2022 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX retained its decade-old body shell, with minor updates over the years, including the signature spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. Despite its age, the GX's styling remained coherent and distinctive, appealing to SUV enthusiasts with its aggressive look. However, the interior did not match the modern luxury standards, with wood trim resembling plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. The semi-aniline leather was a standard feature, but the overall interior felt outdated.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition underwent significant exterior styling revisions, including a new grille, headlights, and bumper, giving it a fresh appearance. The rear also received updated taillights and tailgate trim. The Expedition offered a range of trims, including the off-road-focused Timberline and the sporty Stealth Edition. Inside, the Expedition boasted a redesigned dashboard with advanced Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, featuring a large touchscreen display. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with leather seats and impressive tech, although some plastic trim detracted from the luxury feel.

The 2021 Lexus GX was powered by a 4.6-litre V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample power for initial acceleration, the GX's weight of 2,349 kilograms made high-speed maneuvers challenging. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen centre differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and various off-road modes. It offered a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 380 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Expedition's powertrain provided impressive acceleration and a pleasing engine sound. It offered a towing capacity of up to 4,173 kilograms. The Expedition's driving dynamics were generally smooth, although the sport-tuned suspension of the Stealth Edition resulted in a harsher ride. Despite its size, the Expedition was surprisingly easy to park, thanks to excellent visibility and advanced parking aids. On the highway, it excelled in comfort and quietness, making it ideal for long road trips.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics reflected its age, with limited legroom and an awkward steering wheel position. The dashboard design provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. Storage options were limited, with small centre-console bins and cupholders. The GX offered three rows of seating, but the third row was cramped and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with only 1,833 litres available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in interior space and comfort, with easy access provided by electric running boards. The cabin offered ample room for passengers, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and climate controls, while the third row offered good leg support. Cargo space was generous, with 546 litres behind the third row and up to 2,961 litres with all rear seats folded. The Expedition Max variant offered even more cargo capacity.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward interface.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured advanced Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, with large touchscreen displays and wireless smartphone integration. The systems offered a range of features, including voice recognition and navigation. However, some quirks were noted, such as accidental activation of the defroster function and issues with Apple CarPlay. The Expedition also offered a dual-touchscreen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV.

The 2021 Lexus GX came with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including features like a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus models.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered a comprehensive suite of safety features through the Ford Co-Pilot360 packages. These included forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centring assist. The Platinum trim added a surround-view camera system and rear automatic emergency braking. The Expedition also offered Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving technology, although some issues with lane-centring were noted.