2021 Ford Expedition vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum greeted its passengers with a plush and roomy interior, a welcome sight after a tiring flight. However, the SUV struggled to accommodate all the luggage, forcing one passenger to carry a suitcase on her lap. Despite this, the Expedition's luxurious Platinum trim, with its intricate chrome grille and massive 22-inch wheels, made a bold statement.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX, with its redesigned exterior and interior, offered a more refined and minimalist look. The NX's new block lettering and spindle grille gave it a distinctive Lexus identity. Inside, the NX provided a cozy and intimate feel, especially with the F Sport trim's sport-bolstered seats and black headliner. The panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting added to the luxury experience.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with the Platinum trim boosting these figures to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. The SUV's towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, and it offered impressive acceleration even with a full load. However, the ride quality suffered due to the Platinum's 22-inch wheels, transmitting road shock into the cabin.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with 239 horsepower and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 302 hp. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The F Sport trim added adaptive variable sports suspension and performance dampers, making it more responsive and athletic. The NX 350's fuel economy was commendable, with the F Sport averaging 22.2 mpg and the Luxury trim 25.5 mpg.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for all passengers and ample storage space. The regular-length model offered 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 104.6 cubic feet with seats folded. The Expedition MAX provided even more room, with up to 121.5 cubic feet of cargo space. However, the high liftover height could be a drawback when loading heavy items.

The 2022 Lexus NX, while offering more interior room than its predecessor, felt cozy from the driver's seat. The NX's rear seats were spacious, and the panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat. The cargo space increased to 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 46.9 cubic feet with seats folded. The NX's thoughtful design included padded areas for bracing legs and a nature-inspired ambient lighting system.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system, though user-friendly, showed its age with a small 8-inch touchscreen. It offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. However, the system could be slow to respond, and the test vehicle lacked the available rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2022 Lexus NX took a significant leap forward with its new Lexus Interface infotainment system. It featured a 9.8-inch or optional 14-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Voice Assistant technology. The system supported multiple connected service subscription plans and over-the-air updates. The NX also offered a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system and a comprehensive head-up display.

The 2021 Ford Expedition earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, though its rollover-resistance rating was lower. It came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, including features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced technologies like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist and Oncoming Vehicle Detection. The NX also had standard blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Premium trims added rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, and semi-autonomous parking assist.