Chevy and Ford are icons of the auto industry, and their rivalry extends to large body-on-frame SUVs via the Suburban and Expedition, respectively. These models have been competing for over 25 years, aiming for supremacy among San Antonio drivers who want a vehicle that's both rugged and family-friendly. 2025's iterations continue this battle, with Ford unveiling the latest generation of the Expedition in an attempt to overtake the world's oldest nameplate.
Does the new Expedition succeed, or does the Suburban remain the full-size SUV king? We've compared the two, and in our estimation, finding a Chevy Suburban for sale near San Antonio is the right choice for most buyers. Those who want a roomy, efficient, versatile, customizable, and well-connected SUV with a traditional truck-based body will get their wishes with the 2025 Chevy Suburban.
A Diesel Powertrain Option
Due to their size, full-size SUVs are often purchased as family vehicles, as they can comfortably accommodate three rows of passengers. That said, such a large SUV is known to slurp through gas, meaning a hefty bill at the fuel pump that can cramp your family's budget.
Chevrolet recognizes this dilemma and comes to the rescue by offering a diesel engine option for the Suburban. Updated for 2025, the 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel I-6 gets an EPA-estimated 23 MPG combined in RWD and 22 MPG combined in 4WD, representing a total range of nearly 650 miles. You can travel from San Antonio to Laredo and back twice without filling up! By comparison, the 2025 Ford Expedition maxes out at 19 MPG combined in RWD and 18 MPG combined in 4WD, so you get bigger savings and fewer stops if you go with a diesel Suburban.
This diesel powerplant also makes a whopping 495 lb-ft of torque with 305 hp, making it a great choice for towing, hill-climbing, and off-roading. It's one of three engine choices for prospective Suburban owners, as you can also get a 5.3L V8 with 355 hp or a 6.2L V8 with 420 hp, so there's certainly an engine that'll suit you.
Way More Cargo Space
On a related note, whether you're buying a full-size SUV for weekdays or weekends, you want lots of room. It's not just people you're carrying; you need to fit suitcases for vacation, football equipment for practice, and boxes to help friends move.
The 2025 Chevy Suburban is the king of cargo among full-size SUVs, outclassing the 2025 Ford Expedition (and everyone else, for that matter). The Suburban has 41.5 cu.ft. of storage space with all the seats up and a mammoth 144.7 cu.ft. with the second and third rows laid flat. The Expedition has a mere 21.6 and 108.5 cu.ft., respectively. Even the extended-wheelbase Ford Expedition Max still has significantly less cargo room than the Suburban at 36.1 and 123.1 cu.ft., respectively.
You might think such a large cargo bay would come at the expense of passenger space, but that's not the case. The Suburban has more front legroom and headroom than the Expedition, and the measurements in the second and third rows are so similar that your rearmost passengers won't notice the difference. From Kingsboro Ridge to Alamo Heights, everyone and everything will have all the space they need.
Go Off-Roading in the Z71
As we mentioned earlier, one of the benefits of owning a body-on-frame SUV is that it's tough enough to handle advanced trails, rocks, and dunes. To this end, both of these vehicles can be had with off-road-oriented outfits: the Chevy Suburban Z71 and Ford Expedition Tremor. Each has its highlights, but if you're a San Antonio off-road enthusiast on a budget, the Chevy is the better choice.
Building on one of the most famous off-road packages ever released, the 2025 Chevy Suburban Z71 has everything serious off-roaders could need:
- A two-speed active transfer case gives you high-low gearing sets for crawling or steep hills.
- All-terrain tires mounted on 20-inch wheels increase grip on dirt, mud, and grass.
- The front and rear aluminum skid plates protect the drivetrain from impacts.
- A mechanical limited-slip rear differential is standard, or you can have an electronic one that can shut off and on as needed.
- Hill Descent Control keeps your Suburban reigned in while charging down mountains.
- A heavy-duty air filter keeps more dirt out of the engine.
- A dual-outlet exhaust reduces back pressure on the engine for more pop.
- To make your SUV even more powerful, add the Adaptive Air Ride Suspension, performance air intake, and enhanced radiator cooling.
You get all that and more at a list price that's $9k lower than the Ford Expedition Tremor! The two models' off-road specs are remarkably similar, making the Suburban Z71 a better buy when you need an extreme adventure vehicle.
Extra Trim Level Choices
There's more to an SUV than off-roading, which is why automakers tend to offer at least a few different trim levels. With such a diversity of people living in and around San Antonio, you want as many choices as possible to ensure you'll find the ideal match.
The 2025 Chevy Suburban steps up with six trim levels. The Suburban LS is the baseline trim for the tightest budgets or those who want the most customization. The Suburban LT adds some convenience features, while the RST gives this SUV a sporty, aggressive makeover. For those who desire luxury, the Suburban Premier and High Country offer two levels of sophistication. And, of course, we've already discussed the Z71.
As for the Ford Expedition, you only get four trim levels: the Active, Platinum, Tremor, and King Ranch. There's no sporty option, and there's no "in-between" trim like the LT. It will be easier to get exactly what you want with nothing less or more when you choose a Suburban.
More Ways to Connect
Then again, it's hard not to want more when it comes to tech. Staying connected is a must, whether your Suburban is a grocery getter or an I-35 cruiser. The 2025 Suburban and Expedition are both endowed with tech, with standard features like large touchscreens, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 360-degree camera, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an available surround sound system.
However, the Chevrolet Suburban has a few bonuses that elevate its infotainment over the Expedition:
- A wireless charging pad is standard on all Suburban trim levels, while the Expedition only standardizes it on some.
- The same goes for third-row USB-C ports, which all 2025 Suburbans have, so you can keep everyone's devices fully charged. There are also USB Type-A ports in the front to keep those charging cables relevant.
- The Suburban has a head-up display that's standard on the High Country and available on all other trims, whereas the Expedition doesn't offer this at all.
Also, the Chevy Suburban has a separate 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and 11-inch digital gauge cluster, while the Expedition uses a single stretched screen unit. San Antonio residents who prefer to keep things separate with a more traditional layout will like the Suburban's setup.
Drive Farther and Better in the 2025 Suburban
You don't have to go far to get from the streets of San Antonio to the wilderness of Southern Texas, and the 2025 Chevy Suburban is a vehicle that's equipped for both. It's a spacious, comfortable, family-oriented SUV that also offers better fuel efficiency, more budget-friendly options, more choices, and more connectivity than the competition.
Visit North Park Chevrolet to test-drive the 2025 Suburban and learn more about why it should be your next family vehicle. As a five-time Dealer of the Year, we are the destination to find a new Chevy Suburban near San Antonio. With a no-hassle sales experience, competitive financing, and a state-of-the-art service center, we provide everything to get your Suburban on the road or trail.
