Ford Expedition vs Lexus TX

The 2025 Ford Expedition was a testament to the form-over-function design ethos, reminiscent of a modern school bus but with a more attractive flair. Its slab sides and rectilinear silhouette ensured ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room, making it clear that this vehicle was designed for transporting people comfortably. Despite its utilitarian design, Ford's designers did not completely disregard styling. The Expedition featured horseshoe-shaped daytime running lights framing a bold grille that spanned the entire width of the fascia. Integrated headlights and off-roading lamps on the Tremor trim added to its full-width appearance. The blacked-out B-, C-, and D-pillars gave the glass a wraparound look, while a distinct character line ran from the headlights to the taillights. The rear sported a two-tone paint job, thanks to a black tailgate, and the new split-gate design offered practical benefits for luggage handling and seating.

The Expedition was available in four trim levels: Active, Platinum, Tremor, and King Ranch, with two lengths to choose from. The standard Expedition measured 209.9 inches on a 122.5-inch wheelbase, while the Expedition MAX stretched to 221.7 inches with a 131.5-inch wheelbase. The King Ranch trim boasted luxurious Del Rio leather seating, while the entry-level Active trim impressed with its ActiveX synthetic leather upholstery and standard features like tri-zone automatic climate control and power-folding rear seats. The interior was dominated by a futuristic 24-inch panoramic driver information display and a slightly smaller infotainment touchscreen, contributing to a minimalist and button-light design.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a range of trim levels based on the powertrain, including the TX 350, 500h hybrid, and 550h+ plug-in hybrid. The 550h+ featured a standard panoramic glass roof and the eye-catching Matador Red Mica paint. Most models came with 20-inch wheels, while the 550h+ sported 22-inch wheels. The grille retained the spindle shape, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting. Roof rails added practicality for additional storage.

Inside, the TX provided standard luxury features like multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. However, the overall material quality fell short of luxury standards, with basic plastic elements. The redesigned door handles, which reacted to pressure rather than pulling, were a unique touch but not necessarily an improvement. The TX's interior offered practicality with features like ambient lighting, a large bin in front of the gearshift, and a narrow but deep center console. Cargo space was generous, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2025 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged “EcoBoost” 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. The Tremor trim featured a high-output version of this engine, boosting power to 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Despite its 5,794-pound curb weight, the Expedition's powertrain excelled on highways, providing a comfortable and quiet ride. The ten-speed automatic transmission handled shifts smoothly, and the multi-link rear suspension ensured a stable ride over rough terrain. The Tremor trim replaced the Timberline trim, offering increased ground clearance, improved approach, departure, and breakover angles, and standard 4WD. It also featured 33-inch all-terrain tires, skid plates, and an electronic locking rear axle. However, the Expedition's fuel economy was poor, with 2WD models rated at 16 mpg city, 24 highway, and 18 combined, while 4WD models fared worse at 15/22/18.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid generated 404 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 and hybrid system. It offered various drive options, including electric-only, hybrid, and gas-only modes, making it versatile for different driving scenarios. The TX featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Custom drive modes, with Sport mode enhancing throttle sensitivity. The 550h+ provided a quiet and smooth ride, with seamless transitions between gas and electric power. The suspension absorbed bumps effectively, and the brakes were firm and linear. The AWD system could distribute power between the front and rear wheels, and a Trail Mode helped maintain traction on slippery surfaces.

The 2025 Ford Expedition excelled in towing capacity, with a maximum of 9,600 pounds, surpassing the Chevrolet Tahoe's 8,400 pounds. Inside, the Expedition offered ample cargo space, with 21.6 cubic feet behind the third row in the standard model, expanding to 108.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The Expedition MAX provided even more space, with 36.1 cubic feet behind the third row and 123.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The minimalist interior design featured touch-sensitive trackpads on the steering wheel and climate controls housed in the touchscreen.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ offered standard luxury features like multi-zone climate control and heated and cooled seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and USB-C ports for each seat. However, folding the second row flat was complicated due to a series of levers. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX provided excellent cargo space, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second row folded. The liftgate featured an available kick sensor for easy access.

The 2025 Ford Expedition featured a groundbreaking 24-inch driver information display, offering ample space for Google Maps projection and a selectable widget. The 13.2-inch touchscreen display used a Google-based operating system, requiring an active cellular data plan for full functionality. The Ford Connectivity Package offered one year of complimentary access, with subscription options available afterward.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured a 14-inch color touchscreen, but some features lacked polish, such as the inability to manually input satellite radio stations. The steering wheel buttons were multi-functional and not labeled, requiring drivers to rely on the gauge cluster for their current function. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but connectivity issues occasionally arose. The TX offered a clear back-up camera with an available bird’s-eye view and an Advanced Park system for automated parking. With seven USB ports and wireless charging, the TX ensured devices stayed charged.

The 2025 Ford Expedition had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, and the IIHS ratings were based on a previous-generation model. However, it came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. BlueCruise 1.4 was available on select trims, offering hands-free driving capabilities.

The 2026 Lexus TX came with Safety System+ 3.0 as standard, including forward collision warning, lane centering, and traffic sign recognition. The adaptive cruise control worked well, although it was slow to resume speed in stop-and-go traffic. The TX 350 and 500h received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, while the IIHS gave the TX an "Acceptable" score in the small overlap front crash test on the driver’s side and a "Good" score for the passenger’s side.