2022 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years, including the addition of Lexus’ trademark spindle grille in 2014, which was further refined in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t see any major styling changes, but it did come with standard silver 18-inch wheels on the Premium trim level. Despite its age, the GX’s tough, aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior didn’t quite match up to modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic, though it did offer standard leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition received a significant facelift with new grille, headlights, and bumper designs, along with revised taillights and tailgate trim. The model lineup included XL STX, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from just over $55,000 to nearly $84,000. A new Timberline trim catered to off-road enthusiasts with features like standard 4WD, all-terrain tires, and suspension modifications. The Stealth Edition packages added black 22-inch wheels and other stylish touches. Inside, the Expedition boasted a redesigned dashboard with the new Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, the latter featuring a massive 15.5-inch touchscreen. The test vehicle, a Limited Stealth Edition, came with leather seats, soft padding, and impressive tech, though it did have some F-150 pickup-grade plastic trim.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. However, its 5,130-pound weight made higher-speed maneuvers and stopping a bit challenging. The GX’s body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. Despite these drawbacks, the GX excelled in off-road capability with a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler and multi-view camera system. The GX had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2022 Ford Expedition, on the other hand, featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. The standard version produced 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, while the high-output version available with the Stealth Edition Performance Package delivered 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and fuel economy ranged from 17 to 19 mpg in combined driving. The Expedition could tow between 9,000 and 9,300 pounds, depending on the model and equipment. The test vehicle’s sport-tuned suspension contributed to a sometimes harsh ride quality, but the adaptive damping suspension available on higher trims helped alleviate this issue. Despite its size, the Expedition was surprisingly easy to park, thanks to excellent outward visibility and features like front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree surround-view camera system.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel was positioned at an odd angle, and the tall seating position felt bus-like. However, the boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage bins and cupholders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating for seven, but the third row was best suited for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was also limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in interior comfort and space. It featured power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain’s chairs offered plenty of legroom and their own climate controls. The third-row seat was easy to access and provided outstanding leg support, though headroom could be tight for taller passengers. Cargo space behind the third row measured 19.3 cubic feet, but folding the third row down increased it to 57.5 cubic feet. The Expedition Max offered even more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 121.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality, though it did include analog controls for most functions.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition featured the next-generation Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems. The standard Sync 4 system included a 12-inch touchscreen, while the optional Sync 4A system had a larger 15.5-inch touchscreen. Both systems offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect with a Wi-Fi hotspot, and natural voice recognition. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems. The Expedition also offered an upgraded dual-touchscreen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, it lacked some advanced safety features like traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered a comprehensive suite of safety features through its Ford Co-Pilot360 packages. The standard package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, speed-limit-sign recognition, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. The top-tier Co-Pilot Assist 2.0 package included a surround-view camera system, rear automatic emergency braking, and Active Park Assist 2.0. The Expedition also offered Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving technology.