Compare the2024 Ford ExpeditionVS 2023 Lexus GX

The middle row seatbelts optional on the Expedition 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.

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

Both the Expedition and GX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Expedition has Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The GX’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Expedition and the GX 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, 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’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Expedition’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 Expedition 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 GX 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’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 79 more horsepower (380 vs. 301) and 141 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The Expedition Limited/KR/Platinum’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 99 more horsepower (400 vs. 301) and 151 lbs.-ft. more torque (480 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The Expedition Timberline/Stealth Performance’s standard 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 Motor Trend the Ford Expedition (base engine) is faster than the Lexus GX:

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Expedition’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 Ford Expedition uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GX requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Expedition 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.

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

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

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

For better traction, the Expedition’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (285/45R22 vs. 265/60R18).

The Expedition’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 GX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Expedition offers optional 22-inch wheels. The GX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Expedition 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 Expedition’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 Expedition’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 Expedition is 5.2 inches wider in the front and 4.8 inches wider in the rear than on the GX.

The Expedition XLT 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the GX pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Expedition XLT 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GX (27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Expedition has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GX (9.8 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Expedition to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Expedition Timberline’s minimum ground clearance is 2.5 inches higher than on the GX (10.6 vs. 8.1 inches).

The front grille of the Expedition 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 Expedition Timberline/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 GX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

The Expedition has 42.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GX (171.9 vs. 129.7).

The Expedition has 4 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front legroom, 5.7 inches more front hip room, 9.5 inches more front shoulder room, 7.4 inches more rear legroom, 7.4 inches more rear hip room, 7.5 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.

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

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

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

The Expedition’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, especially for short adults, the Expedition XLT/Timberline/Limited/King Ranch/Platinum has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The GX doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus GX is limited to 6500 pounds. The Expedition offers up to a 9300 lbs. towing capacity.

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

The Expedition’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The GX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Expedition’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 Expedition’s available exterior PIN entry system. The GX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Expedition’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The GX’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Expedition’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Expedition’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.

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

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Expedition (except STX) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Expedition (except STX/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 GX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Expedition is less expensive to operate than the GX because typical repairs cost much less on the Expedition than the GX, including $285 less for a water pump, $296 less for a muffler, $576 less for a starter, $285 less for fuel injection, $233 less for a fuel pump, $530 less for a timing belt/chain and $378 less for a power steering pump.

The Ford Expedition/Expedition Max outsold the Lexus GX by over two to one during 2022.