Compare the2025 Jeep WagoneerVS 2025 Ford Expedition Max

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Drivetrain
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Jeep Wagoneer has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Wagoneer has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Jeep Wagoneer achieved an “Acceptable” rating for its forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Ford Expedition Max which scored only a “Marginal” in these critical safety features.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Wagoneer Grand helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Wagoneer and the Expedition Max 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Jeep Wagoneer is safer than the Ford Expedition Max:

	Wagoneer	Expedition Max
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	125	165
Neck Stress	195 lbs.	361 lbs.
Neck Compression	84 lbs.	147 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Jeep Wagoneer is safer than the Expedition Max:

	Wagoneer	Expedition Max
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	123	245
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	2 cm	19 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	1.7/1.6 kN	4.5/4.8 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	2%/3%
Lower Leg Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Tibia index R/L	.66/.59	.9/1.33

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Jeep Wagoneer is safer than the Ford Expedition Max:

	Wagoneer	Expedition Max
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	20	23
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.5 inches
Abdominal Force	106 lbs.	108 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	37	61
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	47 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Wagoneer for 5 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Expedition Max.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Ford With 49 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Jeep higher than Ford.

Engine

The Wagoneer’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (420 vs. 400) than the Expedition Max’s standard 3.5 turbo V6. The Grand Wagoneer’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 100 more horsepower (540 vs. 440) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (521 vs. 510) than the Expedition Max’s optional 3.5 turbo V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Wagoneer
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	17 city/24 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/23 hwy
Expedition Max
	RWD	3.5 turbo V6	16 city/24 hwy
	AWD	3.5 turbo V6 (400 HP)	15 city/22 hwy
		3.5 turbo V6 (440 HP)	15 city/22 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Wagoneer 5.7 Hemi’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Wagoneer has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Expedition Max. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Drivetrain

The Wagoneer has Quadra-Trac, a true four-wheel-drive system, which uses a four wheel traction control system to redirect engine power to the axle and wheel that still has traction to keep the Wagoneer moving if even only one wheel still has traction. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a true four-wheel drive system; it could get stuck while one or more wheels still have traction.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Wagoneer’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Expedition Max:

	Wagoneer	Expedition Max
Front Rotors	14.9 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	14.8 inches	13.2 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Wagoneer has larger standard tires than the Expedition Max (275/55R20 vs. 265/70R18).

The Wagoneer’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Expedition Max’s standard 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Wagoneer has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Expedition Max.

The Wagoneer has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The Wagoneer offers an optional automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Wagoneer’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the Wagoneer’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the Expedition Max’s (40.2 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Wagoneer Air Suspension has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Expedition Max (10 vs. 9.7 inches), allowing the Wagoneer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Wagoneer is 7 inches shorter than the Expedition Max, making the Wagoneer easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Wagoneer has 7.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Expedition Max (179.2 vs. 172).

The Wagoneer has 1.1 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear legroom, .7 inches more rear hip room, .4 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.6 inches more third row headroom, .1 inches more third row legroom, .2 inches more third row hip room and .2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Expedition Max.

Cargo Capacity

The Wagoneer’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Expedition Max’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Wagoneer’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its tailgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Expedition Max is limited to 9000 pounds. The Wagoneer offers up to a 10,000 lbs. towing capacity.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Expedition Max, the Wagoneer Grand offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, foot pedal distance, outside mirror angle and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Wagoneer’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Expedition Max.

The Wagoneer’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Expedition Max does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Wagoneer offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Wagoneer’s standard front and rear power windows all open with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Expedition Max’s rear windows don’t open automatically. The Wagoneer Grand’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches.

The Wagoneer’s standard Keyless Enter-N-Go allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Expedition Max only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Wagoneer’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Expedition Max’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Wagoneer has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Wagoneer to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Wagoneer is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Expedition Max’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Wagoneer has standard front air conditioned seats and the Wagoneer Grand Series III also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Wagoneer has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Expedition Max.

The Jeep Wagoneer has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the driver’s visor. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Ford charges extra for Homelink® on the Expedition Max.

The Wagoneer’s optional ParkSense Automated Parking can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Wagoneer first among large suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Expedition Max isn’t in the top three.

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