Compare the2023 Lexus GXVS 2022 Lincoln Navigator

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lexus GX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Lincoln Navigator doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The GX’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Navigator doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Lexus GX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Lincoln Navigator doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

The GX has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Navigator doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GX. But it costs extra on the Navigator.

Both the GX and the Navigator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The GX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Navigator’s (6 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the GX’s reliability 55 points higher than the Navigator.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GX second among midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Navigator isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Lincoln is ranked 26th.

The GX stops much shorter than the Navigator:

The GX has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Navigator; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The GX has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Navigator doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The GX 460 Luxury has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Navigator doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Lexus GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 650 pounds less than the Lincoln Navigator.

The GX is 1 foot, 5.9 inches shorter than the Navigator, making the GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GX is 5.7 inches narrower than the Navigator, making the GX easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the GX is quieter than the Navigator Black Label 4WD (66 vs. 67 dB).

The GX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Navigator’s (6500 vs. 6200 pounds).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 43% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 12th.

The GX has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Navigator doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The GX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Navigator doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the GX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Navigator’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Insurance will cost less for the GX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GX will cost $3235 to $7375 less than the Navigator over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GX is less expensive to operate than the Navigator because it costs $309 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the GX than the Navigator, including $18 less for front brake pads, $172 less for front struts and $127 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus GX will be $16848 to $31820 less than for the Lincoln Navigator.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus GX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Navigator isn't recommended.

The Lexus GX outsold the Lincoln Navigator by almost two to one during the 2021 model year.