Compare the2024 Ford ExpeditionVS 2024 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.

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, 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 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 31 more horsepower (380 vs. 349) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6. The Expedition Limited/KR/Platinum’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 51 more horsepower (400 vs. 349) and 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (480 vs. 479) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6. The Expedition Timberline/Stealth Performance’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 91 more horsepower (440 vs. 349) and 31 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 479) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6.

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 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the GX (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 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 (5). This means the Expedition produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GX every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the Expedition’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (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 GX’s optional 50 series tires.

The Expedition offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GX doesn’t offer a load leveling 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 10.3 inches longer than on the GX (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 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GX.

The Expedition XLT 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the GX Overtrail+ pulls only .71 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 Overtrail+ (27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Expedition has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GX Premium (9.8 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Expedition to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Expedition Timberline’s minimum ground clearance is 1.7 inches higher than on the GX Overtrail (10.6 vs. 8.9 inches).

The Ford Expedition may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 200 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

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 up to 7.

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

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

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.

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus GX 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 GX 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 GX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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.

The Ford Expedition/Expedition Max outsold the Lexus GX by over two to one during 2023.