2021 Ford Expedition vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum greeted six weary travelers at Los Angeles International Airport with its plush and roomy interior. Despite its luxurious Platinum trim, the Expedition struggled to accommodate all the luggage, forcing one passenger to carry a suitcase on her lap for the 40-mile ride. The vehicle's intricate chrome grille, massive 22-inch wheels, and brightwork gave it a bold presence, but the lack of cargo space highlighted the utility of minivans for such trips.

Once home, the Expedition's leather-lined cabin provided comfort for the six-person crew. The interior, borrowing from the F-150 parts bin, featured a mix of high-quality materials and hard plastics, reminding occupants of its origins. The extended-length MAX version would have solved the cargo issue, offering more space for both passengers and luggage.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, with its Black Onyx paint and minimal chrome, transformed into a rolling black hole, attracting dust and looking drab within 24 hours. The GX's design, reminiscent of its 2002 predecessor, appeared dated despite modern touches like the spindle grille and LED headlights. Inside, the cabin's quality was undeniable, with smooth, refined materials and a quiet atmosphere, save for the V8 engine's faint roar.

The GX 460, available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, ranged from $56,700 to $66,210. The Black Line Special Edition, based on the Premium trim, started at $60,535. Despite its dated appearance, the GX's interior quality and refinement remained impressive, offering a comfortable and quiet ride.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The engine produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with the Platinum trim boosting these figures to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. Towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, depending on the specification, and the Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology made maneuvering trailers easier.

Acceleration was impressive, even with a full load, and the twin-turbo V6 emitted a pleasant engine note. The transmission operated smoothly, and the steering and brakes performed as expected. However, the Platinum's 22-inch wheels affected ride quality, transmitting road shock into the cabin despite the adaptive damping suspension. The Expedition's four-wheel independent suspension kept it stable on the road.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system, distributing power 40% to the front wheels and 60% to the rear. The GX's 7.8-second run to 60 mph felt more exciting due to the torque, and it had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The GX's shape and weight contributed to a high drag coefficient of 0.35, resulting in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The test vehicle returned 16.8 mpg on the evaluation loop. The Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved ride stability and off-road capability, making the GX agreeable to drive despite its age. The slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal were the least appealing aspects of the driving experience.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for all passengers, including adults in the third row. The independent rear suspension ensured comfort, and storage for odds and ends was plentiful. Cargo volume expanded from 19.3 cubic feet to 57.5 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded, and the maximum volume behind the front seats was 104.6 cubic feet. The Expedition MAX offered even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position and clear visibility from a 10-way power-adjustable seat. The interior featured comfortable seats and well-placed padding, though some switchgear was old-school. The Black Line Special Edition included NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the back seats were heated, with triple-zone automatic climate control.

Entering the rear seat was tricky due to narrow door openings, but once inside, there was plenty of legroom. The third-row seat was challenging to access and uncomfortable for adults, with limited rear crush space. The GX's cargo space was limited, with 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. The side-swinging tailgate made loading difficult, especially in tight spaces.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, FordPass Connect, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and navigation. The system was user-friendly but sometimes slow to respond. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and wireless smartphone charging but lacked the dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 introduced a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eliminating the need for the old Remote Touch Interface touchpad. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, navigation, and a CD player. The Lexus app and Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot, were also available. The test vehicle did not have the 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.

The GX's stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX also featured Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras.

The 2021 Ford Expedition earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not performed crash tests on the SUV. The Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assistance, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Lexus GX, with its older design, lacked crash-test ratings. It came standard with Lexus Safety System+, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked more advanced safety technologies found in competitors.