2020 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a cleanly styled full-size SUV. While some might have found its design boring, the simplicity of its lines promised longevity. The King Ranch variant stood out with 22-inch aluminum wheels, a mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test model looked impressive, though the taillight shape and body-colored C-pillar were points of contention. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, adorned with King Ranch logos. Despite the luxurious touches, the presence of hard plastic, especially in lower trims, was disappointing for a vehicle in this price range.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 retained its decade-old body shell with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn't see any styling changes but added silver 18-inch wheels on the Premium trim. The GX's aggressive look was distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior felt outdated, with wood trim resembling plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, but the overall interior quality didn't meet modern luxury SUV standards.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. The 10-speed automatic transmission delivered power to the rear wheels, with an optional 4WD system. The Expedition offered 9.8 inches of ground clearance (9.7 inches for the MAX 4WD) and impressive towing capacities: 9,300 pounds with rear-drive and 9,200 pounds with 4WD. The driving experience was mostly pleasing, with the engine providing ample power and the 10-speed automatic ensuring smooth gear shifts. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch did a great job of controlling ride motions, though the oversized wheels sometimes made the ride busy. The independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, as well as interior space. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 came with a 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's 5,130 pounds were noticeable at higher speeds, making merging and overtaking maneuvers challenging. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. The GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added useful features for off-roading. The GX had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles. It could tow up to 6,500 pounds, with stability control including a trailer-sway control function.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled at towing, carrying cargo, and hauling people. The King Ranch's power running boards made entry easy, and the seats were comfortable, especially the heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class accommodations, and the third-row bench was genuinely comfortable for adults. The independent rear suspension contributed to the impressive legroom. Cargo space in the standard-length Expedition was 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Expedition MAX offered even more space.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics felt outdated, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position were reminiscent of driving a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows and seating for seven, but the third row was best for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, which was easy to use but sometimes slow to respond. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system. The rear-seat entertainment system and Pro Trailer Backup Assist were notable highlights.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. The analog controls for climate and seat heaters were a refreshing change from touchscreen-centric interfaces.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 included the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, it lacked some safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.