The Excursion is the weightlifting champion, but only marginally: 1,630 instead of 1,610, according to published tests. But the blue-oval behemoth is the clear loser of the tug-of-war: a V8, 2WD Excursion can only tow 6,100 pounds, vs. a 2WD Suburban 1500's 8,400 pounds. Capacity varies among models, but the Excursion tops out at 11,000 pounds, only to get bested again by the Suburban 2500's 12,000.
But enough about payload and towing. Everyone knows the real-world purpose of these two: to transport 150 pounds of human flesh to Albertson's to retrieve a box of corn flakes - a task that even the 77-cubic-foot Suburban can handle. The Suburban's more advanced suspension, more competitive engine, and more maneuverable size might make a case for themselves in confined city surroundings.
The press is unanimous: the Suburban glides over the road in comparison to the constantly pounding Excursion. While the Excursion lumbers around with wooly mammoth clumsiness, the Suburban frolics around with elephant-like agility. This increases to a world of difference when comparing Suburbans equipped with optional 4-wheel steering, unavailable at Ford. Suburbans can also stop on a dime (153 feet) while Excursions need a dollar (166). And since the Suburban has 50 extra horsepower pulling around 1,500 fewer pounds, acceleration is no contest. That victory comes free, since the Suburban's overall gas mileage at least reaches the teens (13). And for any couple insane enough to have seven kids, the Suburban's eight-or-nine-passenger seating capacity (depending on model) mirrors the Excursion's.
|