | 86.9 cu ft |
| Nissan Armada | 20.4 cu ft | 56 cu ft | 97.1 cu ft |
The Expedition MAX edges out the Tahoe by less than half a cubic foot, but beats the Sequoia by more than 36 cubic feet, room for a couple extra coolers or a full set of camping gear.
Hands-Free Highway Driving: Ford BlueCruise for the Southern Maryland Commute
Ford BlueCruise is a driver-assist system that lets drivers keep their hands off the wheel on mapped, controlled-access highways while it manages steering, braking, and acceleration. It covers 97% of controlled-access highway miles across the U.S. and Canada, more than 130,000 mapped miles.
| Feature | Ford Expedition | Chevrolet Tahoe | Toyota Sequoia | Nissan Armada |
| Primary Display | 24″ panoramic + 13.2″ touchscreen | 17.7″ touchscreen | 8″–14″ touchscreen | Dual 12.3″–14.3″ displays |
| Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Hands-Free Highway Driving | Ford BlueCruise | Super Cruise (LT+) | Not offered | ProPILOT Assist 2.1 |
| Mapped Highway Coverage | 97% of controlled-access highways | Not publicly disclosed at this scope | N/A | Not publicly disclosed |
BlueCruise comes standard-equipped on Platinum, Tremor, and King Ranch trims, and is available on Active and Active MAX. For a household doing the regular DC or Annapolis run, that 97% coverage number is the difference between a feature you use twice and one you use every week.
Safety and Driver Assistance: Standard Protection for Full Families
Every 2026 Expedition comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, and Platinum, King Ranch, and Tremor trims add more capability on top of it.
Standard Co-Pilot360 Features:
- Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
- Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert and trailer coverage
- Lane-Keeping System and Lane Departure Warning
- Auto High-Beam Headlamps and Rear View Camera
Available Advanced Features:
- Ford BlueCruise hands-free highway driving
- 360-degree camera system
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go
- Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 with Intersection Assist (Tremor)
Off-Road Capability: Expedition Tremor Leads the Way
For families who split time between the highway and the back roads, the Ford Expedition Tremor is the only vehicle in this comparison built specifically for off-road use.
Tremor-Exclusive Features:
- 10.6 inches of ground clearance, best-in-class among these four SUVs
- 440-horsepower High-Output EcoBoost V6, standard
- 33-inch all-terrain tires and front skid plates
- Electronic-locking rear differential and Rock Crawl mode
Ground Clearance Comparison:
- Ford Expedition Tremor: 10.6 inches
- Ford Expedition (standard): 8.7 inches
- Nissan Armada PRO-4X: 9.5 inches
- Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro: 9.1 inches
- Chevrolet Tahoe Z71: 8.9 inches
The Tremor clears the next-closest competitor, the Armada PRO-4X, by more than an inch, while keeping the same third-row seating as the rest of the standard-wheelbase lineup. Tremor is available on the standard wheelbase only, not the MAX.
Experience the Ford Expedition Difference at Lexington Park Ford
The specs tell most of the story, but nothing replaces sitting behind the wheel of a 2026 Ford Expedition. With class-leading towing capacity, the largest available cargo space in the Expedition MAX, and hands-free highway driving built for real commutes, the Expedition holds up against the Tahoe, Sequoia, and Armada on the numbers that matter most.
Lexington Park Ford is located at 22659 Three Notch Road in California, MD, serving drivers throughout St. Mary’s County, including St. Mary’s City, Lexington Park, and Leonardtown, along with buyers making the drive from Fredericksburg and Alexandria, VA. Browse our current Expedition inventory online, or visit our showroom to schedule a test drive. The best way to find your match is behind the wheel. Contact Us Today!
Specifications and features may vary by model year, trim level, and configuration. MSRP figures exclude tax, title, license, and dealer fees; confirm current pricing with Lexington Park Ford before purchase. Fuel economy figures are EPA estimates; actual mileage will vary. Towing capacities are manufacturer-estimated and depend on configuration, equipment, and cargo.
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