re: Need a large SUV for a family of 6

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I'm interested in knowing the same. It seems ALL of the GM V8s with AFM are time bombs.

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We traded in our Z71 Suburban even after the AFM delete.

Have a 2024 Expedition Max now.

OP - I’d look at the Expedition Max give your kids ages. More room in 2nd & 3rd row than Suburban. Trade off is less cargo space behind 3rd row. Plus the 2nd row tip and slide seats that ford has are so much better than GM’s fold. Allows us to have 2nd row bench.

For those who drive minivans, how is it? Like many, I’ve always said I’d never drive a minivan but it seems like the most economical and practical vehicle for a family of 6.

I’d keep my truck and the wife primarily drive the minivan, but going from a truck my entire life to driving a minivan when we have the whole family would be a big shift (mentally ).

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I was intrigued by the diesel Suburban Z71 just for the fact I could drive near 700 miles on the interstate before filling up, but my short trips to and from work would probably not be ideal for a diesel engine. I do not know much about engines, but maybe someone here can elaborate on that.

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I was going to recommend the diesel. I have the 3.0L (same one on the suburban) in my '23 Sierra. It is a beast. I have gotten as high as 42 mpg over a 50 mile stretch. About 20-21 mpg while towing, if you need to do that.

As long as you let it warm up for a few minutes and are driving 15 mins or so, the short trips really aren't an issue. I take my wife's car if I have to make a short trip to the store.

And if the DPF filter does get clogged, you just take a drive on the interstate and roll some coal. It happens mostly in the winter, but I live in Utah.

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For those who drive minivans, how is it?

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Got a 2015 Honda Odyssey when we had our third child. As mentioned, sliding doors are a game changer. It’s the most practical vehicle I’ve had.

I traded my F150 and can haul 95% of what I did with the truck. Didn’t and still don’t need to tow. I can haul an 8’ sheet of plywood with the middle seats removed.

We’ve taken it camping, and summer before last on a 5,000 mile road trip to Montana and back. Added air bags to the rear coil springs, plus a 2” lift and SUV tires so no more squatting or hitting curbs parking.

Also have a rooftop carrier and hitch/rear platform for additional cargo.

The new sequoia unfortunately is cramped. It will get the job done, but it feels tight for a vehicle it size.

The correct answer is almost always a van. Other than that, you are looking at suburban and expeditions which each have their own problems.

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Great vehicle

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we had to put in a new engine at 30k miles

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This is the reason todays cars suck, people excusing something as big as an engine going out on a 80k+ vehicle at 30k miles.

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Hopefully, Apple Carplay is still an option for that trim.

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it won't be - they have announced it's getting nuked in the next year. we have an expedition and really like it. the suburban/yukon feels more premium comparatively, but expedition was a good bit cheaper for similar feature set and is a perfect kid hauler.

We’re on 58k miles with a 2019 Suburban LT 5.3L. At the risk of jinxing it, it’s been an amazing vehicle. Great highway MPG as well. I’d hesitate to ditch it for a newer Suburban or Yukon XL which seem to have more problems. If you can find a used 2019 with reasonable mileage I’d jump on it.

Ever looked at a Ford Flex?