Is Excursion the biggest SUV?
The Ford Excursion, produced from 1999 to 2005, is widely regarded as the longest mass‑produced SUV in history and is often described as the biggest SUV by exterior length. In today’s market, several extended models come close in size, but the Excursion’s extreme length remains a benchmark for production SUVs.
Historical context and design
The Excursion was built on Ford’s heavy‑duty Super Duty truck chassis, sharing DNA with heavy pickups to maximize towing and payload capacity. It offered seating for up to nine people, substantial cargo space, and a beefy powertrain lineup designed for long‑haul family trips and fleet use. Its size was driven by a combination of a long wheelbase, a stretched body, and a ladder‑frame construction that prioritized durability over fuel economy.
What made it notably large
Key factors included an extended body, a generous interior for passengers and cargo, and the ability to carry heavy loads. The Excursion pushed the boundaries of what Ford offered in a passenger SUV and entered the realm of vehicles often described as “giant” by enthusiasts and reviewers. The model was eventually discontinued after the 2005 model year due to shifting market preferences and regulatory pressures, not because it failed to perform, but because demand tilted toward more efficient crossovers.
Current landscape: how it compares today
To understand how the Excursion stacks up against today’s largest SUVs, here is a snapshot of current extended models that are closest in size. The exact exterior length can vary by model year and trim, but these vehicles are among the longest you can buy new now.
- Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL — Among the longest current production SUVs, typically in the mid‑ to upper‑220‑inch range depending on year.
- Ford Expedition Max — The extended variant of the Expedition, with overall length approaching similarly long figures in recent generations.
- Cadillac Escalade ESV — The extended Escalade variant, offering substantial length close to other full‑size, extended SUVs.
In summary, the Excursion remains a historic benchmark for size in the SUV segment. Modern extended SUVs come very close in length, with several models matching or nearly matching the Excursion’s footprint depending on the model year. The category today is defined more by a family of long‑wheelbase options rather than a single, definitive “biggest” champion.
What does “biggest” mean in practice?
Size can be measured in multiple ways: exterior length, interior volume, seating capacity, and payload capability. The Excursion’s claim to fame rests primarily on exterior length and overall mass. Contemporary rivals may match its spacious rear seating and cargo volume or offer similar towing and payload figures, even if their exterior dimensions differ slightly. Buyers often weigh longest length against newer efficiency, technology, and comfort features when comparing today’s giants.
Summary
The Ford Excursion is historically recognized as the longest mass‑produced SUV, earning it a place in automotive lore as one of the biggest SUVs ever built. While today’s extended SUVs from Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, and Cadillac come close in length and capacity, the Excursion’s exact dominance depends on how you measure size and which model year you compare. In practice, it set a high bar for what an SUV could be, and current offerings continue to push near that boundary with modern design and efficiency.
What is considered the biggest SUV?
The largest SUV is the 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ, with a length of 228.5228.5228.5 inches, making it the longest production SUV currently available. It is followed closely by other large SUVs like the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer L / Grand Wagoneer L at 226.7226.7226.7 inches and the 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV at approximately 226.0226.0226.0 to 227.0227.0227.0 inches, and the Chevrolet Suburban, which also offers immense size and cargo space.
- Cadillac Escalade IQ: The largest overall, this all-electric SUV is 228.5228.5228.5 inches long and built on GM's Ultium platform.
- Jeep Wagoneer L / Grand Wagoneer L: At 226.7226.7226.7 inches, the Wagoneer L is just a fraction of an inch shorter than the Escalade IQ and offers impressive towing capacity.
- Cadillac Escalade ESV: This is another large SUV from Cadillac, with a length of about 226.0226.0226.0 to 227.0227.0227.0 inches, offering a significant amount of interior space for passengers and cargo.
- Chevrolet Suburban: A classic and long-standing option for those needing maximum size and cargo volume, it comes in an extended-wheelbase version that makes it one of the biggest SUVs available.
Is the Excursion the biggest SUV?
No, the Ford Excursion was the largest mass-produced SUV of its time, but it is no longer the biggest. While it remains one of the largest SUVs ever made, the Cadillac Escalade ESV is longer, and the GMC Hummer EV SUV is heavier. The Excursion was discontinued in 2010, but Ford has trademarked the nameplate again, possibly for a new, large SUV coming in the future.
Ford Excursion vs. current SUVs
- Size: Although the Excursion was immense, other vehicles have surpassed it. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV is currently the largest mass-produced SUV in terms of length.
- Weight: The Ford Excursion was one of the heaviest SUVs, but the GMC Hummer EV SUV is now heavier.
- Legacy: The Excursion is often remembered for its unmatched size, towing capacity, and cargo space.
Other large SUVs currently available
- Cadillac Escalade ESV: Is considered the largest mass-produced SUV in 2025.
- Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL: Offer the most cargo space in their class, with 144.7 cubic feet of room.
- Ford Expedition MAX: The largest SUV currently offered by Ford, though it is not as long as the Excursion.
What is Ford's largest SUV?
Ford's largest SUV is the Ford Expedition, with the extended-length Expedition Max being the largest version available. It is a full-size SUV known for its spacious interior, cargo room, and strong towing capabilities, built on the F-150 truck chassis.
Key features of the Expedition Max
- Size: The Max version is significantly longer than the standard Expedition, measuring around 221 inches in length.
- Power: It offers powerful engine options, including a high-output version of a 3.5L twin-turbo V6.
- Towing: It has a robust towing capacity of up to 9,600 lbs.
- Interior: The interior is designed for comfort and luxury, with advanced technology and premium materials, especially on top trims like the Platinum.
Is the Excursion bigger than the expedition?
The Ford Excursion is bigger than the Ford Expedition. The Excursion, which was produced from 2000 to 2005, is longer and has a heavier-duty chassis than the Expedition, making it the largest SUV Ford has ever made.
- Ford Excursion: This model was built on a Super Duty F-250 pickup truck platform, giving it a longer length of over 226 inches.
- Ford Expedition: The Expedition, while still a large SUV, is smaller than the Excursion. Its longest variant, the Expedition MAX, measures approximately 222 inches in length.
