Compare the2023 Lincoln NavigatorVS 2023 Lexus GX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The middle row seatbelts optional on the Navigator Reserve/Black Label 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 GX doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

The Navigator 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 GX 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 Navigator has standard Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Navigator and the GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The Lincoln Navigator weighs 493 to 729 pounds more than the Lexus GX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

There are almost 3 times as many Lincoln dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Navigator’s warranty.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Navigator’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the GX’s camshafts. If the GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The Navigator 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 reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The GX doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

Engine

The Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 139 more horsepower (440 vs. 301) and 181 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lincoln Navigator is faster than the Lexus GX:

	Navigator	GX
Zero to 60 MPH	5.2 sec	7.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13.8 sec	21.5 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.1 sec	7.6 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.4 sec	3.7 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.2 sec	5.1 sec
Quarter Mile	13.8 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100 MPH	89 MPH
Top Speed	115 MPH	111 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Navigator gets better mileage than the GX:

			MPG
Navigator
	RWD	3.5 turbo V6	17 city/23 hwy
	AWD	3.5 turbo V6	16 city/22 hwy
GX
	AWD	4.6 DOHC V8	15 city/19 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Navigator’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 GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lincoln Navigator uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GX requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Navigator 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 GX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lincoln Navigator higher (6 out of 10) than the Lexus GX (3). This means the Navigator produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GX every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lincoln Navigator, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GX.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Navigator’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GX:

	Navigator	GX
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.2 inches	12.3 inches

The Navigator stops shorter than the GX:

	Navigator	GX
70 to 0 MPH	182 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Navigator has larger standard tires than the GX (275/55R20 vs. 265/60R18). The Navigator’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (285/45R22 vs. 265/60R18).

The Navigator Standard’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GX’s standard 60 series tires. The Navigator’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the GX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Navigator Standard has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GX. The Navigator’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the GX.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Lincoln Navigator 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 GX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Navigator’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 GX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Navigator’s wheelbase is 12.7 inches longer than on the GX (122.5 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Navigator is 5.2 inches wider in the front and 4.8 inches wider in the rear than on the GX.

The Navigator’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.2% to 50.8%) than the GX’s (52% to 48%). This gives the Navigator more stable handling and braking.

The Navigator Black Label 4WD handles at .76 G’s, while the GX pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Navigator Black Label 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GX (27.8 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Navigator’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the GX’s (40 feet vs. 41.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Navigator has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GX (9.6 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Navigator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

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

The Navigator uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The GX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Navigator Black Label 4WD is quieter than the GX (42 vs. 43 dB).

Passenger Space

The Navigator offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the GX can only carry 7.

The Navigator has 42.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GX (172 vs. 129.7).

The Navigator has 3.8 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front legroom, 5.4 inches more front hip room, 9.8 inches more front shoulder room, 7 inches more rear legroom, 6.4 inches more rear hip room, 7.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.1 inches more third row headroom, 6.8 inches more third row legroom, 8.3 inches more third row hip room and 9.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the GX.

Cargo Capacity

The Navigator’s cargo area provides more volume than the GX.

	Navigator	GX
Behind Third Seat	19.3 cubic feet	11.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.5 cubic feet	46.7 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	103.3 cubic feet	64.7 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Navigator easier. The Navigator’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29 inches, while the GX’s liftover is 33.8 inches.

The Navigator’s cargo area is larger than the GX’s in almost every dimension:

	Navigator	GX
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	24”/48”/86.8”	9.8”/39”/75”
Max Width	51.5”	54.6”
Min Width	51”	43.4”
Height	37”	35.5”

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

The Navigator’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The GX’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Navigator’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The GX doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus GX is limited to 6500 pounds. The Navigator offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Navigator 4WD 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 Navigator can be unhitched and driven around locally. The GX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the GX, the Navigator Reserve/Black Label has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, foot pedal distance, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Navigator Reserve/Black Label has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The GX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Navigator’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GX’s parking brake has to be released manually.

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

The Navigator’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

Standard air conditioned seats in the front and second seat rows keep the Navigator’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The GX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Navigator has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the GX.

The Navigator offers optional massaging front and second row seats, which keep the driver and middle row passengers. Massaging seats aren’t available in the GX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lincoln Navigator has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Navigator’s Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The GX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Navigator is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GX doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Navigator is less expensive to operate than the GX because typical repairs cost much less on the Navigator than the GX, including $197 less for a water pump, $267 less for a muffler, $605 less for a starter, $200 less for fuel injection, $214 less for a fuel pump and $317 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Navigator as the 2018 North American Truck of the Year. The GX has never been chosen.