Compare the2022 Ford Expedition MaxVS 2021 Lexus LX 570

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Expedition Max are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The middle row seatbelts optional on the Expedition Max inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The LX 570 doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

The Expedition Max has standard Post-Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Expedition Max offers optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The LX 570 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Expedition Max’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Expedition Max and the LX 570 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

There are over 12 times as many Ford dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Expedition Max’s warranty.

The Expedition Max has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

The Expedition Max’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 67 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 403) than the LX 570’s 5.7 DOHC V8. The Expedition Max Limited/KR/Platinum’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 17 more horsepower (400 vs. 383) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (480 vs. 403) than the LX 570’s 5.7 DOHC V8. The Expedition Max Stealth’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 57 more horsepower (440 vs. 383) and 107 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 403) than the LX 570’s 5.7 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Expedition Max Limited/KR/Platinum is faster than the Lexus LX 570:

On the EPA test cycle the Expedition Max gets better mileage than the LX 570:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Expedition Max’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The LX 570 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Expedition Max has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the LX 570 (27.8 vs. 24.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Expedition Max has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Expedition Max, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the LX 570.

The Expedition Max’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LX 570’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Expedition Max offers optional 22-inch wheels. The LX 570’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Ford Expedition Max’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Lexus LX 570 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Expedition Max has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus LX 570 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Expedition Max has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The LX 570’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Expedition Max’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The LX 570 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Expedition Max’s wheelbase is 19.4 inches longer than on the LX 570 (131.6 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Expedition Max is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the LX 570.

The Expedition Max Platinum 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the LX 570 pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Expedition Max has a greater minimum ground clearance than the LX 570 (9.7 vs. 8.9 inches), allowing the Expedition Max to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Ford Expedition Max may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 350 pounds less than the Lexus LX 570.

The front grille of the Expedition Max uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The LX 570 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Expedition Max Limited/King Ranch/Platinum uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The LX 570 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Expedition Max has 28.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LX 570 (172 vs. 143.4).

The Expedition Max’s cargo area provides more volume than the LX 570.

The Expedition Max’s cargo area provides more volume than the LX 570 Two-Row.

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Expedition Max’s optional second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The LX 570 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The Expedition Max’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The LX 570’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Expedition Max Limited/King Ranch/Platinum’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its tailgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus LX 570 is limited to 7000 pounds. The Expedition Max offers up to a 9000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Expedition Max 4x4 with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Expedition Max can be unhitched and driven around locally. The LX 570 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The power windows standard on both the Expedition Max and the LX 570 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Expedition Max is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The LX 570 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Expedition Max’s available exterior PIN entry system. The LX 570 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Expedition Max’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The LX 570’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Expedition Max Platinum has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the LX 570.

The Expedition Max (except XLT)’s optional Enhanced Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The LX 570 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Expedition Max is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Expedition Max owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Expedition Max will cost $5935 to $7190 less than the LX 570 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Expedition Max will be $13387 to $27262 less than for the Lexus LX 570.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Expedition Max, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Expedition/Expedition Max outsold the Lexus LX 570 by over 20 to one during the 2021 model year.