Compare the2023 Ford Expedition MaxVS 2023 Lexus LX

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 doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

Both the Expedition Max and the LX 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, 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 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 Stealth’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 31 more horsepower (440 vs. 409) and 31 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 479) than the LX’s 3.4 turbo V6.

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

The Expedition Max has 6.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the LX (27.8 vs. 21.1 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 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the Expedition Max’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the LX:

For better traction, the Expedition Max has larger standard tires than the LX (275/65R18 vs. 265/55R20). The Expedition Max’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LX (285/45R22 vs. 265/55R20).

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’s optional 50 series tires.

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 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Expedition Max has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Expedition Max flat and controlled during cornering. The LX base model’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

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 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 (131.6 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Expedition Max is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the LX.

The Expedition Max Platinum 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the LX 600 F Sport pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Expedition Max has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the LX Base/Premium (9.7 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Expedition Max to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Expedition Max’s minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the LX Luxury/Ultra Luxury/F Sport (9.7 vs. 8.3 inches).

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 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 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

The Expedition Max’s available rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LX Ultra Luxury doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The Expedition Max’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The LX’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus LX is limited to 8000 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 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

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 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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.

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 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

The Ford Expedition/Expedition Max outsold the Lexus LX by over 17 to one during 2022.