[JAR0023]

7 adults or are some of them kids. 7 adults rules out some of the almost full size SUV's.

Rented a Suburban for three weeks in Montana last summer. Loverd the engine and trans. Shifted manually it would hold it's decent speed until you touched the brake or accelorator. Cylinder deactivation meant I was getting a computer posted not measured 18-20 mpg. I'm biased and not a Chevy fan so by the end of week one some of the inside features were bugging me. The solid axle rear means that there is no footwell for the third row passengers so they better be short legged. Also the third row seat has to remved to use the rear for cargo.

I own and really like an 04 Expedition. It gives up power to the Suburban but has a more comfortable ride to me wiht independent rear suspension. Also the rear seats fold into the floor well. Adults fit better in the back b/c of dropped floor. Regular Expedition won't have much cargo room at all with rear seats up for passengers...but Ford now makes a long wheelbase Expedition to solve that.

My Expedition is 4wd and handles the mud/dirt/snow well. Has true low range as well as 'auto' mode. Amazingly enough we got 10 inches of snow two years ago and it did well.

Buddy has an older Toyota Tundra and loves it. Much like the Ford, though full of people there is little cargo space. He was warned off the newer Tundra's with 5 spd auto trans by a Toyota factory tech which is why he went with older model.

J