2020 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity in styling was expected to age well, making it a practical choice for long-term ownership. The King Ranch variant stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test model looked impressive, though some design elements like the taillights and the roof C-pillar could have been better. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, with numerous King Ranch logos. However, the presence of hard plastic, especially in lower trims, was a downside, making the Lincoln Navigator a more luxurious alternative.

The 2021 Lexus NX carried over familiar design elements from its Lexus family, featuring sharp lines and a sculpted exterior similar to the smaller UX and larger RX models. The NX 300 and 300 F Sport gasoline models were tested, with the F Sport variant offering a sportier appearance thanks to a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels. Inside, the F Sport models had exclusive quilted NuLuxe sport seats, with options for Circuit Red interior and other traditional color schemes. The material fit and finish were excellent, though the gauge cluster and center stack design felt outdated compared to newer competitors. The G-Force meter in the F Sport was more of a gimmick than a useful feature.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. The 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth power delivery to the rear wheels, with an optional 4WD system available. The Expedition had a towing capacity of up to 9,300 pounds with rear-drive and 9,200 pounds with 4WD. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim offered a comfortable ride, though the 22-inch wheels sometimes made the ride busy on imperfect pavement. The independent rear suspension improved ride quality and interior space. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Lexus NX 300 and 300 F Sport were equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission was adequate but less smooth than newer multi-speed transmissions. The NX accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in around seven seconds, with the F Sport model featuring Active Sound Control to enhance the engine note. The AWD system could transfer up to 50% of torque to the rear axle. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the AWD model had a combined rating of 24 mpg. The adaptive suspension system offered a smooth and comfortable ride, though the steering lacked feedback. The NX had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds and a top speed of 124 mph.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled at towing, carrying cargo, and hauling people. The King Ranch’s power running boards made entry easy, and the heated and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, provided comfort. The second-row captain’s chairs offered first-class accommodations, and the third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults. Cargo space in the standard-length Expedition was 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded. The long-wheelbase Expedition MAX offered 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 121.5 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2021 Lexus NX had a well-styled and comfortable interior, with ample room for adults in both the front and second-row seats. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the 60/40 split-folding rear seat added versatility. The NX offered 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. While engine noise could intrude into the cabin, road and wind noise were well-muted. The NX’s cargo capacity was one of the smallest in its class, but features like a power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats added convenience.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, which was user-friendly but sometimes slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Other highlights included a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which made towing easier by autonomously steering the trailer.

The 2021 Lexus NX had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus Premium Audio system had eight speakers, with an optional Mark Levinson 14-speaker system available. The Lexus Enform Remote mobile app allowed remote control of various vehicle functions, and Lexus Enform Services Connect provided maintenance alerts.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the Expedition at the time of the review.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The NX received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests, with "Superior" front crash-prevention technology and an "Acceptable" LATCH system rating. The NHTSA gave the NX a five-star overall safety rating. Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and other services, with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.