Compare the2024 Ford ExpeditionVS 2024 Lexus LX

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 LX doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

Both the Expedition 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, 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 almost 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.

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 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 Timberline/Stealth Performance’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 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The LX requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Expedition has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the LX (23.2 vs. 21.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 LX 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 LX (5). This means the Expedition produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the LX every 15,000 miles.

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

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

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 LX’s optional 50 series tires.

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

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

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 LX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Expedition’s wheelbase is 10.3 inches longer than on the LX (122.5 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Expedition is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the LX.

For greater off-road capability the Expedition has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the LX Base/Premium (9.8 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Expedition to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Expedition Timberline’s minimum ground clearance is 2.3 inches higher than on the LX Luxury/Ultra Luxury/F Sport (10.6 vs. 8.3 inches).

The Ford Expedition may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 pounds less than the Lexus LX.

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 LX 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 LX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

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

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

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 LX.

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 LX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

Insurance will cost less for the Expedition owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Expedition will cost $4525 to $8200 less than the LX over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Expedition will be $29950 to $35033 less than for the Lexus LX.

The Ford Expedition/Expedition Max outsold the Lexus LX by almost 11 to one during 2023.