2021 Ford Expedition vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum greeted six weary travelers at Los Angeles International Airport with its plush and roomy interior. However, despite its luxurious Platinum trim and numerous features, 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 Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, and Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package added to its appeal, but the lack of cargo space was a significant drawback.

Despite this, the Expedition Platinum's bold presence, with its chrome grille and 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, made a strong impression. The extended-length MAX version would have solved the cargo issue, offering more space for passengers and luggage. The leather-lined cabin, though comfortable, revealed its origins with some hard plastic materials, reminding passengers that a Lincoln Navigator might offer a more refined interior.

The 2022 Lexus RX, available in base 350, F Sport, and L trim levels, continued to impress with its modern and sporty design. The RX's aggressive styling, with razor-sharp character lines and angular features, set it apart from competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X5. The F Sport trim, in particular, added a performance-oriented look with 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, and unique front and rear bumpers.

Inside, the RX maintained its luxury appeal with nearly a dozen color combinations and high-quality materials. The F Sport trim added a sporty vibe with model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. However, the center stack felt dated, and the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim were less comfortable than expected. Despite these drawbacks, the RX offered a quiet and comfortable ride, making it a pleasant companion for long drives.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The engine produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in most trims, while the Platinum trim received a boost to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. The Expedition's towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, and it offered Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology for easier trailer maneuvering.

Acceleration was impressive, even with a full load, and the twin-turbo V6 emitted a pleasant engine note. However, the Platinum's 22-inch wheels affected ride quality, transmitting road shock into the cabin. The Expedition's adaptive damping suspension and four-wheel independent suspension helped maintain stability. The FX4 Off-Road Package, available on XLT and Limited models, added off-road capabilities, but our Platinum test vehicle did not include this option. Fuel economy averaged 17.1 mpg, slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 19 mpg for the 4WD model.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h added two electric motors for a combined output of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. The hybrid RX came with AWD as standard.

Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming. The engine note was more akin to a turbocharged four-cylinder, and acceleration was unimpressive. The F Sport trim included performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, but the differences between drive modes were minimal. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and providing a serene ride. Fuel economy for the RX 350 was 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's regular-length model struggled with cargo space, but the extended-length MAX version offered more room. The Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for all passengers. 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 down, and the maximum volume behind the front seats was 104.6 cubic feet. The Expedition MAX provided even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the standard two-row model, comfortably seating four adults. Headroom and legroom were ample, but the three-row L models had limited cargo space. The RX 350L had 7.45 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats upright, increasing to 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down and 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the load-in height was high. However, the RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system, though user-friendly, was showing its age with a recessed 8-inch touchscreen display. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system. The voice recognition system required specific language for complex commands. The test vehicle had a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging, but the dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was not included.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the touchscreen's positioning was ergonomically unfriendly. The touchpad controller was hypersensitive and unintuitive, leading to frustration. However, the RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App provided additional personalization options.

The 2021 Ford Expedition had a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, but its rollover-resistance rating was three stars with RWD and four stars with 4WD. The Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assistance, and a 360-degree camera system were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System 2.0+ as standard, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.